The Nova Notebook, by Mike Sheridan, is an occasional feature focused on the men's basketball program. This week its focus is on the late Helene Mercanti, who died earlier this month at the age of 57 after a battle with cancer.

            Having spent the first 14 years of my professional life at a magazine housed in the basement of my employer's suburban home, my hiring at Villanova in 1998 introduced me to a new phenomenon: the office pop-in.
 
            I was admittedly a novice. After operating in a workplace confined to phone calls, emails and, yep, faxes, I quickly discovered the joy of communicating with colleagues in person. Whenever the opportunity presented itself, I would make my way to another part of Jake Nevin Field House or the Pavilion to have a word with a coworker. The matter might be important or, more often, not. But those personal conversations were a far better connector than any voice or email message could hope to be.
 
            By 2011, I was a frequent "pop-in" visitor to the Men's Basketball Office in the Davis Center. Usually I was just there to check in, say hello and let the occupants know that, though my office was in another building, I was very much invested in the program. It was a pattern I had begun when the wonderful Mary Anne Gabuzda was the first person you saw upon entry and had continued through the years after "Mares" moved to work with the Women's Basketball staff.
 
            Then along came Helene Mercanti.
 
            Anyone who worked at Villanova in the first decade of the 2000s knew Helene's name if not her face. As a key member of the University Procurement team, hers was the name on email reminders on a wide range of accounting topics. If you had an issue with your University credit card – or, heaven forbid, were delinquent on submitting an expense – Helene was the person you would hear from. Thankfully, I had never been in the crosshairs of an audit, so my brief interactions with her were limited to email.
 
            At the time of Helene's arrival in our world, we were still coming to grips with a spotlight that had grown ever more intense after a period of success in the second half of the first decade of the 2000s. That period was highlighted by the program's visit to the 2009 NCAA Final Four, its first in 24 years. In her new role as Special Assistant to the Head Coach, Helene was the point of contact for requests as they came in from alumni, donors, media, faculty and students.
 
            It was a workload that could have overwhelmed the most capable of administrators.
 
            Helene never flinched. In fact, it quickly became apparent that she had a knack for making everyone who approached her desk in the main lobby of the Basketball office feel welcome. Her kindness was genuine and made that place a magnet for all of us – co-workers, student assistants, alumni, you name it. No one was treated like a stranger.
 
            The path to the area in front of Helene's desk was well-worn. It was used by former colleagues on campus – Helene had friends in every corner of the University community – as well as those of us who had become a friend in her second act at Villanova.
            At first, we mostly spoke of work matters around Coach Wright's schedule. I did my best to help her with unfamiliar visitors – "Mike, there's some guy I've never seen down here who says he and Coach are great friends from way back" – while she became an invaluable resource to me on anything to do with Villanova at large. "I've got a pal in that office. Give 'em a call."
 
            It wasn't long before we were well versed in the goings on with the other's family. Helene is one of eight Capobianchi children and I felt like I knew every sibling, niece and nephew, though I had only met her husband Jack and daughters Christine and Gina. In turn, Helene got to know my wife Kristin and took special care to be sure that she saved a seat at every function, knowing Kristin would be flying solo while I worked.
 
            I was not alone in having that kind of warm friendship with Helene. Far from it. Her list of "buddies" was endless.
 
            My office is located in the Field House. When I came to the basketball office – usually 3-4 times a day – I would be stationed near Helene's desk, awaiting whatever interview or matter was at hand. I am sure there were times when she would have preferred to do her work in peace instead of one more interruption. But I never felt that. 
 
            To the players, Helene was as Father Rob described so eloquently in his homily at the funeral, the person who was thrilled to see them whether they logged zero minutes or 40 in the previous night's game. To the staff, she was indispensable, a smart leader and cherished presence whose quick wit and genuine interest in their lives beyond basketball was a gentle reminder not to let life's balance tip too heavily in one direction.
 
            To the head coach, her boss, and his wife Patty, she was all of that and more. Part of the challenge of serving as a gatekeeper to a prominent person is remaining even tempered at those times when the news you must deliver is not what the requestor wants to hear. No one did that better Helene. She was always polite and respectful, no matter how unusual the request (we learned firsthand that the range of requests fielded in the aftermath of a national title or two occasionally enters the realm of the "excuse me, you would like to do what?")
 
            There was another group that Helene impacted in her tenure. In tandem with the student managers who are often seen working at games and practice, Villanova Basketball relies on a staff of student office assistants. This is a group of young men and women carrying a full course load who log office hours and handle team ticket distribution at home games. This was a unit that Helene was directly responsible for mentoring and it was a role that came naturally to her.
 
            When I would encounter one of these Villanova alums after graduation – a number have gone on to careers in the sports industry – the first person they would ask for was Helene. In messages I have received in the last week, more than one has referred to Helene as "a second Mother for me at school".
 
            Working in athletics, we talk a lot about being a good teammate. There was no better teammate than Helene. She poured her abundant energy into every task and was always accountable. To me, it is impossible to think of 2016 and 2018 without contemplating Helene's important contributions. The staff called her "Dream" and it fit.
 
            When we return to campus life, I plan to resume my "pop-in" visits (at the appropriate social distance and wearing a mask, of course). It will be good to see the young men and women of Villanova Basketball on something other than a Zoom call. Yet I know too that someone will be missing.
 
            There is profound sadness in that.
 
            But among the many bits of wisdom Helene taught me, this one stands out. Be there for your family. Be there for your friends.
 
            I hope to hold on to that pearl forever.
 
As just one of your countless Nova buddies Helene, I wish you Godspeed and offer prayers for Jack, Christine, and Gina and your precious "grandbabies" Stella and Michael. I know full well you are making everyone feel welcome and important in your new eternal life.