VILLANOVA, Pa.- Senior captain Shannon Drakeley looks back on her four years as a Wildcat and what she has added to the legacy her family has built at Villanova.

The West Chester native has been a Nova fan for as long as she can remember. She grew up attending Villanova basketball games with her family and had her heart set on being a Wildcat from a young age. Drakeley's affinity for the university draws from the legacy that her grandfather, Jim Huggard, had left when he suited up for the Wildcats from 1958 until 1961 on the men's basketball roster.

Huggard, or "Hug" as he was known at the time, played a large role on the Villanova basketball team leading the 'Cats to two NIT (National Invitation Tournament) appearances and multiple strong winning records. Huggard was named All-Big 5 as a junior and senior, earning the Most Valuable Player award as a senior captain, and still holds the Villanova record for single game assists (16). Huggard went on to play professionally in the old Eastern League after he graduated and was inducted into the Big 5 Hall of Fame in 1978. He continued to be a proud Villanova alumnus and fan up until his passing in October of 2020, leaving behind all the love he had of the school to his children and grandchildren.

Although Drakeley did not pursue the same sport as Huggard, she continued the family legacy through field hockey. Drakeley's mother, who played field hockey, introduced her to the sport at a young age. Towards the end of her high school career, she went through the traditional recruiting process and had interest from a few different schools, but once head coach Joanie Milhous offered Drakeley a spot on the team, it was a dream come true. Huggard was ecstatic when his granddaughter shared the good news with him and watched all the games on the livestream.
Even after Huggard passed on, Drakeley continued to feel his presence and felt proud to carry on their connection through Villanova.

"I love Villanova and everything that it's about. I know that every time that I'm here and step out onto the field and I'm wearing Villanova across my chest, I feel my grandfather with me," said Drakeley. "Even though he's gone, I know he's always with me and that he is watching down on me and supporting me through everything."
 
Drakeley loved the idea of following in her grandfather's footsteps and even wrote his jersey number "24" on her stick to have a part of him with her on the field, but it was her time create a legacy of her own.

The captain has been a huge contributor for the Wildcats on the defensive end during her four-year career appearing in 40 games at back, recording 24 starts, and tallying one career defensive save. Drakeley has decided to continue her journey as a Wildcat for a fifth year and add on to her stellar athletic resume.

Looking back on the season, Drakeley reflected on the accomplishments she and the team had achieved.

"I'm really proud of our team overall. It was a great season, a great winning season, and I think that we totally just showed our core values and standards and really put forth the best effort every single day, game, practice, whatever the situation was," said Drakeley. "I love the girls and I love this team. I think it just really showed how close we were on the field."

Drakeley earned spots on the BIG EAST All-Academic Team, NFHCA National Academic Squad, and has been a NFHCA Scholar of Distinction the last three years. Her teammates and coaches have commended her hard work, dedication, leadership, and strong work ethic on and off the field. Drakeley is a true role model for the student-athlete and takes her role on the field as seriously as she does in the classroom. Drakeley will be graduating in May of 2023 with a degree in Finance as well as having her pre-med requirements met.

The legacy that Drakeley has been building upon and wants to leave behind after her fifth-year stint are focused on what it takes to not only be a strong player but a strong well-rounded person.

"I just want to leave behind a legacy based on the qualities that my grandfather instilled in me. A legacy that shows strong work ethic, determination, and competitiveness both on and off the field," said Drakeley. "I want to leave those ideas behind and pass them on to future generations because those are things that he instilled in me that make me who I am."

Coach Milhous expressed the amazing work Drakeley has shown throughout her collegiate career making it clear she has already left a mark on the program and fulfilling the legacy she wants to leave behind.

"Shannon has been an inspiration to all those around her. She consistently gives 100% to everything she does on and off the field," said Milhous. "Her great attitude and determination are unwavering even when she battled through a concussion. We are thrilled Shannon will be coming back for an additional year."

As a fifth-year leader and future alumna, Drakeley wants to continue to display the qualities she believes in and support Villanova field hockey after her time on the field is through. Drakeley touched on what it means for her to be a Wildcat and what her experience at Villanova has meant to her.

"Being a Wildcat means everything to me. My grandfather would always say once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat. He took great pride in that and I'm excited that I'll be able to do the same," said Drakeley. "I will definitely be saying once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat to everyone that I can. I'm super proud of my time here and I'm so thankful for the opportunity to have played the last four years on such a great team. I'm looking forward to one last season and to continue to share this experience with my grandfather."