VILLANOVA, Pa. – Villanova Athletics and UNITAS have announced several events for the month of February to celebrate Black History Month.
 
February marks a special time for individuals to amplify and share their stories and messages while making their voices heard on issues that relate to Black culture and heritage. While learning opportunities are available throughout the year, this dedicated time brings the chance to honor the contributions of the Black community and foster ongoing conversations to bridge the past, present and future. A full slate of celebrations and educational programming that will be available at Villanova throughout the month can be found at this link.
 
UNITAS in Athletics' focus for this Black History Month is centered on Social Justice Activism, a theme that will continue through 2024 with various educational opportunities in this election year. Throughout February, the @nova_unitas social media channels on X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram will highlight the history of voting in the Black community and uplift the work of those who have pushed to extend awareness and education of black history and voting rights for African Americans.
 
For the third consecutive year, Villanova Athletics, in conjunction with the BIG EAST Conference and the Black Fives Foundation, will celebrate pioneers from the "Black Fives" era at basketball games during the month. The Black Fives were dozens of independent African American basketball teams that played prior to the integration of the National Basketball Association in 1950. For 22 games, the BIG EAST Men's and Women's Basketball Teams will be wearing shooting shirts with the Black Fives mantra "Make History Now". Women's basketball coaches will wear "Make History Now" lapel pins and men's basketball coaches will wear lapel pins that recognize the 100 Year Anniversary of the Black Fives Era's most prolific team, the New York Rens. The men will wear theirs on Feb. 4 against Providence with the women following against Butler on Feb. 17.
 
The Feb. 4 men's basketball matchup with Providence will also feature an on-court recognition of Villanova's second McLendon Minority Leadership Initiative (MLI) Future Leader, Curtis Williams. The Initiative is a John McLendon Foundation program that works to provide minorities a jump-start to their careers through practical experiences, opportunities to build their network, and instilling the values of John McLendon: Integrity, Education, Leadership, and Mentorship.
 
Villanova track and field will host a Black History Month panel discussion on Feb. 5 in the Finneran Pavilion from 6:45 – 7:45 p.m. Women's lacrosse will also celebrate Black History Month game at its Feb. 17 contest against Bucknell.
 
February wraps up with the UNITAS game and Black History Month celebration at the men's basketball game against Georgetown on Feb. 27. Villanova University, in light of its work through UNITAS, was chosen as the winner of the third annual John Thompson Jr. Award in September which recognizes significant efforts within the BIG EAST Conference to fight prejudice and discrimination and advance positive societal change. The award was named after Thompson who was the head men's basketball coach at Georgetown from 1972 to 1999. He will be acknowledged during the game in the spirit of the legacy he left in both sports and the fight for racial equality and social justice.
 
A schedule of events for the month can be found below:
Feb. 4: Men's Basketball vs. Providence – McClendon Fellow Recognition/Black Fives Celebration
Wells Fargo Center, 6 p.m.
Feb. 5: Track and Field Black History Month Panel Discussion
Finneran Pavilion, 6:45-7:45 p.m.
Feb. 17: Women's Lacrosse vs. Bucknell – Black History Month Game
Villanova Stadium, 12 p.m.
Feb. 17: Women's Basketball vs. Butler – Black Fives Celebration
Finneran Pavilion, 4 p.m.
Feb. 18: Soul Food Sunday, sponsored by the Division of Student Life
O'Dea Lounge, 6 p.m.
Feb. 27: Men's Basketball vs. Georgetown – UNITAS game/Black History Month Celebration
Finneran Pavilion, 6:30 p.m.
 
UNITAS in Athletics is a framework to build a welcoming and supportive athletic department through constructive dialogs, educational programming and community engagement. Through UNITAS, Villanova Athletics is committed to fostering an inclusive, anti-bigotry environment where every member of the community has a voice and feels respected, valued and safe.