Reopening of Villanova Athletics

Villanova University has announced its plans for a phased return to campus and an on-campus living and learning experience during the fall semester. At the top of this website you will find additional information about all aspects of the University's reopening. Information specifically related to the reopening of Villanova Athletics is found below the University information. 

 
 
 
 

VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY RESOURCES

    
RETURN TO CAMPUS WEBSITE HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN
CARITAS COMMITMENT ACADEMICS
LIVING AND WORKING ON CAMPUS UNIVERSITY COVID-19 UPDATES
    
 

VILLANOVA ATHLETICS

    
 
Varsity Sports Competition
Club Sports and Intramurals
Athletic Facilities and Operations
Evidence-Informed Decision Making
Caritas Task Force
Frequently Asked Questions
 

HELPFUL RESOURCES

University Counseling Center
Free, confidential help is available by calling 610-519-4050.

Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry is here for every student, staff and faculty member and can be reached at 610-519-4080.

Office of Academic Support for Athletics
Jennifer Brophy, Director, jennifer.l.brophy@villanova.edu, 610-519-7719
Krista Chmielewski, Assistant Director, kchmiele@villanova.edu, 610-519-5205
Taryn Nichols, Athletic Academic Advisor, taryn.nichols@villanova.edu, 610-519-7722
Marissa Paffas, Athletic Academic Advisor, marissa.paffas@villanova.edu, 610-519-3949
Chuck Davis, Athletic Academic Advisor, charles.davis@villanova.edu, 610-519-7723

Athletics Compliance Office
Katie LeGrand, Assistant AD/Compliance, katherine.legrand@villanova.edu, 610-519-6607

Howie Long Strength & Conditioning Center
Kevin Miller, Assistant AD/Director of Sports Performance, kevin.r.miller@villanova.edu, 610-519-5383

Sports Medicine
Lenny Currier, Assistant AD/Sports Medicine, leonard.currier@villanova.edu, 610-519-5669

Media Relations
Dean Kenefick, Senior Associate AD/Communications, dean.kenefick@villanova.edu, 610-519-6514
 
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VARSITY SPORTS COMPETITION AND TEAM ACTIVITIES

The BIG EAST Conference Board of Directors announced on Wednesday, August 12 the cancelation of the league’s entire Fall 2020 sports schedule due to the continuing COVID-19 global pandemic. The conference and its member institutions are continuing to evaluate the options for moving Fall sports competition to the Spring. Further updates will be communicated at a later date as the situation surrounding a return to collegiate sports becomes clearer.
 
The August 12 announcement affects all 11 Villanova varsity sports programs who compete during the Fall season, including six sports who play the championship segments of their seasons in the BIG EAST (men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey, volleyball). The BIG EAST cancelation coincides with Villanova’s decision to postpone its football season, in alignment with CAA Football suspending conference competition in Fall 2020 and examining the possibility of conducting a football season in Spring 2021. Villanova Athletics has also canceled the Fall non-championship schedules for golf, rowing, men’s tennis and women’s tennis.

The situation regarding returning to any type of athletic competition on college campuses remains fluid. Villanova Athletics is working closely with campus leadership, public health authorities and its conference partners to identify a course of action that maintains the health and safety of student-athletes, athletics staff and the community. The department is currently evaluating the opportunities for student-athletes to interact with their coaches and receive athletic instruction upon returning to campus. The return to athletic activity will adhere to the NCAA guidelines contained within the Core Principles of Resocialization of Collegiate Sports which call for a phased return to individual and team workouts. A timeline for decision making on winter sports competition and the possibility of fall sports competition moving to the spring season will be announced at a later date.
 
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions as a resource for further information on these updates.
 

CLUB SPORTS AND INTRAMURALS

Alternate intramural programs will be offered to allow for social distancing including Intramural Sports: Yard Game Olympics, Singles Tennis, Punt Pass Kick Competition, Football Combine, Frisbee Golf.

All Club Sport activities are suspended for Fall 2020 and will be re-evaluated in January 2021.
 

FITNESS CENTERS

Fitness Centers (Davis, Stanford, Farley and Arch)  re-open on 8/17 (normal operating hours). Reservations required to use the fitness centers.  Instructions to enroll can be found on our website.  Masks must be worn at all times in the fitness centers.  Temperatures will be take upon arrival. 

Group Fitness classes
 will be offered virtually this fall (via zoom).  $25 for unlimited classes. Schedule of classes and registration instructions can be found on our website.

Small Group Pilates Reformer classes and Personal Training Services will be available in the Davis Center. 

Pool is closed to recreational swim for the fall

Indoor open recreation (Jake Nevin Field House) is off-line for the fall. The track will be open for recreation at certain times. 
 


EVIDENCE INFORMED DECISION MAKING


GUIDING RESOURCES AND EVIDENCE INFORMED DOCUMENTS
CDC Guidance for Colleges, Universities and Higher Learning
PA Department of Education - Preliminary Guidance for Resuming In-Person Instruction at Postsecondary Institutions
PA Department of Education - Preliminary Guidance for School Sports
PA Governor Tom Wolf - Department of Health, Coronavirus in Pennsylvania
NCAA - Core Principles of Resocialization of Collegiate Sports
NATA - Coronavirus Resources and Guidance
BIG EAST Conference COVID-19 Task Force Members
 

CARITAS TASK FORCE

Villanova Athletics created the Caritas Task Force to serve as the strategic working group that will plan for the reopening of the athletic department. The task force is comprised of athletic department senior officers, head coaches and selected staff members who are working collaboratively with all Villanova University directives and protocols. Prior to the start of the fall semester, the task force will issue recommendations related to the resumption of daily operations in Villanova Athletics that minimize health risks to student-athletes, staff and the community. The specific focus of the task force is on the reopening of Villanova Athletics indoor and outdoor facilities and use by student-athletes, the campus community that utilizes our recreation and fitness facilities, and our fans and external constituents who support and attend athletic events.
 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Last Updated on Wednesday, August 12

Health and Safety Questions
General Campus Questions
Academic Questions
International Student-Athletes
General Athletics Questions
Athletics Activities
Athletic Facilities and Operations
Eligibility Questions (Updated on 8/27)
Sports Medicine Questions
Strength & Conditioning Questions
Mental Health and Well-Being
Media Relations Questions