Good Morning, Nova Nation 5/8: A Growing Family

'Cats Officially Welcome New Guard To Men's Hoops Program

May 08, 2026

The Official Newsletter of Villanova Athletics

What all do we have in today’s edition? Check it out below!

🏀 A Growing Family
⚾️ Midweek Mashing
📚 Academic Excellence
🔷 And much more!

Tommy’s Tavern + Tap is proud to be an Official Partner of Villanova Athletics!

🔼 A Growing Family. Coach Willard and his Villanova men’s basketball staff continue to grow the Wildcat family as this week, they officially introduced the newest member of the backcourt, guard Darryl “Buddy” Simmons II.

Simmons, who has one year of eligibility remaining, finished third in the Atlantic 10 in scoring, averaging 16.4 points per game and knocking down 42.5-percent from beyond the arc last season at St. Bonaventure.

Villanova University’s new Master of Science in Sports and Performance Engineering launches this fall. Become a master in biomechanics, analytics and wearable technology while advancing the sports and human tech industry. Join the next generation of performance engineers.

🔼 Midweek Mashing. The scoring started early and often for the Villanova Baseball squad this week, as the ‘Cats scored five runs in the first two innings en route to a 14-1 mid-week victory over visiting Towson on Wednesday afternoon.

Brayden Leonard and Larry Hotaling each had three hits on the day to lead the 14-hit attack for the Wildcats. On the mound, seven different Villanova pitchers combined to scatter six hits and strikeout seven on the day.

🔼 Academic Excellence. In the latest release of NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) data on Tuesday afternoon, Villanova Athletics had 11 of its varsity programs earn public recognition for having a multiyear APR score which ranks in the top 10 percent of their sport nationwide.

Of particular note is that each of those 11 teams to be recognized had a perfect multiyear APR score of 1000, making it nine consecutive years that the Wildcats have had 10 or more teams earn a perfect score.

🔼 Mighty Maranda. For the second consecutive season, Villanova Softball’s Maranda Runco earned First Team All-BIG EAST accolades.

Runco led Villanova in home runs (9), RBIs (37), slugging percentage (.547), on-base percentage (.463) and OPS (1.010). The slugging lefty was top-10 in the BIG EAST in on-base percentage, RBIs, home runs and walks. 

What’s Ahead is brought to you by our friends at Visit Delco, the #1 source for information on all there is to see and do in Delaware County, PA. Find fantastic places to stay, incredible food and drink, and music and art—and you may even find a few surprises

Friday, May 8th
🍷 Grace Winery Tasting Room Open
⚾️ Baseball vs. St. John’s @ 3:30pm

Saturday, May 9th
🩰 International Ballet Classique: “Don Quixote”
⚾️ Baseball vs. St. John’s @ 2pm
👟 Men’s Track & Field at Franson Last Chance Meet (Azusa, Calif.)

Sunday, May 10th
🎭 Media Theater Presents: 9 to 5
⚾️ Baseball vs. St. John’s @ 1pm

Thursday, May 14th
🍷 Red Brick Winery: Tasting Room Open
⚾️ Baseball at UConn @ 6:05pm
👟 Track & Field at BIG EAST Championships (Storrs, Conn.)

Friday, May 15th
🎶 Live Music at 118 North
⚾️ Baseball at UConn @ 6:05pm
👟 Track & Field at BIG EAST Championships (Storrs, Conn.)
🚣 Rowing at CAA Championships (Pennsauken, N.J.)

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Have a great one, Nova Nation!