Good Morning, Nova Nation 9/10: Accolades Aplenty

McKinnon, Curtin Lead 'Cats Honors This Week

The Official Newsletter of Villanova Athletics

Good Morning, Nova Nation! We love seeing our alums having a chance to represent the ‘Cats on the global stage!

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

🏐 Sophomore Standout
🏈 Pro ‘Cats
⚽️ Accolades Aplenty
🔷 And much more!

Enter the Takis Turn up the Heat Sweepstakes NOW for your chance to win
a VIP experience to “The Roommates Show” Podcast live event at Finneran Pavilion
on Wednesday, September 17th. Winner will receive two (2) VIP seats, an autographed
Josh Hart throwback Villanova jersey, and an exclusive Takis prize pack!

🔼 Sophomore Standout. Just a few weeks into the 2025 season, second-year standout Campbell McKinnon is showing there’s no sophomore slump on the horizon.

After a dominant performance at the Villanova Classic this past weekend, McKinnon was selected as the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week on Monday afternoon.

It's the first major weekly award for the sophomore Wildcat who earned one weekly honor roll selection in her freshman season but was a preseason All-BIG EAST pick entering the 2025 campaign. The last major weekly winner for VU came in 2023 while the most recent OPOW was in September of 2022.

🔼 Pro ‘Cats. The NFL season is underway and yet again, Villanova football has alums shining on the biggest stage.

On Monday Night Football, former ‘Cat Tanoh Kpassagnon began his ninth season in the NFL by bringing down the Vikings’ JJ McCarthy for sack number 17.5 of his career.

Just one night prior, another former Villanova standout Christian Benford tallied seven tackles as the Bills won a thriller on Sunday Night Football over the Ravens.

Chickie’s & Pete’s is proud to support Villanova Athletics! Go where the
players go – your home before, during, and after the game!

🔼 Accolades Aplenty. Not even a full month into the 2025-26 athletic calendar and the ‘Cats are already piling up the accolades.

For a second consecutive week, Hannah Curtin has landed a spot on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll. She is the first Wildcat to earn back-to-back honors from the conference since Olivia Neal did so in late September last season. Her latest honor brings Villanova to three weekly honors this season.

On the men’s soccer side, Sam Nyenka earned his second Philly 6 Player of the Week honor, while Alex Yagudayev was named the Philly 6 Goalkeeper of the Week.

🔼 Coming Home. Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart are back at Villanova, and they’re bringing the Roommates Show 𝙃𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 to Finneran Pavilion on Wednesday, September 17 at 7 PM.

This isn’t just a podcast taping. It’s the official launch of the 2025–26 Villanova Men’s and Women’s Basketball seasons, with team introductions, live conversations with Coaches Kevin Willard and Denise Dillon, appearances from the 2016 National Champions, and even a surprise celebrity guest. Add in giveaways, exclusive merch, and high-energy contests on the court, and you’ve got the ultimate Villanova Basketball experience.

Tickets are live now. Grab your seat HERE before they’re gone.

Just over two months until tipoff and seats are going fast!

Get your Villanova women’s hoops season tickets now! There’s very limited lower level seats left. Secure your spot before it’s too late!

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.

Wedneday, September 10
✨ Dining Under The Stars in Downtown Media
🏐 Volleyball at Temple @ 4 pm

Thursday, September 11
🎶 Irish Trad Music Session at the Kelly Music Center
⚽️ Women’s Soccer at Princeton @ 7 pm

Friday, September 12
🎭 The Jury Experience: An Immersive Courtroom Case at Media Theatre
🏑 Field Hockey vs. La Salle @ 3 pm

Saturday, September 13
🇺🇸 Brandywine Battlefield Tours
⚽️ Men’s Soccer vs. Princeton @ 1 pm
🏐 Volleyball vs. Delaware @ 2 pm (Norfolk, Va.)
🏈 Football at #3 Penn State @ 3:30 pm

Sunday, September 14
🌽 Media Farmers Market
🏑 Field Hockey at Hofstra @ 12 pm
🏐 Volleyball at Old Dominion @ 2 pm (Norfolk, Va.)

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Have a great one, Nova Nation!