Dec. 21, 2000

Villanova, Pa. - You have seen the Villanova Wildcats pass. You have seen them drain baskets. On Thursday, the men's basketball team will try something a bit different when it visits the Don Guanella School in Springfield, Pa.

The 'Cats will be caroling and dispensing some holiday cheer for their friends at the school.

"We have some very good basketball players but I doubt anyone will be comparing any of us to Bing Crosby or Burl Ives," said Wildcats head coach Steve Lappas. "But the holidays are a very special time of year and we believe it is important for our guys to share some time with our friends at Don Guanella."

This pre-Christmas visit is set for Thursday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. in the school's gym. Villanova's student athletes will conduct a free throw shooting contest, sign autographs and sing a few Christmas carols as part of the athletic department's PAWS community outreach program. The Wildcats also visited Don Guanella, located at 1797 South Spruel Road, last spring.

Villanova is off to a 6-1 start and returns to action at the Pavilion on Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. against Fairleigh Dickinson. Tickets are available to the public for this contest and can be obtained by telephoning 610-519-4100 or by visiting the ticket office in Jake Nevin Field House.