The Hawk

Issue date: 2/7/07 Section: Sports

Glenn Todaro, '07, wanted to spark school spirit by hanging this banner from Barbelin tower.

Five consecutive days of marquee college basketball match ups, including Philadelphia's "Holy War," between St. Joseph's and Villanova, inspired ESPN to declare February 5 - 9, "Rivalry Week."

Last year's tilt between St. Joe's and Villanova, hosted by the Hawks, played at the University of Pennsylvania's famed Palestra, the nation's most historic college basketball venue, and home of the Philadelphia Big 5.

Villanova Head Coach Jay Wright and Athletic Director Vince Nicastro have scheduled the game, airing on ESPN2 Tuesday night, for the Pavilion, the first true home game the Wildcats have played since their January 17 win over Notre Dame.

Since then, they have hosted three games at the Wachovia Center, home of the 76ers, against Texas, Pittsburgh, and Lousiville, and have a 3-2 record over that span.

Entering a vital Big 5 match up of teams undefeated in the city series, Villanova wants to ensure they have every advantage against their cross-town rival.

This year the annual rivalry is renewed, but instead of the default neutral venue that the Palestra provides, Villanova has once again opted to play at the Pavilion, their home basketball arena on campus.

Hawks Head Coach Phil Martelli says he respects Villanova's decision to play at the Pavilion, but has his own reasons for scheduling the annual 'Nova game at the Palestra.

"In this day and age of college basketball, a coach has a responsibility to put his team in the best position to win," said Martelli. "But I think we serve a greater good when we play at the Palestra, anyone from Philadelphia can come to that game."

Martelli grew up attending Big 5 games and has a deep appreciation for what the yearly round robin means to Philadelphia basketball fans.

Given the chance, he would ensure that all games played between St. Joe's, Temple, LaSalle, Penn, and Villanova took place at the Palestra, with tickets divided evenly between schools.

Martelli and St. Joe's place priority on the experience that comes from a Big 5 game at the Palestra, for fans, students, and players alike.

Since the Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse seats only 3,200, the Palestra is an opportunity for more fans from both competing schools to watch live games, and for the city tradition to live on.

Continued...

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