Benjamin Moyer ' 22
Essay 25
Three years ago, I was a freshman at Villanova when I entered this same contest hoping that I would be able to attend the NCAA tournament. I didn’t win. However I realize now that I didn’t deserve to win then. I was young, immature, and didn’t understand Villanova Basketball. But now? Now I’m ready. Over my past four years at Nova I’ve attended nearly every home game at the Pavillon and Wells Fargo. I witnessed the first game played in the renovated Finn, I’ve seen the highs of winning the Big East with Booth and Paschall, beating number 1 Kansas at the Wells Fargo, but I’ve also witnessed the lows. I was at the game Villanova lost to Michigan and I watched the tournament losses to Purdue and Baylor. Through the last four years I’ve been with Nova basketball for the entire ride. I’ve felt their joys and their pains and my college experience has largely been shaped by this team. I’ve grown, I’ve learned, I’ve cried with this team and as a senior this year, I would enjoy nothing more than to watch Villanova basketball play in the NCAA tournament.
Essay 25
Three years ago, I was a freshman at Villanova when I entered this same contest hoping that I would be able to attend the NCAA tournament. I didn’t win. However I realize now that I didn’t deserve to win then. I was young, immature, and didn’t understand Villanova Basketball. But now? Now I’m ready. Over my past four years at Nova I’ve attended nearly every home game at the Pavillon and Wells Fargo. I witnessed the first game played in the renovated Finn, I’ve seen the highs of winning the Big East with Booth and Paschall, beating number 1 Kansas at the Wells Fargo, but I’ve also witnessed the lows. I was at the game Villanova lost to Michigan and I watched the tournament losses to Purdue and Baylor. Through the last four years I’ve been with Nova basketball for the entire ride. I’ve felt their joys and their pains and my college experience has largely been shaped by this team. I’ve grown, I’ve learned, I’ve cried with this team and as a senior this year, I would enjoy nothing more than to watch Villanova basketball play in the NCAA tournament.
Ben Moyer’s Pittsburgh March Madness Recap
Friday (3/18):
Today was the first day of the NCAA tournament for the Villanova men’s basketball team. The day began with two of my roommates and I waking up at 5 a.m. at Villanova to begin the long trek to Pittsburgh. Despite the rainy weather and a pit stop in Gettysburg to pick up the fourth member of our party, we had a good drive. We came into view of the Pittsburgh skyline around 12 p.m., and we arrived at PPG Paints arena, home of the Pittsburgh Penguins and host of the 2022 March Madness regional games, just as the first game was beginning. After quickly finding parking and making our way to our seats, we sat down to enjoy the first game. The first game was a low scoring affair between Sister Jean’s Loyola Ramblers and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Although the game was not as thrilling as we had hoped for, it still warmed us up for the real deal later on. At 3:00 the more anticipated game between the Villanova Wildcats and the Delaware Blue Hens was starting. As a senior hailing from south central Pennsylvania, I remembered Dylan Painter and his time with Villanova, and I was ready to watch the matchup. I’ll be the first to admit that my nerves were on edge for most of the first half when Delaware went up a few baskets. However, by the beginning of the second half and under a strong performance from Justin Moore, we finally began to pull away. The second half was clinical Villanova basketball and the Cats were able to pull off a strong victory 80 – 60. After another rendition of the Villanova Fight Song led by the band, we went back to our car and drove to check into our hotel. As basketball junkies, we quickly jumped to watching the Notre Dame vs. Alabama game to relax and recover from the day’s events. Around 7:30, we went to the local burger joint, Burgatory (don’t tell Father Peter) and enjoyed good burgers, milkshakes, and the crazy finish to the Chattanooga vs. Illinois game. We were even able to convince our amazing waitress (shout out to Nina!) to throw up a V for a picture. After dinner, we decided to explore Pittsburgh’s nightlife before finally settling down for a good night’s rest.
Saturday (3/19):
Saturday morning was a slow start and we began the day with a quick breakfast at Starbucks before venturing back into downtown Pittsburgh. This time we were headed to the Fairmont hotel to attend the Villanova Alumni Association’s game watch of the Villanova Women’s first round game against BYU. However, before the game we of course had to check out the Villanova Bookstore’s pop-up shop in the lobby. After a little shopping, we walked upstairs to the event. I had never before attended an alumni event, so when I first walked into the ballroom where it was held, I was completely blown away. The womens’ game was projected on the wall, tables and chairs were spread around the room with an assortment of Villanova V decor, and of course there was a great selection of snacks and drinks. Overall though, the most impressive aspect of the event was the range of Villanova students, alumni, and other Villanova community members that gathered to support their school. It was incredible! As for the game itself, it was an exciting battle with multiple lead changes before Maddie Siegrist absolutely dominated the court in the fourth quarter. It was a great atmosphere to watch the Villanova women’s team pull off the upset. After the game, my roommates and I decided to further explore Pittsburgh. We first went to Point State Park, which was only a few blocks away with some fellow Villanovans. We then went to a rooftop bar called Il Teto for some happy hour drinks before heading to the popular Strip District. It was here where we ate dinner at Kaya’s where I had some delicious fish tacos (highly recommend for people that find themselves in town!). Seeing as we had done a lot of walking by this time, we decided we had better turn in early so we would be ready for the men’s game the next day. So we went back to the hotel, played some cards and watched the Gonzaga vs. Memphis game before settling in for some much needed rest.
Sunday (3/20)
Gameday once again for the men’s team. We woke up early and headed back to the Strip District to get breakfast at DeLuca’s Diner. (It had been highly recommended by fellow Villanvoa alumnus, Danny Nies.) After a hearty breakfast, we made our way to PPG Paints Arena. Once again, Vilanova played the second game so we were able to watch a nice warm up game between Illinois and Houston. After another low scoring and sloppy start, it turned into a good close game in the second half before Houston finally pulled away in the final few minutes. Finally, it was time to see Jay Wright and the squad face the Ohio State Buckeyes, with a trip to San Antonio and entry to the Sweet 16 on the line. Villanova started off hot and, under a barrage of threes from Gillespie, went into halftime with a double digit lead. Late in the second, OSU tried their best at a comeback but thanks to a late clutch three from Eric Dixon, the Wildcats were able to finish strong en route to a 71 - 61 victory. After the win and the fight song, it was time for us to finally start the long five hour trek home.
Overall, we had a fantastic weekend with a lot of great experiences and of course a handful of Villanova victories. We’d like to express our deepest gratitude for Jerry Quinn for all of his generosity and for allowing my roommates and I to end our senior year on a high note. As for the Wildcats, their season is not over yet and it’ll be great to see how this team fares in the Sweet 16 and beyond. And as always, V’s up and GO CATS!!!
Friday (3/18):
Today was the first day of the NCAA tournament for the Villanova men’s basketball team. The day began with two of my roommates and I waking up at 5 a.m. at Villanova to begin the long trek to Pittsburgh. Despite the rainy weather and a pit stop in Gettysburg to pick up the fourth member of our party, we had a good drive. We came into view of the Pittsburgh skyline around 12 p.m., and we arrived at PPG Paints arena, home of the Pittsburgh Penguins and host of the 2022 March Madness regional games, just as the first game was beginning. After quickly finding parking and making our way to our seats, we sat down to enjoy the first game. The first game was a low scoring affair between Sister Jean’s Loyola Ramblers and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Although the game was not as thrilling as we had hoped for, it still warmed us up for the real deal later on. At 3:00 the more anticipated game between the Villanova Wildcats and the Delaware Blue Hens was starting. As a senior hailing from south central Pennsylvania, I remembered Dylan Painter and his time with Villanova, and I was ready to watch the matchup. I’ll be the first to admit that my nerves were on edge for most of the first half when Delaware went up a few baskets. However, by the beginning of the second half and under a strong performance from Justin Moore, we finally began to pull away. The second half was clinical Villanova basketball and the Cats were able to pull off a strong victory 80 – 60. After another rendition of the Villanova Fight Song led by the band, we went back to our car and drove to check into our hotel. As basketball junkies, we quickly jumped to watching the Notre Dame vs. Alabama game to relax and recover from the day’s events. Around 7:30, we went to the local burger joint, Burgatory (don’t tell Father Peter) and enjoyed good burgers, milkshakes, and the crazy finish to the Chattanooga vs. Illinois game. We were even able to convince our amazing waitress (shout out to Nina!) to throw up a V for a picture. After dinner, we decided to explore Pittsburgh’s nightlife before finally settling down for a good night’s rest.
Saturday (3/19):
Saturday morning was a slow start and we began the day with a quick breakfast at Starbucks before venturing back into downtown Pittsburgh. This time we were headed to the Fairmont hotel to attend the Villanova Alumni Association’s game watch of the Villanova Women’s first round game against BYU. However, before the game we of course had to check out the Villanova Bookstore’s pop-up shop in the lobby. After a little shopping, we walked upstairs to the event. I had never before attended an alumni event, so when I first walked into the ballroom where it was held, I was completely blown away. The womens’ game was projected on the wall, tables and chairs were spread around the room with an assortment of Villanova V decor, and of course there was a great selection of snacks and drinks. Overall though, the most impressive aspect of the event was the range of Villanova students, alumni, and other Villanova community members that gathered to support their school. It was incredible! As for the game itself, it was an exciting battle with multiple lead changes before Maddie Siegrist absolutely dominated the court in the fourth quarter. It was a great atmosphere to watch the Villanova women’s team pull off the upset. After the game, my roommates and I decided to further explore Pittsburgh. We first went to Point State Park, which was only a few blocks away with some fellow Villanovans. We then went to a rooftop bar called Il Teto for some happy hour drinks before heading to the popular Strip District. It was here where we ate dinner at Kaya’s where I had some delicious fish tacos (highly recommend for people that find themselves in town!). Seeing as we had done a lot of walking by this time, we decided we had better turn in early so we would be ready for the men’s game the next day. So we went back to the hotel, played some cards and watched the Gonzaga vs. Memphis game before settling in for some much needed rest.
Sunday (3/20)
Gameday once again for the men’s team. We woke up early and headed back to the Strip District to get breakfast at DeLuca’s Diner. (It had been highly recommended by fellow Villanvoa alumnus, Danny Nies.) After a hearty breakfast, we made our way to PPG Paints Arena. Once again, Vilanova played the second game so we were able to watch a nice warm up game between Illinois and Houston. After another low scoring and sloppy start, it turned into a good close game in the second half before Houston finally pulled away in the final few minutes. Finally, it was time to see Jay Wright and the squad face the Ohio State Buckeyes, with a trip to San Antonio and entry to the Sweet 16 on the line. Villanova started off hot and, under a barrage of threes from Gillespie, went into halftime with a double digit lead. Late in the second, OSU tried their best at a comeback but thanks to a late clutch three from Eric Dixon, the Wildcats were able to finish strong en route to a 71 - 61 victory. After the win and the fight song, it was time for us to finally start the long five hour trek home.
Overall, we had a fantastic weekend with a lot of great experiences and of course a handful of Villanova victories. We’d like to express our deepest gratitude for Jerry Quinn for all of his generosity and for allowing my roommates and I to end our senior year on a high note. As for the Wildcats, their season is not over yet and it’ll be great to see how this team fares in the Sweet 16 and beyond. And as always, V’s up and GO CATS!!!
