Villanova

NEW YORK - Now that the Big East finally has decided to add another Philadelphia team to what's become an ever-fluctuating mix, could it eventually opt to bring in a second for football as well? That seemed to be part of the message coming out of Wednesday's press conference to announce that one-time football member Temple was indeed coming back for that sport next season, and for all others beginning in 2013. Because all indications are that Villanova, which last April was set to vote to move up from the FCS level before the Big East backed off its invitation at the last moment, could be back in the serious discussion at some point.

Shelly Fisher's world is dominated by the unfashionable. Not people, but the illnesses and other medical conditions that plague them. Diabetes, heart disease, peanut allergies. There's nothing stylish about any of it. Except, perhaps, for the contributions the Villanova mother of three has made over the last nine years on her way to building an internationally known company. Hope Paige Designs L.L.C., operating out of cluttered third-floor space in a West Conshohocken office building, creates medical-identification bracelets with a twofold purpose: to save lives and be chic (or cool, depending on the targeted age group)

SAVON GOODMAN, a 6-6 senior forward who starred at Academy of the New Church, has decommitted from his verbal agreement to play for Villanova and also will be changing high schools. Goodman was supposed to be part of a 2012 recruiting class that includes Ryan Arcidiacono, a 6-3 point guard from Neshaminy High School, and Daniel Ochefu, a 6-9 center from Westtown School in West Chester. A top-50 recruit, Goodman played in Saturday night's BOOST Elite 24 game in Venice Beach, Calif., and could not be reached for comment.

TO Villanova students, my thoughts on the controversy about the pro-life sculpture: Abortion is not the difficult choice; that is the easy way out. The tough choice is being responsible and raising the child. Charlie Jurewicz Hazleton, Pa.

TV/Radio: CSN; ESPN-AM (950). Records: Villanova, 3-2, 1-1 Colonial Athletic Association; Maine, 2-4, 1-2 CAA. Coaches: Villanova, Andy Talley (26th season, 182-104-1); Maine, Jack Cosgrove (18th season, 95-105). Series: Villanova trails Maine, 7-6, in the series but won the teams' last meeting in 2007. Villanova outlook: The Wildcats dropped from the top spot to No. 6 in the rankings after their 31-24 loss to then-No. 7 William and Mary two weeks ago. Wide receiver Matt Szczur, the reigning CAA player of the year, missed the game because of a sprained ankle suffered on Sept.

Delaware at Villanova When: Saturday at 3:30 p.m., PPL Park. TV/Radio: Comcast Network/ESPN-AM (950) Records: Delaware, 6-4 overall, 4-3 Colonial Athletic Association; Villanova, 2-8, 1-6. Coaches: Delaware, K.C. Keeler (10th season, 80-46); Villanova, Andy Talley (27th season, 190-115-1). Series: The Wildcats lead, 23-20-1. Last season, Villanova needed overtime to win, 28-21. Delaware hasn't defeated the Wildcats since 2005.

WHAT PRETTY much has been known for some time now is finally official. Former Ss. Neumann-Goretti High lead guard Tony Chennault, who spent the last two seasons at Wake Forest, is transferring to Villanova. Chennault, who nearly chose to play for the Wildcats when he was coming out of high school, could be eligible immediately. He has applied for a hardship waiver from the NCAA, because his mother has been experiencing health issues. Sources have said a decision could be handed down within the next week or so. "If my mom weren't sick, I'd probably still be down there," said the 6-2 Chennault, who averaged nine points, three rebounds and nearly as many assists in 30 minutes a game as a starter last season.

Dylan Ennis wanted to be closer to home. And he wanted to play in the Big East. So he's coming to Villanova. The 6-2 lead guard, who averaged 8.5 points and 4.1 assists as a freshman starter last season at Rice, is transferring to the Main Line. He will have three seasons of eligibility remaining, but is considering applying to the NCAA for a hardship waiver that would make him available immediately. His family lives in Toronto. His brother Brandon plays at the University of the District of Columbia.

Alex Pracher pitched a five-hitter as St. Joseph's won the first Atlantic Ten tournament game it ever played, shutting out Rhode Island, 3-0, on Wednesday at Houlihan Park in the Bronx. The former Cherokee star struck out five and walked four to place the Hawks in the winners' bracket. St. Joe, seeded sixth in the tourney, will meet second-seeded Dayton at 3 p.m. Thursday. The Flyers had a first-round bye. Rhode Island immediately entered an elimination game against Massachusetts Wednesday night.

Zack Rosen and Maalik Wayns shared a position and Big Five first-team honors this past season. Monday morning, the point guards from Penn and Villanova, respectively, shared the court at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine as the Sixers began their predraft workouts. Along with Iona's Scott Machado and Maryland's Terrell Stoglin, Wayns and Rosen went through ballhandling drills, light shooting, one-on-one situations - the usual workout fare. Trying to predict what the Sixers or any team will do - other than the one that wins the lottery and announces its intention to take Kentucky's Anthony Davis - is hard enough on draft night, must less now. For their part, the locals would be more than happy to stay here.

ON FRIDAY NIGHT, as Dick Vitale likes to say, Sarasota will become the toast of the sports world, as ESPN's voice of college basketball hosts his seventh annual Gala at the Ritz-Carlton to benefit The V Foundation for Cancer Research.. Celebrities will be all over the place, from John Calipari and Greg Schiano to Ricky Watters and Gary Sheffield. This year's three honorees are Lou Holtz, Gary Williams and, well, some other guy. "Yeah, right," said Villanova coach Jay Wright.

  Villanova University has named Patrick G. Maggitti the new dean of the School of Business, effective June 1. Maggitti will succeed James Danko, who left on July 31 to become president of Butler University. His post has been filled in the interim by Kevin Clark. Maggitti, 44 and part of Villanova's faculty since 2008, is currently director of the school's Center for Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship, where he is also assistant professor of strategic management and entrepreneurship.

WHAT PRETTY much has been known for some time now is finally official. Former Ss. Neumann-Goretti High lead guard Tony Chennault, who spent the last two seasons at Wake Forest, is transferring to Villanova. Chennault, who nearly chose to play for the Wildcats when he was coming out of high school, could be eligible immediately. He has applied for a hardship waiver from the NCAA, because his mother has been experiencing health issues. Sources have said a decision could be handed down within the next week or so. "If my mom weren't sick, I'd probably still be down there," said the 6-2 Chennault, who averaged nine points, three rebounds and nearly as many assists in 30 minutes a game as a starter last season.

The NCAA men's soccer committee on Wednesday awarded Philadelphia-Chester hosting rights to the 2013 Division I men's soccer championships, to be held at PPL Park on Dec. 13-15. Villanova will serve as the host school. This will be the first time Philadelphia has hosted the event. "We are thrilled to have been selected by the NCAA as the host institution for the 2013 College Cup," Villanova athletic director Vince Nicastro said in a statement. "PPL Park is the finest soccer facility of its kind in the nation, and together we have forged a partnership with the leadership of the Philadelphia Union and the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau that will allow us to create a first-class experience for the fans attending this outstanding event.

Bob Eilers scored four goals as Syracuse routed Villanova, 15-6, Thursday night in a Big East men's lacrosse semifinal at the Wildcats' Goodreau Field. Jack Rice score twice for Villanova (8-7). Kieran McArdle had three goals in the first game to lead St. John's (8-6) past Notre Dame, 8-7. Wes Hopkins (La Salle) had three goals for the Irish (11-2). St. John's will take on Syracuse (8-7) at noon Sunday for the conference championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

Villanova men's lacrosse coach Mike Corrado understands the enormity of the Big East men's lacrosse tournament, one that will determine the Wildcats' postseason fate. Villanova will host the Big East semifinal doubleheader Thursday. Top-seeded Notre Dame (11-1, 6-0 Big East) will meet No. 4 seed St. John's (7-6, 3-3) at 4:30 p.m. Second-seeded Villanova (8-6, 4-2) faces No. 3 Syracuse (7-7, 3-3) at 7 p.m. The championship will be noon on Saturday at Villanova. The Big East tournament winner will earn an automatic NCAA bid. While regular-season champion Notre Dame will probably receive a bid regardless of how it fares, Villanova and Syracuse would likely need to win at least a semifinal matchup.

For the first time in 50 years, the Drexel men's and women's varsity eights won the Bergen and Kelly Cup titles, respectively, on the Schuylkill on Saturday afternoon. The men's varsity eight boat won the Bergen Cup for the second straight year, crossing the finish line at 6 minutes, 4.0 seconds, with Temple second at 6:09.2. La Salle, St. Joseph's, and Villanova followed. Drexel's newly named Lois Krall boat featured coxswain Randall Lee (William Tennent High), stroke Kurt Linton (St. Augustine Prep)