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• In 1971 when I was a freshman at Fordham and down in Raleigh for the NCAA Eastern regionals, Digger Phelps implored the Fordham enthusiasts to support Penn where he was an assistant coach in the Finals after we lost to the Wildcats. We told Digger, no, we will root for the Catholic school. The decision felt good after he broke his contract and went to the Midwest prarie land. (NT) -- GMeagherFC74, Wed March 30, 2005 12:13:06
  • But he went to another Catholic school. ;) (NT) -- JoltinJoe, Wed March 30, 2005 14:54:06

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• Rightly or wrongly, I think there is a perception that Villanova fans have an elitist, condescending air about them that many people get turned off by and hence root against Nova. I think the same thing can be said about Holy Cross. (NT) -- bulldog, Wed March 30, 2005 12:16:25
  • Fair enough -- Novafan, Wed March 30, 2005 14:09:43
  • I think also part of it involves the two schools drawing students from similar high schools/backgrounds etc. As a Chaminade grad, I recall we sent about 20 students to 'Nova and 20 to Fordham from my year, ditto for Fairfield. Some rivalries there. (NT) -- '85, Wed March 30, 2005 14:43:42

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• I think a number of posters on this board are more anti-Big East than anti-Nova. Personally, I root for Nova unless they're playing Fordham (for obvious reasons), or SHU (being from Jersey and all). I had Nova beating UNC in my pool, so you know I agree that you guys got hosed. Jay Wright's doing a nice job down there, you guys will be fine. No idea if the FU/VU is a home & home, but I hope it is. (NT) -- Ram'83, Wed March 30, 2005 12:16:52
  • I dont think FU/Nova is home & home- Nova probably wouldnt play us in NY (get over yourself), and on the other hand, Frank & Co. probably put up as much fight as a French General (no offense to the French) (NT) -- Ram1, Wed March 30, 2005 20:19:24

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• As with everything in life, there are exceptions, but I have to agree with "bulldog" in that there is a perception that Villanova fans are bit elitist. I also think that their being a Big East team does not help. As for the home-and-home, I think that helps to further explain our disdain for Big East teams, few, if any, would schedule us as a home-and-home. I believe that there is also an issue with Jay Wright, something about him agreeing to take the FU job and then backing out, though I forget the details. By the way, I was rooting for UNC which I never do, but it was mostly b/c I have them winning it all in my pool. (NT) -- ace93, Wed March 30, 2005 12:51:56
  • I agree w/ a lot of that, ace93. Also, I'm not a big fan of a school that used a player who had signed a pro contract (Howard Porter in '71) or won a championship w/ a player (Gary McLain) who single-handedly increased the GNP of Columbia. In addition, except for the A-10 schools from that city, I don't root for any team from Philly. (NT) -- bfg, Wed March 30, 2005 13:04:29
    • First of all unless you are referring to Columbia University, the correct spelling is Colombia, not Columbia. I will not even get into the GNP comment b/c I feel it is very off base and insulting. (NT) -- ace93, Wed March 30, 2005 13:24:35
      • sorry. I didn't proof read. Also sorry about Colombia. Didn't mean to insult the country. I was using it as a metaphor for Gary McLain's, um, issues. (NT) -- bfg, Wed March 30, 2005 13:34:52
        • No problem, it is just that the comment hit close to home, quite literally. (NT) -- ace93, Wed March 30, 2005 14:18:44
        • The McClain stuff is a joke -- Novafan, Wed March 30, 2005 14:21:06
          • I wholeheartedly agree with that point. Another thing to note is that at the time McClain's news was actually newsworthy. Today it would just be a passing story. By the way Novafan, type your responses in the Message Subject box and they will appear directly on the front page which will not require us clicking on the message to read it. Thanks. (NT) -- ace93, Wed March 30, 2005 14:33:24
            • even w/out the McLain thing, there are enough reasons to dislike 'Nova. I couldn't stand Rollie's act either. (NT) -- bfg, Wed March 30, 2005 15:18:57

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• For me it's about how Nova gamed their schedule I believe two years ago to lessen the impact of their players' suspensions. They bumped St. Joe's, which is an A10 and Jesuit peer of Fordham, to play some cupcakes during that suspension period. It showed a lack of integrity which is a big problem with Big East schools. St. Johns' refusal to play us this year and next year because we are finally coming back and they are relatively weak is another example of what I'm talking about. The way I look at it, a school has an obligation to always honor its agreements and historic rivalries - not to honor them only when your program is strong that particular year. To do otherwise is to deprive the other program of a fair chance to win and even up their standing in the series. (NT) -- DamnRam, Wed March 30, 2005 13:08:07

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• I think there are a number of reasons that some Fordham fans root against Nova. The Howard Porter eligibility case is one(that "loss" ended Fordham's greatest season), the perception of Nova students as snobby, wealthy suburban kids(add Holy Cross here) is another, and many vividly recall the last minute cancellation of Fordham's morning press conference at Lincoln Center announcing the hiring of Jay Wright as our coach after his midnight call to back out of the job. And if Nova does not play a return date in NY against Fordham this coming season you can add another reason. But there are also many alums at Fordham that are not fully aware of these issues and root for Nova because of the Catholic connection or friends that go there. (NT) -- Rambacker, Wed March 30, 2005 13:57:54
  • When did Wright plan on coaching Fordham?? Before Hofstra? (NT) -- Novafan, Wed March 30, 2005 15:15:02
    • 1999. He accepted an offer to replace Macarchuk and a press conference was set for the next day when Wright called to say he had changed his mind. (NT) -- bfg, Wed March 30, 2005 15:26:13
      • That is certainly a valid reason!! (NT) -- Novafan, Wed March 30, 2005 16:21:07
      • What many found hard to believe was he called at midnight the night before the press conference that was scheduled at 11am. I won't mention who was involved with the late night conversation with Wright but you can draw your own conclusions. (NT) -- Rambacker, Wed March 30, 2005 16:27:53
        • Not trying to defend anybody here, but in your opinion what could this unnamed person done at that time? (NT) -- ace93, Wed March 30, 2005 17:07:54
          • Wright changed his mind during the phone conversation. (NT) -- Rambacker, Wed March 30, 2005 17:21:32
            • are you wire tapping to get your info? (NT) -- Linda Tripp, Fri April 01, 2005 14:24:22
  • We Fordham alums should not take umbrage at Nova, HC, BC or GT on the perception that they are a bunch of "snobby, wealthy suburban kids". Fordham has for a long time now had a large number of students who fit that bill to a T. Depending on your individiual perspective and how you choose to define those terms you could even say it's a majority. (NT) -- DamnRam, Wed March 30, 2005 15:37:38
    • I never root for Nova, but that is for some of the reasons listed, and being in fifth grade watching them defeat G'Town. I was huge Broadnax fan. Also, I think as Fordham Alums and support for our hoops team and alma mater, tomorrow night should be the last evening we support St. Joe's. They are our true rival, jesuit, A10 and an example for where we want our program. However, if they do make a run in the NCAA's etc. over the future year's okay, but moving forward they should not be complemented or mentioned. St. Joe's is our rival -- and should be our strongest rivalry. (NT) -- toby., Wed March 30, 2005 16:23:36
    • Very true. But alums of a certain age(and there are many), when Fordham featured mostly first-generation college students from working class families, still hold that opinion. (NT) -- Rambacker, Wed March 30, 2005 16:32:10
      • I understand and can relate due to my family's history, but holding on to those opinions isn't serving us well now. When we charge elitism it only makes us look pedestrian and bitterly insecure, not like the peer we know we really are and want to be seen as. That's not just a healthy attitude in my opinion by the way. Based on Fordham's tremendous strides in many ways it is fast becoming the reality that we need to get used to and project. (NT) -- DamnRam, Wed March 30, 2005 19:51:11
        • I agree with you and do not hold that opinion myself, but I doubt if those who do will change that opinion over time. Can't teach an old dog new tricks, etc. We just need to move beyond it. (NT) -- Rambacker, Wed March 30, 2005 22:41:33

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• Should I take this rivalry into account as I research Villanova MBA Programs, being a Fordham Alum? (NT) -- Alor112, Wed March 30, 2005 17:25:52
  • Villanova does not have an MBA program as far as I know; As far as the dislike for Nova goes, I hate to admit it, but I think jealousy may be a reason- Fordham & Nova are very similar in many ways, but as far as athletics are concerned, Nova seems to have made the right decisions while FU has been a stumbling bumbling mess over the years, and therefore we havent been able to reap the rewards of successful athletic exposure (in the meantime, Nova gets tons of positive exposure due to hoops) (NT) -- Ram1, Wed March 30, 2005 20:15:15
    • Villanova has had a traditional and executive M.B.A. program for quite some time. All of their programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. (NT) -- DADAS02, Wed March 30, 2005 21:43:46
      • I meant VillaNoFun (NT) -- Dadas02, Wed March 30, 2005 21:45:36
      • You're right. I had no idea they had an MBA program (no knock on VU, just my ignorance) (NT) -- Ram1, Thu March 31, 2005 21:58:30

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• BTW, just for the record, I don't think any Fordham poster used the word "hate" in reference to Nova. Some of us said "dislike" or mentioned that we root against, but I took a quick look and didn't see any one using the word "hate". (NT) -- bfg, Wed March 30, 2005 20:50:56

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• This is all news to me. I didn't realize I disliked Villanova. And some of these things which are cited for reasons why Fordham fans don't like Villanova, unbelievable. I would hope all of us have more important things on our minds. (NT) -- JoltinJoe, Thu March 31, 2005 06:41:03