Morning Cup O' Mud: Special Olympics Coming Back To Nova

One of the best parts of matriculating through Villanova was the service requirement that every student has to complete to graduate. And no, I'm not talking about the roadwork on I-95 that so many of us did for getting caught with alcohol in our freshman dorms. Many did Habitats for Humanity and missions to foreign nations to help build schools, but the on-campus Special Olympics that is held yearly was a special experience that I'd encourage any Villanova student to participate in.

It's coming up in a couple of weeks! That, and some random athletic news and articles in this morning's news roundup.

Villanova to host Special Olympics Fall Festival Nov. 4-6
Four weeks and counting until thousands of Special Olympics athletes, coaches, volunteers, and supporters from across the state once again descend upon Villanova University, located at 800 E. Lancaster Avenue in Villanova, PA, for Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s (SOPA) Annual Fall Festival, Nov. 4-6, 2011.

Comeback Falls Short as Wildcats Fall 3-2 at William & Mary
Though the match was pushed into a fifth set, the Villanova volleyball team could not complete its comeback falling 3-2 (18-25, 25-15, 15-25, 25-10, 15-17) at William & Mary on Tuesday evening.

Westbound And Down: What The Big East Should Have Done To Prevent Its Impending Doom
The Big East is about to morph into something nearly unrecognizable from its original form. How did the conference get here and what could it have done to prevent its fate? One thing: Villanova should have been playing football for them in 2003.

Umar's Two Goals Aren't Enough as Rutgers Downs Wildcats 3-2
Two goals from Villanova freshman Oscar Umar weren't enough to overcome the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in a BIG EAST men's soccer match played here on Wednesday evening. Rutgers (6-5-1 overall, 3-1-0 BIG EAST) defeated Villanova (4-5-4 overall, 1-2-1 BIG EAST) by the final count of 3-2.

Villanova Falls in Overtime at St. Joseph's
Villanova (5-10, 1-2) came back with a strong push late as junior Olivia Maggitti (West Chester, Pa.) scored the go-ahead goal with less than two minutes to go in the game, but St. Joseph's (5-7) tied the game with no time on the clock, and tallied the game-winner in overtime to hand the Wildcats their second straight heartbreaking defeat, 3-2.

Video: Villanova students take up quidditch
This title could also be, "Villanova students continue to embarrass themselves."

Villanova University Joins National Foundation for Cancer Research to "Stick it to Cancer"
The Villanova University field hockey team has joined hands with the National Foundation for Cancer Research to participate in the 2nd annual "Stick it to Cancer" campaign, in which field hockey teams across the country are invited to participate by committing to donate proceeds from at least one game to NFCR.

Prep Blog: Rosemont softball player verbally commits to Villanova
Rosemont softball player Aleshia Ayers has verbally committed to Villanova. Ayers was the Metro Conference MVP last season in leading the Timberwolves to the league title and a 20-5-1 overall finish.