When you think of Villanova, your brain probably goes straight to basketball. You see the blue and white streamers, the wild shots from the 2016 and 2018 championships, and maybe Jay Wright’s perfectly tailored suits. But honestly? The "Nova Nation" footprint is way weirder and wider than just March Madness.
It’s a place where a future Pope studied, where a billionaire who owns basically every piece of sports merchandise you’ve ever bought dropped out, and where a guy wrote one of the most famous songs about a "bad, bad" guy while sitting in a stone grotto on campus. Basically, Villanova University notable alumni are everywhere, from the Vatican to the front office of the New York Knicks.
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Why Villanova University Notable Alumni Still Matter in 2026
The school has this "Augustinian" vibe that emphasizes community, and you can actually see that in how their graduates move through the world. They aren’t just successful; they’re often oddly loyal to the school. Take Pope Leo XIV. In May 2025, the world watched as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a 1977 graduate, became the first-ever American Pope. He’s an Augustinian friar. That’s a massive deal for a school that’s always been proud of its Catholic roots, but seeing a "Villanovan" on the balcony of St. Peter’s Square was a different level of surreal.
Then you have the business titans. Michael Rubin, the CEO of Fanatics, is probably the most famous "dropout" in school history. He was only there for a hot minute before leaving to build an empire, but he’s still heavily associated with the Philly area and the school’s network. On the flip side, you’ve got Chris Gheysens, the guy running Wawa. If you live in the Northeast, you’ve likely bought a hoagie from a company led by a 1993 Villanova School of Business grad.
The NBA Pipeline and Beyond
We have to talk about the sports. It’s unavoidable. But it’s not just about the guys currently hitting threes in the league. It goes back to Paul Arizin, a Hall of Famer who basically invented the modern jump shot. Think about that. Every time you see a Steph Curry highlight, you're seeing a move refined by a guy who was discovered playing pick-up games at the Villanova fieldhouse because he didn't even make his high school team.
The modern era is just as ridiculous. Kyle Lowry is a hero in Toronto for bringing the Raptors a title, but at Villanova, he was the "bulldog" that set the tone for the whole program. Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart have become household names, not just for their play, but for their "Nova" chemistry. It’s a specific brand of unselfishness that NBA scouts now literally call "the Villanova way."
- Howie Long: NFL Hall of Famer and long-time broadcaster.
- Brian Westbrook: The versatile Eagles legend who was a nightmare for defenses in the 2000s.
- Don Bragg: 1960 Olympic gold medalist in pole vaulting.
Entertainment and the "Nova" Creative Streak
Most people don’t realize how many Emmy and Oscar winners walked these halls. Maria Bello, who you know from NCIS or The Woman King, graduated in '89. She’s been incredibly vocal about her time on the Main Line. Then there’s Bradley Cooper. People always claim him as a Georgetown guy, but he actually spent his freshman year at Villanova before transferring.
And the music? Jim Croce is the legend here. Story goes he wrote "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" inspired by people he met, and some of those lyrics were penned right on campus. Don McLean, the "American Pie" singer, also spent a few months at Villanova. There’s something about the atmosphere there that seems to spark storytelling, whether it’s through song or screenwriting, like Ryan J. Condal, the showrunner for House of the Dragon.
Leading the Charge in Law and News
The Villanova Charles Widger School of Law is a powerhouse. You’ll find its grads in the general counsel offices of Fortune 500 companies and on the benches of federal courts. Sherry Boston, the District Attorney for DeKalb County, is a 1996 grad who has become a major voice in the national conversation about criminal justice reform.
In the media world, you’ve got:
- Keith Jones: Emmy-winning anchor at WCAU in Philadelphia.
- Kacie McDonnell: A staple on Fox Business and host of Mansion Global.
- Diana Sugg: A Pulitzer Prize winner for her medical reporting at The Baltimore Sun.
The Surprising Global Reach
It isn’t just a Philly thing. Ayman Asfari, a British-Syrian billionaire and CEO of Petrofac, is an alum. So is José Fanjul, the sugar baron. The school produces a weirdly high number of people who end up running the world's infrastructure.
Honestly, the most interesting thing about Villanova University notable alumni is the variety. You have Wheeler Yuta, a professional wrestler in AEW, alongside Admiral William J. Fallon, who led U.S. Central Command. It’s a range that doesn’t make sense on paper, but in reality, it speaks to a school that doesn't just funnel kids into one specific industry.
Actionable Insights for Future Wildcats
If you're looking to leverage the Villanova network or join these ranks, here is how you actually do it:
- Utilize the VCAN: The Villanova Communication Alumni Network is one of the most active in the country for media jobs.
- The "Nova" Handshake: In Philadelphia and NYC, having Villanova on your resume is a massive door-opener, especially in finance and law.
- Stay Local to Go Global: Many of the most successful alumni started by dominating the Philly market before expanding.
- Service Matters: A huge portion of these notable figures, like Kerry Kittles, were heavily involved in service projects like the Special Olympics (which Villanova hosts annually as the largest student-run event of its kind).
To get the most out of the Villanova network, start by reaching out to the regional alumni clubs in cities like New York, DC, or Boston. These aren't just for happy hours; they are legitimate career engines where older "Cats" actively look to hire recent grads. Focus your networking on the Villanova School of Business (VSB) mentors if you're in corporate sectors, or the "Villanova on Set" program if you're trying to break into Hollywood. The school's emphasis on "Veritas, Unitas, Caritas" (Truth, Unity, Love) isn't just a motto—it’s the social currency that makes the alumni network so incredibly tight-knit.