Villanova fans descend on Center City to celebrate NCAA championship
The Villanova Wildcats — and their devoted fans — have made their way into Center City this afternoon for a victory rally.
Listen 1:34-
Villanova championship parade in Philadelphia (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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The Villanova mascot Wil D. Cat pumped up fans before the teams parade to celebrate their NCAA Championship Thursday Morning on Market Street. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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The Bryn Mawr Fire Department rides down Market Street ahead of the NCAA Champion Villanova WIldcats Thursday morning. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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The NCAA Champion Villanova WIldcats basketball team ride down Market Street during their parade Thursday morning. (Brad Larrison for WHYY) parade Thursday morning. (Brad Larrison for WHYY) parade Thursday morning. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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The NCAA Champion Villanova WIldcats basketball team ride down Market Street during their parade Thursday morning. (Brad Larrison for WHYY) parade Thursday morning. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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The NCAA Champion Villanova WIldcats basketball team ride down Market Street during their parade Thursday morning. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Fans cheer for the NCAA Champion Villanova WIldcats basketball team as they ride down Market Street during their parade Thursday morning. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Fans cheer for the NCAA Champion Villanova WIldcats basketball team as they ride down Market Street during their parade Thursday morning. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Fans cheer for the NCAA Champion Villanova WIldcats basketball team as they ride down Market Street during their parade Thursday morning. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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The NCAA Champion Villanova WIldcats basketball team ride down Market Street during their parade Thursday morning. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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The NCAA Champion Villanova WIldcats basketball team ride down Market Street during their parade Thursday morning. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Thousands gathered around City Hall at the end of the parade route for the NCAA Champion Villanova WIldcats Thursday morning. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Thousands gathered around City Hall at the end of the parade route for the NCAA Champion Villanova WIldcats Thursday morning. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Thousands gathered around City Hall at the end of the parade route for the NCAA Champion Villanova WIldcats Thursday morning. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Thousands gathered around City Hall at the end of the parade route for the NCAA Champion Villanova WIldcats Thursday morning. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Thousands gathered around City Hall at the end of the parade route for the NCAA Champion Villanova WIldcats Thursday morning. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Thousands gathered around City Hall at the end of the parade route for the NCAA Champion Villanova WIldcats Thursday morning. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
The Villanova Wildcats — and their devoted fans — made their way into Center City this afternoon for a victory rally.
Filling up at 16th and Market for the #nova parade. pic.twitter.com/HyR4Ei8JKU
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) April 5, 2018
The Wildcats’ march through the NCAA Tournament ended Monday with a win over the Michigan Wolverines in convincing fashion, securing their second championship title in three years.
The parade rolled through Center City with a rally at Dilworth Park around 11:45 a.m.
Classes and offices at Villanova were cancelled today so fans from the suburbs could make their way to Philadelphia City Hall to welcome the players and coaches.
During the rally at City Hall, head coach Jay Wright, who became the coach with the most wins in Villanova basketball history, lauded Philadelphia sports and the city’s winning streak this year — including the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory in February.
“We are so proud to represent the Big 5, the Big East and most importantly, the city of Philadelphia and Philadelphia basketball,” Wright said.
This is the second winning title for Villanova in only three years. The last time fans flocked to the city for a victory march 60,000 fans took to Market Street.
Here’s a highlight reel of the Wildcats’ victory:
One Shining Moment. #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/Fn6ev4c1Km
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) April 3, 2018
We’ve got movement at 18th and market. The parade cometh #nova pic.twitter.com/OpUrPyktCT
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) April 5, 2018
Talia Matthew and Mom, heather. Talia,7, made a sign for Donte because “he made all those shots and he’s very kind.” pic.twitter.com/dzBoc9dJwz
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) April 5, 2018
See you at 11:00 for another trip down Market!#TBT #NationalChamps #LetsMarchNova pic.twitter.com/AD7F0vv1jL
— Villanova MBB (@NovaMBB) April 5, 2018
The Mcanally and Forti families are next door neighbors. By chance their parents went 2 #nova @ same time. pic.twitter.com/SKIshbZf3P
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) April 5, 2018
Carol Rossi is ready to party. She’s wearing her daughter’s jacket from her time playing field hockey at #nova pic.twitter.com/kT45RwgH88
— Avi Wolfman-Arent (@Avi_WA) April 5, 2018
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