PPL Park Developing Expansion, Positive Sign for Villanova

[Guest nybullsfan]

Looking at this from the other side.... the fans of the Philadelphia Soul Philadelphia Union are PISSED about this. And don't write them off... they've averaged over 100% capacity (over 18k per game) both seasons they've played in PPL. They don't want to have their pitch all screwed up and I don't blame them...

FIFY

[Southshore26]

Thanks... my brain is already in weekend mode.

[bulls phanatic]

Apparently they are playing a home game against Delaware this fall. From Yahoo/Rivals

Villanova game at PPL Park a sign Big East could be closer: A fan’s take

By Mark Paul, Yahoo! Contributor Network

Jun 27, 7:10 pm EDT

tweet0EmailPrintThe football relationship between the Big East and Villanova football has been going on for years. The Wildcats and the Big East first flirted more than a decade ago. But things have really picked up lately.

After the Big East invited the Wildcats, they changed course due to major stadium issues. One idea involved the Wildcats playing home games at PPL Park, home of the Philadelphia Union. But the stadium was still too small and the Union didn't seem welcoming. Now, both of those things are changing. That could mean Big East football in the future of the Wildcats.

Villanova announced that it will play a home game on Nov. 19, 2011, against Delaware at PPL Park. It will be the first college football game there. The Union expressed support for the Wildcats playing at PPL Park. That could mean they will welcome them as co-residents a few years from now. This is a huge step in the right direction for Villanova and the Big East. As for the stadium size, expansion plans for PPL Park have already been announced. That solves the other major hurdle toward the Wildcats becoming a full-time member.

The Big East wants Villanova because of the television market it represents. It looks like stadium issues are on the right track to being solved, so it seems likely that the Big East will be satisfied assuming things progress along this path. I'm happy about this because I like the idea of major college football in Philadelphia. Ever since Temple got booted from the Big East, Philadelphians have not had a presence in the BCS leagues. PPL Park would be a good fit for the Wildcats.

They can succeed at the Big East level in football. Connecticut came from similar circumstances and it reached a BCS bowl after the 2010 season. Nothing is etched in stone yet, but these are some positive signs that the relationship between Villanova football and the Big East will find success.

* - I am a Philadelphia resident and a fan of the Villanova athletic program.

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