Joe Eichorn is the Play-by-Play Football commentator for the Villanova Wildcats.

Joe is Villanova graduate who last year passed the 200 games broadcasts for the football team.

He has gallantly agreed to answer some questions from the Nova Nation.

Joe thanks for joining us in this Q&A with VUSports.com.

I know that like so many others you are a lurker of the website and we feel privileged to be able to share your opinions.

Joe did you go to Villanova and if so what was it like in your day school-wise and athletic-wise?

JE

I did not go to Nova. I went to Temple but in my days in college and even before I saw many Big 5 games and Villanova was my favorite. I can recall many tough and close games with Maryland  and some big wins over Temple and  B.C. in football.

Mike Pettine is a friend of mine as I met him when I was broadcasting C B West games in the late 70 and early 80's. He is a first class. Larry Glueck also went to the same high school as I did, Lansdale Catholic.

Back to Basketball for a moment, who will ever forget the big win against Penn in the tournament and the Thursday night semi when the Cats beat Western Kentucky and Jim McDaniels with Hank Siemintowski playing so well. 

I also knew many Nova students and they always spoke highly of their days at Nova. 

Jack Boyle a running back in the Billy Joe days was my color analyst on many high school  broadcasts. 

Of all the 200 plus games that you broadcasted, which one stands out in your memory the most?

JE

Many but the most memorable is the loss in the national Semis at Mc Neese in 2002. Mostly because of the great effort of Brett Gordon, playing with the broken  thumb and oh how close we where to the probable National Title.

Also the final regular season game that year when Brett hit Brian White in the closing seconds at Delaware to send us to the playoffs.

   

Who are your top five Nova football players, regardless of position?

JE

Brian Westbrook, Brian Finneran, Gordon, Curtis Eller and either Chris Boden or Brian Hulea.  Tough to answer. There were and are so many.

Joe you also do Nova Women Basketball broadcasts, can you tell us a little bit about that?

JE

Exciting! As that game has REALLY, in my opinion come a long way since my days, as Billy King and Steve Mix have both expressed on half times shows that they believe the game is purer than the men's. Plus Harry Perretta can set up a play terrifically and does, obviously, a great job. And who can ever forget the night we beat Uconn to snap their streak and win the Big East and go to Final Eight and then losing to Tennessee on their home court. It is also a lot of fun  to work with Michele Eberz on the broadcasts. 

Joe, as if you weren't at Nova enough, you also do the men's P.A. at the home games.

What is that like?

JE

Lots of fun! I get a front row seat to the best in college Basketball. I really enjoy observing the coaches of both teams during the games. And Jay is a pleasure to be around; he always says hello. 

We now have some questions from the Nova Nation posters

TwoDecks

Joe's would you have predicted that the 2005 football season would end up with no play-offs?

JE

In all honesty and probably because of the youth, I am sure the future is bright. With that in mind who would have thought JMU and Delaware would also be out. And UNH came back strong, as did UMASS.

But we did have a great win over William and Mary.

prospect

What do you think of the future of A10, of 1AA, and long-term future for VU in terms of the level they will play?

JE

The A10 is as far as I know over. The 1AA who knows?

Villanova as I see it, no matter what level, it appears to be 1AA and will be very competitive.

I especially look for very goods years in the near future.

UncleEd

I think Joe does a great job.

Two topics: talk to us about R.C. Lagomansinio, from your Alma Mater and your thoughts about the 2005 season and what the Cats needed to do to get into playoffs.

JE

I saw R.C. three times his senior year and was more impressed each time. As I am sure most of you know he was GREAT in the Lansdale Catholic State Title game. An outstanding student.

I broadcast high school games for 10 years and other than Barry Compton, of C.B. West in the late 70's, R.C. period was the best back I have seen. Compton went on to Pitt where he was a starting wide-out on the Marino teams.

The Cats just needed to win more games. But really Uncle Ed, the Richmond, and URI games were ones where we were oh so close. Is that the youth? Freshman all over the offense line in the Richmond game in the second half, as an example. Rookie, basically, at QB and the loss of key players on defense but the season is not over and we can win the last three, based on the W and M game. Yes, experience is beginning to show.

UncleBill57

If you were recruiting players for next year, Joe, what needs would you focus on for next year? Also, which Paul Cobaugh trip(s) was/were your favorite(s)?

JE

Receivers but Polite, Ridley, and look out for Atkinson, I believe will fill the void of J.J. and the vastly underrated, in my opinion, John Deiser.

Speedy RB and a pass rusher but I think we may have some in development 

The loss of Hulea will be great but freshman Osayi Osunde looks like a REAL player for the future. DB position is solid and Oline should be very solid. 

Any trip with Paul Cobaugh is my favorite. Uncle Bill I miss Frank Talley and the parents that took those trips. UNH has probably the best and greatest scenery and good people.

chet-1

The most exciting win, and the most heartbreaking loss you've broadcast.

The best offensive team, the best defensive team, and the best team during your Nova broadcast career.

JE

The Most exciting win was Delaware 2002 in OT.

The Delaware 1999 loss and the Youngstown State playoff of 1991 on last second filed goal by long tome NFLer Jeff Wilkens were real heartbreakers. 

The Best teams were 1991 followed by 2002.

The YSU game also reminds me to put RB Pat Kennedy close to the top 5 best player list. 

mrbb

My question is simple and not meant to be critical,but, WHY ARENT WE BETTER?

In the last seven years,Mass, Delaware and now James Madison have all won national championships while we struggle every year to make the playoffs.

When people ask me why my alma mater doesn't play div 1a football, I have the easy answer, money, but I have no answer when asked why a school with the athletic presence, history and name recognition of a Villanova isn't kicking butt at the 1AA level and in the A10 in particular.

I know that Mass is a large state school and that Delaware is committed to being a football powerhouse, but why aren't we totally dominating the Maines, the New Hampshires and the James Madisons of the league, both on the recruiting front and on the gridiron?

JE

The State schools mentioned are mentioned for just that reason.

Could Academics answer the rest of your question? And check our record. JMU series tied.

Maine 4 and 6 UNH we lead 9 and 8 plus as you know, without  a doubt A10 the best conference in 1AA        

Joe it was pleasure talking to you and we are looking forward to do it again real soon.

Thank-you Joe.

Thanks ace and VU Sports.com for having me.