The energy at Finneran Pavilion on January 31, 2026 was off the charts—not just because of the high stakes NCAA Division I Women's Basketball showdown between Villanova and DePaul, but because the arena turned into the ultimate birthday bash for everyone's favorite feline, Will D. Cat!
The celebration for Will D. Cat's special day was shared by our own Renny the Raven who celebrated with exuberant cheers and warm birthday wishes. Renny was joined by other friends and star studded mascots including Temple's Hooter the Owl, Buster of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, Boomer the Thunderbird, "Olly" from Bryn Mawr College, Gus the Owl of the Agnes Irwin School, and the fierce Hawk from St. Joseph's Preparatory School.
Birthday Party
Accordingly, Renny did not hold back in celebrating and presented Will D. Cat with a giant birthday hat. Later during the game, Renny was handed a trombone to jam with the band. Along with other mascots—Renny waived pom poms to cheer that had fans roaring, and together helped wheel out the massive birthday cake (candles flickering and all), after dropped dance moves so smooth the entire arena was vibing.
The pom pom shakes, the spins, the crowd hyping energy—Renny and the other mascot friends helped fans to their feet, turning a fun game into an unforgettable party. Will D. Cat was the guest of honor, and it was an honor for Renny to share in the family fun! Connect with us on social media to catch some clips dropping this week from the epic event! Thank you Will D. Cat and Villanova for inviting us to share in the excitement and fun of this unique event!
Game Day Magic
All this mascot magic help fuel an electric atmosphere that carried over to the court. The Wildcats, riding the wave of the high energy support, delivered a commanding performance. Villanova crushed DePaul 69-56, showcasing their talent and grit in a game that felt unstoppable from tipoff.
Want to dive deeper into Will D. Cat's legendary backstory? Check out the history of the Wildcat mascot! From its origins in 1926 to becoming the fierce symbol of Villanova spirit, it's a tale worth reading!
The Man Behind Renny
Behind Renny's unforgettable performance was Rosemont senior finance major Angelo Ciammetti, who brought the suit to life with pure passion. A dedicated business student, men's basketball manager, a Resident Advisor, and key member of the Residence Life Rosemont/Villanova transition team, Angelo balances it all while preparing to graduate with a degree in finance and launch his professional career. For more information about the Rosemont-Villanova merger, please visit RosemontLegacy.org
Congratulations to Angelo who is also planning a wedding with his fiance! Kind, smart, hardworking, and determined, Angelo spreads success and positivity to everyone around him. It is no surprise he's recently been nominated as Rosemont's Student of the Month—he truly embodies what makes our community special.
People and events like this remind us why we love college sports—it's not just about the wins (though victory was sweet), but the friendships, the shared spirit, and the pure joy of coming together. Shoutout to all the mascots who brought the vibes, to the Wildcats for the dominant W, and to Renny for proving Ravens can party with the best of them.
Happy Birthday, Will D. Cat! 💙🏀 And Renny? Keep stealing those hearts—we're here for it.
