Philadelphia hosts Villanova victory parade

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia is getting the chance to celebrate yet another sports championship with a parade, this time for Villanova University’s Wildcats. Thursday’s parade is taking the winners of the men’s basketball tournament along a downtown thoroughfare before ending at City Hall for a rally.

Villanova’s suburban campus is closed and all classes are canceled so anyone who works at or attends the Roman Catholic university can take part.

The Wildcats’ romp through the NCAA Tournament ended Monday with a 79-62 victory over Michigan. It’s their second national title in three seasons.

It’s been an unusually busy parade season for Philadelphia sports fans. About two months ago, the Eagles thrilled fans with a parade to fete their first-ever Super Bowl victory.

CBS Philly reports that the parade will follow the same path as Nova’s 2016 championship parade. It was expected to start at 11 a.m. at 20th and Market Streets, then head down Market before ending with a rally at Dilworth Plaza. 

The rally portion of the event will commence at 11:45 a.m., and the event is scheduled to conclude at 12:30 p.m.