A new bank partner, Santander Holdings USA, has awarded Villanova Athletics $1 million in scholarships for 50 student athletes in 24 different varsity sports, writes Jeff Blumenthal for Philadelphia Business Journal.
Santander Holdings USA signed a multiyear deal as the official retail banking partner of Villanova University Athletics.
Villanova athletic director Eric Roedel said in a statement that the partnership “provides resources student-athletes need to pursue their athletic and academic goals, providing a platform to help them reach their full potential.”
The sports media firm Playfly Sports, which represents Villanova Athletics in sponsorship deals, brokered the partnership.
Santander is also pledging $13 million in funding to 30 universities nationwide in 2025 and 2026.
Villanova Athletics sponsors 24 varsity sports involving more than 600 student-athletes.
In May, the school received a $10 million gift from the Connelly Foundation for renovations to the Connelly Center, a student life hub. The school was also gifted $2.5 million from James O’Donnell in February. O’Donnell is a former CEO of American Eagle and a Villanova alumnus.
Santander Holdings USA is a subsidiary of Madrid, Spain-based Banco Santander.
It is the seventh-largest bank in the Philadelphia region with $7.8 billion in deposits.
Read more about the new Santander Holdings partnership with Villanova Athletics in the Philadelphia Business Journal.
