Local Couple Transforms Villanova Pavilion for Fans

Calling All 'Nova Fans!

Do you feel pride for your college or university? How far would your love for your alma mater go? For Wayne resident and Wayne-based business owner Scott Reidenbach, the answer is “further than [he] would have once expected.” Today, he and his wife Sheryl are working together on the passion project of their lives.

Early this year, when college sweethearts Scott and Sheryl Reidenbach learned that Villanova’s longstanding Pavilion – the same stadium in which they attended basketball games together as undergraduates – would be extensively renovated, nostalgia flooded them both. Scott wondered what the university planned to do with the many components of the stadium – everything from the seating and bleachers to the banners to the court wood. The operation of Reidenbach & Associates, his 10-attorney law firm, kept him very busy – but he couldn’t shake the idea of approaching Villanova with a plan. He and Sheryl knew that they, as passionate alums and basketball fans, would feel elated to have a piece of The Pavilion. Why wouldn’t other alumni?

They approached the university with an offer to purchase the various components of The Pavilion before it was torn down and distribute the contents to other Villanova graduates and fans. Villanova accepted.

Since the start of the summer, the Reidenbachs (including their two young children) have poured all of their energy into bringing pieces of The Pavilion to other Wildcats. On site through each phase of demolition, Scott and Sheryl transported everything inside the structure – wood from the court, seating, signs and benches, trophies and more – into warehouses. Since the beginning of August, 1985 Pavilion, LLC (the entity created by the Reidenbachs to handle all Pavilion-related activity) has been selling all of the “as-is” items that basketball fans may remember. ‘Nova enthusiasts have ordered signage, furniture, plaques and more from their online store at vupavilion.com.

Perhaps one of the most exciting components of the project for Scott and Sheryl was dreaming up what to do with the cherished Pavilion court wood. Together with local artisans, they have created special pieces which incorporate pieces of the court like pens, picture frames, bottle openers, coasters, jewelry and cufflinks, step stools, and other items. In early October, the Reidenbachs will begin to distribute these special items online.

A percentage of every sale of 1985 Pavilion, LLC will make its way back to Villanova, the school that brought Scott and Sheryl together and that’s remained a huge part of their lives ever since. Prior to this project, Scott remained involved with his alma mater through countless ways: speaking to all incoming student-athletes each fall about making wise choices, serving as an adjunct professor, his firm, Reidenbach & Associates sponsoring the Villanova basketball program, and hiring Villanova alums at his firm. However, Scott shares that this project “has been a true pleasure to work on. I’m so happy that Sheryl and I took this leap of faith which has forever connected us to countless members of the Villanova community.”