Eleven Catholic colleges are in this year’s March Madness NCAA field of 68 men’s teams beginning play on Wednesday, March 16.
Enjoy having your students research information about these colleges as a way to spur interest in their applying to one or more of them!
WEST REGIONAL
Gonzaga University
Founded: 1887
Religious sponsorship: Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
Location: Spokane, Washington
Conference: West Coast
Seeding: 1
University of Notre Dame
Founded: 1842:
Religious sponsorship: Congregation of Holy Cross
Location: Notre Dame, Indiana
Conference: Atlantic Coast
Seeding: 11
EAST REGIONAL
Marquette University
Founded: 1861
Religious sponsorship: Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Conference: Big East
Seeding: 9
St. Mary’s College
Founded: 1863
Religious sponsorship: De La Salle Brothers
Location: Moraga, California
Conference West Coast
Seeding: 5
University of San Francisco
Founded: 1855
Religious sponsorship: Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
Location: San Francisco, California
Conference: West Coast
Seeding: 10
St. Peter’s University
Founded: 1872
Religious sponsorship: Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
Location: Jersey City, New Jersey
Conference: Metro Atlantic Athletic
Seeding: 15
SOUTH REGIONAL
Seton Hall University
Founded: 1865
Religious sponsorship: Archdiocese of Newark
Location: South Orange, New Jersey
Conference: Big East
Seeding: 8
Loyola University Chicago
Founded: 1870
Religious sponsorship: Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Conference: Missouri Valley
Seeding: 10
Villanova University
Founded: 1842
Religious sponsorship: Augustinians
Location: Villanova, Pennsylvania
Conference: Big East
Seeding: 2
MIDWEST REGION
Creighton University
Founded: 1878
Religious sponsorship: Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Conference: Big East
Seeding: 9
Providence College
Founded: 1917
Religious sponsorship: Dominican Province of St. Joseph
Location: Providence, Rhode Island
Conference: Big East
Seeding: 4
Note: There are five Catholic colleges in this year’s Women’s Basketball tournament: DePaul, Creighton, Gonzaga, Villanova, and Notre Dame.
