Jim Croce: Villanova alum who became a singing superstar

Did you know one of Villanova’s alumni was one of the most popular singer songwriters of his generation? James Joseph Croce was born, Jan. 10, 1943, in South Philadelphia. His parents James Albert Croce and Flora Mary were like many Italian Americans who emigrated from Abruzzo and settled in South Philly during the 1920s. He was introduced to music at an early age, first with the accordion at the age of 5 and as a teenager when he picked up the guitar.

He attended Upper Darby High School and played in local bands. In 1961, he entered Villanova as a psychology major. In between studies he played with student bands and sang with the Villanova Singers and Villanova Spires singing groups. Incidentally, his classmate, Tim Hauser, became director of the Villanova Spires and later created the jazz group Manhattan Transfer.