Temple University Athletics
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TEMPLE ALUMNUS COSBY DEDICATES "FAT ALBERT" PREMIERE TO COACH STALEY
12.17.04 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA-- Women's basketball Head Coach Dawn Staley has now added Hollywood inspiration to her title. During the December 12th premiere of "Fat Albert-The Movie," held at the Liacouras Center, comedian, Temple alumnus and "Fat Albert" creator Bill Cosby dedicated the movie's screening to Staley saying "I want you guys to see somebody to look up to. She's my buddy...she's an example."
Cosby, a former Temple student-athlete, has been a huge supporter of Staley since she took over the program in 2000, often attending games while he is in town. Cosby has regularly complimented Staley's coaching and playing abilities, but it is this newest honor that has many people talking. In fact, there is even some speculation that one of the movie's main characters, Doris, is actually based on Staley.
In the movie, slated to open nationwide on Christmas Day, Fat Albert is transformed from a cartoon character into a human being to comfort Doris, a shy teenager who does not fit in well with the "it" crowd. But when Fat Albert finds himself literally fading away, he realizes that he must return to his natural cartoon habitat or else he will cease to exist.
Staley has led the Temple Owls to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances in her four years at the helm. In 2002, Temple captured the school's first Atlantic-10 Conference title and in 2004 she led the Owls to the top of the A-10 East standings with a 14-2 record and a second A-10 Tournament title. The 2004 Atlantic-10 Coach of the Year and 2002 Philadelphia Big 5 Coach of the Year, Staley currently boasts a 79-50 career mark. The Owls, who are picked to finish atop the A-10 East Division again this year, are currently 5-3 after knocking off #22 Rutgers University on Monday. It is the first win over a ranked team since the 1989 season and the first in Staley's career.
