STALEY ONE OF FIVE OWLS TO WATCH AT 2004 SUMMER GAMES

ATHENS, Greece -- Temple University already had a large presence at the 2004 Olympiad, but that increased ten-fold with the announcement that the Owls head women's basketball coach Dawn Staley will carry the U.S. flag during Friday's opening ceremony. It is a highlight in an Olympic career that already includes two gold medals.

Staley, the first basketball player to lead the U.S. delegation at an Olympics, was chosen by captains from each of the U.S. teams.

"It's something that caught me completely off guard. It's a fairy tale that somehow ended up in my lap," she said Thursday at a news conference. "To lead the U.S. delegation into the stadium, it's incredible. It might be an out-of-body experience for me."

Staley, who plays for the WNBA's Charlotte Sting, runs a foundation that works with inner-city children in her hometown of Philadelphia, one of the factors that team captains considered when voting for the flag bearer.

Also representing Temple on the USA contingent are alums Jason Read (men's rowing, heavyweight eight) and Miles Avery (assistant coach, men's gymnastics). Two other former Owls, Athena Christoforakis (women's basketball) and Pepe Sanchez (men's basketball), will be competing for their countries, Greece and Argentina, respectively, at the 2004 Summer Games.

Temple University Athletics

STALEY ONE OF FIVE OWLS TO WATCH AT 2004 SUMMER GAMES

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