Temple University Athletics
CHANEY AND RODGERS ENTER PHILADELPHIA SPORTS HALL OF FAME
4.8.05 | Men's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA -- Temple University head coach John Chaney and Owl legend Guy Rodgers were formally inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame Friday evening at a gala event held at the Sheraton Society Hill. The two Owls were among of 19 new inductees in the Hall, which honored its second class since its founding in 2002.
"This is pretty special because this is the neighborhood, this is the family," stated Chaney, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001. "This city has been pretty special to me."
Chaney, who just completed his 23rd year at the helm of the Temple men's basketball program, is the fourth winningest active coach with 724 victories. The all-time winningest coach at Temple, he has posted a 499-238 record at the school. A three-time National Coach of the Year, Chaney has guided Temple to 22 straight postseason tournaments, including five trips to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
Temple legend Guy Rodgers is arguably the best point guard to ever play basketball in the City of Philadelphia. A two-time All-America selection, Rodgers helped Temple to a 74-16 record over his three-year playing career (1956-58), tallying a then-record 1,767 points. The three-time Big 5 Most Valuable Player went on to an All-Pro career in the NBA, playing primarily for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors.
The rest of the Class of 2005 includes Grover Cleveland Alexander (Baseball), Eddie Gottleib (Basketball Pioneer), Lefty Grove (Baseball), Pete Pihos (Football), Vic Siexas (Tennis), Joe Verdeur (Swimming), Charles Barkley (Basketball), Jumbo Elliot (Track), Carl Lewis (Track), Tommy McDonald (Football), Cathy Rush (Women's Basketball) and Jay Sigel (Golf). The La Salle 1954 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship was also inducted as a team.
