Temple University Athletics
Temple to Kick-Off "Mission Possible"
4.16.07 | Football
April 16, 2007
PHILADELPHIA - Temple will kick-off its "Mission Possible" initiative to maximize attendance for its football season opener with a student barbeque in conjunction with practice this Wednesday (April 18) from 3:00-6:30 p.m. at the Edberg-Olson Hall complex. Spearheaded by Temple Athletics and College Football Hall of Fame candidate Wayne Hardin - who served as head coach at both Temple and Navy - "Mission Possible" seeks to fill Lincoln Financial Field when the Owls meet the Midshipmen on Friday evening, August 31.
On Wednesday, students will enjoy free food, watch the team practice and will be able to purchase their student season ticket passes for 2007-08. They will also be able to sign up and commit their attendance at the Temple-Navy game and, as a result, receive a "Mission Possible" t-shirt.
At the conclusion of practice (approximately 5:45 p.m.), Temple head coach Al Golden and Hardin will speak to those in attendance about the significance of "Mission Possible." Hardin and others will sign an oversized Temple-Navy ticket, pledging their attendance at the game. Temple will then announce the winner of a free semester's tuition, presented to the student who attended the most combined Temple men's and women's basketball games this past season.
Hardin, who served as head coach at Temple from 1970-82 and compiled an 80-52-3 record, is one of eight coaches on the 2007 Football Bowl Subdivision ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. The winningest football coach in school history, Hardin led the Owls to a 10-2 record and a Garden State Bowl victory over California in 1979, as Temple was ranked No. 17 in both the AP and UPI final polls. Prior to his arrival in Owl Country, Hardin was head coach at Navy from 1959 to 1964, where he posted a 38-22-2 record and led the Midshipmen to a #2 ranking in 1963. Overall, he had a 118-74-5 mark as a collegiate head coach.
Many exciting promotions are already in place for the season opener, which will mark the Owls' first evening contest at the venue. At the game, a Temple student will win free tuition for the semester, one lucky fan will win a one-year lease on a new Chevrolet or Nissan, and another fortunate fan will win a two-year lease on a new Subaru. Prior to the game, a brigade of Midshipmen will march in a display of pageantry and patriotism.
Temple students, faculty, administrators, former players, Xtra Point Club members and the media are welcome to attend Wednesday's event. Hardin will be available for interviews with the media from 3:00-4:00 p.m. The Edberg-Olson Hall Complex is located on the Temple campus at 11th and Diamond Streets.
