Temple Field Hockey Receives $1.1 Million Gift

Aug. 30, 2007

PHILADELPHIA- Ann McKernan Robinson, a former Temple field hockey, basketball and lacrosse player, and her husband Armand I. Robinson, have pledged $1.1 million to create a fund for the Temple's women's field hockey program.  The Robinsons' gift is the largest single gift ever received by Temple Athletics.

"Temple Athletics will be eternally indebted to the generosity of Ann Robinson," said Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw.  "Her gift will touch the lives of Temple student-athletes for years to come."

Although the creation of the Ann McKernan Field Hockey Endowment Fund is targeted to benefit specific programs at Temple, the Robinsons hope their gift will have cascading effects that spread across the entire university.  The $1.1 million gift is part of a larger $2 million donation to the University, with $900,000 going to Temple's Boyer College of Music and Dance to create a fund for graduate scholarships.

"I hope to be on the sidelines when Temple field hockey returns to the Final Four," Robinson said. "But most of all I hope that our gift will get other Temple alums to think about the assets they have and the legacies they could leave."

"Ann Robinson is a great role model for our current players and our young alumni," commented Temple head field hockey coach Amanda Janney.  "Her unselfishness has set the bar high for the future of our program and ensures that we will be able to compete with the top teams in the nation.  I am proud that Ann is a product of Temple Athletics and am happy to have her enthusiasm and loyalty associated with the field hockey team."

During her time on North Broad Street, Robinson was influenced by legendary Temple field hockey coach and USA Field Hockey Hall of Fame member Anne Volp, for whom she played for four years. Robinson helped the varsity field hockey team to a combined record of 23-7-2, including an undefeated season in 1954, her freshman year. She also was active in lacrosse and basketball, captaining the squads her senior year.

"Playing field hockey at Temple for Mrs. V meant so much to me," Robinson said. "I learned life's lessons -- the value of hard work and how to win gracefully."

After graduating in 1958 with a bachelor's degree in physical education from Temple's College of Education, Robinson taught and coached field hockey at the University of Pennsylvania and Chestnut Hill College.  She also held positions as an executive assistant at McCall Corporation and Lever Bros., Inc. In 1973, she took a job at the United States Postal Service's Management Intern Program and, nearly 30 years later, retired from the Postal Service as vice president and consumer advocate.

The Owls are coming off a season in which they finished 13-7, their best record since 1992.  Temple's last NCAA Tournament appearance also came in 1992 and its one and only trip to the Final Four was in 1984.

Temple University Athletics

Temple Field Hockey Receives $1.1 Million Gift

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