Temple University Athletics
National Champion Men's Soccer Teams, Three Individuals To Enter Temple Athletics Hall Of Fame
10.8.09 | Baseball, General, Men's Gymnastics, Men's Soccer, Women's Lacrosse
New class to be inducted at Homecoming football game - October 17 vs. Army
PHILADELPHIA (10/08/09) – The 1951 and 1953 National Champion Men's Soccer Teams headline the 2009 Temple Athletics Hall of Fame Class which will be inducted at the Owls' Homecoming football game against Army on October 17 at Lincoln Financial Field. Joining the men's soccer teams will be women's lacrosse standout Chrissy Muller Poplawski, baseball star Les Roos and men's gymnastics champion Jim Van de Zilver.
“We are proud to honor three outstanding individuals and two of the greatest teams in the history of Temple University,” Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw said. “This class truly represents the best of Temple Athletics.”
Both the 1951 and 1953 National Champion soccer teams were coached by NSCAA Hall of Fame member Dr. William (Pete) Leaness. The 1951 team compiled an 8-0-1 record and defeated San Francisco, 2-0, in the Soccer Bowl. The 1953 team posted a perfect 9-0-0 record and outscored its opponents, 68-8. Three-time All-America forward Jack Dunn was a member of both squads as was fellow All-America, midfielder Len Oliver. Both are in the Temple Hall of Fame as are Ed Tatoian, who starred on both squads and Al Didriksen, who was part of the 1953 championship club.
An outstanding goalkeeper, Muller Poplawski earned Brine/WCLA All-America honors in lacrosse three times during her brilliant Temple career. She was named to the first team in 1985 and 1987, and garnered honorable mention accolades in 1986. The Havertown, Pa. native (Haverford HS) compiled a 64-7 record as a starter. She owns the Temple career record for goals against average with a 4.87 mark and is second in save percentage (.688). A member of the 1989 USA World Cup gold-medal team, Muller Poplawski also was a three-year member of the Owls field hockey team.
One of the top hitters in Temple history, Roos played baseball for Temple from 1966 through 1968 and helped the Owls to an outstanding 25-6 record and a NCAA Tournament appearance as a senior. The Norfolk, Va. native (Granby HS) finished second nationally with a still-standing single season school-record .457 batting average in 1968. He is also the career on-base percentage leader (.540) and his .395 career batting average ranks fourth in Temple history. He is also second in single season on-base percentage (.593) and third in single season triples with seven in 1968. His slugging percentage of .790 as a senior in 1968, ranks sixth on the Owl charts.
One of the top rings performers in Temple history, Van de Zilver earned All-America honors as a sophomore in 1990. The Lakewood, N.J. native (Lakewood HS) set the school record on the rings with a near-perfect 9.95 in a home meet against Michigan and Massachusetts on February 16, 1992. It was later tied by Dave Frank at Syracuse in 1994. He was the Eastern Intercollegiate Gymnastics League (EIGL) rings champion in 1991, 1992 and 1993, helping the Owls capture the team title in each of those years. A USFG Junior Olympics National Championship participant, he also was the ECAC rings champion in 1990.
“We are proud to honor three outstanding individuals and two of the greatest teams in the history of Temple University,” Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw said. “This class truly represents the best of Temple Athletics.”
Both the 1951 and 1953 National Champion soccer teams were coached by NSCAA Hall of Fame member Dr. William (Pete) Leaness. The 1951 team compiled an 8-0-1 record and defeated San Francisco, 2-0, in the Soccer Bowl. The 1953 team posted a perfect 9-0-0 record and outscored its opponents, 68-8. Three-time All-America forward Jack Dunn was a member of both squads as was fellow All-America, midfielder Len Oliver. Both are in the Temple Hall of Fame as are Ed Tatoian, who starred on both squads and Al Didriksen, who was part of the 1953 championship club.
An outstanding goalkeeper, Muller Poplawski earned Brine/WCLA All-America honors in lacrosse three times during her brilliant Temple career. She was named to the first team in 1985 and 1987, and garnered honorable mention accolades in 1986. The Havertown, Pa. native (Haverford HS) compiled a 64-7 record as a starter. She owns the Temple career record for goals against average with a 4.87 mark and is second in save percentage (.688). A member of the 1989 USA World Cup gold-medal team, Muller Poplawski also was a three-year member of the Owls field hockey team.
One of the top hitters in Temple history, Roos played baseball for Temple from 1966 through 1968 and helped the Owls to an outstanding 25-6 record and a NCAA Tournament appearance as a senior. The Norfolk, Va. native (Granby HS) finished second nationally with a still-standing single season school-record .457 batting average in 1968. He is also the career on-base percentage leader (.540) and his .395 career batting average ranks fourth in Temple history. He is also second in single season on-base percentage (.593) and third in single season triples with seven in 1968. His slugging percentage of .790 as a senior in 1968, ranks sixth on the Owl charts.
One of the top rings performers in Temple history, Van de Zilver earned All-America honors as a sophomore in 1990. The Lakewood, N.J. native (Lakewood HS) set the school record on the rings with a near-perfect 9.95 in a home meet against Michigan and Massachusetts on February 16, 1992. It was later tied by Dave Frank at Syracuse in 1994. He was the Eastern Intercollegiate Gymnastics League (EIGL) rings champion in 1991, 1992 and 1993, helping the Owls capture the team title in each of those years. A USFG Junior Olympics National Championship participant, he also was the ECAC rings champion in 1990.
MBB Press Conference vs. ECU (Adam Fisher)
Thursday, January 08
Temple Men's Basketball 2025-26 All Access | Game 15 vs UTSA 1.03.2026
Tuesday, January 06
MBB Press Conference vs.UTSA (Adam Fisher, Gavin Griffiths, Jordan Mason)
Sunday, January 04
MBB Press Conference vs. Princeton (Adam Fisher)
Tuesday, December 23
