Temple University Athletics
Temple Football Team Receives Robert P. Levy Community Service Award
7.8.09 | Football
July 8, 2009
PHILADELPHIA-- Today the Temple University Football Team received the 2009 Robert P. Levy Community Service Award, presented by the Philadelphia Sports Congress, a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, and IPC/Amerimar Management Company, for its tremendous outreach into the community over the past year.
Additionally, IPC/Amerimar Management donated $2,500 to Susan G. Koman for the Cure on the Owls' behalf.
The 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies were also honored for the third consecutive year with the 2009 John Wanamaker Athletic Award. President David Montgomery and pitcher Brad Lidge accepted the trophy on behalf of the team.
The ceremony was held at the Wanamaker Building's Crystal Tea Room.
"I'm delighted with both of the selections this year," Levy, chairman of the PSC, said during his introduction. "Al Golden of Temple football has done a great job. I remember when he first came to town. He's done all the right things on the field and in the community, and I really think that great things are in store for their entire program."
"I'd like to say a few things about what these young folks are doing, not only great things on the field," said Mayor Michael Nutter. "Between April and August last year, this young football team logged 1,000 hours of community service. Their annual bone marrow donor drive signed up a national record 630 potential donors. Each player donated his per diem last fall to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and the players conducted food drives for the homeless at Thanksgiving. Team members routinely visit St. Christopher's Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House. They're not just doing it on the field; they're also doing it in the community. We're very, very excited about that."
"Since his arrival in 2006, Coach Golden has been focusing on getting his team to do things the right way," said emcee Beasley Reece of CBS-3. "On the field, off the field, there is no question that this is a different football team-- steadily improving every year, competing for championships and a bowl game-- that's their focus. One-hundred percent of this man's football team participates in the community service program. They decide as a unit the goals they're going to work for off the field as well. That's the kind of young men that Al Golden is trying to build; not just a team, but young men."
"On behalf of Temple University, our Athletic Department, and our football program, all of our staff and coaches, and ultimately our student-athletes who have chosen a mission outside of oneself, we humbly, humbly accept this award and thank the Wanamaker folks and the Philadelphia Sports Congress" said fourth-year head coach Al Golden. "Impacting our mission, in terms of leadership and teaching kids how to be empowered and self-reliant, is community service and stewardship."
"On behalf of the Temple football team, I'd like to thank the Philadelphia Sports Congress," said captain and All-MAC DB Dominique Harris (Washington, D.C.). "We really appreciate this award. We will keep on sharing and doing our best in the community and on the field."
Other teammates in attendance included TE Deven Baker (Scotch Plains, N.J.), LB Amara Kamara (Newark, N.J.), RB Lamar McPherson (Philadelphia, Pa.), and DB Marlin Terrell (Coppell, Texas), as well as Director of Player Development Ryan McNamee, who organizes the team's community service activities.
Temple football will be recognized at tonight's Phillies' game at Citizens Bank Park.
Since 1961, the John Wanamaker Award has been presented to the athlete, team, or organization that has done the most to reflect credit upon Philadelphia and to the team or sport in which they excel. The Philadelphia Sports Congress (PSC), a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, presents the awards each year in conjunction with IPC/Amerimar Management Company.
Temple opens the 2009 season on Thursday, Sept. 3 with Villanova in the inaugural Mayor's Cup at Lincoln Financial Field.
The John Wanamaker Award Ceremony
The Philadelphia Sports Congress, IPC/Amerimar Management Company, CBS-3 and the Philadelphia Daily News present the Wanamaker Award ceremony and luncheon. The public participated in the Wanamaker Award nomination process via ballots in the Philadelphia Daily News and online during May. The Wanamaker Selection Committee, consisting of a cross-section of sports and media representatives, made the final decision. . CBS-3's Beasley Reece emceed the event. Previous recipients of the Wanamaker Award and Philadelphia Sports Congress Community Service Award are listed at www.philadelphiasportscongress.com.
