Temple University Athletics
From The AD's Desk - May 2010
5.11.10 | General, Owl Club
“From the AD's Desk”
A monthly column from Temple University Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw
May 2010
What would you guess is the fastest-rising expense athletics departments nationwide face?
Coaching salaries, team transportation, facilities upkeep and recruiting costs all are very good guesses – yet all incorrect. Rather, the quickest-growing expense today is perhaps our most basic: the cost of educating our student-athletes.
At most other universities, the department of athletics is essentially handed an invoice each year for the tuition, room and board of its student-athletes. In turn, those departments raise money for scholarships and pay as much of the bill as possible, relying upon the institution to subsidize the balance. Generating additional operating revenue for equipment, recruiting, etc. is often an afterthought.
At Temple, however, Athletics is blessed to have perhaps the most supportive campus partners to work with. As you may know, our university administration has for years subsidized every penny of our financial aid budget – this year approximately $9 million – so that we may help ensure the access to educational excellence Temple is known for. Therefore, our Owl Club has been able to focus exclusively on fundraising for operational dollars that provide our atmosphere of Comprehensive Excellence.
But it's no longer that simple. The times are changing. The costs are rising. And we must respond.
As part of the new 12-month cycle of collegiate athletics, Summer School is the fastest-growing trend both at Temple and our peer schools. For student-athletes that must put so much time into practice, preparation and competition throughout the traditional academic year, they rely upon a “third semester” – Summer School – to make up that extra class or two, ensure a chance to graduate in four years and remain on pace with their academic requirements.
It's no secret that Temple Football's meteoric rise in the APR (Academic Performance Rate), the complex system used by the NCAA to evaluate academic progress, was significantly improved by our ability to fully utilize summer school funding for our student-athletes.
Last decade, the NCAA passed “progress toward degree” legislation mandating that by the end of a student-athlete's sophomore year, they be at least 40% toward degree completion; 60% after the junior year and 80% after their eighth and final semester of collegiate eligibility.
Could this mean that schools can demand all the blood, sweat and tears a student-athlete can give for eight semesters, perhaps at the expense of graduation in four years, then simply pull the financial-aid rug out from under the student's feet?
Not at Temple.
We are one of the largest athletics departments in all of the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (120 schools). We carry 24 sports and provide financial aid to nearly 60% of our more than 550 student-athletes. Every one of our sport programs strives for championships, sure, but not at the expense of striving for a perfect APR score and a 100% graduation rate. No team wants to deal with NCAA sanctions like missed practice time, postseason probation, reduced scholarships, etc. that failing to achieve academically can bring.
This is why Summer School funding is so important – infinitely more so than 10, even five years ago. In 2010 alone, providing Summer School access to each Temple student-athlete who needs it or whose coach has requested it would cost a record $1 million. We've carved nearly half of that cost out of our existing financial aid budget, and this year were fortunate to receive supplemental funding from the university to cover a portion of the balance.
Being an athletics director has plenty of highs, but there is no lower low than telling one of your well-intentioned coaches that resources are not available for Summer School education. (This usually means that the student-athlete must go home and be without the strength and conditioning, nutrition, practice and equipment resources found at Temple … not to mention their teammates.)
We are lucky to have such a wonderfully supportive campus administration with respect to funding tuition, room and board for our Owls. I tell you how extremely uncommon this is. That's also why I'm resolved to make this “third semester” funding a priority and the resources possible to do what we are here to do: educate Temple's student-athletes!
If you're a current or prospective Owl Club donor, you have two choices when making your gift: either “Restricted” to the sport of your choice; or “Unrestricted” to the area(s) of greatest need within Athletics. Beginning July 1, we will much more heavily prioritize and reward Unrestricted giving through Owl Club benefits. We will also focus Unrestricted giving on our Summer School funding needs. Therefore, please think of “Unrestricted giving” and “Summer School funding” as the same. We must generate an additional $200,000 in Unrestricted giving each year to keep pace with our Summer School need – and we must begin next academic year. You'll see and hear a lot more on this topic.
This is worthwhile. Strip away everything else about what we do at Temple. Take away the lights, crowds, television, bowl games, slam dunks, and our mission is simple: to provide opportunities for talented student-athletes to access higher education. Temple is a school of promise and opportunity. If we cannot provide that access, if we cannot “do right” by the student-athletes that do right by us, then what is the rest of this really about?
As always, we are thankful for the broad participation of our alumni, fans and friends. With your continued loyalty, we shall achieve. Go Owls!
Congratulations to Temple Track & Field!
We are incredibly proud of Head Coach Eric Mobley, his staff, and our Temple track and field teams! On May 2, the Temple women captured their first-ever Atlantic 10 Outdoor Championship, while our men finished second in the conference meet. In just his second season on North Broad Street, Coach Mobley has revitalized all six of our cross country, indoor and outdoor track programs. Our student-athletes have a work ethic and determination – now coupled by a talent level – that is simply impressive. We look forward to watching the Owls in regional and national competition later this month!
Upcoming Events
2010 Cherry & White Coaches Caravan – The Temple Athletics spring “road show” is back! Join us at one of our remaining stops as we bring the excitement of Temple sports to your town. This is your chance to meet our coaches and athletics leadership, ask questions, win Temple gear, and hear our vision for the future! Complete information and registration information is available online or by calling the Temple Owl Club office at (215) 204-CLUB. Our remaining stops are as follows:
- Thursday, May 13: Scranton/Wilkes Barre (Scranton Country Club), 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, May 14: Harrisburg (Temple Night at Senators Baseball), 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 8: New York City (TIAA-CREF Building, 730 Third Ave.), 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday, June 26: Los Angeles (home of Dr. Marty Gorman '76), Noon
25th Annual Owl Club Golf Outing – The signature Temple golf event of the year celebrates its silver anniversary Monday, June 7 at Lulu Country Club. Bring a foursome – or just yourself – for an afternoon of food, fun and fellowship…Owls style! Hurry, as a limited number of playing spots remain (limit 144 golfers). Register online or contact the Owl Club at (215) 204-CLUB or outing coordinator Chet Zukowski via e-mail. See you on the course this June 7!
Save the Date for Temple Down the Shore 2010 – A full day of activity is planned Saturday, July 10 at various shore locations. The day includes the return appearance in Cape May with a special Temple Football Breakfast with the Coach, the popular Boardwalk Fan Fest in Ocean City, a golf tournament at Greate Bay Country Club, a Temple Family Dinner for all Owls, and the Young Alumni Beach Party at La Coste Lounge! More information upcoming … plan to join us!
Make a contribution to the Temple Owl Club now!
Reserve 2010 Temple Football Season Tickets now!
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