Temple University Athletics
Two Longtime Temple Athletics Staffers Bid a Fond Farewell
6.7.19 | General
"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."
This saying attributed to Confucius is fitting for two Temple Athletics "lifers," Linda Gordon and Sandy Rodville, who retired Friday after a combined 79 years of service to the University.
"Linda and Sandy are more than just employees, they truly epitomize what Temple Family stands for," said Director of Athletics Dr. Patrick Kraft. "They have given their lives in service to the University, and athletics in particular. We are truly grateful for their hard work and loyalty throughout their exemplary careers."
Close friends, Linda and Sandy are two women who clearly do not see their time as work, and reflect more on the friendships made and love of Temple as they walk away from their other home.
"I loved working in the business office," reflects Gordon, who started at Temple in 1972. "I enjoyed my work, paying the invoices, dealing with the vendors. I have a good rapport with them and many have called me to wish me good luck. The business office is my heart. I have had good bosses."
Making friendships, especially with other longtime staffers like Gordon and Karen Williams along with former Owls Bev Tinsley and Barb Hawkins stood out for Rodville, but her fondest memory revolved around one former employee.
"Temple has always been good to me. If I ever had a problem, which was very rare, I could always go to someone and talk to them. For me, that was Essie Davis. She was my rock while she was here. She is still my rock. I will call her anytime if I am feeling a certain way and she will help me through my situation. She is my fondest memory."
Neither woman started at Temple in athletics. Gordon's first job was as a temp in the Computer Center, or as it was called in 1972, Computer Activities.Â
"The woman I was replacing never came back so my boss asked if I wanted the job," she recalled.
An emphatic yes led to a career that landed her in the athletics department, first as a secretary and then as an assistant business manager.Â
Rodville found her way to Temple through an open house job fair in 1987. She was overwhelmed by the over 500 people looking for a job at the University.
"I thought there was no way they would find my resume and give me a job," she remembers. "A week later I got a call from Wayne Lamb, who was in personnel at the time.Â
He asked me to come in and take the typing test as they could not find the one I had taken. I did and passed it. He looked at me and said 'I am going to find you a job at Temple.'"
He was true to his word as Rodville would soon start as a secretary in the School of Education where she would work under another longtime staffer, Rowe Mette.  The Dean of the School of Education at the time was none other than Richard Englert, who is now the University's President. Two years later Rodville would move to athletics, following Mette, who let her know about an open secretarial slot under the associate athletics director for women's sports.
Rodville, who earned not one, but two degrees during her 32 years at Temple, would move around a few times, first to compliance and finally to her role as office manager for athletic training where she also served as the insurance coordinator for Temple Medicine.
Leaving the Temple family will be tough on both, but each is looking forward to spending more time with their own families. Gordon, who lost her beloved husband Thomas seven years ago, is looking forward to having more time with her daughter Tanya Gordon Freeman and her three grandkids -- Devin, Trinity, Kareem and two great grandkids.   Rodville, married 34 years to the love of her life Vince, will enjoy the company of her two daughters, Beverly and Dina, and five grandchildren.
As far as retirement plans, both have travel in their futures. Gordon is planning a trip every other year to the islands while Rodville has her eyes on Hawaii, and possibly Alaska as future destination sites.
It will not, however, be the last time that this dynamic duo is on Temple's campus. Both are also planning on supporting the Owls in the stands with the many fans of the Cherry and White.
 Â
This saying attributed to Confucius is fitting for two Temple Athletics "lifers," Linda Gordon and Sandy Rodville, who retired Friday after a combined 79 years of service to the University.
"Linda and Sandy are more than just employees, they truly epitomize what Temple Family stands for," said Director of Athletics Dr. Patrick Kraft. "They have given their lives in service to the University, and athletics in particular. We are truly grateful for their hard work and loyalty throughout their exemplary careers."
Close friends, Linda and Sandy are two women who clearly do not see their time as work, and reflect more on the friendships made and love of Temple as they walk away from their other home.
"I loved working in the business office," reflects Gordon, who started at Temple in 1972. "I enjoyed my work, paying the invoices, dealing with the vendors. I have a good rapport with them and many have called me to wish me good luck. The business office is my heart. I have had good bosses."
Making friendships, especially with other longtime staffers like Gordon and Karen Williams along with former Owls Bev Tinsley and Barb Hawkins stood out for Rodville, but her fondest memory revolved around one former employee.
"Temple has always been good to me. If I ever had a problem, which was very rare, I could always go to someone and talk to them. For me, that was Essie Davis. She was my rock while she was here. She is still my rock. I will call her anytime if I am feeling a certain way and she will help me through my situation. She is my fondest memory."
Neither woman started at Temple in athletics. Gordon's first job was as a temp in the Computer Center, or as it was called in 1972, Computer Activities.Â
"The woman I was replacing never came back so my boss asked if I wanted the job," she recalled.
An emphatic yes led to a career that landed her in the athletics department, first as a secretary and then as an assistant business manager.Â
Rodville found her way to Temple through an open house job fair in 1987. She was overwhelmed by the over 500 people looking for a job at the University.
"I thought there was no way they would find my resume and give me a job," she remembers. "A week later I got a call from Wayne Lamb, who was in personnel at the time.Â
He asked me to come in and take the typing test as they could not find the one I had taken. I did and passed it. He looked at me and said 'I am going to find you a job at Temple.'"
He was true to his word as Rodville would soon start as a secretary in the School of Education where she would work under another longtime staffer, Rowe Mette.  The Dean of the School of Education at the time was none other than Richard Englert, who is now the University's President. Two years later Rodville would move to athletics, following Mette, who let her know about an open secretarial slot under the associate athletics director for women's sports.
Rodville, who earned not one, but two degrees during her 32 years at Temple, would move around a few times, first to compliance and finally to her role as office manager for athletic training where she also served as the insurance coordinator for Temple Medicine.
Leaving the Temple family will be tough on both, but each is looking forward to spending more time with their own families. Gordon, who lost her beloved husband Thomas seven years ago, is looking forward to having more time with her daughter Tanya Gordon Freeman and her three grandkids -- Devin, Trinity, Kareem and two great grandkids.   Rodville, married 34 years to the love of her life Vince, will enjoy the company of her two daughters, Beverly and Dina, and five grandchildren.
As far as retirement plans, both have travel in their futures. Gordon is planning a trip every other year to the islands while Rodville has her eyes on Hawaii, and possibly Alaska as future destination sites.
It will not, however, be the last time that this dynamic duo is on Temple's campus. Both are also planning on supporting the Owls in the stands with the many fans of the Cherry and White.
 Â
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