Temple University Athletics
Live. Learn. Share. - Owls for Justice Holds Esteemed Alumni Panel
11.24.20 | General
On Tuesday, November 17th, the student lead social justice group, Owls for Justice hosted a panel called "Listen. Learn. Share." a discussion featuring five Temple alums, including four former student-athletes. The alumni discussed their former and current experiences, sharing stories which allowed over 100 current student athletes to learn from their experiences, on how to build a more inclusive environment moving forward.
Each alumni was given the opportunity to share the positives and negatives of their experiences at Temple and in life, along with the insights they've drawn.
Daniel Van Norton, a Temple Football Alumni who holds a Bachelors and Masters from the Fox School of Business, currently works at the NFL Headquarters working with Youth and High School Programs. Van Norton brought the attendees through the positive experience of having teammates from diverse backgrounds. His work in sports at the NFL has continued to show that the work continues after graduation. "Owls for Justice starts at Temple but goes far beyond your time here", said Van Norton.
LaShea Davis-Williams, a Temple Alumni and School of Tourism and Hospitality Management Adjunct Professor discussed her experience at Temple by saying "one of the things that stood out to me was the relationship with the community. Even after my time at Temple, I have always stayed in touch with the local community." She explained that this is a major opportunity to continue the fight towards equality, by bridging the gap between the University and the community in which Temple is located.
Brendon Creed, a 2018 Temple Men's Soccer alumni studied civil engineering while in Philadelphia. He has since returned to his home inTrinidad and Tobago, where he plays soccer competitively and tutors students in math and physics. As someone who naturally carried an accent, Creed often ran into situations where people asked him if he was speaking english. "English is the only language I know," he joked. Creed discussed that leaning on his teammates diverse backgrounds was always an important chance to "share and learn."
Chloe Johnson, a 2019 Temple Klein School of Communications graduate and Temple Field Hockey alumni, spoke to her experience of coming out as gay during her freshman year. As a freshman, Johnson was dealing with a change in coaching, lack of playing time, and a balance of emotions from her teammates regarding her sexual identity Johnson shared that she felt very supported by most, and over her years on the team, she was able to understand the mindsets of those who may have been less supporting, and that they were able to do the same. During her time at Temple, she served on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and founded Student Athlete Safe Space (SASS) an organization that focused on inclusion and open conversation.
Dan Alotta, a former Temple Football, Track and Crew athlete graduated with a bachelors and masters from the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. He founded Joy Juice, a non-profit that provides makeovers to teens with cancer. Alotta battled cancer for several years. He had a mixed experience in his time at Temple due to a lack of acceptance being a Black student-athlete on a predominately white team. He discussed the overt racism that he faced in the late 90's. He did mention that his ability to lean on his track and football families was a great experience.
This event is just one of many that Owls for Justice will host to bring together student athletes in order to have candid conversations surrounding equality and justice in America. The student lead organization continues to drive for meaningful change that will always start with education and listening. The Tuesday panel did just that, provided student athletes the chance to learn from the athletes that came before them.
You can watch the entire panel on the Temple Athletics YouTube Channel.
Each alumni was given the opportunity to share the positives and negatives of their experiences at Temple and in life, along with the insights they've drawn.
Daniel Van Norton, a Temple Football Alumni who holds a Bachelors and Masters from the Fox School of Business, currently works at the NFL Headquarters working with Youth and High School Programs. Van Norton brought the attendees through the positive experience of having teammates from diverse backgrounds. His work in sports at the NFL has continued to show that the work continues after graduation. "Owls for Justice starts at Temple but goes far beyond your time here", said Van Norton.
LaShea Davis-Williams, a Temple Alumni and School of Tourism and Hospitality Management Adjunct Professor discussed her experience at Temple by saying "one of the things that stood out to me was the relationship with the community. Even after my time at Temple, I have always stayed in touch with the local community." She explained that this is a major opportunity to continue the fight towards equality, by bridging the gap between the University and the community in which Temple is located.
Brendon Creed, a 2018 Temple Men's Soccer alumni studied civil engineering while in Philadelphia. He has since returned to his home inTrinidad and Tobago, where he plays soccer competitively and tutors students in math and physics. As someone who naturally carried an accent, Creed often ran into situations where people asked him if he was speaking english. "English is the only language I know," he joked. Creed discussed that leaning on his teammates diverse backgrounds was always an important chance to "share and learn."
Chloe Johnson, a 2019 Temple Klein School of Communications graduate and Temple Field Hockey alumni, spoke to her experience of coming out as gay during her freshman year. As a freshman, Johnson was dealing with a change in coaching, lack of playing time, and a balance of emotions from her teammates regarding her sexual identity Johnson shared that she felt very supported by most, and over her years on the team, she was able to understand the mindsets of those who may have been less supporting, and that they were able to do the same. During her time at Temple, she served on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and founded Student Athlete Safe Space (SASS) an organization that focused on inclusion and open conversation.
Dan Alotta, a former Temple Football, Track and Crew athlete graduated with a bachelors and masters from the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. He founded Joy Juice, a non-profit that provides makeovers to teens with cancer. Alotta battled cancer for several years. He had a mixed experience in his time at Temple due to a lack of acceptance being a Black student-athlete on a predominately white team. He discussed the overt racism that he faced in the late 90's. He did mention that his ability to lean on his track and football families was a great experience.
This event is just one of many that Owls for Justice will host to bring together student athletes in order to have candid conversations surrounding equality and justice in America. The student lead organization continues to drive for meaningful change that will always start with education and listening. The Tuesday panel did just that, provided student athletes the chance to learn from the athletes that came before them.
You can watch the entire panel on the Temple Athletics YouTube Channel.
MBB Press Conference vs. Princeton (Adam Fisher)
Tuesday, December 23
MBB Press Conference vs.Princeton (Babatunde Durodola and Jordan Mason)
Tuesday, December 23
Temple Men's Basketball 2025-26 All Access | Game 12 at Davidson 12.18.2025
Sunday, December 21
Ep. 29: Last Episode of First Semester from David & Amelia
Wednesday, December 17
