Temple University Athletics
Temple President Richard M. Englert’s Statement on the resignation of Director of Athletics Patrick Kraft
6.3.20 | General
Temple University President Richard M. Englert said he was saddened to learn that the university's Director of Athletics, Patrick Kraft, is leaving to take a new post at Boston College.
"Pat has been extraordinarily successful in his seven years here and Temple athletics has been run with enthusiasm and integrity, making us all proud Owls," said the president.
Englert said that during Kraft's tenure as AD, there were investments and enhancements in student-athlete welfare, in support of coaches and staff, in academic support and in facilities.
But if there is one point that has stood out, it has been Kraft's single-minded dedication to ensuring that the university's more than 500 student-athletes succeed in their coursework.
"Academic excellence has been a hallmark of Pat's tenure at Temple," said Englert. "Temple athletes broke records year after year for their performance in the classroom, as well as on the playing field."
Last fall, for example, Temple student-athletes posted a 90 percent Graduation Success Rate (GSR), which breaks the school record of 88 set in 2016 and 2017. It also marks the ninth straight year of either tying or setting a new mark in this all-important area. Temple is one of twelve FBS institutions to have an overall GSR ranked in the top 50 along with football and men's basketball GSRs in top 30.
Other academic records are equally impressive. Earlier this year, Temple athletics set a new school record with 10 of its athletic teams receiving NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program (APP) Public Recognition. This recognition honors the Top 10 percent of Division I teams across the nation for their multi-year academic performance. The previous school mark was seven, established in 2017 and matched again in 2018 and 2019.
At the same time, student-athletes achieved a record nine consecutive semesters with a combined GPA of 3.10 or above and 15 consecutive semesters above a 3.0. Eighteen programs earned a cumulative GPA greater than 3.0.
Kraft oversaw the greatest season in Temple Football's history in 2015. The team recorded its best start in school history at 7-0 and its first national ranking since 1979. That success lured ESPN College GameDay to Philadelphia for the team's sold out game against Notre Dame. Although the #21 Owls lost a tightly-contested game (24-20) to the #9 Irish, the game garnered a record 18.1 share in Philadelphia to make it ABC's highest-rated regular season college football game in the market.
"That was a day I will never forget," said Englert.
"We are grateful to Pat for all that he has done," Englert said, "I wish Pat, Betsy and their wonderful family every success in their new phase of their lives. But wherever they go, they will always be members of the Temple family."
Kraft has agreed to stay on at Temple through July 1 to help with the transition.
"Pat has been extraordinarily successful in his seven years here and Temple athletics has been run with enthusiasm and integrity, making us all proud Owls," said the president.
Englert said that during Kraft's tenure as AD, there were investments and enhancements in student-athlete welfare, in support of coaches and staff, in academic support and in facilities.
But if there is one point that has stood out, it has been Kraft's single-minded dedication to ensuring that the university's more than 500 student-athletes succeed in their coursework.
"Academic excellence has been a hallmark of Pat's tenure at Temple," said Englert. "Temple athletes broke records year after year for their performance in the classroom, as well as on the playing field."
Last fall, for example, Temple student-athletes posted a 90 percent Graduation Success Rate (GSR), which breaks the school record of 88 set in 2016 and 2017. It also marks the ninth straight year of either tying or setting a new mark in this all-important area. Temple is one of twelve FBS institutions to have an overall GSR ranked in the top 50 along with football and men's basketball GSRs in top 30.
Other academic records are equally impressive. Earlier this year, Temple athletics set a new school record with 10 of its athletic teams receiving NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program (APP) Public Recognition. This recognition honors the Top 10 percent of Division I teams across the nation for their multi-year academic performance. The previous school mark was seven, established in 2017 and matched again in 2018 and 2019.
At the same time, student-athletes achieved a record nine consecutive semesters with a combined GPA of 3.10 or above and 15 consecutive semesters above a 3.0. Eighteen programs earned a cumulative GPA greater than 3.0.
Kraft oversaw the greatest season in Temple Football's history in 2015. The team recorded its best start in school history at 7-0 and its first national ranking since 1979. That success lured ESPN College GameDay to Philadelphia for the team's sold out game against Notre Dame. Although the #21 Owls lost a tightly-contested game (24-20) to the #9 Irish, the game garnered a record 18.1 share in Philadelphia to make it ABC's highest-rated regular season college football game in the market.
"That was a day I will never forget," said Englert.
"We are grateful to Pat for all that he has done," Englert said, "I wish Pat, Betsy and their wonderful family every success in their new phase of their lives. But wherever they go, they will always be members of the Temple family."
Kraft has agreed to stay on at Temple through July 1 to help with the transition.
Ep. 9: Head Women's Soccer Coach Chris Shaw
Friday, October 03
Ep. 8: Temple Athletics Weekly Recap; Women's Cross Country Runner Amelia Sabatino
Tuesday, September 30
Ep. 7: Temple Field Hockey Alumna Cherifa Howarth
Friday, September 26
Ep. 6: Temple Athletics Weekly Recap; Field Hockey's Peyton Rieger
Tuesday, September 23
