Temple University Athletics
Temple Hall of Famer John Baum to Retire as Men’s Basketball Radio Analyst
3.1.23 | Men's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA – John Baum, one of Temple's all-time great men's basketball players, will retire as the team's radio color analyst following the 2022-23 season. Baum, who has been serving as part of Temple's radio broadcasts for the last 25 years, will be on the air for the final time when the Owls' host UCF on Thursday evening at 7 pm.
"It has been truly a wonderful career, serving Temple University which is near and dear to my heart," said Baum, who did not travel this season for personal reasons. "I made the decision in 1965 to go to Temple as a freshman student athlete and since then I have always been attached to the University. Even during my pro career, I followed the Owls every day.
I love Temple and what it stands for – the common man – and have never wanted to be anywhere else. But I feel this is the right time to step away, after 25 years on the radio that I truly cherished, to allow someone else to have the opportunity.
I want to thank my recent broadcast partners, Harry Donahue and Kevin Copp, and our producer Troy Wilmore, for making my time so wonderful. Even though I will not be calling the games, I will always be rooting on our Owls."
"I want to thank John Baum for his lifetime of service to Temple University, especially our athletics department," said Temple University Vice President and Director of Athletics Arthur Johnson. "There has been no greater ambassador for Temple University, and we have been fortunate to have this great man represent our University for over 50 years."
A member of the Temple Athletics, Philadelphia Big 5 and MAC Halls of Fame, Baum is one of five Temple players to score over 1,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds. The three-time all-Big 5 honoree tallied 1,544 points, currently 15th on the school's all-time list, with his 17.9 scoring average ranking sixth in program history. His 1,042 rebounds stood as the school record for 42 years until Lavoy Allen (1,147, 2007-11) eclipsed the mark in 2011. Playing only three seasons, Baum compiled a 12.1 rebound average, good for third best in school annals.
Baum's best season at Temple was his senior season, where he averaged career bests of 19.3 points and 13.3 rebounds. That year he served as the team captain for the Owls that won the 1969 National Invitation Tournament. Baum scored 30 points in the championship game to lead Temple to an 89-76 victory over Boston College.
Following his outstanding collegiate career, Baum was drafted in the second round by the Chicago Bulls (NBA) and in the first round by the Los Angeles Stars (ABA) in 1969. He played in the NBA for three seasons with the Chicago Bulls (1969-1972) before competing in the ABA for three years with the New Jersey Nets (1972-1974) and the Indiana Pacers (1974-1975).
Baum later worked for Temple University from 1985 through 2012. He first served in the University's Office of Development (1985-2004) before joining the athletics staff as an Assistant Athletics Director for Major Gifts. He retired from his position at Temple in June 2012 but continued to stay involved as the men's basketball color analyst.
"It has been truly a wonderful career, serving Temple University which is near and dear to my heart," said Baum, who did not travel this season for personal reasons. "I made the decision in 1965 to go to Temple as a freshman student athlete and since then I have always been attached to the University. Even during my pro career, I followed the Owls every day.
I love Temple and what it stands for – the common man – and have never wanted to be anywhere else. But I feel this is the right time to step away, after 25 years on the radio that I truly cherished, to allow someone else to have the opportunity.
I want to thank my recent broadcast partners, Harry Donahue and Kevin Copp, and our producer Troy Wilmore, for making my time so wonderful. Even though I will not be calling the games, I will always be rooting on our Owls."
"I want to thank John Baum for his lifetime of service to Temple University, especially our athletics department," said Temple University Vice President and Director of Athletics Arthur Johnson. "There has been no greater ambassador for Temple University, and we have been fortunate to have this great man represent our University for over 50 years."
A member of the Temple Athletics, Philadelphia Big 5 and MAC Halls of Fame, Baum is one of five Temple players to score over 1,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds. The three-time all-Big 5 honoree tallied 1,544 points, currently 15th on the school's all-time list, with his 17.9 scoring average ranking sixth in program history. His 1,042 rebounds stood as the school record for 42 years until Lavoy Allen (1,147, 2007-11) eclipsed the mark in 2011. Playing only three seasons, Baum compiled a 12.1 rebound average, good for third best in school annals.
Baum's best season at Temple was his senior season, where he averaged career bests of 19.3 points and 13.3 rebounds. That year he served as the team captain for the Owls that won the 1969 National Invitation Tournament. Baum scored 30 points in the championship game to lead Temple to an 89-76 victory over Boston College.
Following his outstanding collegiate career, Baum was drafted in the second round by the Chicago Bulls (NBA) and in the first round by the Los Angeles Stars (ABA) in 1969. He played in the NBA for three seasons with the Chicago Bulls (1969-1972) before competing in the ABA for three years with the New Jersey Nets (1972-1974) and the Indiana Pacers (1974-1975).
Baum later worked for Temple University from 1985 through 2012. He first served in the University's Office of Development (1985-2004) before joining the athletics staff as an Assistant Athletics Director for Major Gifts. He retired from his position at Temple in June 2012 but continued to stay involved as the men's basketball color analyst.
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