Temple University Athletics
Temple University's 30 Under 30
3.13.23 | Football, General, Men's Golf
PHILADELPHIA – Temple has announced its 30 Under 30 award winners for 2023. In just a few years after graduation, these Owls are already making a real-world impact with their ingenuity, drive and activism in a variety of professions. Although their careers and journeys may differ, they share a common vision: improving society locally, nationally, and globally.
A collaboration between Alumni and Constituent Engagement and Strategic Marketing and Communications since 2019, the 30 Under 30 awards program highlights outstanding alumni who use their gifts and talents to make a difference.
"The 30 Under 30 program shows what is possible from our alumni with a Temple Made degree," said Eliza Stasi, assistant vice president of advancement engagement. "They have translated their experience and hard work from their time as students, applied it to their career field, and achieved outstanding strides in just a few short years since graduation. They show that Temple can and will continue to shape the future of the world."
The 2023 Class includes two individuals – Dion Dawkins and Brandon Matthews - who spent their days on North Broad Street participating in Temple Athletics.
Dion Dawkins
When Dion Dawkins, CLA '17, then a Temple football player, got frustrated with some sluggish high schoolers who were participating in a Temple football camp, his offensive line coach pulled him aside.
"That's who you are every day," he remembers Chris Wiesehan telling him. "I have to motivate you, stimulate you and engage you to do anything. You don't know how to be a pro."
Momentarily stunned, the trajectory of Dawkins' career shifted in an instant. He looked Wiesehan in the eye and said, "You will never have to have this conversation with me again."
Gridiron gearshift
Dawkins stuck to his promise. In 2015 and 2016, Dawkins and his close friend Haason Reddick, CLA '17—now a defensive star on the Philadelphia Eagles—led the team to win 10 games and the American Athletic Conference championship.
Today, as the Buffalo Bills offensive left tackle, the 6-foot-5, 320-pound 2021 Pro Bowl selection stars on one of the National Football League's (NFL) best teams. He is playing on a four-year, $60 million contract—money he earns protecting standout quarterback Josh Allen's blind side.
"Playing here in Buffalo has shown me what it's really like to be loved for what I do in my life, playing football and entertaining people," he said. "Before every game, I take a knee at the 50-yard line and say 'thank you' for all of it."
Dawkins figured he would become a New Jersey state trooper, like one of his uncles, if football didn't pan out. So, he majored in sociology—and graduated in four years. "An endless line of people, both teachers and academic advisors, helped me," he said.
Among his academic supporters was Jennifer Kim, a sociology instructor who dedicated a lot of extra time outside of class to help Dawkins when he started struggling with the material.
Going for extra points
Dawkins is immensely grateful that he was able to achieve his NFL dreams and, as a result, he has dedicated himself to giving back. "I'm thankful that I have three beautiful children, a beautiful girlfriend, Daiyaana Muhammad, and a beautiful family. If I can bring joy, smiles and hugs to anyone who needs it, I'm gonna do it every time," he said.
His nonprofit foundation, Dion's Dreamers, provides advocacy, mentorship and support for vulnerable children, young adults and families. Initially, the foundation helped children pursue their interests, like lessons for aspiring guitar players and singers. Since the pandemic began, it has also provided clothing, foo, and hygienic products.
Last May, Dawkins was among the Bills who responded after a white racist fatally shot 10 people and injured three others—mostly Black—in an East Buffalo supermarket.
Determined to support the community during this painful time, he returned repeatedly to the neighborhood on his days off, raised money for the victims' families and met with local teachers.
In December, the Bills nominated Dawkins for the NFL's Walter Peyton Man of the Year Award for excellence both on and off the field. "It's truly an honor," he said. "Because it's not for being an athlete or for the money I have, it's for being a good person, and you can't fake or buy that."
Truly Temple Made
Several years ago, Dawkins called Wiesehan. "Coach, thank you again," Dawkins said. "Every time I walk in this room in Buffalo, I think of all the things that you told me, about stacking plays and stacking days."
Recounting the conversation with the Buffalo News, Dawkins added, "I'm Temple proud. I never forget where I came from. Temple is me, and I am Temple."
Brandon Matthews
The sun was setting in Greenville, South Carolina, in June 2022, and the star of Brandon Matthews, EDU '16, was rising.
Matthews' childhood dream to play golf professionally on the PGA Tour was being realized. The week after qualifying for the U.S. Open, Matthews finished the final round of the BMW Charity Pro-Am—surpassing the points threshold to earn his PGA tour card.
"Earning my card has been the culmination of a lot of dreams, hard work and dedication to a game that has given me so much over the years," he said. "It was a very special feeling."
All teed up
Matthews grew up in Dupont, a blue-collar borough of 2,500 people nestled between Wilkes-Barre and Scranton. His father worked in the trucking industry and his mother for Goodwill Industries until an accident left her with a disability.
It wasn't the most conducive of circumstances to succeed in a sport where golf course access, greens fees and expensive equipment dominate the landscape. But his father's love of the game combined with Brandon's love for the sport persevered.
"I have great memories of my early childhood, begging my dad, 'Come on, it's 4 o'clock. Let's go get nine holes in,'" laughed Matthews.
Par for the course
But you can't buy plane tickets with love. Matthews says youth golf is dominated by prestigious tournaments located across the country, where scouts from college programs look to find their next recruits.
Largely bound to courses in Northeast Pennsylvania, Matthews wasn't on many radars until he won a state championship for Pittston Area High School in 2010. By then, golf scholarships at the nation's top golf programs were already awarded. But in came a call from Temple golf Head Coach Brian Quinn: He had a scholarship offer for Matthews.
"Coach Quinn was incredibly generous at a later stage of the game, getting me to go to Temple," Matthews said.
It paid off for all parties. Matthews would win eight collegiate tournaments at Temple, tied with former PGA pro and fellow Owl Geoffrey Sisk, FOX '88, for most all-time wins. Matthews credits his occasional play partners, which include basketball legends Fran Dunphy, former men's basketball head coach, and Aaron McKie, SSW '02, current men's basketball coach; program staff; and Coach Quinn for bestowing important life lessons.
"The overall Athletics Department at Temple is incredible and played an instrumental part in shaping me through my time there," Matthews said.
Swinging for the stars
The road to the PGA tour was not an easy one. In November 2019, Matthews was on the brink. He'd spent the seasons following graduation working his way through golf's developmental professional tours, while also dealing with chronic back issues that left discs bulging and herniated.
He was a pro playing on the PGA tour Latinoamérica and found himself in a sudden death playoff at the Visa Open de Argentina. A win would earn him an exemption into The Open Championship. As Matthews pulled the putter back, a loud shout went up from the crowd, startling Matthews, and he missed the putt.
Matthews quickly learned it had come from a spectator who was overcome with excitement. In a moment that went viral, Matthews asked to meet with the fan, gave him a hug and signed his glove for him to make sure the fan didn't feel bad about what happened.
And once again, Matthews bounced back. Subsequent strong play on the Korn Ferry Tour—the second most prestigious golf circuit—qualified Matthews to play on the PGA tour in 2022, including the U.S. Open. Now, he has a chance to prove himself anew almost every weekend.
"It's pretty cool to understand that I'm realizing my dream," Matthews said. "However, I realize I have to stay disciplined. The journey's not over, it's just beginning."
A collaboration between Alumni and Constituent Engagement and Strategic Marketing and Communications since 2019, the 30 Under 30 awards program highlights outstanding alumni who use their gifts and talents to make a difference.
"The 30 Under 30 program shows what is possible from our alumni with a Temple Made degree," said Eliza Stasi, assistant vice president of advancement engagement. "They have translated their experience and hard work from their time as students, applied it to their career field, and achieved outstanding strides in just a few short years since graduation. They show that Temple can and will continue to shape the future of the world."
The 2023 Class includes two individuals – Dion Dawkins and Brandon Matthews - who spent their days on North Broad Street participating in Temple Athletics.
Dion Dawkins
When Dion Dawkins, CLA '17, then a Temple football player, got frustrated with some sluggish high schoolers who were participating in a Temple football camp, his offensive line coach pulled him aside.
"That's who you are every day," he remembers Chris Wiesehan telling him. "I have to motivate you, stimulate you and engage you to do anything. You don't know how to be a pro."
Momentarily stunned, the trajectory of Dawkins' career shifted in an instant. He looked Wiesehan in the eye and said, "You will never have to have this conversation with me again."
Gridiron gearshift
Dawkins stuck to his promise. In 2015 and 2016, Dawkins and his close friend Haason Reddick, CLA '17—now a defensive star on the Philadelphia Eagles—led the team to win 10 games and the American Athletic Conference championship.
Today, as the Buffalo Bills offensive left tackle, the 6-foot-5, 320-pound 2021 Pro Bowl selection stars on one of the National Football League's (NFL) best teams. He is playing on a four-year, $60 million contract—money he earns protecting standout quarterback Josh Allen's blind side.
"Playing here in Buffalo has shown me what it's really like to be loved for what I do in my life, playing football and entertaining people," he said. "Before every game, I take a knee at the 50-yard line and say 'thank you' for all of it."
Dawkins figured he would become a New Jersey state trooper, like one of his uncles, if football didn't pan out. So, he majored in sociology—and graduated in four years. "An endless line of people, both teachers and academic advisors, helped me," he said.
Among his academic supporters was Jennifer Kim, a sociology instructor who dedicated a lot of extra time outside of class to help Dawkins when he started struggling with the material.
Going for extra points
Dawkins is immensely grateful that he was able to achieve his NFL dreams and, as a result, he has dedicated himself to giving back. "I'm thankful that I have three beautiful children, a beautiful girlfriend, Daiyaana Muhammad, and a beautiful family. If I can bring joy, smiles and hugs to anyone who needs it, I'm gonna do it every time," he said.
His nonprofit foundation, Dion's Dreamers, provides advocacy, mentorship and support for vulnerable children, young adults and families. Initially, the foundation helped children pursue their interests, like lessons for aspiring guitar players and singers. Since the pandemic began, it has also provided clothing, foo, and hygienic products.
Last May, Dawkins was among the Bills who responded after a white racist fatally shot 10 people and injured three others—mostly Black—in an East Buffalo supermarket.
Determined to support the community during this painful time, he returned repeatedly to the neighborhood on his days off, raised money for the victims' families and met with local teachers.
In December, the Bills nominated Dawkins for the NFL's Walter Peyton Man of the Year Award for excellence both on and off the field. "It's truly an honor," he said. "Because it's not for being an athlete or for the money I have, it's for being a good person, and you can't fake or buy that."
Truly Temple Made
Several years ago, Dawkins called Wiesehan. "Coach, thank you again," Dawkins said. "Every time I walk in this room in Buffalo, I think of all the things that you told me, about stacking plays and stacking days."
Recounting the conversation with the Buffalo News, Dawkins added, "I'm Temple proud. I never forget where I came from. Temple is me, and I am Temple."
Brandon Matthews
The sun was setting in Greenville, South Carolina, in June 2022, and the star of Brandon Matthews, EDU '16, was rising.
Matthews' childhood dream to play golf professionally on the PGA Tour was being realized. The week after qualifying for the U.S. Open, Matthews finished the final round of the BMW Charity Pro-Am—surpassing the points threshold to earn his PGA tour card.
"Earning my card has been the culmination of a lot of dreams, hard work and dedication to a game that has given me so much over the years," he said. "It was a very special feeling."
All teed up
Matthews grew up in Dupont, a blue-collar borough of 2,500 people nestled between Wilkes-Barre and Scranton. His father worked in the trucking industry and his mother for Goodwill Industries until an accident left her with a disability.
It wasn't the most conducive of circumstances to succeed in a sport where golf course access, greens fees and expensive equipment dominate the landscape. But his father's love of the game combined with Brandon's love for the sport persevered.
"I have great memories of my early childhood, begging my dad, 'Come on, it's 4 o'clock. Let's go get nine holes in,'" laughed Matthews.
Par for the course
But you can't buy plane tickets with love. Matthews says youth golf is dominated by prestigious tournaments located across the country, where scouts from college programs look to find their next recruits.
Largely bound to courses in Northeast Pennsylvania, Matthews wasn't on many radars until he won a state championship for Pittston Area High School in 2010. By then, golf scholarships at the nation's top golf programs were already awarded. But in came a call from Temple golf Head Coach Brian Quinn: He had a scholarship offer for Matthews.
"Coach Quinn was incredibly generous at a later stage of the game, getting me to go to Temple," Matthews said.
It paid off for all parties. Matthews would win eight collegiate tournaments at Temple, tied with former PGA pro and fellow Owl Geoffrey Sisk, FOX '88, for most all-time wins. Matthews credits his occasional play partners, which include basketball legends Fran Dunphy, former men's basketball head coach, and Aaron McKie, SSW '02, current men's basketball coach; program staff; and Coach Quinn for bestowing important life lessons.
"The overall Athletics Department at Temple is incredible and played an instrumental part in shaping me through my time there," Matthews said.
Swinging for the stars
The road to the PGA tour was not an easy one. In November 2019, Matthews was on the brink. He'd spent the seasons following graduation working his way through golf's developmental professional tours, while also dealing with chronic back issues that left discs bulging and herniated.
He was a pro playing on the PGA tour Latinoamérica and found himself in a sudden death playoff at the Visa Open de Argentina. A win would earn him an exemption into The Open Championship. As Matthews pulled the putter back, a loud shout went up from the crowd, startling Matthews, and he missed the putt.
Matthews quickly learned it had come from a spectator who was overcome with excitement. In a moment that went viral, Matthews asked to meet with the fan, gave him a hug and signed his glove for him to make sure the fan didn't feel bad about what happened.
And once again, Matthews bounced back. Subsequent strong play on the Korn Ferry Tour—the second most prestigious golf circuit—qualified Matthews to play on the PGA tour in 2022, including the U.S. Open. Now, he has a chance to prove himself anew almost every weekend.
"It's pretty cool to understand that I'm realizing my dream," Matthews said. "However, I realize I have to stay disciplined. The journey's not over, it's just beginning."
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