Hall of Fame Spotlight: Afia Lewis

One of the most prolific sprinters in Temple women's track history, Afia Lewis won 12 Atlantic 10 Conference titles during her time as an Owl and was named the 2001 A10 Indoor Championship Performer of the Year.

Lewis also won Atlantic 10 Conference Indoor Track titles at 55 and 200 meters in 2000 and followed that up in 2001 with titles at 200 and 400 meters. She was also a member of the team's 4x400 meter relay championship squad.

The Owl standout was equally successful outdoors as she won conference titles at 100 and 200 meters and was part of the winning 4x100 meter relay in 2000. In 2001, she won gold at 100, 200, 4x100 and 4x400 meters.

A native of Yeadon, Pa. and graduate of Penn Wood High School, Lewis has been heralded as one of the top educators in the state. Currently a sixth-grade teacher at Ardmore Avenue Elementary School in Lansdowne, she was named a Fox 29 Top Teacher in 2017 and received Pennsylvania House of Representatives recognition in 2019.

This month, Lewis was one of seven Lansdowne athletes depicted in a 54-foot mural "Sports Legends of Lansdowne", which resides in Hoffman Park which resides in the Delaware County borough.

Lewis resides in Delaware County with her two daughters, Athea and Kry

You had an interesting start to your athletic career. Talk about how you first got into running and how you forged your mother's name in middle school to compete?

"That is a funny story. So, I forged my mother's name in middle school so I could run track. I wanted to run but my mom was very controlling and did not want us to leave the house. I eventually got caught because my mom came home early from work one day and my asked sister where I was. So, my oldest sister April walked up to the school and came to my track meet. I was running against Chichester that day. My sister saw me run and told my mom that I was at the track, but also that I was really good. I had to stop running that year, but my mom gave me permission to run the next year, in eighth grade."

Talk about how your athletic development and how you came about choosing Temple?

"In ninth grade my coach was Richard Guy. He took under his wing and helped me immensely. My career then started to blossom.   I also ran for Tim Hickey in the summertime. So, I had an opportunity to run for two quality coaches which helped me earn a scholarship to Temple.

However, my first scholarship offer was from Villanova. I thought I was going to go there, but my coach told me to hold out as they were not offering a full scholarship. I never thought I could get a full scholarship, but I ended up getting one from Temple University. Temple's coach George Phillips came up to me at a track meet and told me that he thought I was a very nice kid and kind to everyone. He then asked if I would go to Temple on a full scholarship."

Talk about your time at Temple? How was your adjustment to college life and athletics?

"When I was running track in the summertime, we practice on Temple's track, so it was not that difficult. The transition was rather exciting for me because I knew I had to go through the (school) work, and I had prepared myself in high school for it. In my mind I knew that if you were a hard worker, you would be exceptional.

My biggest adjustment was that I did not know that an 8 a.m. class was as early as it was (laughing). Especially after a 5:30 a.m. practice. That was the only thing about college that I regret. I should not have taken those 8 a.m. classes."

You won 12 Conference titles over your incredible career. When you look back, what stands out the most from your time at Temple?

"The relationships with my teammates were what truly standout more than and individual honors. My girlfriend Kasha (Giddings) would help keep me together. I always had anxiety before races, and she kept me grounded.   As did Edith (Lewis), who was so kind, and helped keep me together.

I went to high school and college with Jermaine (Halsey), who I am still friends with to this day. He also was there for me. Our track team was such a wonderful group or people and we leaned on each other.

Roxanne was also there to help me as was Benita Chandler, who was my mentor when I first arrived at Temple. They helped me as an athlete and as a student adjusting to Temple."

Your 2001 Indoor Championships had to be special.   How did it feel being named the A10 Performer of the Year?

"That was a phenomenal experience.   Gary Bundy, who was a Temple assistant athletic director at the time, has a wonderful daughter Gina, who I ran track with at high school. Amazingly, Gina and I were both named Atlantic 10 Athletes of the Meet as I was honored as the track athlete of the meet, and she was named the field athlete as a jumper for St. Joe's. We were already friends, and this just made it even closer. It made it so very special to earn it with her."

Since your graduation from Temple, you have gone on to earn a master's degree and been honored many times over as an educator. Talk about your career as an instructor back in your home county?

"Following graduation, I went back to Penn Wood where I taught one year as a long-term substitute and then I was hired full-time. I taught there from 2002 through 2005. One of my mentors at the time said that after teaching for three to four years it is time to do something else that you want to do. So, I traveled to Georgia to teach. I was excited as my dad's side of the family is from Georgia. My aunt lives in DeKalb county, so I had family there."

It was a wonderful experience teaching there.When I came back to Philly I called my former principal, Dr. Ivy Brown, and she helped me get a teaching position.I have always had people around me who have helped take care of me like that."

Recently you have received recognition for your teaching. First from Fox 29 and later from the state of Pennsylvania. How does it feel to acknowledged for your professional work?

"It is surreal. I do not know how to react to it all. I want to be able to share these honors in a way that I can bring other kids into this and help them understand how great they can be. Let them know that they can be normal and be great through hard work."

Finally, what is next in your professional career?

"Right now, I am doing a lot of teacher advocacy work. In 2021, I began working with a group called "Teach Plus". In this role I work with teacher leaders across the state of Pennsylvania, and they encourage us to speak to policy makers. I work with the policy makers to encourage teachers to make the changes that are needed in education.

We have to work to fix the schools in Pennsylvania as I do not plan on moving from my home state. So, I am working to try and get Governor Shapiro's budget passed and trying to recruit more teachers into the profession. I am also working with any legislator who believes in public education. So as a Teach Plus senior fellow I coach other teachers how to talk to government representatives."

Temple University Athletics

Hall of Fame Spotlight: Afia Lewis

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