Temple University Athletics

From the AD's Desk: May 2009

From the AD's Desk
A monthly column from Temple University Director of Athletics
May 2009

I am still buzzing with energy and excitement over the wonderful Cherry & White Day we shared a couple of weeks ago. We welcomed back many former Temple student-athletes on both the Ambler and Main campuses, and had a great turnout from our student body, alumni and friends for our annual spring football game. The weather could not have been better, and the day was a great celebration of the spirit and passion we all share for Temple University.

Speaking of football, the 2009 season is rapidly approaching, and there will be no single effort more important to Temple Athletics between now and kickoff on September 3 against Villanova than the sale of football tickets. If you are a football season ticketholder and have not yet had the chance to renew, you may do so by clicking here. If you are not a football season ticketholder, please click here for more information on how to support the Owls and get into the game. It is more critical than ever that we grow the revenue streams our sport programs rely on to compete for and capture championships and make you proud. While the current economic environment has presented challenges to all of us, we view this time as an opportunity for us to bring increased awareness to Temple football as a fun, family-oriented and affordable entertainment option.

In line with our goal of annually competing for the MAC Football Championship and qualifying for a bowl game, we are also working towards a goal of doubling our current football season ticket base over the next three years, which equates to the addition of approximately 3,000 season tickets and would generate approximately $350,000 in additional annual revenue. While our goal is aggressive, it is achievable, and is something we must all strive for if football and our other programs are to be provided the resources required for long-term success at the Division I FBS level.

I know so many of you that provide financial support to our program through donations and ticket purchases: we cannot thank you enough! As loyal supporters of Temple Athletics and football, you represent not only our fan base, but are an extension of our sales force. We need your help to spread the word to your friends, relatives, neighbors, business associates and anybody else who we can get to become more involved in supporting Temple. We are once again offering incentives for all season ticketholders who help generate new sales, and hope to be able to reward many of you with these incentives.

We are launching an aggressive grassroots awareness and sales campaign throughout the region this spring and summer. It is our goal to promote Temple athletics at as many fairs, festivals, clubs, organizations, township days, and other events as possible. If you belong to a club or organization and recognize an opportunity for Temple to be represented in some way through a promotional booth, a speaking appearance, or other exposure opportunity, please contact Vicki Miles at vicki.miles@temple.edu or 215-204-6710.

Much work lies ahead, but we are excited with our direction, and will be working tirelessly to achieve our goals and make you proud of your Temple Owls. Other notes from my desk:

NCAA Recertification - I am proud to announce that the Temple Athletics program has been granted an unqualified full recertification by the NCAA. This is a significant accomplishment and demonstrates Temple's commitment to excellence in athletics as well as academics. The NCAA's certification program was established in 1993 and mandates that all 326 NCAA Division I institutions be certified.

Breakfast of Champions - On Wednesday, April 29 the floor of the Liacouras Center was filled with the "Best of the Best" of Temple Athletics as we celebrated our athletic and academic success with the Seventh Annual Breakfast of Champions. Our good friend Don Tollefson from ESPN Radio 950 once again served as emcee while PNC, through the continued support of Bill Mills, the company's President of the Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey Region, was the presenting sponsor.

In all, over 300 student-athletes were honored at this signature event for Temple Athletics with junior All-America J.T. Noone of the men's soccer team and fifth-year senior Mary Catherine Kinneman, the A-10 Field Hockey Defensive Player of the Year, being named the Top Male and Female Student-Athletes of the Year.

The Temple men's gymnastics team earned the Owl Award, which goes to the varsity team with the highest cumulative grade point average while the women's gymnastics team was honored with the first Owl Cup, given to the team that best exemplifies the initiatives set forth by the NCAA Champs/Life Skills program.

Sports Update

The spring season is winding down at Temple and it has been a good one for Owl teams. Men's and Women's Crew are gearing up for the Dad Vail Regatta on May 8-9 with the men's varsity 8 coming off a win at the Bergen Cup and the women's varsity 8 placing third at the Atlantic 10 Championships. Baseball is in contention for a berth in the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament heading into the final two weekends of regular season play.

Congratulations to the Women's Tennis team which earned the #2 seed at the Atlantic 10 Women's Tennis Championships and advanced to the finals before losing to #1 seed Richmond. The team finished the season with a 17 - 6 record, and the future looks bright with eight letterwinners returning.

And let's not forget DT Terrance Knighton who was selected with the eighth pick of the third round of the NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. We wish him well in his professional career as he joins five other former Owl players in the NFL.

Finally, more than 150 student-athletes from our 24 varsity teams hosted over 400 sixth through eighth grade students from the Dunbar, Meade, Duckrey and Ferguson elementary schools at our Annual Partnership Field Day held at Edberg-Olson Hall on April 27.

Upcoming Events

Commencement - On Thursday, May 14, over 50 student-athletes will graduate from Temple University. Commencement is such a special day for our student-athletes, as it is the culmination of all they have worked to achieve during their time at Temple, and the start of a new chapter in their lives. On behalf of all of our graduating student-athletes, thank you for helping to provide a rewarding experience for them through your contributions and support.

Cherry & White Caravan - NEW! As part of our mission of broad participation and community outreach, we're bringing Temple Athletics to your neighborhood! The first Cherry & White Caravan to celebrate Temple Athletics will make three stops soon. Each Caravan stop will feature head football coach Al Golden, head basketball coach Fran Dunphy, local student-athletes and members of Temple's administration. We'll share our vision, answer questions, meet with you and have fun! Join your fellow fans, friends and alumni at a Caravan stop near you. Visit www.MyOwlSpace.com to RSVP for these events - and bring your family and friends!

• Scanton/Wilkes-Barre: Wednesday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., Country Club of Scranton (1001 Morgan Hwy, Clarks Summit, PA), $35 includes open bar and light fare

• New York Metro: Monday, June 1, 6-8 p.m., Applebee's Times Square (250 W. 50th St.), $20 per person includes buffet dinner

• Wilmington, DE: Thursday, June 4, 6 p.m., Wilmington Blue Rocks baseball game, price TBD to include game ticket and pre-game private picnic

Owl Club Golf Outing - We will tee it up once again this year at Lu Lu Country Club on Wednesday, June 10 at our 24th Annual Owl Club Golf Outing. This event is a great way to spend time with Head Coaches Fran Dunphy and Al Golden, fellow Temple supporters, and directly supports our 24 varsity sports and over 600 Temple student-athletes. To register to participate as a player and/or sponsor, please contact Chet Zukowski at(215) 204-6913 or chetzukowski@hotmail.com.

Temple Down the Shore - The University's summer tradition returns July 10-11 at various locations near the Jersey Shore. Of particular note is the Temple Football FanFest at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 11 at the Ocean City Music Pier. What a great opportunity to meet our talented student-athletes and coaches and get pumped up for the 2009 season! Later that day, join us for golf at the nationally-acclaimed Galloway National Golf Club (1:30 p.m.) followed by a dinner featuring Coach Al Golden at the Inlet Restaurant on Somers Point (7 p.m.). Visit www.MyOwlSpace.com for a complete schedule of events.

Purchase 2009 football season or individual game tickets now!

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