Temple University Athletics
From the AD's Desk: July 2009
"From the AD's Desk"
A monthly column from Temple University Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw
July 2009
Summer - a time of transition - has officially arrived in North Philadelphia. Everywhere I look around the Temple campus, I notice evidence of movement and change ... essentially, the signs of summer!
The first change I'd like to mention is bittersweet for us. After 26 years at Temple, many of them in Athletics, Rowe Mettee has transitioned into a well-deserved retirement from the Athletics Director's office. Many of you likely encountered Rowe at an event, game or simply over the phone; she was a professional presence in our office and personally, a trusted ally and confidant. Working in close proximity to others on a daily basis, year in and year out, can invite a tendency to take those relationships for granted - Rowe's retirement reminds to appreciate our colleagues each day! Ciao, Rowe.
Geasey Field, home to the Owls' field hockey and lacrosse programs, has been overtaken by construction vehicles, graders and heavy machinery. Over the summer, the drainage "crown" will be removed from the field, and the Astroturf carpet playing surface, showing its age at 15 years, will be replaced. An upcoming fundraising campaign will aim to enhance the facility via the addition of permanent seating, a new scoreboard, team area and entrance plaza. The result should ensure Geasey Field remains one of the nation's finest facilities for field hockey and lacrosse.
Across campus, the Al Golden Football Camps concluded another summer with the highest-attended series of camps in Temple history. For the second consecutive year, football rewrote attendance records for its five sessions of the camp. A total of 1,854 campers visited the Philadelphia campus, including a school record 661 high school student-athletes during the first session alone. Temple's previous record, set in 2008, was 1,625 campers, an increase of 14 percent. All told, the camp brings over 5,000 visitors to Temple and showcases the wonderful new facilities and stories unfolding every day here on our main campus.
Throughout our 24-sport program, freshmen are becoming sophomores; sophomores rise to junior status and juniors accept the challenge of leading the way as members of the senior Class of 2010. Intense conditioning, endless individual workouts and tireless film study (all within NCAA guidelines, of course!) are a symbol of summer and a reminder that athletically, it's time to "reset." All of Temple's teams are a fresh 0-0 and await the drama and excitement that lies ahead in 2009-10.
Summer also marks the beginning of a new budget year (July 1), and several changes to our athletics program as a result of the budget challenges which have affected the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Temple University as a state-related institution.
Because of the economy's effects, it is evident that our Athletics Department will face unprecedented financial challenges moving forward. As all of us are painfully aware, we are currently living through a very difficult financial climate. As much as we would like to carry on as normal in our everyday lives, most of us have been forced to make financial sacrifices while we ride out this historic economic downturn. For Temple Athletics, this means that the concept of "business as usual" has been re-defined.
Our department, like most others at Temple, is faced with an operating budget reduction for the 2009-10 academic year. This is not unique to Temple. Institutions across the country are facing cutbacks, and nearly every day we hear of another school taking drastic action. Hiring and compensation freezes, staffing reductions and even the elimination of varsity programs have already occurred across all levels of higher education.
At Temple, the welfare of our student-athletes is our non-negotiable priority, and it will remain our top priority as we make the best of our budget situation. We have been faced with some difficult choices, but protecting the competitive opportunities for our student-athletes in our varsity programs must be our focus. While the reductions will have a significant impact on every sport and administrative area of our department, our budget plan enables us to continue to support all 24 of our existing sport programs and to offer each programs the core services required to be successful.
Most of the cost saving measures enacted would only be noticed internally and do not affect the student-athlete or fan experience. I would like to explain in greater detail one measure we have taken which has more of an external impact. Earlier this spring, we made the decision to eliminate mass printing of sport media guides, joining a nationwide trend which includes schools such as Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Bowling Green. We will continue to produce media guides in each sport but will not be printing them. Simply put, static print pieces just aren't how most 16-17 year-old prospective student-athletes today want to interact with Temple as a recruit. Therefore, we'll utilize technology, including OwlSports.com, CD's and flash drives to present our prospects and media members with the information they need to learn more about and cover the Owls.
Fortunately, Athletics at Temple has the unique ability to counter our budget challenges in ways that other areas of the University may not. For example, we can sell tickets to home events and generate revenue. We can offer attractive member benefits to Owl Club donors and generate gift income. There are other revenue streams we aggressively access, but the key to our future success truly lies in our collective hands. We have always relied on Owl Club support to fundamentally subsidize each of our program's operating budgets. More than ever, we will aggressively market our comprehensive vision to you and seek your annual financial support of our programs.
Ticket revenue, from both season and individual game customers, is more important than ever. Fortunately, our home football and basketball schedules are quite possibly more attractive than in recent memory! Both sports' season ticket campaigns are in full swing; please remember how important your ticket purchases are to our student-athletes and your University. I see our student-athletes diligently training, studying and giving their all this summer - they are worth your loyalty and support!
I know that our future is bright and that with broad participation by our community and friends, we shall achieve our goals. Go Owls!
Other notes from my desk:
2009 Football Season Tickets - We are working diligently to renew and sell new football season tickets. With two months left until kickoff, we currently stand at 1,167 season tickets sold and have lots of ground left to cover to reach our goal of 3,200 for the 2009 season. If you have not yet renewed your seats, or would like to become a football season ticket holder, please visit www.owlstix.com or call 215-204-8499 today. I can assure you that Temple Football at Lincoln Financial Field is the most exciting and economical entertainment option available in Philadelphia. Additionally, your ticket purchase is critical to providing our sports programs the resources required to be successful and make the Temple community proud. Thank you for your support and I look forward to seeing you on Thursday, Sept. 3 when we kick off the season against Villanova in the inaugural Mayor's Cup.
Changes to Owl Club Structure
Associate Athletics Director for Development Scott Koskoski and I have been working since his arrival in December on several new initiatives to broadly impact our fundraising operation for Athletics. The process involved much internal and external collaboration and culminated with a presentation to our Owl Club Executive Committee May 13. Our new development Strategic Plan is in alignment with our department's vision and supports the mission of Temple University. Many of the solutions to our challenges will be implemented over the next 12 months. Please watch your mail, inbox and continue to monitor OwlSports.com for the latest news.
Kudos to Staff Members
Once again, I am proud to recognize hard-working members of our staff that shine. At the National Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA) convention in June, Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing/Promotions Scott Walcoff and his team won the award for its season ticket sales campaign of "Temple Men's Basketball - Five Months of Christmas." The campaign featured All-America candidate Dionte Christmas in all print (newspaper, poster) and outdoor (billboard) materials. Christmas was also featured with his own bobble head doll. This is the second NACMA award for Walcoff and his staff.
Also in June, Kevin Bonner, in his first year as an Assistant Athletics Director for Media Relations, was named the recipient of the 2009 University Division Rising Star Award by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The award is presented to a University Division member with 10 years of service or less whose work at their institution and service, dedication; energy and enthusiasm to the profession make that individual a "rising star" in sports information. Besides serving as the media contact for four Owl sports, he also continues to oversee athletic publications and serves as the varsity sport administrator for golf.
Congratulations to both Scott and Kevin! Keep up the great work!
Upcoming Events
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.). Visit www.MyOwlSpace.com for a complete schedule of events.
Purchase 2009 football season or individual game tickets now!
Make a contribution to the Owl Club now!
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