Temple University Athletics
From the AD's Desk: April 2009
From the AD's Desk
A monthly column from Temple University Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw
April 2009
Greetings from Owl Country! It brings me tremendous excitement to launch "From the AD's Desk," a new monthly column to our constituents which will provide regular updates on Temple Athletics, and more importantly, will communicate our vision for Temple Athletics and the steps we must take to achieve that vision. Each of you are integral to the success of our student-athletes and to the overall success of Temple Athletics, and it is my hope that this column will provide each of you with a transparent view of the challenges we face as we strive to win championships, graduate our student-athletes, and make the Temple community proud. This column will be sent out to subscribers via email on a monthly basis and will also be available at www.owlsports.com.
As we move forward, our number one priority is to expand our base of financial support. This includes Owl Club giving, our season ticket bases in football, men's basketball, and women's basketball, as well as corporate sponsorship support. The level of resources we generate will significantly impact our ability to successfully compete as a 24 sport Division 1 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) athletic program (the highest level of Division 1 athletics). The revenues generated from these areas enable us to recruit the most talented available coaches and student-athletes, and provide them with the support necessary to succeed. Temple Athletics is one of the most heavily subsidized Division 1 athletic programs in the country, with over 75% of our $25 million athletic budget currently funded by the University. To build on our current foundation, the athletic budget must grow, and this growth will only occur through increased revenue generation. In the coming months I will provide much greater detail in this space on where we stand in each of these critical areas of support, our goals, and the steps we are taking to achieve them.
Temple Winter Sports Update
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the men's and women's basketball programs for another terrific season. Head Coach Fran Dunphy and the men's team made yet another incredible run to the Atlantic 10 Championship in Atlantic City, and first year Head Coach Tonya Cardoza and the women's team finished the season with some big wins to gain an at-large bid, which makes six consecutive NCAA trips for the women's team. To put things in perspective, Temple is one of only twelve programs nationally to have qualified for both the men's and women's NCAA tournaments in each of the last two years, and the only non-BCS Division 1 FBS program in the country to do so. What a tremendous accomplishment!
Congratulations also to Dionte Christmas who earned Honorable Mention All-American honors and became the first player ever to win three consecutive Atlantic 10 men's basketball scoring titles to wrap up his stellar career as an Owl.
A huge congratulations also to the women's fencing team, which recently completed another successful season with an 8th place finish at the NCAA Championships. This marks their best result since 2001 when the team finished 7th.
Congratulations must also be extended to Aaron Murphy who was named ECAC Women's Gymnastics Coach of the Year. Senior Nikki Berrian was honored as the ECAC's Specialist of the Year, while Katie Canning became the first Owl to qualify for the NCAA Regionals since 2005, and captured first place in the all-around at the USGA Championships. On the men's side, head coach Fred Turoff had eight of his gymnasts selected to participate at the NCAA Championships qualifier.
With the turn of spring, football season is just around the corner and our Owls are back at it again, working towards our ultimate goal of a MAC Championship. If you are a football season ticketholder, renewals were sent out several weeks ago and we look forward to having you back in 2009. If you are not a season ticketholder, please click this link to step off the sidelines and into the game. The 2009 football schedule has recently been released and features six home games, highlighted by the inaugural Mayor's Cup (the first game of a four-game series with Villanova) on Thursday September 3, and the Homecoming game against Army on Saturday October 17. Thank you for your support, and we look forward to great things from the football team in 2009.
Upcoming April Events
Cherry and White Day will be held this year on Saturday April 18, and will feature events on both the Ambler and Main Campuses. Events at Ambler begin at 10:30 AM and include men's and women's soccer alumni games, followed by a varsity baseball game at 1 PM featuring Temple vs. Charlotte. Events on Main Campus begin at 11:30 AM and include an alumni basketball exhibition in McGonigle Hall, exhibitions by fencing and gymnastics, a block party on Diamond Street between 10th and 11th streets, and will be capped off with the Cherry & White Spring Football game at 2 PM on Chodoff Field at Edberg-Olson Hall. We look forward to seeing you and your family on this festive day.
The Breakfast of Champions is a special event which honors our top student-athletes on an annual basis, and will be held in the Liacouras Center on Wednesday April 29th at 7 AM. Seats are still available and cost $25. We encourage you to sponsor a table of our deserving student-athletes for the cost of $250. Table donations can be directed to Barbara Hawkins at 215-204-2582. If you are interested in attending, please contact Rowe Mettee at 215-204-9333 or you may also pay at the door on the morning of the event.
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