Temple University Athletics

From The AD's Desk - October 2011

From The AD's Desk - October 2011

“From the AD’s Desk”
A column from Temple University Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw
October 2011


If you are a college sports fan, this is the greatest time of the year.   Football is in full swing, while college basketball is just a few weeks away from tipping off.

And, if you are a Temple fan, it is even better -- as never, in the 115-year history of the program, have your Owls been flying higher. 

Temple football, under first-year head coach Steve Addazio is off to a 5-3 start with two huge games on ESPN to start November.  Junior RB Bernard Pierce is having a record-setting season while leading the nation in rushing touchdowns while defensive coordinator Chuck Heater has the Cherry and White among the nation’s stingiest defenses. 

This team is worthy of all of our support and we need to show our Owls how we feel on November 9th and pack Lincoln Financial Field for the ESPN showdown with Miami of Ohio.
Both basketball teams are garnering votes in the preseason national polls with Tonya Cardoza’s women’s team opening its season with Miami of Ohio on Nov. 11th, two days after football hosts the RedHawks.   It is the only home game of the month for the Temple women, who are led by seniors Kristen McCarthy and Shey Peddy.

Fresh off the most historic shaving in Temple history, head coach Fran Dunphy will lead his charges onto the Palestra floor for their season opener on November 14th against Penn.  Four senior starters return for the Owls with guards Juan Fernandez and Ramone Moore being selected to the preseason first team all-Atlantic 10 Conference.

The men’s team does not play at home until December 3rd when the Owls will look to set a new Liacouras Center record for consecutive home wins with a victory over Central Michigan.

Also, as I write this month’s column, our field hockey team, under the direction of Amanda Janney and sporting the A-10’s top goal scorer in senior Bridget Settles, will be gearing up to play in the Conference playoffs being held at Saint Joseph’s on Nov. 4-5.  

We appreciate all of your support during the fall season and look forward to seeing Cherry and White in the stands during the month of November. 
Go Owls!!!!!!!

Mark Your Calendar:  Temple University’s Annual Cherry and White Night to tip-off the men’s and women’s basketball season is set for Thursday, November 3rd at McGonigle Hall at 7:30 pm.   Plan on a fun entertaining night where your Temple Owl hoops teams make their public debut.  It is always a fun event that features a huge student turnout.  Admission is free.

Party with the Owls:  An exclusive party for men’s and women’s basketball season ticket holders is scheduled for Monday, November 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Liacouras Center (Fox-Gittis Room).  This exclusive event provides our men’s and women’s basketball season ticket holders an opportunity to mingle with the coaches and players, meet the Temple spirit squad, and pick up their 2011-12 season tickets.
 
Men’s Basketball on the Horizon:  Season tickets are currently on sale now for the Temple men’s basketball season for as low as $99.  Season tickets include all 13 home games with highly-anticipated matchups against Villanova, Duke and Maryland on the slate.  To order, call the Temple Sales Office at 215-204-8499 or visit www.OwlsTix.com.  Temple Basketball Flex Plans are also on sale. The Flex Plan allows you to pick either the Villanova or Duke game – plus four additional games of your choice (not including Maryland) – for as low as $70.  To order, call the Temple Sales Office at 215-204-8499. Single-game tickets go on sale Tuesday, November 1 at 10 a.m. via www.comcastTix.com and 1-800-298-4200.

Women’s Basketball Renewals: Single-game and season tickets are on sale now for the Temple women’s basketball team.  Single-game tickets are $7.00 and are available by calling 1-800-298-4200 or by visiting www.ComcastTix.com.  Season tickets are also on sale for only $50 - and can be purchased by calling the Temple Sales Office at 215-204-8499. The women’s team again has a highly-competitive schedule with Auburn, Villanova and UCLA highlighting the home slate. 

November Football Homestand:  Temple Football has three big November home games which are critical in the Owls’ drive to the MAC Championship.  Temple hosts Miami-OH game on Wednesday, November 9th in front of a national TV audience (ESPN) and we need the stands at Lincoln Financial Field colored in Cherry and White.  On Saturday the 19th Army comes to town and that game is Parent-Child Touchdown Toss Day where kids ages 14 and under – with one accompanying adult – can score a TD on the field after the game!  Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience!  Our final home game of the season is Kent State on the 25th.  It is Black Friday blowout with prize giveaways to fans throughout the game.  Tickets for remaining Football games can be purchased via ticketmaster.com or by calling the Temple Sales Office at 215-204-8499 Kids tickets are only $12 on game day at the Lincoln Financial Field Box Office.  

 Owl Club on the Rise!  After the first three months of FY10-11 the Owl Club attained 612 total donors. In this fiscal year 11-12 as of September 30 we have attained 3,177 total donors, an unheard of 419% increase from last year.  A big thank you to all of our generous supporters!  Help us keep this momentum moving forward.  Support the 110% Campaign for Temple Athletics by increasing your donation by 10%, up to an additional $100, from 2010-11 giving.  Together we can achieve more - the time is now!  Questions?  Contact the Owl Club at 215-204-CLUB (2582) or OwlClub@temple.edu.