Temple University Athletics

From The AD's Desk - March 20111

From The AD's Desk - March 20111
“From the AD’s Desk”
A column from Temple University Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw
March 2011

Recently, one of our donors forwarded me a newspaper story recalling the legendary exploits of “The Owl Without a Vowel,” Dr. Bill Mlkvy, during the 1950-51 college basketball season. While I was already aware of the statistics Mlkvy posted that year, it dawned on me while reading just what a groundbreaking time that was – and what a groundbreaking student-athlete Mlkvy was.

Yes, I said STUDENT-athlete…the concept was then, and still is now, the heart of what Temple Athletics is all about.

Sure, there was the record-setting 73-point performance against Wilkes College on March 3, 1951 (which still is fourth in NCAA history) including 55 consecutive points. Sure, there was the All-American tag placed upon Mlkvy. Yes, there was even the famous “Color Barrier” game at Duke in December 1951 pitting Mlkvy against fellow legend Dick Groat but overshadowed by being the first integrated basketball game in the South, featuring Temple’s Sam Sylvester.

What strikes me most about Mlkvy is that, among scholarship offers from over 300 colleges including every household name in the country, #20 chose Temple. Why?

Dentistry. You see, Mlkvy dreamed not of NBA riches (or at least what you could get back in those days), but to be a doctor. He graduated from Temple, played a year professionally, then began military service and concluded a 25-year career in dentistry in 1980. He still owns and operates a mobile diagnostic imaging company, and when I ask him about his most significant accomplishment, he doesn’t hesitate: “Earning a Temple degree.”

Over the course of this basketball season, I’ve had the privilege to stand at center court at the Liacouras Center as we’ve welcomed back some of the most hallowed names in hoops at Temple: Eddie Jones. Aaron McKie. Rick Brunson. The 1969 NIT Championship team. And, yes, on the occasion of his 80th birthday, Mlkvy. As I’ve watched each of our basketball legends do “the stroll” from the arena corner out to center court, I can’t help think how lucky we are. Yes, lucky to have helped grow these folks as basketball players and be the recipients of their talent … but even luckier to have helped develop them into high-achieving people … ALL with a Temple degree.

Temple’s commitment to student-athlete academic success extends far beyond basketball, and is a non-negotiable, high priority for us each day. Over the last several years, dramatic resource commitment to, and restructuring of, our Student-Athlete Academic Advising & Support Center (SAAASC) has resulted in the hiring of additional professionals, including current director Justin Miller. Justin’s staff of 15 provide student-athletes with regular, structured meetings with academic advisors, proactive academic mentoring, learning style analysis, comprehensive tutorial services, course selection using priority registration, a First-Year Seminar for student-athletes, and a Laptop Loan program to ensure student-athlete productivity during road trips.

We’re proud of our progress, and even prouder to say that student-athlete academic support – which was once an area of concern for us – is now a distinct strength of our athletics program. Recruits and their families are “wowed” by the comprehensive nature of our support program and our staff rivals anyone’s around. I’m proud to share a few statistics highlighting our progression and strength:
  • An average of 260 student-athletes (of approx. 550) have earned at least a 3.0 GPA each semester since 2007, including 110 with at least a 3.5.
  • Since Fall 2007, a total of 72 student-athletes have earned a perfect semester GPA of 4.0 or greater.
  • 14 of Temple’s intercollegiate sport programs have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, including six with at least a 3.3.
  • This past fall semester (Fall 2010), six programs – baseball, men’s basketball, men’s and women’s gymnastics, lacrosse and volleyball – all earned program high semester GPAs since 2007.
  • 50% of all returning student-athletes improved their Fall GPAs from 2009 to 2010.
  • In Fall 2010, a total of 88 new student-athletes earned a semester GPA of at least 3.0.

Of all the people I’ve had the opportunity to greet when they finish “the stroll” to center court, perhaps I was most gratified to welcome our current student-athletes during Academic Recognition Night Feb. 17. It seems our group of high-achieving student-athletes gets larger and larger each year; perhaps next year we’ll have to petition the Atlantic 10 to extend halftime! It’s a fitting tribute to our student-athletes from ALL our sport programs that they are introduced and recognized before a large crowd.

Speaking of recognition, I encourage you to set your alarm early the morning of Wednesday, April 27 and join us for an outstanding tradition: our annual “Breakfast of Champions.” This event, held at 7 a.m. on the Liacouras Center court, honors all of our academically-achieving teams and individual student-athletes for their hard work. A few years ago, we began a sponsorship program so that we had enough money to include freshmen to this event, too. (In the past, only upperclassmen were invited, a message we did not want to send freshmen anymore.) The sponsorship program has worked well, and for just $25 you may send a freshman academic star to the Breakfast. If you’re interested, simply contact the Temple Owl Club or call the office at (215) 204-CLUB.  

Thanks to your loyalty and support, we remain confident that our best days lie ahead…in so many ways. Thanks for all you do. Onward and upward!
Other notes from my desk…

Men’s Atlantic 10 Tournament Quarterfinal: #2 Temple vs. Winner of #7-10 First Round Game: Friday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m. (The Comcast Network)
Pre-Game Reception: 4:30 PM (Bally's Atlantic City, sixth floor, Garden Room Park Place and Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ). Register Here: www.MyOwlSpace.com/events . With a win on Friday, the Owls will play in the semifinals at 3:30 PM on Saturday, March 12 (CBS College Sports).

With a win on Saturday, Temple will play in the A-10 Championship game at 1:00 PM on Sunday, March 13 (Television: CBS)
Should the Owls advance in the A-10 Tournament, pre-game parties will be held in the same location, beginning two hours before tipoff.

NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships
NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Selection Show: Sunday, March 13 at 6 p.m. at the Fox-Gittis Room, The Liacouras Center

This event will feature the men’s basketball team, coaches and fans as we watch and learn together if Temple will compete in “March Madness” play in the NCAA Tournament. This is a public event open to all; no charges apply. (Potential MEN’S NCAA Tournament Sites (March 17-20): Cleveland, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Tampa, Tuscon, Tulsa, Denver, Charlotte)

NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship Selection Show: Monday, March 14 at 7 p.m. at the Fox-Gittis Room, The Liacouras Center
This event will feature the women’s basketball team, coaches and fans as we watch and learn together if Temple will compete in “March Madness” play in the NCAA Tournament. This is a public event open to all; no charges apply.