From The AD's Desk - January 2013

From The AD's Desk
A column from Temple University Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw
January 2013

As we begin the New Year, I want to take this time to address the current state of conference realignment, and its effects on the BIG EAST Conference as well as Temple University. I just returned from a BIG EAST meeting of presidents and athletic directors of the schools that compose the future of the conference. That meeting, held in Dallas on Friday, January 11, served to solidify the commitment of these all-sports universities to the BIG EAST.

As you are probably aware, over the past month the seven non-football playing members of the conference announced they will be leaving to form their own league at the end of the 2014-15. Boise State University, set to join the BIG EAST in 2013 for football only, has decided to return to the Mountain West Conference, as has San Diego State.   These two moves came on the heels of announcements in late November that Louisville (ACC) and Rutgers (Big 10) were leaving the conference.

Where does that leave Temple, as a new member of the BIG EAST? My answer is – in a much better place than a year ago.

• The BIG EAST, despite the departures, is still the sixth best FBS conference in the country.
• The BIG EAST continues to have access to the FBS Bowl system.
• The BIG EAST will also provide Temple with much more revenue in terms of television monies and revenue sharing than in any time in the University’s history.
• The BIG EAST will offer more regional and national television exposures to Temple Athletics, helping to bolster recruiting, both for athletics as well as the general student body.
• The Temple University and Athletics brand will now reach major markets as our athletic teams will compete in new markets such as Dallas, Houston, Memphis, New Orleans, Orlando and Tampa.
• Temple has always been able to schedule high caliber non-conference opponents and we are committed to continuing this policy as evidenced by Notre Dame and Penn State on future football schedules while Texas and Kansas will highlight future men’s basketball schedules.

Temple University, under the leadership of incoming president Neil D. Theobald, is committed to athletics and to continuing to grow the Owl brand nationally.    This continued investment is critical as Temple positions itself to be a major player in college athletics as the landscape continues to change.

There has never been a time in the history of intercollegiate athletics like there is currently. Conference realignment has taken its toll not only on the BIG EAST, but has touched every major conference in the country.   A recent article in Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal put conference realignment into perspective as 50 Division I colleges and universities have switched conferences in this recent wave.

If one thing Temple has proven to be in its athletics history, it is that we are resilient. Temple has overcome many obstacles in carving out one of the top athletic programs in the country. This resilience has put our program in the best situation it has ever enjoyed, and we will continue to grow as we move into a new era as a full member of the BIG EAST.

In closing, this is a historic time in Temple Athletics as, for the first time, our varsity sports will compete in one conference. Temple’s success has, and always will be, about our elite coaches and student-athletes who have proudly worn the Cherry and White. Conferences change, as we have seen all too well, but doing things the “Temple Way” never will

To continue our success we will need your support, now more than ever!! Thank you for all of you have done in the past, and look forward to even more support as we embark on many great years to come for OwlNation!!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

HAL LEAR NIGHT: Hal Lear, the only Temple Owl to be named the MVP of the NCAA Final Four, will have his #6 retired in a ceremony at halftime of the team’s game against Richmond on Wednesday, January 30 (7:00 p.m.). Lear will be the fourth men’s basketball player to have his number retired, joining Mark Macon (12), Bill Mlkvy (20) and Guy Rodgers (5).

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL VS. LA SALLE: The Temple Women's Basketball team squares off against local rival La Salle on Sunday, January 27 at 2 p.m. at McGonigle Hall. It's Parent-Child Layup Day at the game! All kids ages 14 and under can score a basket on the court after the game! Enjoy this incredible family experience! Tickets are only $7! Click here.

TEMPLE ATHLETICS CELEBRATES NATIONAL FOOTBALL SIGNING DAY: On Thursday, February 7, Temple Athletics will travel to three cities in one day – Philadelphia, Scranton and New York City – to introduce our new Head Coach, Matt Rhule, celebrate the next generation of Owls Football standouts and provide a preview of the 2013 season.

BREAKFAST – PHILADELPHIA, PA -- The Pyramid Club -- 7:30 a.m.
LUNCH – SCRANTON, PA -- Posh at the Scranton Club --Noon
COCKTAILS – NEW YORK - The Harmonie Club – 6:00 p.m.

Register online now by clicking here. To learn more about these special opportunities, please contact the Temple Owl Club at (215) 204-2363 or OwlClub@temple.edu. Advance registration is strongly encouraged. See you on the road!

TEMPLE MEN’S BASKETBALL THREE-GAME PLANS ARE ON SALE NOW: Can’t make it to all the games, but still want to support the Owls? Temple Men’s Basketball Three-Game Ticket Packages are on sale now! Purchase this Flex Plan and receive tickets to any three (3) games of your choice - PLUS receive a FREE Temple Athletics Under Armour t-shirt - all for as low as $45! Call 215-204-8499, visit www.OwlsTix.com, or e-mail: tixsales@temple.edu.

TEMPLE ATHLETICS IPHONE APP NOW AVAILABLE: In addition to the Android app, Temple Athletics has released a free application for iPhone and iPad users! Stay current with all of the latest Temple Owl action featuring the latest news and results, team schedules, rosters, photo galleries, fan buzz, and push notifications featuring special promotions! To download the app, click here or search Temple University Athletics in the app store.