Temple University Athletics
From the AD's Desk: June 2009
“From the AD’s Desk”
A monthly column from Temple University Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw
June 2009
As a member of one of our 13 women’s or 11 men’s varsity teams, a Temple Owl has the opportunity to compete at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics. Temple is just one of 119 universities nationwide – and the only school in greater Philadelphia – competing within the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A).
Our teams take to their playing surfaces in outstanding local venues including the Liacouras Center and Lincoln Financial Field. Our program receives wholehearted support from the University in both word and deed. And our Owls play daunting schedules featuring many of the nation’s other tradition-rich schools.
Most importantly, the University has proven an ability to recruit and retain outstanding coaches of caliber. Each Temple head coach literally could have taken their skills anywhere. Their decision to come to North Broad Street reflects their understanding that Athletics has the support of the University’s leadership at the highest level and that we are serious about a program built upon comprehensive excellence.
While our dramatic academic performance improvement has been noted nationally, we want every student-athlete to graduate and earn career placement. While our teams continually bring home conference and postseason acclaim, we desire more frequent team and individual titles, regular postseason championships and football bowl bids. While our “Owl Outreach” and other community-based programs far outpace other Philadelphia schools, we believe our impact and inspiration can grow even stronger.
The path to this level of performance is two-fold. One path involves a commitment by the University, including a generous complement of athletics scholarships and the hiring of great administrators, coaches and staff.
The other path involves a commitment by our alumni, fans and friends. Every day, Temple competes head to head with rival schools for the best student-athletes, top-caliber coaches and – of course – victories in competition. To win these battles, it’s critical that we also compete successfully in another arena – the race for broad participation by our current and prospective supporters. While Temple Athletics receives excellent funding from the University, we lag well behind our peer and aspirant institutions in the level of private support we receive. By building this form of support, we can reinvest in our programs strategically, adding to University funding with a critical margin of excellence.
If you’re wondering, “How can I play a part?” I say, “Join the Temple Owl Club.” Since its origin in 1984, the Owl Club provides an opportunity for alumni, fans and friends of Temple Athletics to support us with an annual gift – of any size. Over 2,000 members of the Owl Club receive yearly benefits corresponding to their donation, while knowing they are directly supporting our student-athletes’ pursuit of excellence … and their access to a Temple education.
It’s that time again – our fiscal year end is nearly upon us (June 30). Like many other organizations, my development staff is working hard to reach the Owl Club’s annual goals for donors and dollars. The task is more difficult this year due to a weakened economy – yet we are determined to make sure our student-athletes’ access to excellence is not compromised.
If you have not joined the Owl Club this fiscal year, there’s still time! Before you move on with your day, join the Owl Club and receive benefits by clicking here. Unsure whether you’re a donor? Simply call the Owl Club offices at (215) 204-2582. Already made a gift this year? Please accept not only our most sincere thanks, but an invitation to help us again before June 30, if you’re able to.
Your private support is the key to even more Temple fantastic finishes. Go Owls!
Other notes from my desk:
2009 Football Season Tickets – We are working diligently to renew and sell new football season tickets, and have lots of ground left to cover to reach our goal of adding 1,000 new tickets to our base in 2009. 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. Additonally, 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 September 3rd when we kick off the season against Villanova in the inaugural Mayor's Cup.
Athletics Development Strategic Plan – 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 time, beginning next fiscal year (starts July 1). Please watch your mail, inbox and continue to monitor OwlSports.com for the latest news.
Former Owls in NFL Camps – When former Temple quarterback Adam DiMichele signed a rookie free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on May 18, he joined four other Owls who have signed with NFL teams so far this spring. Defensive tackle Terrance Knighton was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the eighth pick of the third round (72nd pick overall) of the 2009 National Football League Draft. Offensive tackle Andre Douglas signed a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while wide receiver and kickoff returner Travis Shelton signed with the Denver Broncos, and center Alex Derenthal signed with the New York Giants.
What a tremendous accomplishment not only for these young men, but for fourth-year head coach Al Golden and the rest of his Temple Football staff! Best of luck to our newest signees in their rookie camps, OTA and training camp later this summer. There were five former Owls on NFL rosters last season-- DL Raheem Brock (Indianapolis Colts), DT Antwon Burton (St. Louis Rams), DT Dan Klecko (Philadelphia Eagles), FB Jason McKie (Chicago Bears), and LB Rian Wallace (Washington Redskins).
Upcoming Events
Cherry & White Caravan – NEW! As part of our mission of broad participation and community outreach, we’re bringing Temple Athletics to your neighborhood! The first Cherry & White Caravan to celebrate Temple Athletics will make its two remaining stops in June. Both stops will feature head football coach Al Golden, head basketball coach Fran Dunphy, local student-athletes and members of Temple’s administration. We’ll share our vision, answer questions, meet with you and have fun! Join your fellow fans, friends and alumni at a Caravan stop near you. Visit www.MyOwlSpace.com to RSVP for these events – and bring your family and friends!
• New York Metro: Monday, June 1, 6-8 p.m., Applebee’s Times Square (250 W. 50th St.), $20 per person includes buffet dinner
• Wilmington, DE: Thursday, June 4, 6 p.m., Wilmington Blue Rocks baseball game, price TBD to include game ticket and pre-game private picnic
Owl Club Golf Outing - We will tee it up once again this year at Lu Lu Country Club on Wednesday, June 10 at our 24th Annual Owl Club Golf Outing. This event is a great way to spend time with Head Coaches Fran Dunphy and Al Golden, fellow Temple supporters, and directly supports our 24 varsity sports and over 600 Temple student-athletes. To register to participate as a player and/or sponsor, please contact Chet Zukowski at (215) 204-6912 or chetzukowski@hotmail.com.
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.) followed by a dinner featuring Coach Al Golden at the Inlet Restaurant on Somers Point (7 p.m.). Visit http://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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