Oct. 8, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - The official start to the college basketball season may begin October 17 when men's and women's teams around the nation can begin practice, but, at Temple University, the Owls' basketball teams will make their public debut with Cherry and White Night on Friday, October 24 at 7:00 p.m. The free event, open to the public and held at McGonigle Hall, will feature the Temple men's and women's basketball teams each holding separate scrimmages and culminate with a "Walk For The Cure" led by head coaches Fran Dunphy and Tonya Cardoza and their respective teams.

"This is a great night to celebrate Temple basketball, and what better way to do that than to raise money, and awareness for the fight against cancer," said Dunphy, National Chairman for the Coaches vs. Cancer Organization.

"As coaches we strive to instill in our teams the importance of giving back to the community and this is just one of the many ways that both teams will do that during the course of the year," Cardoza echoed.

For the second straight year Temple will participate in the new Coaches vs. Cancer initiative, The "Walk for the Cure". Temple's "walk" will take place immediately following Cherry and White Night, with the coaches and teams leading their fans for a walk around campus. There is no charge to participate in the event, but the first 400 supporters who make a donation will receive a commemorative tee-shirt.

Besides the scrimmages, Cherry and White Night will include various contests featuring the teams. The Temple Cheerleaders, Diamond Gems Dance Team, and members of the Temple Pep Band will also be in attendance. One lucky fan will get a chance to win $10,000.