Senior Travis Manger (Newtown, Pa.) is concluding his academic career at Temple University. The tight end will share his thoughts twice each week about classes ending, final exams, and graduation. His blog will appear each Tuesday and Friday.

May 13, 2008

One down, one to go. I had my first final yesterday. It was in my magazine design class, and it went pretty well. There were a couple of questions that I didn't know, but other than that, it was pretty good. Now I just have to prepare for my geology final that I alluded to in my last entry. As stated a couple of days ago, I'm not science-oriented, so this will be a challenge. Thankfully, I've had a day in between finals to prepare. I don't know what I'm going to do when this final is over tomorrow. One of my roommates and I have joked about sitting at the Bell Tower and reflecting for a couple of hours, but I don't think that will be necessary. I do think, however, that one last stop at the soft serve ice cream machine in Johnson and Hardwick Cafeteria is in order, especially considering the building will be completely renovated this summer, and come fall it won't look the same. If you haven't tried the soft serve machine, please do in the fall.

My weekend was uneventful. I got to see several old friends, as well as celebrate my final days here at Temple. I went inside 30th Street Station for the first time in my life. I must say what a grandeur venue it is. Since I was going to Lancaster, I couldn't help but think of the movie, Witness. But that's just me being lame. Regardless, it really made an impression on me to see one of Philadelphia's great landmarks; just another great experience that I don't think I could have anywhere but Temple.

I must say my weekend would have been almost perfect if it hadn't been for one question posed to me on Saturday. An acquaintance of mine asked me, "Why are we losing four scholarships?" Besides this science final, I don't think there's anything that bothers me more right now than this situation with the APR (academic progress rate). Why we are being punished for another coach's indiscretions and actions is beyond me! I actually spent a couple of hours the other day down in the Edberg-Olson Facility looking up dozens of articles about the topic on Google. With each article I just became angrier. Seriously, just look at our APR scores under Coach Golden. In the past two years, we have one of the best APR scores in Division I football, but when our APR scores from the previous coach's time are factored in, our score drops drastically. In our entire program, there are maybe 20 people left who were around this team in 2005. Most of those 20 people are players, and all of them are not only doing well in school and on track to graduate, but they're also good players and senior leaders. This APR score is unjustly making us all look bad. The silver lining in this is that it's just one more thing to overcome, and WHEN we overcome this, it'll just make this season and the next couple of seasons even more special.

It's such a bittersweet time on campus here. Walking down Liacouras Walk and Berks Mall, there are people everywhere, moving things out of their dorms in push carts and standing in long lines to sell their books back. I've become accustomed to walking around campus and seeing hundreds of new people every day. That's the excitement of this place. I get the chance to meet new people every day. I'm really going to miss just walking down Berks Mall and taking in the atmosphere of it all. I can't wait to see what this campus looks like when the new art school and Altar Hall are completed and open. Our practice facility is two blocks off campus; one day I'd love to see the campus expand to the point where it's closer to the middle of campus, but let's walk before we sprint.

Travis studies for his geology final.

The next couple of days should be pretty hectic for me. Once this final is over tomorrow, I have to head over to the Academic Advising for Athletes office on Liacouras Walk to finalize my plans for these couple of leftover credits during summer session. Yoga in Summer Session I really can't get here fast enough! Once finals are over tomorrow, my roommates and I will also spend more time getting our house cleaned up and moved out. That's the theme of the next couple of days. As moving out comes closer to fruition, the reality of moving home becomes more dreadful to me. Hopefully it all goes fast!

I'm looking forward to working Junior Day this Saturday. Junior Day is an opportunity for high school football players who're upcoming seniors in high school to see our beautiful campus as well as Lincoln Financial Field. It's exciting for me, because there's so much for me to learn about coaching and building a program, it's not funny. Any opportunity like this is a good chance to learn. It's always fun to see that wide-eyed look in recruits' eyes the first time they see our campus, locker room, facilities, and stadium.

Well, I'm off to the Phillies game for Dollar Dog Night with some friends and then Kelliann's for some spectacular buffalo wings. I'm going to enjoy my night of gluttony.

Until next time Owls fans: Fight, Fight, Fight for the Cherry and the White!!!

- Travis Manger