As we start May, my thoughts turn to commencement, one of the most important events of the year for all universities. I look forward to celebrating the graduation of 105 student-athletes with their families, coaches, teammates and friends next week, both at our athletics graduation reception as well as the commencement exercises. This is a special time of the year.

To the graduates – as you transition to the next phase of your lives, I speak for all the coaches and athletics staff in saying we appreciate you and your parents entrusting us with your college experience as well as for your hard work and dedication in earning a Temple degree. And remember, you are always a member of Owl Nation and Temple will always be home. As Lou Parisi stated last night, Temple has prepared you!!!

I am happy to announce the start of construction this month on a new on-campus facility for men’s and women’s tennis. The project is scheduled to be completed in time for the start of the fall season. Thanks to Executive Senior Associate AD for Facilities and Event Management Lee Roberts and Assistant Vice President of Construction Michael Gentile and their staffs on their hard work in making this happen from a facilities standpoint. We are currently in the midst of a campaign to support this much-needed capital project. Your help is greatly appreciated in supporting these two programs and their student-athletes.

Congrats to Belle Mastropietro and Katie Shallow for earning American Athletic Conference Midfielder and Defensive Player of the Year. It is the third straight year that Mastropietro earned the award. The two lead our Owls, the third seed in the AAC Tournament, against two seed James Madison in a semifical match Thursday at 8:15 pm on ESPN+

Congratulations to Temple Football linebacker Jordan Magee on being drafted by the Washington Commanders with the fourth pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Following the Draft, tight end David Martin-Robinson signed as undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans and linebacker Yvandy Rigby signed with the Baltimore Ravens.

We celebrated Senior Days for more of our spring sports over the past two weeks. I want to again thank our seniors for their hard work and dedication to their sport, their teammates, and the classroom. I wish them well in their future endeavors and know that Temple University will always be home for them.

There is still time to register for the Annual Owl Club Golf Outing that is being held on Monday, May 6 at The 1912 Club. A limited number of foursomes are still available for the event as well as corporate sponsorship opportunities. We look forward to seeing you at what plans to be a great day!!

For our current men’s and women's basketball season ticket holders, you should have received a renewal notification via e-mail. We hope you enjoyed this past season with Coach Richardson's women's team earning a share of the AAC Regular Season title and the men's team, under first year head coach Adam Fisher, making a dramatic run to the AAC title game. We look forward to seeing you at the Liacouras Center next season as 2024-25 promises to be a great year for both programs!! To renew your seats or if you should have any questions, contact our Ticket Sales Office at 215-204-8499.

Men’s Crew competed in the Bergen Cup this past Saturday with the 2V8 posting the best finish, tying Saint Joseph's for the silver medal. It was the second straight week the 2V8 earned silver as the boat placed second to Boston U on Lake Quinsigamond on April 20. The team next travels to Worcester, Mass. to compete against Holy Cross, Boston U and Marist on April 20. The Owls next compete at the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta on the Cooper River, May 10-11.

Men’s Golf concluded its season with a 10th place finish at the American Athletic Conference Championship at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Fla. Junior Ethan Whitney led the Owls and tied for 8th overall with a one-under, 209.

Women’s Rowing won four of five races to win the Kelly Cup on Saturday for the first time since 2006. In the final race of the day, the Owls’ Varsity 8 defeated Saint Joseph’s by four seconds. The previous week the 2V8 won the Kerr Cup for the first time since 2016, besting second place Drexel by three seconds. The team travels to Worcester, Mass. this weekend for the Women’s Sprints.

Women’s Tennis finished its year with an opening round loss in the American Athletic Conference Championship to #11-seed UAB on April 17.

Women’s Track had a record-setting showing at the Penn Relays, earning a program best six medals at the prestigious event. Cierra Crane, Amira Green, Nicole Castor, Inara Shell, Aliza White Vega, and Obiamaka Igwenagu all earned medals with top five showings while Crane made history by becoming the first Owl to win the college section of the women’s pole vault at the Penn Relays. The team returns to action at the American Athletic Conference Championships in San Antonio, Texas (May 10-12).

Special shoutout to our student-athletes who earned honors since our last edition of From The Nest: Men’s Basketball – Hysier Miller was named Philadelphia Big 5 Most Improved Player and Second Team all-Big 5; Jordan Riley was Honorable Mention all-Big 5; Women’s Basketball – Tiarra East named First Team all-Big 5; Aleah Nelson named Second Team all-Big 5; Men’s Golf – Ethan Whitney named OwlSports.com Athlete of the Week (4/22); Women’s Lacrosse – Belle Mastropietro named AAC Midfielder of the Week (4/22); Women’s Rowing – Varsity 8 named OwlSports.com Athlete of the Week (4/29); – Second Varsity 8 named AAC Boat of the Week (4/30).

Reminder that ESPN+ is the home of Temple Athletics. Watch Temple athletics events via an ESPN+ subscription.

Please come out and continue to support all our Temple Athletics teams. Below is a link to our composite schedule.

Congratulations again to all our graduating student-athletes. I look forward to celebrating with you during our commencement exercises next week.

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