While navigating a great deal of uncertainty as the NCAA landscape changes with the transfer portal, NIL, conference realignment, conference realignment, etc. the NCAA hosted the 2024 Convention in Phoenix earlier this month. It was great to see and visit with colleagues representing Divisions I, II, & III from all areas of the country. The uncertainty has EVERYONE concerned about the long-term impact on the current model of intercollegiate athletics and the mental health and well-being of student-athletes, coaches and staff.

In his first state of college sports address, NCAA President Charlie Baker laid out strategic action items aimed at enhancing the experience of our student-athletes. View the speech HERE. While this work continues, we are still responsible for providing a great experience for our current student-athletes while preparing them for future success.

Approximately 500 student-athletes and more than 150 staff members participated in a Day of Service on January 15 to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. It is the largest single day community assistance program of the academic year for Temple Athletics. I would like to personally thank Tia Withers, Coordinator for Leadership Operations, and Prince Moody, Associate AD for DEI/Student-Athlete Development for their leadership in planning and executing the event. Additionally, thank you to Dunkin’ Donuts for their presence at our kickoff and providing refreshments to our student-athletes and staff. Lastly, thank you to President Englert for his inspirational remarks to kick off our day of service.

It is far from the department’s only effort as Temple Athletics teams are involved in community enrichment initiatives throughout their respective seasons.

Temple Fencing took advantage of Winter Break by traveling to Rome train and explored one of the world’s most historic cities. It was the first foreign trip for the program in its 52-year history and Coach Jennie Salmon and I would like to thank the many donors who made this trip possible for our student-athletes. Here is a link to our student-athlete’s blog from the journey.

Congrats to the Temple Spirit Squad which garnered two fourth place finishes at the 2024 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading & Dance Team National Championships held at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. The Diamond Gems earned fourth place in the Dance Game Day Routine category while Cheerleaders placed fourth at the All-Girl Cheer Game Day Routine category.

Congratulations to 11 Temple University student-athletes on earning 2023 1A FAR (Faculty Athletics Representative) Academic Excellence Awards. The award recognizes outstanding student-athletes for their significant accomplishments in the classroom while competing at the highest level of college sports. Temple’s honorees are Meghan Arters (Women’s Rowing), Sydney Beck (Women’s Field Hockey), Kyla Burns (Women’s Soccer), Margherita Calderaro (Women’s Fencing), Mike Eijgendaal (Men’s Soccer), Megan Phillips (Women’s Field Hockey), Aine Playdon (Women’s Rowing), Ryan Sayers (Men’s Basketball), Tannekee Strachan (Women’s Track), Allie Summerville (Women’s Rowing), Zoe Zaharakis (Women’s Soccer).

Congrats to Gemma Wollenschlaeger (fourth from the left in the photo below) on being selected to compete in the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Wollenschlaeger, a junior on our women’s rowing team, competed this summer for the United States in the PR3 mixed double sculls and with teammate Todd Vogt took home a silver medal at the 2023 World Rowing Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. They also won the 2023 Para Rowing Regatta in Paris.

Longtime Temple Athletics communications professional Larry Dougherty recently was honored at the Philadelphia Sportswriters Dinner with a Lifetime Achievement Award. He also will receive a similar honor this June by the College Sports Communicators organization at the 2024 NACDA Convention in Las Vegas. Dougherty, who continues to work part-time for Temple Athletics, officially retired from his full-time position as Sr. Associate Athletics Director in August 2023.

Men’s Basketball plays home tonight against South Florida (7 pm). Hysier Miller, who scored 24 points in the Owls’ last game against Rice, leads the team in scoring (16.1 ppg.) and assists (87).

Women’s Basketball is coming off an impressive 73-68 win over then AAC leader Charlotte. Led by Aleah Nelson, who notched her 1500th collegiate point in the contest, the team is 10-8 and 4-2 in conference play.

Fencing, back from its trip to Italy, defeated #3 Columbia, 16-11, to highlight a 3-4 showing at the Philadelphia Invitational this past weekend. Grace Smith (epeeist) had eight wins to lead the squad while foilist Renee Oymann added seven. The #11 Owls are 9-7 on the season.

Gymnastics is coming off an impressive win over Towson in its home opener on Sunday. Brooke Donabedian won two events in the competition to pace the Owls, who are now 3-6 on the season.

Men’s Tennis opened its season by splitting road matches against Norfolk State (W) and Old Dominion (L). The team returns to action this weekend with matches against Toledo and Penn State at State College.

Women’s Tennis opened its season with a loss at VCU on Sunday. The Owls are off until Feb. 2 when they travel to Princeton to face the Tigers.

Women’s Track has had two meets in January, most recently competing in the Ocean Breeze Track & Field Complex in Staten Island this past weekend. Amira Green (high jump) and Inara Shell (long jump) led the way for the Owls.

Special shoutout to our Athlete of the Weeks since our last edition of From The Nest: Women’s Basketball – Demi Washington was named OwlSports.com Athlete of the Week (1/22); Women’s Gymnastics - Brooke Donabedian was named OwlSports.com Athlete of the Week (1/15).

Temple Talk with Adam Fisher debuted on Nov. 2 (6-7 pm) at Maxi’s Pizza, Subs and Bar which is located on the Temple University main campus. (1926 Liacouras Walk). The 12-episode show airs live on The Varsity Network App and is tape-delayed on 1210 AM WPHT, the home of Temple Basketball. Temple Women’s Basketball will be featured on each show with second-year head coach Diane Richardson and players talking about their season.

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.

I look forward to seeing you and your family at an upcoming Temple game or event. And as always, GO OWLS!!

Missed an edition? See all past newsletters HERE.