What a great week for Temple University! Classes started Monday for the 2023-24 academic year and there is a buzz in the air. Our fall athletics teams are back in action while cross country and football open their seasons this weekend. I also want to send a special shout out to our student-athletes, coaches and staff who assisted with student move-in, as well as our cheer, dance and band members who spread the Temple spirit at the dorms during this exciting time.

On August 21, Temple University and our student-athletes “took over” Citizens Bank Park to watch our Phillies defeat the San Francisco Giants, 10-4. Student-athletes signed autographs and interacted with fans prior to the game, while President JoAnne Epps threw out the first pitch. Head football coach Stan Drayton was also interviewed by NBC Sports Philadelphia in-game reporter Taryn Hatcher. It was a great atmosphere, and our student-athletes and staff truly enjoyed the evening.

This past Sunday (Aug. 27), we celebrated our student-athletes return to campus with a “Welcome Back Bash” at the Liacouras Center. It was great to see our student-athletes together prior to the first day of the fall semester. It was also an honor to hear the inspirational message from our guest speaker, Mohamed Massaquoia. Thanks to Associate AD/Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Student-Athlete Development Prince Moody for organizing this special event.

Temple University launched TUSafe app on August 14. The new TUSafe app is truly next-level. It includes enhanced features but also retains all the features that were available in RAVE Temple Guardian, including the ability to chat with or call Temple Police, call 911 or start a virtual safe walk.

Temple Talk with Stan Drayton, the popular hour-long football radio show on 97.5 FM the Fanatic is back for another year, but with a new location. Temple Fans can watch the show live on-campus at Maxi’s Pizza, Subs and Bar on Liacouras Walk starting on Wednesday, August 30 from 6-7 p.m. Click here for full release and schedule.

Congrats to Temple Basketball alums John Baum, Clarence Brookins, Marc Jackson and Dawn Hoover on their induction into the Philadelphia Black Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday, August 26. Media icon and Temple graduate Mel Greenberg was also honored. It was a great night celebrating the rich history of Philadelphia Black Basketball.

With our first home Football game this Saturday against Akron (2 p.m.), I wanted to alert you to some important positive changes to our game day and fan experience.

Kickoff gameday with the Temple Alumni Association and the ultimate pregame experience. Temple Fan Tailgates begin three (3) hours prior to kickoff and close 30 minutes prior to kickoff. Don't miss a great way to get in the game day spirit with food, games and fun. Bring your friends and family! Click here to register.

Fans sitting in the lower bowl of the stadium must enter via the LifeBrand Gate (north side of the stadium). Fans sitting in the east Club Level of the stadium should enter via the Tork Club/Suite Entrance (NE corner of the stadium).

The Temple home sideline will now be the east side of the stadium. The Diamond Marching Band will sit in Section 117.

Fans will be able to purchase 50/50 raffle tickets benefiting the Temple Owl Club behind Sections 101, 122, 127, and 132 on the main concourse and Section C-22 on the East Club Level.

Temple merchandise will be available for sale at locations behind Sections 118-119 and 134-135 on the main concourse and on the East Club Level at Section C20-21.

Whether gearing up for a game, heading to the office or hanging out with friends, Owls everywhere start their weekends by showing Temple pride. Every Friday, students, alumni, faculty and staff sport their best cherry red and white attire for Cherry On Fridays.

Temple Volleyball will make history this season with its first-ever match at The Liacouras Center against perennial national power Penn State. Our Owls will take on the Nittany Lions on Friday, September 8 at 7 pm. I am looking forward to a great atmosphere supporting our team in this big game.

Tickets for the Temple-Penn State match will start at $11 for individual reserved seating and $7 for groups of 20 or more people. To order tickets, call the Temple Ticket Office at 215-204-8499 or click here to purchase.

Football opens its season Saturday against the Akron Zips at Lincoln Financial Field. Tickets are on sale now; I look forward to seeing our Owl family in the stands.

Women’s Volleyball swept the Hilton Philadelphia Penn's Landing Cherry & White Challenge, 3-0 with wins over Iona, LIU, and Lehigh. Taylor Davenport earned tournament MVP as well as Owlsports.com Athlete of the Week and American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week.

Field Hockey opened its season winning their first two games for the third consecutive year. Preseason all-BIG EAST selection Tess Mueller scored in both games. The team will host a pair of matches this weekend, including No. 6 Virginia on Sunday at noon.

Men’s soccer opened the year with a pair of road draws while women’s soccer is off to a 0-3-1 start to their season.

Men’s and Women’s Cross Country kick off their campaign this Friday with the first-ever cross country at our Ambler campus. Admission is free for all fans; the women’s race is expected to kick off at 5:30.

Special shoutout to our Athletes of the Week since our last edition of From The Nest. Tess Mueller from Field Hockey was named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week, and Taylor Davenport became the first Temple Volleyball player to win AAC Offensive Player of the Week since 2017.

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

Temple University Senior Associate Athletics Director for Strategic Communications Larry Dougherty announced his retirement after a 38-year career in college athletics, including the last 20 at Temple. Dougherty, whose last day of full-time service will be August 31, will continue to serve in a part-time role with the athletic department during the fall semester.

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

There is still time to renew your season tickets for what looks to be an exciting campaign for the Owls.
The home schedule features games against the Miami Hurricanes, Akron Zips, Norfolk State Spartans, Navy Midshipmen, SMU Mustangs, UTSA Roadrunners, and Memphis Tigers.

TO RENEW YOUR 2023 FOOTBALL SEASON TICKETS, CLICK HERE OR CALL THE TEMPLE TICKET SALES OFFICE AT 215- 204-TIXX (8499)!

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