Dear Owls Fan,

Happy New Year!

By now, you are no doubt aware that on Dec. 12, just hours after we closed the book on the 2010 season at our annual awards banquet, Al Golden accepted the head coaching position at the University of Miami. As I mentioned in our press release that evening, I echo our collective appreciation for the fantastic things Coach Golden accomplished at Temple. We wish Al, his wife, Kelly, and their three children well.

While most will measure Temple's success over the last five years by what they can see most concretely -- our dramatic improvement in wins and losses -- a look "under the hood" reveals even more remarkable growth. Ours is now a football program built from the classroom out. Ours is now a football program entrenched in the community with a spirit of humble service. Ours is now a football program where our core values of integrity, respect, positive attitude, accountability and continuous improvement guide our daily actions.

Ours is a football program to be truly proud of -- and that's why we're truly excited for the future. Our collective goals are not yet all accomplished, but the foundation for continued success is built to last.

On Dec. 23, I had the pleasure of introducing Steve Addazio as our new head football coach. Formerly the offensive coordinator at Florida, Steve has been part of national championships, some of college football's signature programs and some of the game's greatest players and coaches.

For those who ask me to describe Coach Addazio, I offer these words: integrity, vision, drive, focus, intensity, organization and excitement. More than anything, however, I appreciate and admire the sheer PASSION that Addazio brings to Temple. He is the right coach at the right place, at the right time to elevate our program to the next level.

What we want to accomplish -- Mid-American Conference championships, bowl games every season and strong non-conference play -- requires excellence in leadership. We are confident Coach Addazio brings this and that he will bring an exciting style of play to Lincoln Financial Field. Rest assured, though, that your program will continue to be successful the right way. We will adhere to our core values, which are also important to Coach Addazio.

Getting to the next level is critically important. Our football program needs to be successful in order to drive the success of the entire athletics program. We must be stronger in ticket sales, stronger in Xtra Point Club fundraising, stronger in television ratings and stronger in attendance. Strength comes from success, which comes from having the resources in place to be successful (such as the needed coaches, facilities and support services, not to mention the right student-athletes!).

Football success is also one of the most important brand-builders for the university. Despite the many, many impressive academic, artistic, cultural and societal accomplishments at schools like Notre Dame, Michigan, Penn State, Ohio State and others, so many view those universities through the eyes of their football programs. In other words, a football program and an athletics department are often referred to as "the front porch" of a university.

Think about it. Prior to the turnaround that began under Al Golden, our ticket sales, fundraising, attendance, television appearances, etc. lagged behind because our competitive performance did not inspire alumni and fan participation. Over the last several years, we have worked very hard collectively -- and depended upon your support -- to hire good coaches, get into a bowl-affiliated conference, win more games, go to a bowl game and successfully overhaul the program academically and socially. We steadfastly believe that Temple University's upward momentum and growing alumni interest are connected to the upward momentum of our football program. Our football team's recent success has something to do with the "new way" many alumni and friends are looking at the university at large. And we need to continue to do our part.

How? I ask that you consider one or more of the following as a meaningful way to show Coach Addazio that you believe in Temple Football (if you have not done so already):

1) Purchase season tickets for the 2011 home schedule. Non-conference games against Penn State, Army and Villanova plus four exciting MAC games comprise our seven-game home schedule. Visit www.owlstix.com and reserve your seats today!

2) Join the Temple Owl Club or the Xtra Point Club. Championships begin with our ability to provide the essential operating resources to compete for them. Join the Owl Club with a minimum gift of $110 and designate it to football; or become an Xtra Point Club member with a $1,000 contribution and receive exciting benefits specifically for our most passionate football diehards! Exclusive access to the program and Coach Addazio awaits. Visit www.templeowlclub.com and make your gift today!

3) Refer a friend or fellow classmate to #1 or #2 above.

This is not only a new year for Temple Athletics, but a new era as well. We can't wait to see how it unfolds. Onward and upward!