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Since 2005 arguably no athletic department in Division 1-A has gone through more transition than Temple University. The Owls have moved into a new football conference, and hired new coaches in men's basketball, football, baseball and softball. Thankfully, Temple has had one of the most respected and experienced administrators in college athletics at the helm in Bill Bradshaw.
Appointed the University's eighth Director of Athletics on June 27, 2002, the NACDA Past President is one of the most experienced athletics administrators in the nation. Prior to his arrival in Owl Country he spent 16 years as Director of Athletics at DePaul University in Chicago and nine years in the same position at his alma mater (`69), La Salle University.
"At Temple, we believe that intercollegiate athletics should play an integral part of the educational mission of the University. In this light, we look to keep pace with the unprecedented growth and commitment to excellence of the University as a whole," said Bradshaw. "We strive to be nationally-competitive at the highest level of Division I athletics, and believe that our success will be directly related to the quality of our coaches and staff, combined with our ability to dramatically increase and create sources of revenue to support our vision.
"We have many things in place now as we move forward. An unwavering University commitment as evidenced by the recent support of 1-A football, state-of-the-art facilities; and one of the most diverse, dedicated staffs in all of intercollegiate athletics. Temple University athletics is on solid ground for future success."
Bradshaw's four years at Temple have produced numerous highlights, most notably the announcement on May 17, 2005 that the University will join the Mid-American Conference as a football-only member and the recent hirings of Al Golden and Fran Dunphy as head football and men's basketball coaches.
The Owls posted their highest ranking in the NACDA Directors' Cup standings in Bradshaw's first year, leading all Atlantic 10 member institutions and improving 80 points from the previous year. In 2003-04 and 2004-05, Temple ranked second among A-10 schools in the Directors' Cup standings. Twenty-one Temple teams have advanced to postseason play during his short tenure, with 12 competing in the NCAA Tournament.
The athletic department has enhanced efficiency, productivity and strategic planning through organizational efforts under Bradshaw that added five new senior staff members during the 2003-04 academic year. Since that time, a comprehensive operations and procedures manual has been developed, and athletics has exceeded its revenue budget by approximately $2 million.
Recognizing the accomplishments of Temple's student-athletes is a point of emphasis under Bradshaw. The department of athletics held its first annual "Breakfast of Champions" to honor those who have excelled both athletically and academically by "committing to excellence" on April 23, 2003.
Temple ranked third among NCAA Division I institutions in student-athlete graduation rate above its student body in 2003-04, and had the fifth highest increase in student-athlete graduation rate that year. In 2006, Temple was one of 10 Division 1-A institutions to earn the Overall Excellence in Diversity Award bestowed by the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport at Texas A&M University
Temple athletics has also undertaken a greater role in community service under Bradshaw. Via the Owl Outreach program, student-athletes have provided volunteer service to numerous community and non-profit organizations, including Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Temple Children's Medical Center and the School District of Philadelphia.
Bradshaw has also been responsible for upgrades to Temple's athletic facilities. He supervised the design and construction of the athletic complex on the Ambler Campus, featuring fields and amenities for the men's and women's soccer, baseball and softball teams. He has also overseen the football program's move to Lincoln Financial Field as well as the addition of a new football practice field at Edberg-Olson Hall, courtesy of a private fund drive that generated over $500,000.
Temple athletics has also displayed its hospitality under Bradshaw, hosting the 2005 NCAA Women's Basketball Philadelphia Regional as well as the first and second rounds of the 2004 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament and the 2003 NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championships.
Bradshaw, who also owns a master's degree in guidance and counseling from Niagara University (`72), resides in Radnor, PA with his wife, Yvette and three children, Billy (11), Paige (9) and Connor (8). He also has two other daughters, Lesley and Katie, both recent graduates of DePaul University.
