PHILADELPHIA - Temple University announced today that it has signed Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw to a new five-year contract that will keep the veteran athletic administrator at the University through the 2011-12 academic year. The contract is retroactive to July 1, 2007.
"Bill Bradshaw is a real asset to Temple University. We are fortunate that he will continue to lead Temple Athletics in the years to come," said Temple University President Ann Weaver Hart.
"We have built a strong foundation for success over the past six years and I am thankful that I will continue to be a part of the Temple athletics family," said Bradshaw. "We have strong leadership at the University in President Ann Weaver Hart, Chairman of the Board Dan Polett and Chairman of the Athletic Board Lewis Katz, who understand the value of athletics at the University. This new contract is a reflection of the strong athletic staff we have in place, as well as the quality head coaches that have led our teams to success."
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.
Bradshaw's six years at Temple have produced numerous highlights, most notably the announcement on May 17, 2005 that the University would join the Mid-American Conference as a football-only member plus the recent hirings of Al Golden and Fran Dunphy as head football and men's basketball coaches.
Twenty-seven Temple teams have advanced to postseason play during his tenure, with 18 competing in the NCAA Tournament. This past season, six Owl teams - men's and women's basketball, men's gymnastics, fencing, lacrosse and women's tennis - all competed in the NCAA Tournament.
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 2007 NACDA Security and Safety Workshop, 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.
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