The Temple University Athletic Department announced a three-year football scheduling agreement with the University of Notre Dame in a press conference Thursday. The Owls will host the Fighting Irish at Lincoln Financial Field on October 11, 2014; it will be Notre Dame's first trip to Philadelphia since a 58-27 victory over Navy at Veterans Stadium in 1993. Temple will pack its bags and head to South Bend the following season on September 26, 2015. The third game of the series, contractually agreed to be played at ND, remains unscheduled, but could take place as early 2013. Whenever the kick-off of the three game set finally takes place, it will mark the first ever meeting of the two long-standing programs.
"This is an exciting opportunity for Temple University, our football program, and the best sports fans anywhere--here in Philadelphia," said Temple Athletic Director Bill Bradshaw in a statement released Thursday. "We are committed to playing the best programs in the country, and Notre Dame fits perfectly into our vision of bringing the best to the city of Philadelphia for our alumni and our fans."
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New head coach Steve Addazio was equally enthusiastic, "This series is good for our players, our fans, and Philadelphia. Notre Dame's football tradition and national recognition are second to none. Playing strong non-conference opponents is a part of our blueprint and Temple fans will not be disappointed."
For those unfamiliar with Addazio, he is a two-time national champion and Urban Meyer's former offensive coordinator at Florida. Amongst a variety of other gigs -- from Western Connecticut to Syracuse to Indiana -- Addazio once spent some time of his own in South Bend, serving as an assistant under then head coach Bob Davie from 1999 to 2001.
In keeping with the Temple's mission to play the highest quality non-conference opponents, Nittany Lion fans will get a quick chance at revenge on the one-time Gator when Penn State leaves Happy Valley for the Delaware Valley to take on the Owls at Lincoln Financial Field September 17th, 2011. Their last meeting in Philadelphia in 2007 set a still-standing TU attendance record of roughly 70,000.
Speaking of the second highest attendance mark, AD Bill Bradshaw also announced that Temple would (tentatively) kick-off its 2011 season against Villanova on Thursday, September 1st, 2011 in the third annual playing of the Mayor's Cup. The game is only tentatively scheduled based on the uncertainty of the Eagles' as yet undisclosed preseason plans (something about a bunch of whiny millionaires and a Collective Bargaining Something or Other).
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Bradshaw went on to mention a separate agreement with the University of Maryland and a continuation of the university's arrangement with Army. Those games are scheduled for September 24th and November 19th, respectively. The 9/24 Maryland game will be played on the road while the 11/19 Army date appears late in the home calendar. The official Owl schedule is expected be released some time within the two weeks.
In the meantime, Temple basketball hits the floor for two huge dates in the next four days. The Basketball Owls host the Richmond Spiders tonight in a pivotal A10 match-up and return to the home hardwood on Sunday to take on the St. Joseph's Hawks. Tip off for tonight's contest against Richmond is set for 7:00 p.m. Sunday's game against the Hawks jumps at 4.
Back to the turf, any local ND alums or fans excited about the agreement? Look at this way, you've got the next three years to plan your tailgate. Who's got a whiteboard and some dry-erase markers?