TMI: The Temple edition

It's two for one week as you get two Too Much Information posts this week. This week on part Deux of TMI we bring you the Temple Owls.

About the University

Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell. Temple University is one of Pennsylvania's three public research universities, along with the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State University. It is the 26th largest university in the United States and has over 400 sponsored programs. Temple has international campuses in Rome and Japan, the latter being the largest campus of any foreign university in Japan.

Conwell, a Yale-educated, Boston lawyer, and ordained Baptist minister, came to Philadelphia in 1882 to lead the Grace Baptist Church and began tutoring students, [–ed note:keep that in mind] in the basement of the church.

The original Temple

The school became known as Temple College in 1888, and became a fully accredited university in 1907. Similar to Penn State and Pitt, Temple is a state-related university, meaning it receives public funds and offers reduced tuition for Pennsylvania residents but is under independent control. Penn State differs slightly because it is also a land grant university as well. Basically state-related universities differ from state universities in that they get funds from the state but, to the chagrin of many bureaucrats, the state can't tell the university what to do. Don't we all wish we had a sweet deal like that?

Mascot

Unlike some other universities that get their nickname from a sports reporter after years of existence, Temple started out as the Owls. When Conwell was teaching students in the basement of the Baptist church in 1882, [–ed note: I told you to keep that in mind… did you? DID YOU!?] the students were nicknamed "night owls" because the classes were at night and owls are nocturnal animals. Conwell encouraged the nomenclature with the remark: "The owl of the night makes the eagle of the day." Temple was the first school in the United States to adopt the owl as its symbol.

The mascot's name is Hooter the Owl:

Wait, what... no not Hooters the owl but Hooter the owl.

There, better and that pic just about sums up Temple football for ya.

Football related data

Last season: 9-4

Directed by former Penn State tight end Al Golden the Owls had one of their best seasons last year going 9-4, their best record since 1979. They lost to a good UCLA team in the EagleBank Bowl, a game they were dominating until the injury of super stud running back Bernard Pierce. You could say that Temple is on the verge of a Golden era *snicker*. Ok, stop groaning, I didn't make that up it was some Douche on Wikipedia.

This is the point where I would tell all Temple football fans (and children) to leave the room.

….

Are they gone? Good.

Temple has been playing organized football and basketball since 1894. While the Basketball team has had a lot of success, winning both the conference championship and the regular season championship 9 times, and making the NCAA's on 19 occasions, the football team sssuuuuuuuuuckkkksss. The Owls have amassed a record of 407–543–52 which isn't too bad but, despite all the years of football, they have no national championships, no conference titles, no Heisman winners, one All-American, and only three bowl appearances of which they won one. Add to the mix the fact that legendary coach Glenn "Pop" Warner finished his last six seasons there, and it's easy to see Temple's history is pretty bad.

Famous Alumni

Ok, here's the deal: Temple doesn't have a long list of really famous Alumni. Despite that, I refuse to say what everyone knows. No, I am not! I REFUSE! You know it, I know it… everyone knows it.

Some famous Owls:

Daryl Hall and John Oates of the band Hall & Oates (duh) went to Temple.

Comedian… actor… ah… ok, television host Bob Saget was an Owl.

Kunal Nayyar graduated from Temple. Yes Kunal Nayyar! Oh come on. Fine how about Raj from The Big Bang Theory. Not as impressive if it was… say Kaley Cuoco but if you aren't watching The Big Bang Theory then shame on you.

Well… that's about it. Sorry. I'm not saying it. Nope. I'm done.

Pudding Pops!

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