Ambler Campus, Temple University

In mid-April, Temple Athletics alumni would don their school colors once more for competitions in the various sports they excelled at while in school. Cherry and White Day was a time to relive past glories and return to the school where those triumphs were achieved.

Cherry and White Day has made a huge comeback at the Ambler campus. On Saturday, April 19, beginning at 10:30 a.m., the Temple tradition returns bigger than ever.

“This day has something for every Temple sports fan, young and old,” said Temple Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw. “It is a day to celebrate what is good about Temple Athletics with family, friends, and alums.”

Temple University Ambler “certainly welcomes the return of Cherry and White Day to Ambler — the University’s ‘green’ campus,” said Ambler Dean Dr. James W. Hilty.

“We look forward to a lively day of athletic competition and especially the appearance of football coach Al Golden and his team in addition to two intercollegiate games — baseball and softball — which are also taking place that day,” Dr. Hilty said. “Cherry and White Day is about much more than displaying varsity sports teams. It is also a marvelous alumni reunion of former Temple athletes, as well as a notable opportunity for Temple students and friends to gather in spirited celebration of past and future successes.”

According to Temple Assistant Athletics Director John Baum, the University has only a few traditions that it holds each year “and I’d like to see Cherry and White Day become the biggest event for alumni and students to interact together.”

“Our 2007 Cherry and White Day event was very successful, welcoming back thousands of alumni and friends to Temple, some of them for the first time since their graduation,” he said. “While this is still very much an alumni event, our goal is to make this a special event for our current students at the Main Campus, Ambler, and Tyler as well.”

Baum, an Owls Men’s Basketball great in his own right, said Cherry and White Day will also include additional programs developed in cooperation with the Office of Student Life, such as a 1 mile Run/Walk along the campus Loop Road from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. The Owls Softball team will face LaSalle in a conference matchup at noon while the Owls Baseball team will take on Duquesne at 1 p.m. at Skip Wilson Field on campus.

“This is a great opportunity for a large crowd to get together and cheer on the Owls during two intercollegiate games. Cherry and White Day has always been a wonderful opportunity for alumni to reunite with the school and their classmates — now we want to make it a fun opportunity for current students and alumni to interact as well,” he said. “The event is a terrific way for families to catch the Temple spirit and enjoy a terrific day of sports. It’s an important chance to continue our legacy — current students will remember the fun they had at Cherry and White Day and continue to be a part of it as alums; it’s a nice transition.”

Cherry and White Day this year is also being held in tandem with Temple University Ambler’s Spring Open House, which will welcome prospective students and their families to campus from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Alumni/a and friends are invited to participate in special tours of the Ambler Campus, which will include a designated Arboretum, hosted by the owl Ambassadors. Tours will depart from the Administration Building at Noon, 12:30 p.m., and 1 p.m.

According to Baum, Cherry and White Day will also include a wide variety of alumni sports competitions and tailgating that will continue well into the evening. The day is scheduled to conclude at 8 pm. On April 19, the competitions will include alumni vs. alumni in: men’s basketball, women’s basketball, women’s soccer, men’s soccer, and men’s and women’s tennis.

“We are planning to have most of the events take place in one focused area of the campus,” he said. “The main parking lot near the athletic fields will be the central hub of activity.”

According to Baum, Cherry and White Day was previously held at the former Temple Stadium off of Cheltenham Avenue until it moved to the Main Campus about 10 years ago.

“Ambler with its new facilities was the perfect spot to become the event’s new home,” he said. “The Ambler campus and Dean Hilty have been a terrific partner in making this event a reality.”

New soccer, baseball, and softball fields were constructed as part of a $4.5 million project on campus in 2004.

“Having NCAA sports here at Ambler has been a wonderful addition to the atmosphere of the campus and student life in general. We are proud to host this year’s event and greatly pleased that Temple Ambler has been designated as the permanent home of Cherry and White Day,” said Dr. Hilty. “This is an exciting time of growth at Ambler and Athletics is a significant part of that. We look forward to welcoming so many esteemed alumni to our campus for what is sure to be a fantastic celebration.”

Exhibitions in gymnastics and fencing will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. The football spring intrasquad game, which will conclude the Owls’ spring drill season, will be held at 1:15 p.m. Cherry and White Day also includes a “Kids Zone” of fun inflatables, face painting, balloon making, and other kid-friendly activities.

“In addition to the games that will be played at Cherry and White Day, we want to have all 24 Temple teams represented in some capacity,” Baum said. “It’s going to be an action packed fund day for all — a Temple Family Reunion.”

As a 1969 Temple graduate — and a member of the University’s last national championship men’s basketball team — Baum has lived Cherry and White days of the past and has spearheaded the revival of the event.

“For the Athletics alumni, it’s a chance to spend time with family and friends and possibly see a teammate you haven’t seen in years,” he said. “You might have someone who hasn’t been back to the University in 30 years who might say ‘Wow, look at the dramatic changes that are taking place; along with the growth that has taken place at Ambler.’ It’s truly a win-win for everyone.”

For more information on Cherry and White Day at Temple University Ambler, call 215-204-2587 or 267-468-8108.