Urging the Big East Football Conference to continue the membership of Temple University's Football Program in the Conference's 1-A football league.

WHEREAS, Recently, the Presidents and Chancellors of the seven universities of the Big East Conference's 1-A football league have voted to discontinue Temple University's membership in the league effective June 30, 2002; and

WHEREAS, It has been reported that the two critical components for Temple University's Football Program to meet the criteria of remaining in the Big East Conference's 1-A football league are: (1) averaging 25,000 spectators for home football games, and (2) playing in an adequate football stadium that Temple controls on Saturdays during football season; and

WHEREAS, Home attendance figures have increased to more than 10,000 fans per game in 1997 from averages 6,500 in 1996 and 4,000 in 1995; and

WHEREAS, The average home attendance in 1998 was 15,138, a 60% increase over 9,200 in 1997; and

WHEREAS, Temple University's Board of Trustees, the members of the Owl Club, the organization of the Temple University Alumni Association committed to the improvement of Temple sports, and other friends of Temple University have announced an aggressive marketing plan to the 80,000 Temple alumni, 27,000 students and 10,000 Temple-related staff in the Greater Philadelphia Region; and

WHEREAS, The construction of a new professional sports stadium for the Philadelphia Eagles create opportunities for a consistent venue for Temple University football games; and

WHEREAS, The Temple University Football Team was improving on the field, as demonstrated in the past football season by their two Big East victories in their first three conference games;

WHEREAS, Temple University's football games have been competitive; and

WHEREAS, A mutually agreeable decision could be beneficial for both the Big East Conference and Temple University; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPIA, That the Council of the City of Philadelphia urges the Big East Football Conference to continue the membership of Temple University's Football Program in the Conference's 1-A football league.

End