Owl FB could use a $3 million contribution

The Robert G. Burton Practice Bubble at Temple University.

I’ve always wondered why Temple football never had a Robert G. Burton.
You know, the guy who contributed $3 million to UConn football and then asked for his money back when the Huskies did not hire Steve Addazio away from Temple.
Oh, sure there have been great benefactors in the past like Dr. Pete Chodoff who spearheaded the Edberg-Olson Complex and the $500,000 practice field.
Even Bill Cosby reportedly “bought out” Jerry Berndt’s contract so the uni could hire Ron Dickerson. (That’s like chump change to Cos because Fortune Magazine reported he has $368 million in his bank account. He could donate $61 mil for a new Temple football stadium and still have $307 million left over and I didn’t even major in math at Temple.)
Yet there has been no single $3 million contribution to Temple football in my memory.

The Burton Football Complex at UConn

Not even from Cos.
Lord knows no one needs the money more than Temple football, yet Dennis Alter gave his $15 million for the new Fox Business School. A noble cause, yet the Temple football team still has to bus down to the Eagles’ practice facility on bad weather days because they have no bubble.
If there was no new Alter School of Business, kids could still walk to school in the old building.
Yet it’s the football team that has to board the bus for that dangerous four-mile ride down to NovaCare (not to mention the driving conditions, either).
Heck, I would be a Robert G. Burton for Temple football. The only thing that’s keeping me from giving is that I have no money. I would not even demand that Steve Addazio recruit Ryan Brumfield or that Temple fire Steve Addazio and replace him with Bruce Arians after the Super Bowl.
I would just give unconditionally.
I have an idea, Mr. Burton. Turn some negative publicity you’ve been receiving in New England to some positive press down here.
You have a direct interest in Steve Addazio becoming a big-time success at Temple so you can prove to those UConn bozos that you were right and they were wrong.
So, when UConn gives you the $3 million back, you should forward that check to Temple University for the construction of the Robert G. Burton Practice Bubble.
Think of it as the best investment you ever will make in yourself.

4 thoughts on “Owl FB could use a $3 million contribution

  1. Forget about Cosby, how about someone like Lewis Katz, the x-Nets owner who went to Temple. How about Norman Braman, a Temple grad and onetime owner of the Eagles? And did you know that Sid Kimmel went to Temple. The Kimmel Center. Jones Apparel. Film producer. He gives away a lot of money, but mainly to serious causes having to do with health and art. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Ann Weaver Hart tries to hit him up for a donation and naming of the new library or science building on campus. But for Lewis Katz and Norman Braman, I don't know why they haven't been tapped at Temple donors.

  2. Norman Braman grew up in Philly, went to Temple, became a multi-millionaire selling cars in Miami, bought the Eagles. He said after moving back here to buy the Eagles this wasn't the Philadelphia that he remembered as a kid. "There's a meaness of spirit that exists here that wasn't that way when I was growing up," he said.Soured on Philly and maybe soured on Temple.Lew Katz is a gem. I just don't know if he has Burton's bucks. I don't think he has Cosby's.Cos is losing it a little. Wish he would make one big splash before he goes and give most of his estate to Temple football.Hey .. hey … hey ..

  3. I always thought Cosby would contribute to a new building and naming for the school of Education at Temple. But your sentiment is right about Cosby with regarding football. I think I just recently saw a clip of him on Letterman doing a very long bit about his days playing football at Temple. One would think…As for Braman, he's probably right…Philly fans are some of the most classless sports fans I've ever seen. The Daily Show had a great piece about New York and Philly fans going head to head in a battle over who has the douchiest fans. So I understand his sentiment. Having said all that, it's not a good excuse. It's especially not a good excuse (if it is in fact his excuse) because giving to his alma mater would be a positive gesture towards education and helping the university that helped him get his start.

  4. because I'm a season-ticket holder, somebody named "David" in the ticket office keeps calling me and asking if I know somebody who would like Temple season tickets.I always say I'm the only Temple fan at work.Now I can at least give him Robert G. Burton's name and ask Dave to hit him up for a few ducats.I don't think Norman would make the trip and Cos only comes for Villanova games.I wish someone in development would read this post and at least reach out to Robert G. Burton and gauge his interest in donating a bubble to Addazio.

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