Temple's president: Let's proceed with the stadium

Temple University's board of trustees will hold a special meeting Monday to consider plans to move forward on a campus football stadium.

President Neil D. Theobald told student government leaders at a packed meeting Monday that he would recommend that the project proceed.

His announcement came as protesters demonstrated against the proposed 35,000-seat stadium, slated for the northwest corner of campus. The objections and chants became so loud and raucous that the university shut down the meeting 15 minutes early.

"There is no cost to the students for this at all," Theobald told about 250 people who attended the meeting, open only to students and reporters.

He said the $100 million stadium would be funded with donations from alumni and friends, and with money the university currently pays the Eagles for use of Lincoln Financial Field.

The message wasn't well-received by some in the crowd.

"We can't trust what he says just because he's President Theobald," said Tina Ngo, a junior political science major.

In December, the university delayed action on the project after then-Mayor-elect Jim Kenney expressed concerns.

Patrick O'Connor, chairman of Temple's board of trustees, said at the time that the university would meet with Kenney and his team. Temple also has been in contact with Council President Darrell L. Clarke, whose North Philadelphia district takes in the campus.

On Monday, another objector said the city doesn't want the stadium.

"Councilman Clarke had a different view," Theobald responded.

Some students who attended the meeting, however, said they support the stadium.

"It's going to do wonders for the university and it's going to do wonders for the community," said Matt Hoffman, a sophomore sports and recreation management major.

Trustees will meet at 3:30 p.m. Monday to continue the discussion on the stadium and proposed retail development around it, said university spokesman Ray Betzner. The meeting will be open to the public.

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