Temple, St. Joseph's coaches to wear suits, sneakers to raise cancer awareness
Over at Temple, there's excitement surrounding Saturday's Atlantic Ten game against St. Joseph's. It has nothing to do with the Owls (14-5, 4-2 A-10) being heavily favored to extend their seven-game series winning streak against the struggling Hawks (5-15, 0-6 A-10).
Over at Temple, there's excitement surrounding Saturday's Atlantic Ten game against St. Joseph's.
It has nothing to do with the Owls (14-5, 4-2 A-10) being heavily favored to extend their seven-game series winning streak against the struggling Hawks (5-15, 0-6 A-10).
The excitement has to do with participating in the seventh annual Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Awareness Weekend. Coaches from both teams will wear sneakers on the sidelines of Saturday's game at the Palestra.
"This adds to the awareness of what we are all trying to do, and that is make as much of a difference in the fight against cancer as we can," said Temple coach Fran Dunphy, who was honored as the national Coaches vs. Cancer coach of the year in 2002 for his dedication to cancer research.
Dunphy's hope is to have fans look down and notice coaches in their suits and sneakers.
"We kind of all look a little goofy," he said. "But we all looked goofy enough before.
"And if it causes people to reflect a little bit and say why are these guys doing it, we'll that the reason. We want to bring awareness."
Saturday's game will not count in the Big Five standings. The teams' game at Temple on Feb. 20 will count as a City Series contest.
Fernandez update
The status of injured point guard Juan Fernandez (bone bruise, left knee) for Saturday's game is unknown. Fernandez will be reevaluated before the game.
The 6-foot-4 junior didn't participate in Friday's practice. He did, however, partake in individual shooting drills.
Fernandez missed Wednesday's 76-67 victory over Charlotte to rest the injury he suffered Jan. 7. He started Temple's prior two games and came off the bench at Duquesne on Jan. 15. Before then, he missed home games against Saint Louis (Jan. 9) and St. Bonaventure (Jan. 12).
Future Owl?
If Temple offered Math, Civics and Sciences' Jeremiah Worthem a scholarship today, the sophomore would accept it, according to his high school coach, Danny Jackson.
"He's been leaning toward Temple," Jackson said of the 6-6 small forward who averages 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.
So far, Worthem, who has attended three Temple games, does not have any scholarship offers. He is being recruited by the Owls, Drexel, Marist, Louisiana State and Rice.