RENDELL'S LETTER TO BIG EAST COMMISH

John M. Marinatto, Commissioner

The Big East Conference

15 Park Row West

Providence, RI 02903

Dear Commissioner Marinatto:

I want to take this opportunity to echo the sentiments of my good friend Mayor Michael A. Nutter in welcoming the Presidents of the Big East Conference to Philadelphia this week, and to enthusiastically lend my support to the growing sentiment throughout the region for Temple University to join the Big East Conference.

Sports fans all over the nation recognize the Big East as a premier athletic conference whose members include some of the biggest names - and most populous regions - in America. There is no question that Temple, one of the largest and fastest-growing urban universities anywhere in the world (and also home to the nation's fourth-largest media market), merits inclusion in such a prestigious group. Temple's athletes already compete at the highest levels of their respective sports, and affiliation with the Big East is a natural extension of Temple's growing impact on intercollegiate men's and women's athletics. Whether it's the eight consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances for the women's basketball team; or Temple's role as a mainstay of Philadelphia men's basketball and the legendary Big 5, Temple is a force in Division I athletics. Anyone who doubts this fact need look no further than last month's Temple-Penn State football game, where the Owls stood toe-to-toe with one of the nation's premier college football teams.

By any standard, Temple has arrived. As a Philadelphian and a sports fan, I am very proud of Temple's growing impact on intercollegiate athletics, and I am convinced that an affiliation with the Big East is one that would benefit both the conference and the Greater Philadelphia region.

I hope that the Presidents will give strong consideration to extending an invitation for Temple University to join the Big East Conference.

Sincerely,

Edward G. Rendell