Temple Raised $76K to Save Their Men’s Gymnastic Program

(feature image courtesy of Paige Ozaroski)

Last February Temple University decided to cut several sports programs in an effort to save money.  Those programs included softball, baseball, men’s indoor and spring track and field teams, as well as men’s gymnastics.  However, Fred Turoff who has been in charge of the men’s gymnastics for the past 38 seasons had made a deal with the late Lewis Katz.  The two agreed that if Turoff could raise $70,000 Katz would match it.

However, in a tragic turn of events Lewis Katz who was the co-owner of The Inquirer perished in a plane crash last May. Turoff still decided to go forward with the fundraising and put together an event starring Bill Cosby called “An Evening With Bill Cosby: To Save the Temple Men’s Gymnastics Program.”

The event took place on August 14th at Temple University and was estimated to bring in $10,000 from people who paid $500 per couple.  Turoff also stated that he is expecting an individual donation of upwards of $12,000.  This along with other donations helped Turoff exceed his $70,000 goal.

Although, Lewis Katz is deceased, his son Drew Katz has agreed to honor his father’s pledge and match the $70,000 to save the men’s gymnastics program.