The owl, a nocturnal hunter, was initially adopted as a symbol because Temple University began as a night school for young people of limited means.

Russell Conwell, Temple's founder, encouraged these students with the remark: "The owl of the night makes the eagle of the day."

The school's men's basketball team is part of the Big Five, the traditional designation for the rivalries between the Owls and their Philadelphia rivals: Penn, Saint Joseph's, Villanova, and La Salle.

• 1948 London Olympics: Temple University gymnasts Marian Barone and Clara Schroth-Lomady help the United States win its first medal for women in team competition with the bronze.

• 1952 Helsinki Olympics: Bob Stout (Philadelphia, Pa.) becomes the first gymnast ever to complete a back somersault with full twist when he landed the move during the floor exercises.

• 2004 Athens Olympics: Jason Read (Ringoes, N.J.) was a member of the U.S. Men's Eight that won gold and set a world record in rowing; Temple women's basketball coach, Dawn Staley, was the United States team captain and flag bearer and a member of the women's basketball team that won gold; Miles Avery (Philadelphia native and Temple graduate) is an assistant coach on the Olympic Team and personal coach of All-Around Champion Paul Hamm.

Head Coach John Chaney, also a Hall of Famer, won a total of 724 career games and took Temple to the NCAA tournament 17 times.

The magnitude of the loss, coupled with the failure to reach the NCAA tournament in his five years and the exit of five of the team's top players via the transfer portal doomed McKie's tenure.

Entering the 2024–25 season, Temple men's basketball program ranked tied for sixth in NCAA All-Time wins with 1993.

In December 2005, Al Golden, the defensive coordinator for the University of Virginia, was named head coach, replaced Bobby Wallace.

On December 23, 2010, Steve Addazio, then offensive coordinator at the University of Florida, was named head coach to continue and build upon the foundation Golden had left.

For the first time in generations, the Temple Owls were ranked in the AP, Coaches and College Football Playoff polls for half the season.

The CRC is the highest profile college rugby tournament in the country, and is played every year at PPL Park in Philadelphia, and is broadcast live on NBC.

Temple is one of the local favorites at the CRC, and is considered to have "the best fans, as they put in time and effort and noise to cheer for their teams.

[14] Men's and women's cross country and track & field teams are coached by Elvis Forde, who entered his inaugural season in 2014–15.

Earlier in 2012, Mahoney was Temple's first-ever First Team All-American for track & field when he placed fifth in the 3000-meter steeplechase at the NCAA Championships.

In the mid-1930s, Peacock brought national attention to himself and the Temple program with a string of sprinting victories over famed Ohio State and Olympic Games star Jesse Owens.

[19] As of 2013, Temple's men's gymnastics team was coached by Fred Turoff, entering his 38th season in 2013–14 with an impressive career record of 432–184.

In fact, that year, Coach Blanche Voorhees guided an Owl basketball team to a perfect 12–0 record and also started a field hockey program.

Additional sports for women followed: swimming in 1926, tennis in 1939, fencing in 1946, softball in 1949, lacrosse in 1957, and finally volleyball, track and field in 1975.

The modern era took root in 1974, when Temple named physical education instructor Veronica "Ronnie" Maurek to the dual role of head basketball and softball coach.

Prior to the 1980–81 season, Temple named Linda MacDonald as its second full-time head coach and began the process of national recruiting and scheduling.

From 1999 to 2008, the Temple Owls women's basketball team was guided by head coach and three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Dawn Staley.

In the summer of 2004 she captured her third Olympic Gold Medal, playing for Team USA in the 2004 Games in Athens, Greece and was selected as the United States flag bearer for the opening ceremonies.

Temple's men's and women's cross country and track & field teams are coached by Elvis Forde, entering his 8th season in 2021–22.

On August 23, 2002 Jennie Salmon, former men's and women's head coach at Brandeis University and a member of Temple's 1991-92 national championship foil team, was announced as Franke's successor.

Jane Catanzaro, a four-time All-American between 1987 and 1990, won the prestigious Honda Award in the 1990–91 academic year, for outstanding achievement and excellence in intercollegiate athletics.

[30] Under the direction of Tina Sloan Green, and beginning in 1975, the Temple lacrosse program captured three national championships and has had individuals earn 67 All-American certificates.

The tradition of excellence was carried on by head coach Kim Ciarrocca, who was a member of the Owls' 1988 national championship club and guided her 1997 team into the NCAA Final Four.

The school said they no longer chose to field 24 teams and cited Title IX, facility needs, and student welfare.