TTN Slideshow: Temple Owls vs Rhode Island Rams 02/13/2010

Kixx soccer finds new home at Liacouras

The Philadelphia Kixx soccer team, left without a home venue after the Wachovia Spectrum closed its doors, relocated its turf to the Liacouras Center.

The Liacouras Center has seen a lot of exciting sports drama in its 12 years of operation, thanks largely to Temple’s men’s and women’s basketball programs.

But a new chapter in the Liacouras Center legacy began recently when the Major Indoor Soccer League’s Philadelphia Kixx played their inaugural home game there Jan. 9 against the Rockford, Ill. Rampage. They christened their new home that night with a 23-20 victory, and went on to beat Rockford again the following night in Illinois.

The Kixx’s move to North Broad Street began last summer when Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snyder announced that the Wachovia Spectrum, known for decades as “America’s Showplace,” would be demolished to make way for a shopping and entertainment complex called Philly Live.

The Spectrum was home to the Kixx as well as the American Hockey League’s Philadelphia Phantoms. When it closed, both teams were put out in the cold. The Phantoms moved to New York and became the Adirondack Phantoms, while the Kixx looked slightly less far north for a new place to play. They settled on the Liacouras Center, managed by Global Spectrum, a subsidiary of Comcast-Spectacor.

While the Liacouras Center is no Wachovia Spectrum, the building is carving out its own niche in North Philly. Since opening in 1998 as the Apollo of Temple, the 10,200-seat arena hosted big-name concerts by artists ranging from Bob Dylan to Patti LaBelle and Kanye West to Kelly Clarkson, as well as Temple athletic events.

The Liacouras Center also hosted U.S. gymnastic competitions and a game of Wheel of Fortune.

“I think it’s great,” senior education major Candice Roe said of the Liacouras Center hosting high-profile events in Temple’s backyard. “As long as it doesn’t cost Temple a bunch of money or add to tuition.”

Temple Associate Vice President of Business Services Richard Rumer is in charge of the day-to-day operations and overall management of certain areas of the university, including the Liacouras Center.

He said that the deal with the Kixx is a good thing for Temple and its community. The Kixx, he assured, pay rent like any other event would, and the eight additional games the team’s presence brings to the arena’s calendar translates to more jobs for students and local residents.

J.T. Noone, a former Temple soccer player who recently began spring training with the Philadelphia Union, the area’s first Major League Soccer team that will play in Chester, said in a phone interview that he thinks the move would be positive for Temple, but even better for the Kixx.

The Kixx’s move also presents Temple students with the opportunity to see fast-paced professional soccer at an arena across the street, while the trip to Chester to see the Philadelphia Union play is about a half hour by car.

Tickets for Kixx games generally cost about $20, but with students’ Owl Cards, admissions will be $9, Chief Financial Officer Darceé Roberts said.

Additionally, tickets stubs to games the Kixx win are redeemable for free burritos at Qdoba.
Some students, like Ankit Vaishya, said they are not sure what to expect.

“I’m a big soccer fan, and I’m used to watching professional Euro pean soccer,” Vaishya, a senior finance major, said. “I don’t know about this indoor stuff.”

An indoor soccer field is set up similar to a hockey rink, with “dasher boards” and Plexiglas separating the crowd from the field. The game is played in 15-minute quarters. With no out-of-bounds, play is fast-paced and more continuous than outdoor soccer. Teams can substitute players at any time, and like hockey, penalties can result in one team having a 2-minute power play. The most striking difference is the addition of multi-point goals. Shots made from different places on the field earn different amounts of points.

The next Kixx home game is Feb. 6 against the Milwaukee Wave.

Michael Polinsky can be reached at michael.polinsky@temple.edu.

Cirque du Soleil dazzles Liacouras Center crowd

A global phenomenon, Cirque du Soleil goes beyond the idea of a circus, incorportating elements that stimulate the senses in a mystifying show.

As the sound of the bongos resonated off the arches that tower over the seats below, green and purple lights revealed a stage littered with trampolines and performers tumbling in every direction.

Cirque du Soleil captivated its audience last Tuesday with the performers’ opening night at the Liacouras Center. The show, titled Alegría, the Spanish word for joy, strayed from a traditional circus, offering its audience a different experience. Aside from dazzling stimuli for the senses, Alegría is rooted in themes of progressive states of mind and the gains of overcoming power.

According to the Cirque du Soleil Web site, since debuting in 1994, Alegría has visited more than 65 cities on five continents. The show’s cast is comprised of performers representing 17 different countries.

The performers demonstrated teamwork and talent in all aspects of the show, from precise gymnastics to passionate vocals. Perhaps the most enthralling part of the performance happened when fire dancers leapt from each others’ shoulders, passing flaming torches between one another. Other worthwhile moments included flying trapeze artists and contortionists bending their bodies in the most inconceivable ways.

The show’s own traveling orchestra, which sits in the shadows in the back of the stage, accompanies the visual aspects of the show.

“It was so original and colorful. I thought the balance beam gymnasts were incredible,” said Amy Duffey, a Manayunk resident and first-time attendee. “They did back flips what seemed like 10 feet in the air only to bounce flawlessly over to another beam.”

The dynamic performances made Cirque du Soleil engaging to a diverse audience, including families, college students and others.

“Having Cirque du Soleil here has really opened up the possibility for more family events,” Paige Gilbert, a sophomore sports management major and Liacouras Center employee, said. “I saw such a variety of people walk through those doors. It is definitely helping us as we try to expand and cater to different people.”

The show traditionally visits South Philadelphia, but this year, the company’s decision to move to the Liacouras Center brought increased awareness of the Temple community.

Paul Donovan, a New Jersey resident, brought his wife and his grandchildren out to see the show.

“The young ones just loved it, all the colorful costumes and jumps,” Donovan said, as his grandchildren ran up and down the building’s steps following the show. “[My wife] Patty and I have been coming for years, and we’ve always loved seeing it in South Philly, but the Liacouras Center seemed to house it well.”

As the crowd left the auditorium, the ladder that carried the trapeze artists up to the ceiling remained hanging down to the now quiet stage. It felt like the singer, glittering all in white, flowing across the stage, could still be heard repeating, “Alegría! Alegría!”

Brogan King can be reached at brogan.king@temple.edu.

Grad Gripes

The university will celebrate its 122nd commencement exercises on Thursday, May 14, in the Liacouras Center, our 10,200-seat arena, which will be filled with graduates adorning the $50 black caps and gowns, which they purchased in addition to their $50 graduation fees.

As a thank-you for the money we’ve spent on tuition, housing, meal plans, books and various other college accessories, the university is rewarding us with a highlighted speaker – President Ann Weaver Hart.

In the three years since Hart was elected Temple’s ninth president, one of the most common complaints around campus has been her lack of presence. While former presidents can be found wandering Main Campus, Hart appears to be strangely absent, and her interaction with students has been limited.

As seemingly invisible as she’s been, Hart could theoretically address the student body at any time. And as the president of the university, she’s already on tap to speak at this year’s commencement. Yet, she is the highlighted speaker, the main attraction.

Last year’s graduating class was bid adieu by Bill Cosby, Temple alum, comic and sitcom star. Why isn’t some like Bob Saget, Daryl Hall or John Oates – all famous alumni scheduled to appear? Or a former student or professor who led an extraordinary life.

Instead, Hillel Hoffman, assistant director of university communications, confirmed that Hart will be this year’s highlighted speaker. A few others will also give brief addresses.

Chief Judge Anthony Joseph Scirica of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, will give brief remarks, and Kendrick Davis, a mechanical engineering major, will speak on behalf of students.

Other appearances will include a professor from the School of Communications and Theater, the chair of the Board of Trustees and Temple’s alumni association president. While these people have given fully of themselves and made invaluable contributions to the university, they can be found on campus just about every day.

Graduating seniors deserve a commencement speaker who is more than just a campus staple. After more than four years of hard work and hard-earned money, our seniors deserve more than this.

Convocation welcomes class of 2012

The next generation of Owls, eager to embrace their new college identity with energy and enthusiasm filed into the Liacouras Center on August 28 for convocation, ceremony that symbolized the freshman academic journey.

“I am so thrilled to welcome you to the Temple community,” Provost Lisa Staiano-Coico said.

“Hello entering class of 2012,” professor Scott Gratson said. “Welcome to Temple University.”

“I wanted to go away [from home for school] but not too far,” said freshman business major Vince Gasbarro from Delaware County. “I wanted to get into the city, and the new business building is exciting.”

President Ann Weaver Hart took command of the podium, welcoming the newcomers and encouraging them to serve Temple, while nurturing their talent and skills.

“I hope you can tell from what you’ve heard that this is a community,” Hart said. “We have 4,100 new students and 2,700 transfer students. This is the place you want to be to do anything and be anything you want. You’re an extraordinary group of young men and women. We are excited to have you here.”

The new student body sat in the cherry-red seats in the Liacouras Center and listened intently to the speakers. The freshman attendees nodded in agreement and cheered with enthusiasm.

“I see sons and daughters of union workers and single mother, but here, we are all equal.” Here at Temple University, we celebrate who we are and what we are,” Gratson said.

The convocation speakers reiterated the idea of community service to the students, encouraging them to get involved in student activities and groups with their respective schools.

Temple Student Government President Nadine F. Mompremier, the first female student body president, addressed the incoming class of 2012 and spoke fondly of the college experience.

“People weren’t kidding when they said there’s something here for everyone. Take a risk at being the best at something,” Mompremier said.

The incoming class of 2012 walked out of the Liacouras Center front doors together for the first time. The next time they will be leaving in unison again, it will be for good.

Tom Rowan can be reached at thomas.rowan@temple.edu.