Owls may finally make Bundy's dream come true

JOSH BUNDY wanted to play "big-time" football. But his lone Division I-A offer was from Temple, where his father worked at the time as an assistant athletic director in charge of Student Services.

"That was my dream, since I can remember," he said. "To compete at the highest level."

Of course, there's no shortage of folks who might have pointed out that the program on North Broad Street didn't necessarily meet the criteria.

Nevertheless, it's where he wanted to be.

"I sent my highlight tape to Coach [Bobby] Wallace," Bundy explained. "He took a look at it, brought me in for a visit. They took [the recruits] to the Linc. They had our jerseys in the locker room, with our names on them. I was sold. It was like, where do I sign?"

That was 4 years ago. The Owls were coming off a one-win season. They won twice when he was a freshman, their last year in the Big East. That was followed by an 0-for-2005 as an independent.

Still . . .

"I was just excited to be playing," the 5-10, 228-pound fullback recalled. "I started on special teams my first year. Then I won my position. I couldn't see the bigger picture. I wasn't focused, on those things that winning teams need to be focused on.

"As time went on, it started to become more and more frustrating. The amount of work you're putting into it, you're not getting anything back.

"It's very hard, especially in this area. When you're not doing well, people will let you hear about it. Very quickly."

He knew all about losing. And change. At Wissahickon High School, he was part of a team that went from 0-12 his sophomore season to 4-8 2 years later.

That may not seem like much, until you've experienced an 0-for.

Al Golden came to Temple 23 months ago, and lost 16 of his first 17 games. But the Owls (3-5, 3-2 Mid-American Conference) will take their first three-game winning streak in 17 years into tomorrow night's scrum at Ohio University (4-5, 2-3).

Bundy is the only senior left from his original class of 20-something, although defensive back Abioye Oyeyemi is a fourth-year walk-on. At Bundy's position, there is nobody listed behind him on the depth chart. If nothing else, he's a survivor.

It makes what's happened in the last month nothing short of priceless.

"I didn't want to go out a loser," said Bundy, whose value can't be measured on a stat sheet. "I can really appreciate what's going on here now. I'm so glad, and thankful. One loss is enough to make you never want to lose again. I've seen a lot.