Union fans know well by now how forgiving an MLS season can be. But that doesn’t mean it forgets.
The team’s progress since the World Cup break will hit a milestone at Saturday’s visit to Red Bull New York: it will be the teams’ first meeting since the 3-1 Union win on July 22 that started their six-game unbeaten run in league games.
Extending the streak would bring another round of good headlines, especially if Cavan Sullivan and Neil Pierre lead the way again. But a win wouldn’t bring the milestone fans really want, getting into a playoff spot. Though it could tie the Union (5-10-6, 21 points) with ninth-place Orlando City, the Lions would keep the lead on the first standings tiebreaker of total wins.
In a way, that frees interim manager Ryan Richter to focus on the day-to-day, as he prefers. He knows as well as anyone how far the team still has to go — even as he knows how far it has come in the last five weeks.
Cavan Sullivan (left) battling Red Bull New York’s Matthew dos Santos when the teams met at Subaru Park last month.Isaiah Vazquez / For The Inquirer
“On one hand it feels like that was 20 games ago, and then on the other it feels like it was yesterday,” Richter said Thursday in his weekly news conference.
“I’ve learned a lot about the guys — I hope they’ve gotten to know myself and the staff, and how we’re operating through a season when you’re actually playing a lot of games. And I know I’ve learned a lot about the guys, and seen the good side and the bad side of them, and just appreciate the way that they’ve continued to work, and stay focused, and be honest in conversations over this really busy last couple of weeks.”
A look forward finds an equally unclear horizon. Usually when the season hits the end of August, the conversation starts turning to the playoff race. But the World Cup break means there are still 13 of the 34 games left to play in just over two months, with the regular season concluding on Nov. 7.
“You guys know my outlook on this,” Richter said. “The position the team’s in, the position that I’m in myself, I’m not worrying about 10 games from now. I’m excited for the game this weekend and putting all our energy into that, and trying to prepare the guys the best way that we possibly can so that they can be successful.”
The headlines are already touting Red Bull-Union as Julian Hall vs. Cavan Sullivan.
If it was up to me, it would be Adri Mehmeti vs. Cavan Sullivan – yes, I think that highly of Mehmeti.
I asked Ryan Richter his opinion of Mehmeti, and got plenty in the answer:
The Union loaned forward Stas Korzeniowski to Rhode Island FC of the second-tier USL Championship for the rest of the year on Thursday.
A 23-year-old Penn product in his second year as a pro, he has made nine appearances for the Union’s first team this year, and scored two goals in the early-season Concacaf Champions Cup rout of Trinidad’s Defence Force FC. He has spent the rest of the year with the Union’s reserve squad in MLS Next Pro, scoring seven goals in six games.
The state of the first team’s depth chart means Korzeniowski was stuck between sitting on the first team bench and playing for the second team at a level he’s probably better than. Going to the USL Championship for a few months will let him play in between the two.
Stas Korzeniowski celebrates after scoring a goal for the Union against Defence Force FC in the Concacaf Champions Cup back in February.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Temple will play in two neutral-site games at the Palestra this season.
The Owls will face Richmond on Nov. 8 and St. Bonaventure on Dec. 12 at the Palestra to celebrate the storied arena’s 100th anniversary. Temple called the Cathedral of College Basketball home from 1955 to 1984.
“The Palestra holds a special place in the history of college basketball and Philadelphia, and we are honored to be part of its 100th anniversary celebration,” Temple coach Adam Fisher said in a release. “Richmond and St. Bonaventure present two challenging matchups against well-coached programs, and we look forward to competing at one of college basketball’s most historic venues.”
The Temple men’s basketball program last played at the Palestra during the 2022-23 season.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Temple’s matchup with Richmond will mark the 22nd between the two schools. The Owls hold an 11-10 all-time advantage. The programs last played during the 2022-23 season at another neutral site — the Brooklyn Nets’ Barclays Center, which ended in a 69-41 win for Richmond.
The Bonnies have faced Temple at the Palestra three times, losing each matchup. Temple has a 53-7 record all-time against its former Atlantic 10 rival. Their game on Dec. 12 will be their first since the Owls left the A-10 after the 2012-13 season.
“We are excited for the opportunity to play at the Palestra during its 100th anniversary season,” St. Bonaventure coach Mike MacDonald said. “The Palestra is one of the most iconic venues in college basketball, and the opportunity to take on the Temple Owls, a longtime Bonnie rival, makes this game even more special.”
Some of the world’s swiftest cyclists, many of whom have competed in races like the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, will compete on the 14-mile course.
The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to around 4:45 p.m., giving spectators plenty of time to explore the course. And best of all, as ex-cyclist John Eustice pointed out to reporter Jason Lo, watching will “cost you nothing except your picnic food.”
The Fan Fest will coincide with the bike race. It will go from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Race organizers recommend taking public transportation to the event, because there is no designated parking and there will be numerous road closures.
The grilled Vietnamese chicken noodle bowl at Saigon Grace cafe on South Street.Craig LaBan / Staff
🌏 Celebrate Asian cultures: Kampoeng Indonesia will take over Cherry Street Pier on Saturday with performances, family-friendly activities, and food representing cultures from across Asia.
🍽️ A restaurant week debut: The first Graduate Hospital Restaurant Week will roll out special three-course prix fixe menus for $30 and $45. Participants include Chateau Rouge, a selection in last year’s 76 Dining GuideSaigon Grace Cafe, The Sidecar Bar & Grille, and other South Philly restaurants.
🚘 Wheels up in smoke: Don’t miss out on motorsport glory during Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire this weekend. Bigfoot, Mega Wrex, Bone Shaker, and other massive trucks will strut and stunt at Xfinity Mobile Arena starting Saturday.
📅 My calendar picks this week: Twilight in the Gardens, Illumination 250 Festival, Ethiopian Day at Clark Park. Here’s our full list for the week.
Don’t miss these end-of-summer happenings
The pop-up outdoor destination at Reading Terminal Market July 20, 2026. The new plaza transformed 15,000 square feet of the 1100 block of Filbert Street into an outdoor space featuring expanded seating, shopping, entertainment and beverage options. It comes at the completion of a $1 million lighting improvement project on Filbert Street, opening June 9 and ending Aug. 2.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer
There are signs that fall is beginning to knock on summer’s door.
Philadelphia schools are back in session, the heat is easing, and seasonal attractions are starting to close up shop.
Don’t wait until next year. Stop by these attractions and citywide offerings before the week’s end.
Summer fun this week and beyond
People in the crowd reacting to participants falling in the Red Bull Championship Pole Run at the Spruce Street Harbor Park at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia on Saturday, July 12, 2025.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer
🚩 A greased-up climb: Visit Spruce Street Harbor Park on Saturday for a full-on sprint up a greased telephone pole at the Red Bull Championship Run. Whoever captures the flag takes the crown.
🍃 Nature in full color: This weekend, discover art and handmade treasures at the Philadelphia Zoo’s After Hours & Wildest Art Festival. There will be live music, light bites, and the work by more than 30 local artists.
🍴 A new Fishtown eatery:Cannonball Cafe is a new, members-only social club located in Fishtown. The alluring cocktail lounge features a restaurant, private bar, and car collection inside a spacious storage garage.
🎨 Take an exclusive guided art tour: Tour Brandywine Workshop and Archives’ latest exhibitions, printmaking studios, archives, and collections during a guided art tour on Saturday.
Staffer picks
Here’s pop music critic Dan DeLuca’s list of the best concerts this weekend.
Bruno Mars brings his Romantic Tour to Lincoln Financial Field in South Philly on Tuesday and Wednesday.John V. Esparza
🎤 Friday: Remember 2025’s “Wu Tang Forever” tour that was supposedly the supergroup’s last? Well, RZA, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, and their musical brothers are back for a show at Atlantic City’s Hard Rock Live.
🎸 Friday and Saturday: Eleven-time Grammy winner Chris Stapleton brings his rugged country hits to the region for back-to-back nights at Camden’s Freedom Mortgage Pavilion.
🎙️ Sunday: Cleveland-born indie band Cloud Nothings, fronted by locally-based guitarist Dylan Baldi, will hit the Ruba Club stage on Sunday alongside Philly band Knifeplay.
🪩 Tuesday and Wednesday: Bruno Mars, Mr. 24K Magic himself, is joined by British singer Raye and DJ Pee. Wee, who is Mars’ disguised Silk Sonic bandmate Anderson .Paak, for a two-night stay at Lincoln Financial Field.
Which athlete won the first Philadelphia Cycling Classic in 1985?
A) Eric Heiden
B) Megan Guarnier
C) Greg Lemond
D) Roberto Gaggioli
Here’s the answer to last week’s question: The 2004 blockbuster ‘Natural Treasure’ was filmed inside Independence Hall. But the film also filmed inside a replica of the landmark building — where? Answer: Los Angeles
Ask Earl anything
Many of you have questions about each week’s listings, and others about Philly’s arts, culture, and entertainment scene.
I have you covered. Have a question? Email me for a chance to have it answered in an upcoming newsletter.
Pedal over to these late-summer offerings before they wrap up and enjoy the other regional attractions available this weekend.
– Earl Hopkins
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
“We think the offseason training went well when we came back in January, February,” Villanova head coach Mark Ferrante said. “Then that follows up with spring practice and spring practice went pretty well from our perspective. So our guys were here, the whole team [was] here for the month of July. The bulk of our upperclassmen are here for June and July, so they get the opportunity to train together. And then the freshmen come in July and it gives the upperclassmen and freshmen almost a month to learn to get to know each other a little bit.”
However, Villanova is facing questions at quarterback as the eligibility of Pat McQuaide, its hopeful starter, is tied up in an Ohio court after the Patriot League informed the program he was ineligible.
Here are five things to know as Villanova prepares to kick off its 2026 campaign:
A new conference
Villanova officially joined the Patriot League on July 1 after spending 19 seasons in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA).
Outside of Villanova and William & Mary, the conference includes Bucknell, Colgate, Holy Cross, Lafayette, and Lehigh, as well as fellow associate football members Fordham, Georgetown, and Richmond.
Richmond joined last season after departing the CAA. Four programs have now left the CAA within the last two seasons, the fourth being Delaware, which transitioned to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
The largest impact this has on Villanova is travel. A trip for the Wildcats will cover an average of 175 miles, which lowers costs for the program, especially on air travel.
Before its debut in the Patriot League, Villanova was voted to finish first by the league’s preseason coaches poll, receiving seven first-place votes. Lehigh, which fell to the Wildcats in last year’s FCS playoffs, got three.
Pat McQuaide’s eligibility to play for Villanova this season rests in the Ohio courts. Isaiah Vazquez / For The Inquirer
Who starts at quarterback?
McQuaide, last year’s starting QB, led the team to a 12-3 record. The Ohio native passed for 3,123 yards and 25 touchdowns. It marked what was expected to be his final year of eligibility.
However, this summer, Villanova submitted a request to the NCAA asking to grant McQuaide an extra year of eligibility. The NCAA denied the request, forcing Villanova and McQuaide to take it to court.
On Aug. 1, an Ohio judge ruled that the NCAA cannot enforce its eligibility rules against McQuaide, granting him an extra year of eligibility.
However, the Patriot League notified Villanova on Aug. 4 that it was deeming McQuaide ineligible by its own bylaws. An appeal by Villanova to the Patriot League’s Council of Presidents Executive Committee was also denied on Aug. 21.
McQuaide’s attorney, Richard Hamilton Jr., is still fighting the ruling in the Ohio court system, and an update could come as early as Thursday.
If McQuaide is not able to play for Villanova, two Wildcats will battle for the starting gig — senior Robert Russo and freshman Nolan DiLucia. The two have been getting the bulk of the starter reps through spring and summer practices, according to Ferrante.
Villanova’s quarterback situation remains unsettled as the 2026 season kicks off.Steven M. Falk / For The Inquirer
“Taking a majority of the reps were, obviously, we had Dylan Mills, we had Robbie Russo, going into his senior year, Dylan going into his junior year, and then Nolan DiLucia, the incoming freshman,” Ferrante said. “Those are the guys that were kind of rotating through, seeing who wants to take it over, who wants to take the lead there. … It’s an ongoing process. We’re going to continue to evaluate everybody.”
Outside of McQuaide, Villanova’s quarterbacks have only attempted just one pass.
Key games
In the Patriot League, Villanova will play all its conference opponents during the regular season, as opposed to the larger CAA where tiebreakers often helped determine automatic playoff qualifiers.
The biggest game on Villanova’s regular-season calendar is most likely its home game against Lehigh on Oct. 24 (3 p.m., ESPN+). The two programs have a long-running rivalry. Villanova leads the all-time series, which dates back to 1903, 14-5.
Until last year’s playoff game, Lehigh was 12-0 and was the Patriot League champion.
Former CAA opponent Richmond, which will visit Villanova on Nov. 7 (1 p.m., ESPN+), tied for third with William & Mary in the coaches preseason poll.
Mace returns
Villanova’s biggest win this offseason was retaining breakout running back and returner Ja’briel Mace. He entered the transfer portal but decided to return to Villanova. Mace was named the 2025 CAA Special Teams Player of the Year.
Mace broke Brian Westbrook’s single-game rushing record with 28 carries for 291 yards and four touchdowns against Towson on Nov. 8. He tallied three 100-yard-plus rushing games, and totaled 946 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 128 attempts for the season.
Mace was named to the Walter Payton Award 2026 preseason watchlist, the Patriot League’s preseason all-conference first-team and the 2027 East-West Shrine Bowl 1000, which highlights the top 1,000 NFL draft prospects ahead of the 2026 college football season.
Villanova’s head coach Mark Ferrante during practice, Tuesday in Radnor, August 25, 2026Steven M. Falk / For The Inquirer
New faces and key returners
The Wildcats were not very active in the transfer portal, with a majority of the new names on their roster coming from the high school recruiting class. Most of the new faces starting on both sides of the ball come from within the program.
Junior offensive lineman Chris McCullers, who started 14 games for Villanova last season, will fill one of the holes that opened with the departures of Stephane Voltaire, Temi Ajirotutu, and Jake Picard. Senior defensive lineman Capri Martin also withdrew his name from the transfer portal to stay at Villanova.
“Yeah, we’re excited to have Ja’briel [Mace] and Capri [Martin] back,” Ferrante said. “A couple guys did go into the portal briefly, but then they decided to stay after talking with their families and their coaches, and, obviously, our staff here. We’re excited to have those guys back. We have a good nucleus back on both sides of the ball.”
Fifth-year offensive lineman Quin Whalen, who will be a key part of the offense, started the last nine games last season at center.
Returning wide receivers will include sophomore Braden Reed, who had a breakout freshman year on special teams and at wide receiver during the postseason. Sophomore Brandon Binkowski could see more snaps. Junior Chris Colby will also have an elevated role.
Two starting Wildcat defensive backs, Zahmir Dawud (Rutgers) and Anthony Hawkins (Iowa), departed Villanova for FBS programs. Junior defensive backs Josh Oluremi and Newton Essiem are returning. Fifth-year Garret Rogan is set to return and will see playing time at safety. Junior Jayvont Williams is in contention for the starting safety spot.
“And the secondary, unfortunately, that’s kind of where we got to hit the hardest with the transfer portal,” Ferrante said. “So you’re going to see some new faces back there again. Last year, we had five new defensive backs from the year before, and everyone did not know how we would do defensively with five new faces, and we ended up doing pretty well.”
What has been the summer of floods, thunder, and smoke is fortuitously poised for a shower of good fortune upon the reconvened Philadelphia Cycling Classic this weekend.
“I would say it looks good Saturday and Sunday,” said Robert Oravec, a lead forecaster at the national Weather Prediction Center.
The odds strongly argue in favor of the 212 cyclists completing their miles — 120 for the men, 62 for the women — without encountering a drop of rain, a fitting way to end the classic’s 10-year hiatus.
What’s more, the winds should be light, forecasters say, on the order of 6 to 12 mph, from the north on Saturday, and southwest on Sunday.
For Saturday’s fan fest, which begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. near the Philadelphia Museum of Art, it should be sunny throughout, with temperatures in the low to mid-80s.
For race day, it will be a shade steamier than Saturday, but not heat-wave level, said Matt Benz, senior meteorologist with AccuWeather Inc.
Conditions are likely to be more comfortable in the morning during the women’s 62-mile race, which starts at 8:30. Temperaturereadings should be in the 70s, with heat indexes well below 90.
The predicted heat index creeps past 90 during the men’s race, and expect some serious shirt-soaking during the scalings of the iconic Manayunk Wall and by the time the 120-mile course is completed.
Benz said there is a way-outside chance of a shower near the end of the race, but the National Weather Service is listing the probability at under 10%.
Given that on average Philly receives measurable rain once every three days, dry weekends are not the norm around here, especially this summer.
Since June 1, officially Philadelphia has experienced only two weekends without measurable rain.
The rain cups have been overflowing throughout the region, and Philadelphia’s totals for the last two months have been 133% of normal, according to the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center.
While both Chester County and all of New Jersey remained under state drought “warnings,” conditions have improved markedly in Philly and the seven neighboring counties, according to Thursday’s interagency U.S. Drought Monitor update.
Parts of the region this week were classified as “abnormally dry,” the lowest drought designation on the monitor’s scale.
But portions of Bucks and Montgomery Counties were labeled as completely drought-free.
Showers are possible during the workweek as temperatures approach 90 and humidity increases, forecasters say.
But fortunately for the cyclists, the rain gauges should be empty Saturday and Sunday.
A 71-year-old South Jersey man was indicted Wednesday on a first-degree murder charge for allegedly strangling his 40-year-old daughter in June, the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office said.
Dennis J. Hall of Franklin Township faces a maximum of life in prison if he is convicted.
On June 11 around 6:15 a.m., Franklin Township police responded to a home on East Avenue after Hall allegedly called 911 to report that his daughter, Devin Hall, was not breathing and that he had strangled her, the prosecutor’s office said.
Dennis Hall was arrested at the scene. A public defender representing Hall could not be reached for comment.
Police attempted lifesaving measures on the 40-year-old woman, who was then transported to a hospital. She was removed from life support the next day and pronounced dead.
The Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland Regional Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy and determined that cause of death was asphyxiation, and the manner of death was homicide.
Devin Hall’s online obituary described her as “a special daughter who endured many challenges and struggles during her life on this earth. She was an inspiration to others, and she touched many with her beauty, gentle kindness, and innocent presence.”
The obituary said she had traveled to 32 states and loved music, especially Toby Keith. Besides many family members, Devin Hall left behind one dog and four cats, the obituary said.
Her mother, Jan Hall, told 6abc that she was born with multiple disabilities, used a wheelchair, and did not speak.
Jan Hall said Dennis Hall, her husband, awakened her and allegedly said he had strangled their daughter.
In June, the prosecutor’s office said that a witness, who was not identified, was awakened by Dennis Hall, who told the witness that he had strangled his daughter.
Women in sun hats and men in baseball caps lugged suitcases and scurried up a ramp to board a hulking Norwegian Cruise Line Jewel ship Thursday afternoon. Moments later, thunder cracked, rain drizzled, and lightning lit up the Delaware River.
The passengers on Norwegian’s inaugural voyage out of its new permanent terminal at PhilaPort likely could not get out of the Philly region soon enough. They were headed to sunny Bermuda.
The opening of the $66 million terminal in Tinicum Township, Delaware County, followed Norwegian Cruise Line’s return to the Philadelphia area earlier this year, making it the first cruise line to sail from the region in more than 15 years and marking the return of the industry to the region.
Dan Farkas, EVP & General Counsel with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, speaks on the opening of a new terminal for PhilaPort Cruise Terminal on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, in Philadelphia.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer
The seven-year partnership between PhilaPort and Norwegian will avail residents to journeys to various cruise destinations without having to travel to New York, Boston, or Miami, where Norwegian’s other East Coast ports are based.
The Jewel will make voyages to Bermuda until Sept. 26, and the Pearl will arrive in November, offering five-day to 14-day trips to Bermuda, the Caribbean, Bahamas, Canada, and New England through April 2028. In summer 2028, Norwegian will offer seven-day Bermuda and Atlantic Coast voyages aboard its Gem ship.
The return of the cruise industry to the area is anticipated to contribute around 2,200 new jobs and generate about $300 million in local economic activity annually, said Dan Farkas, executive vice president of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.
“It benefits all. It’s benefiting the local hotels, the restaurants, the transportation providers, as well as the many vendors that provision the ships,” Farkas said at Thursday’s new terminal unveiling, before marking the celebration by enjoying a tiny cheesesteak hors d’oeuvre.
The Norwegian Jewel Cruise ship at the new PhilaPort Cruise Terminal on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, in Philadelphia.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer
The cruise industry evacuated the Philly region about 15 years ago as the ships companies were running outgrew the Navy Yard port, said PhilaPort spokesperson Sean Mahoney. About four years ago, Norwegian approached the port about sailing out of the region again, Mahoney said, but a series of obstacles related to siting, land ownership, and permits cropped up.
“There were times when it did not seem possible,” Pearson said. “But the PhilaPort board and staff pushed against the naysayers and the frozen river and, with the help of our partners, we got this thing done.”
At Thursday’s celebration, Norwegian presented a $20,000 check to Tinicum Township’s fire department and a $30,000 check to the Boys and Girls Clubs to benefit three local branches. The donations were part of the company’s Sail and Sustain program, aimed to benefit the communities where it runs services.
As the final stragglers boarded the ship to Bermuda, they enjoyed a quintessentially Philly send-off — being serenaded by a Mummers band in an unpredictable and muggy rainstorm.
A judge has denied a Cheltenham resident’s injunction request over allegations that the township violated public bidding rules to build a multimillion-dollar public pool complex.
Sam Thacker filed for an injunction to halt the controversial project in July, alleging that the township had violated public bidding rules by taking 2.7 acres from a private developer for free and leasing the land back for $10 per year for that developer to build a pool complex for up to $4.5 million.
The pool would be part of a larger development of the former Melrose Country Club that includes townhouses, a medical center, and commercial space.
The written denial Judge James Bucci issued Wednesday did not include his reasoning, but Thacker said he recalled the judge saying in court that he rejected the injunction because Thacker did not have standing to sue.
“I’m extremely disappointed,” said Thacker, 41, who is representing himself in the case. “Taking off of work is really burdensome.”
He plans to appeal.
“I feel very strongly that going to trial, I will win,” Thacker said.
He had hoped an emergency injunction would stop the project before the township’s deadline to approve a final plan for the pool project at the end of this month under the terms of the ground lease.
“We are pleased with the court’s rulings … based on the plaintiff’s lack of standing and on a number of additional substantive grounds,” Cheltenham’s commissioners said in a statement Thursday. “We remain focused on securing a modern, accessible pool and pool house within a fiscally responsible budget.”
In court filings, Cheltenham has pointed to financial assessments for other township projects, such as renovations to Conklin Pool — which the Melrose pool is replacing — as evidence that the township has satisfied the exception to bidding requirements.
Christopher McCabe, a construction and public contracts lawyer who has been following the case but is not involved in the litigation, said he was surprised by the result.
“There’s a long line of cases saying the taxpayer has standing to challenge an irregularity in the bidding process,” McCabe said.
And although Melrose Pool LLC is building the public pool under the terms of the ground lease with the township, “the lease is nothing more than a contract for construction of a public work disguised as a lease,” the lawyer added.
“The whole transaction has the appearance of collusion, impropriety, and favoritism, which is what the public bidding laws are designed to prevent.”
Although some Cheltenham residents have said they are happy at the prospect of a new pool, the larger Melrose project has also drawn scrutiny.
A unanimous letter from the township’s planning commission dated July 27 expressed strong disapproval of changes to the project that eliminated a planned community center and some retail space, calling the alterations “a huge surprise.”
“We cannot emphasize enough how poor these modifications are,” the five members wrote. “The Planning Commission does not support this development in its current configuration.”
This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.
Sheri Herman, 71, formerly of Philadelphia, pioneering internet and cable TV executive, former senior vice president of content and business development for E! Entertainment Television, former president of internet startup American Cybercast, founder of SLH Communications, tech prophet, and dancer, died Thursday, Aug. 6, of heart failure at her home in Telogia, Fla., about 35 miles west of Tallahassee.
A magna cum laude communications graduate at Temple University, Ms. Herman went to New York after college to produce commercials for an ad agency. Over the next 27 years, she relocated to Denver and Los Angeles, successfully marketed, programmed, and developed dozens of TV networks and online companies, and pioneered the integration of TV and the emerging internet.
She was “mesmerized” by Apple cofounder Steve Jobs, her sister, Nadine, said, and predicted in the 1970s that one personal device would eventually take pictures, send messages, stream content, and still make phone calls. Jarl Mohn, former president and chief executive officer at E!, called Ms. Herman “a pioneer in incorporating new technologies and branding in entertainment.”
He said: “She also brought passion and conviction to everything she worked on.”
Ms. Herman founded her own firm, SLH Communications, in 1999. Courtesy of the family
Ms. Herman helped turn the startup Movietime channel into E! Entertainment Television in 1990 and told the Los Angeles Times: “We’re going to totally reposition the network. You won’t recognize us.” Over the next few years, E! grew its subscriber base from two million to 55 million, and Ms. Herman won industry awards for her marketing campaigns.
At American Cybercast, she championed The Spot, a groundbreaking interactiveonline reality show, in 1995, and told the Los Angeles Times in 1996: “We’re creating a new medium, but we’re kind of a cross between publishing and broadcasting in that we’re going to be advertising driven. If we were a movie studio, we’d be Miramax with a little more edge.”
Russell Collins, founder of American Cybercast, said: “Sheri Herman was nothing if not fearless. Her determination was boundless and fierce.”
Ms. Herman was especially effective at fundraising for projects and combining online content with ads and product placement. She trailblazed new internet publishing formats that included text, photos, and videos, and predicted the collision of TV and internet content. In 1996, she told Variety: “Eyeballs will move from TV to PC.”
Ms. Herman (left) oversaw the development of the Discovery Channel, the Fashion Channel, QVC, and other networks.Courtesy of the family
As director of programming for the United Cable Television Corp. in the mid-1980s, Ms. Herman collaborated with dozens of networks and oversaw the development of the Discovery Channel, the Fashion Channel, QVC, and other networks.
As senior vice president of programming and production for the Access Entertainment Network in the late 1990s, she reintroduced popular music videos and, according to Variety in 1998, gained six million subscribers in the network’s first three months of existence.
Shefounded her own firm, SLH Communications, in 1999 and contracted with TV Guide, Barnes & Noble, Hilton Hotels, musicians Quincy Jones and Jon Bon Jovi, and other entertainers and businesses. In New York, in the 1980s, she worked with cosmetics mogul Estée Lauder.
Temple officials noted her “influential career” in a tribute, and longtime friend and colleague Martin Lewis said: “She had a relentless thirst for charting new paths forward. She proselytized new media, new approaches, new everything.”
Ms. Herman (right) enjoyed time with her family.Courtesy of the family
In 2007, Ms. Herman reduced her daily responsibilities after being seriously injured in an auto accident in California. She moved to Florida in 2021.
Lewis said: “She was inventive, creative, exhilarating.”
Sheri Lynn Herman was born May 21, 1955, in Philadelphia. She grew up in Overbrook Park with her parents and older sister, and graduated from Philadelphia High School for Girls.
Her family featured several singers, and she spent many holidays singing songs and playing guitar around the piano at her grandparents’ home in Wynnefield. She loved music, studied ballet when she was young, and performed later with the Janosik Polish Dance Ensemble.
Ms. Herman was a magna cum laude communications graduate at Temple University.Courtesy of the family
Stylish and social, Ms. Herman enjoyed traveling and entertaining. She was a skilled seamstress who made her own clothes, an accomplished chef, and adept at interior decorating. She doted on her cats and dogs.
She married and divorced twice, and, after Philadelphia, lived in New York, Denver, and Los Angeles before Florida. Her sister said: “She was brilliant.”
In addition to her sister, Ms. Herman is survived by other relatives.
A celebration of her life is to be held later. Family, friends, and colleagues can connect at www.SheriHerman.com.
After months of speculation, Temple coach K.C. Keeler said on Thursday that transfer quarterbacks Ajani Sheppard and Jaxon Smolik could both play against Rhode Island in their season opener on Sept. 5.
“I could see us playing two. … I still don’t think anyone has really separated themselves,” said Keeler. “The nice thing is they both have a little bit different skill set, and [offensive coordinator] Tyler [Walker] did a phenomenal job running two quarterbacks at Montana State. I think we’re trying to let it all unfold and take as much time as possible, but I’m not going to force it.”
The competition between Smolik and Sheppard started when the two pledged their commitments to the Owls this past offseason. Smolik transferred from Penn State, and Sheppard came over from Washington State, where he had transferred to the previous offseason, but never saw the field there due to injury.
They have played in a combined nine college games and attempted a combined two passes in their careers.
Keeler still seems intent on naming a starter at some point in the season.Last season he didn’t name Evan Simon the starter until after the Owls’ Week 2 win over Howard.
“I’m not saying we’re going to play two all year,” said Keeler. “I don’t want to have a mindset where it’s only going to be one quarterback and backup. We’re not there yet, but we’re getting close to figuring it out. And we will probably have an idea of what that first play looks like [against Rhode Island].”
Peter Clarke, Dante Atton, Colin Chase, Eric Stuart, Grayson Mains, Saboor Karriem, and Sam Brown were nominated by their teammates and members of the program to wear single digits during the 2026 season. It’s the program’s highest honor.
“It’s so exciting, and it was so cool calling their names out and seeing how their teammates reacted,” said Keeler. “It’s so great having guys like that [the single digits] that take on all that responsibility, so it’s a really good group. We’re really pleased with the leadership they’ve given us, and I think they feel very honored because of how stringent the process was.”
Mains, Clarke, Brown, Karriem, and Stuart were first-time selectees, while Atton and Chase held their designations from last season.
