Event Template Start Date
I just did some testing on mine - it works the same way. It appears that "templates" are actually created and saved just like an actual event. So you'll find the data in the civicrm_event table just like all your other events. It looks like it saves it with a start date that is the same as the date you inputted the template (because date is a required field, but you aren't given the option to input one). The only way I can find thus far to change this is to go into your database, find that template, and edit the date. I just manually changed one of my templates via PHPMyAdmin and sure enough when I go to use it, that date is now the one selected. So at least then you wouldn't need to scroll so far back?

I wonder if someone has an edit they've done to make the date field available when creating a template.