This week kicked off more then just the start of the 2006 University of Cincinnati football season. It also started what’s become a
long-running tradition dating back into the 1940’s of Bearcat enthusiasts coming
together and talking Bearcats athletics.
As one of the nation’s longest running traditions, these “Bearcat
Faithful” have seen and talked about the Cincinnati Bearcats since former
Bearcats head football coach Sid Gillman decided there should be a meeting held
with those who were interested in the happenings of the many universities sports
teams.
Longtime Bearcat family member Jim Kelly Sr. spoke about
the humble beginnings.
“The boosters club started way back in the late 40’s when
Sid Gillman started it. Back then
we watched some short films of the previous game to see who played and who did
what. We also would have a high
school coach come to these meetings at the time. We can’t do that now because of the
rules and we understand that, but back then it was something we did each
week.
BCI NOTE: Many things have changed with the group since
it started. For one the NCAA has
cutback what many of these (booster) groups can do, but those who were at the
very first meetings are still true to the beliefs of promoting the University of
Cincinnati they have a deepen love for and it’s many athletic
teams.
The luncheon became a staple of those with heavy interest in Bearcat
sports. Mr. Kelly
continued.
“Back then I was coaching and Glenn Sample was working here and we had
this university van. We had a
starting point on campus and we’d drive people downtown to the local hotel we
held the luncheon’s at. This gave
people a chance to see each other and enjoy lunch. We’ve moved around over the years and
are now in this building, but the luncheons have never changed.”
Former Bearcats football player and current member of the Universities
development team, Jason Collins-Baker invited Bearcat Insider to this special
luncheon on Monday. Jason has one
goal for the group and that’s to help the foundation of members stay together
and continue the long-running tradition and purpose of those who started the
group so many years before.
During Monday’s luncheon, Bearcats head coach Mark Dantonio spoke to the
group of over 50 Bearcat faithful about the upcoming season. He also took questions from the group
about this week’s game and players on this year’s team. Throughout the next several months this
group will meet and have speaking all coaches from the football program, along
with coaches from the other varsity sports at UC.
I can tell you from my visit it’s well worth the time and cost if you
have a true love for everything Bearcats.
The Bearcat Faithful have a simple mission statement and I want to share
it with you.
Who are we and what do we do?
We are an informal group of Bearcat enthusiasts, meeting at a weekly
Monday luncheon, where the entire program is University of Cincinnati sports.
Bearcat coaches, athletic department officials and members of the media
are the weekly speakers. Hear all
the inside scoop on last week’s results, upcoming games, and info on all the UC
athletes.
Everyone is welcome. If you
are not a Bearcat booster we will try to convert you!
The statement is simple but strong for the many that have spent their
lives supporting Bearcats athletics over the many years. The group meets at the Syrian Shrine in
the Shriners
Banquet Center. The address is 217 William Howard Taft
Road not far from campus.
You have a choice to eat the buffet lunch that starts at 11:30 a.m. (Cost
$12.00 lunch, beverage, hall rental, tip) or just enjoy getting with Bearcat
fans and hearing coaches talk about their teams (Cost $3.00 hall rental). For more information please contact the
following.
Dan Dell
513-861-3840 – home
513-732-5205 – work
Lee McHenry
513-922-0700 - home