Cincinnati Bearcats athletics exceeds $100 million 'Day One Ready' funding goal early
In November 2021, a $100 million fundraising initiative for University of Cincinnati Athletics was announced with the purpose of getting the Bearcats ready to compete at the Power Five level in the Big 12.
On July 1, UC officially joined the Big 12 and on Tuesday, the school announced its "Day One Ready" campaign had exceeded its goals nine months early.
“We set an ambitious goal to compete for championships on the first day we entered the Big 12, and we can’t thank our Bearcats community enough for what has been an outpouring of support,” said Director of Athletics John Cunningham.
Seventeen gifts to the campaign were $1 million or more and over 11,000 donors contributed. Six donors contributed to the “Raise the Bar” initiative to invest in recruiting and retaining top coaching staff.
“The community and fans have come together to help our Bearcats teams compete at the highest level of college athletics,” Cunningham said. “We’re excited for this next chapter, and can’t wait to continue to support our student-athletes to ensure they have success on and off the field.”
Where Day One Ready funds were spent
A new indoor practice and performance facility: UC broke ground this spring on the campaign’s flagship project. The new indoor practice facility and performance center will feature a 120-yard field, nutrition station, weight room and sports medicine office. It will be the permanent, all-weather home for UC football to train year-round, and a versatile practice facility for other sports. Lead donors were Larry and Rhonda Sheakley, Total Quality Logistics, John and Cathy Burns, Mike and Susie Leonard, Kirk and Jacki Perry, Shane Dever, Mike Dever, Dick and Cornie Thornburgh and Kerry and Missy Byrne. Fundraising continues but approximately 70% of the goal has been met.
Men's and women's basketball team facilities: Upgrades to the men’s and women’s basketball team facilities include new locker rooms in Fifth Third Arena which will be completed before the beginning of the season. The locker room enhancement is 100% funded. Lead donors were Dave and Wendy Herche and Ed and Nina Paul.
Gameday facility enhancements: This includes scoreboard upgrades for baseball, soccer and tennis plus Nippert Stadium ribbon boards and a new sound system. Other facilities upgrades include track and field enhancements and a new year-round indoor golf facility.
UC football team room and locker room renovations: This project was fully-funded as the Day One campaign announcement.
Varsity Club renovation: The Varsity Club dining hall serves 450-plus student-athletes and is fully-funded.
Student-athlete mental health and wellness: An endowment and additional support have been established to provide funding for student-athletes to access dedicated mental health and wellness services. A growing team, led by Lenecia Nickell, Director of Sport Psychology and Wellness, is in place. Lead donors to student-wellness initiatives include Travis Kelce, Kimbler Family Trust, and the Jerow Family.
Student-athlete nutrition: A new Director of Performance Nutrition, Dillon Frees, has joined the team and additional registered dieticians have been hired.
Bearcat Career Development Academy: UC launched the Student-Athlete Career Development and Leadership Academy, which will prepare every Bearcat for professional life after college.
Endowed scholarships: More than 2,000 donors gave over $11 million to scholarship funds through the Day One Ready Campaign.
Bearcat Air Fund: Gifts here help the UC coaching staff visit and recruit the nation's top talent.
Next Level Success Fund
'Let's Reign!' is next
Not coincidentally, UC"s NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) collective is Cincy Reigns. Cunningham likes the reference to royalty being in the Queen City. Current recruits are often photographed on a throne on their visits so the follow-up campaign is "Let's Reign!".
"Let's be the best athletic department in the Big 12 and let's reign!'" Cunningham said. "We use a lot of imagery of royalty around here. Let's start to take those steps to win in the Big 12."
Cunningham emphasizes the importance of NIL funding in being competitive in the new league.
"We've got to support our coaches and give them the tools they need to compete in the recruiting and retention space," Cunningham said. "'Cincy Reigns' is able to put our students in different positions to be these ambassadors and go out in the community in exchange for Name, Image and Likeness opportunity."
The upcoming basketball MTE (Multi-Team Event) tournament is not part of UC's season-ticket package
In past years, UC has played in MTEs in Maui, the Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City and the Paradise Jam in the Virgin Islands. As some other programs have done this year, UCelected to hold their MTE at home.
Inspiration came from last year's NIT
UC was able to only host one home NIT game last March 15. The 9 p.m. tip featured a lower bowl set-up with lower prices.
"We walked in there and it wasn't the biggest crowd of the year, but I thought it was the loudest crowd of the year," Cunningham said. "It was nice to see fans that don't always get to sit in the lower bowl have an opportunity to sit in the lower bowl. These are additional games. We would usually be on the road playing in a tournament."
Presale for season ticket holders for the MTE will be Tuesday, Oct. 3 with general public sales starting Thursday, Oct. 5. Courtside seats will be $42.50, Champions Club $35, lower bowl $17.50, upper bowl $10 and parking will be $10.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bearcats Big 12 funding goal met early
