Becoming a Bearcat

[DBrentonBuck]

I am originally from GA, but living in Dayton. I am 35. I am a big Georgia Tech fan and an even bigger Georgia Bulldog fan. I have been in Ohio a while now. I have become an Ohio State fan over the last few years. I wanted a Big 10 team to root for on Saturdays since I already have a SEC team and an ACC team. I wouldn't say I am a die hard fan, but I root for the Buckeyes unless they would happen to play GT or GA. The thing is, in Atlanta you could easily spend a day by hopping on the MARTA, riding down town, going to the Varsity and getting a hamburger, chilli dog, onion rings and several napkins for the grease, then heading over and catching the GT game. I wanted to have that kind of experience here, along with my girlfriend. I thought about trying to be a UD fan, but I just can't get behind a team that is not division 1A. I tried to become an OSU fan, but tickets are more than NFL tickets and they are never on sale.

I remember the whole deal when UC beat Rutgers and ended their Cinderella season and I liked that. I thought to myself, here is a team that is up and coming. In my mind though, I still think of UC as a basketball school. I want to have a local team to root for. So this year my girlfriend and I purchased two of the Big East Beast mini packs. I have always been impressed with WV after seeing GA and GT play them. Their offense is creative and fun to watch. I have been more keen on Louisville in the last year or two, and especially since finding out their coach was going to become the Falcons (my favorite NFL team) coach. So I thought I have nothing to lose by doing that. I enjoy rooting for an underdog, so I think I will like UC in the end.

What I want to know is what should someone attending their first UC game expect? How early should we arrive? What should we expect in terms of parking? Coming from Dayton, where is the best place to park if you don't have a season ticket parking pass? Is the food good around the stadium, or should we eat off campus? What is their to do? Are their any UC traditions we should know about? Who are our biggest rivals? What kind of offense are we running? I know we have a solid deffense.. especially in the secondary.

Anyway, any help or advice would be appreciated. I have read all the stuff on the official site, but I wanted to talk to real fans.

[jon b]

What I want to know is what should someone attending their first UC game expect?

Well, this is not going to be like attending a GT or UGa game. The fan base is not nearly as big or rabid, but we are hoping! Nippert is a great place to watch a game so expect that. You are in the middle of a campus that has undergone quite the transformation and it is a good football feeling.

How early should we arrive? What should we expect in terms of parking? Coming from Dayton, where is the best place to park if you don't have a season ticket parking pass?

Depends on your plans. There are lots around campus where you can tailgate. There is a lot on the corner of Vine and Daniels where you can park for $8 and walk to the stadium in 5 minutes. There are also garages on campus where you can park, I think for $10, but you cannot tailgate there. I believe that UC typically has pre-game festivities around the stadium. You can check on the main site (gobearcats.com) to see what they do. The band plays about 1 hour before games if you are into that. If you want to just come and go sit in your seat, you can get there 30 minutes early and probably have no problems. 25k is a lot different than 80k in terms of getting around!


Is the food good around the stadium, or should we eat off campus?

Well, I tailgate, so I don't eat at the stadium much. I would say Nippert has mostly old school fare. They have hot dogs, pretzels, etc. Pizza, Italian sausage sandwich, funnel cakes, beer!!!! etc. From the teams you named I am guessing you are not used to buying beer in a college stadium. There are a number of restaurants off campus and I would recommend Martino's, Uncle Woodys or The Holy Grail. All are very different but big supporters of UC sports.

What is their to do? Are their any UC traditions we should know about?

Well, we do no have a lot of tradition and maybe others can chime in here. The band enters the stadium by running down the steps. After the game is over you can go down and run on the field (I always love watching the kids do this). When we beat Miami you can go on the field and ring the Victory Bell. This year when we beat Louisville maybe we can go touch the "Keg of Nails". After a score the ROTC shoots off a cannon, and after the game the team goes to the student section to thank them (even when there are only a few hundred there!) and signs the school alma mater. I wish there was a lot more. Oh, this year they are asking to wear black and be proud (or something). Of course 90% of what I own is red and I am not yet buying a new wardrobe. Maybe if they beat Oregon St I will celebrate by buying a black jersey.


Who are our biggest rivals?

I guess I will re-mention UL and Miami. UL is probably the most important rival since they are in our conference and we have been in conferences with them off and on for decades. UC and Miami is the oldest rivalry in college football west of the Alleghenies. Miami is in the MAC though and UC should be progressing such that we start beating them 9 of 10.

What kind of offense are we running? I know we have a solid defense.. especially in the secondary.

The offense is a spread attack. Very entertaining to watch. Almost too adventurous at times! At the end of the 1st half Thursday night we were throwing from our own 35 with 6 seconds to go! It seems taking a knee is not an option here. There were a few traditional sets but mostly 4 and sometimes 5 wideouts.

Please feel free to ask additional questions!

[jplog]

All you need to know is you can buy a beer, sit down and watch exciting styled football.

[BearcatDrew]

If the UofL game is your first, then you picked a good game, that is sure to sell out. Your first game should be awsome and intense, thats what you should expect!

[B Saho]

ya cincinnati will sellout for Louisville! battle for the KEG OF NAILS! you will be there wit 35,000 plus! i am a diehard fan and have had season tickets since 2002. if u got any questions jus ask me.

[capcbk]

Spending some time on the Sheakley Lawn prior to gametime is well worth it. It is a pep rally atmosphere with the band, cheerleaders and danceteam. It is the green space between the football and baseball stadiums. Also, a 15-20 minute visit to the Lindner Center is worth the time, immediately adjacent to the Sheakley Lawn. It's the headquaters for UC Sports. Don't miss the 4 story trophy case. Also, don't miss the Big O statue!

Also, often at the games with Miami and Louisville, both bands plan at the pregame, which adds a lot to the pregame music if you are into that!

I think a previous replier suggested visiting GoBearcats.com as they have a link to Varsity Village with a vitual tour. It's worth a few minutes, especially prior to a first visit.

Welcome to the club!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!