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CINCINNATI, Ohio--The University of Cincinnati will increase the recognition of the accomplishments of its former football student-athletes this Fall by establishing a Ring of Honor in Nippert Stadium. This area will debut this Saturday when the 91 year-old stadium hosts the 119th season opener for the Bearcats football team.
Similar recognition plans are also being developed for similar areas of honor to be created for each of the University's 18-sports. Each home athletics venue at UC will display the names of student-athletes in that respective sport. Each honoree will have distinguished themselves beyond the level of the peers and/or brought honor to the university, according to sport-specific criteria.
In team sports, the display will encompass recognizing the jersey number of the student-athlete, though it would not preclude future student-athletes in that sport from wearing that number.
"UC has such a rich and proud history and tradition in its sports program, and this is a way to remind our fans of that history by providing this increased recognition," stated UC Director of Athletics Mike Thomas. "Everything we do revolves around the welfare of the student-athlete and it is important that we pay tribute to the alumni who have paved the way for the traditions and success we enjoy today."
Head Football Coach Mark Dantonio feels that recognition of these former Bearcat football greats is essential to building a complete program.
"The men who are enshrined in our Ring of Honor are the foundation of Bearcat Football. It's critical that we recognize their contribution every time we take the field."
In the coming weeks displays will also be erected in the North End of Nippert Stadium to recognize UC's eight (8) postseason bowl appearances:
1947 Sun Bowl
1949 Glass Bowl
1951 Sun Bowl
1997 Humanitarian Bowl
2000 Motor City Bowl
2001 Motor City Bowl
2002 New Orleans Bowl
2004 Fort Worth Bowl
The charter class of inductees into the Nippert Stadium Football Ring of Honor includes the following former Bearcats gridders:
· Greg Cook, a second-team All-American in 1968 who rewrote UC's passing and total offense records during his career (1966-68).
· Gino Guidugli, who broke all of the single season and career passing and total offense records while leading UC to three bowl games (2001-04).
· Tom Marvaso, a first team All-American selection in 1975 and three-year starting safety (1973-75).
· Danny McCoin, an honorable mention All-American in 1986 who broke the UC career passing and total offense records by the conclusion of his career (1984-87).
· Jim O'Brien, who earned honorable mention All-American honors as a kicker and wide receiver in 1968 and 1969 and led the nation in scoring in 1968 (1967-69).
· Jonathan Ruffin, a consensus All-American and the Lou Groza Award recipient as college football's top kicker in 2000 (1999-02).
· Mike Woods, a consensus first team All-American in 1977 (1975-77).
They join the five Bearcats who have had their numbers permanently retired:
· Dick Goist, a two-time honorable mention All-American halfback (1951-54).
· Gene Rossi, a two-time honorable mention All-American quarterback (1950-52).
· Bill Shalosky, an honorable mention guard in 1952 (1950-52).
· Tom O'Malley, who led the nation in passing yards in 1949 (1947-49).
· Reggie Taylor, a three-time honorable mention All-American and UC's all-time career rushing leader (1983-86).
The names and numbers of these former UC standouts will be displayed on the facade of the Herschede-Schank Pavilion on the East Side of Nippert Stadium.