TicketsMarch 20, 2007
CINCINNATI, Ohio - The nation's most fan friendly spring football extravaganza, BEARCAT BOWL, is set for Saturday, April 21 under the lights at Nippert Stadium. The game will kickoff at 7 p.m. and will be the highlight event of the UC Football Alumni Weekend and a great day of Bearcat Sports on campus.
The weekend action begins on Friday at Gettler Stadium with the Bearcat Track and Field teams in action in the All-Ohio Championships. Competition begins at 11 a.m. on both Friday and Saturday and will feature teams from around the state.
UC Baseball will also take the diamond at Marge Schott Stadium against BIG EAST rival Connecticut. Friday's series opener will begin at 6:30 p.m., with Saturday's game starting at 3 p.m. and Sunday's series finale with a 1 p.m. first pitch.
The annual UC Football Youth Clinic will take place on the Nippert Stadium field beginning at 3:30 p.m. and is open to all kids, eighth grade and under.
CATTITUDE on Sheakley Lawn will commence at 5:30 p.m. with a cookout and interactive activities for young and old.
The BEARCAT BOWL itself will be a regular, 60-minute football game, featuring four, 15-minute quarters and regular NCAA scoring. In the weeks leading up to the game, two equally manned squads will be chosen by the coaching staff. These rosters will be revealed at the exclusive BEARCAT BOWL DRAFT PARTY, to be held in the Lindner Center Atrium on Saturday, April 14 from Noon-2 p.m. This event will be open to 2007 Football Season Ticket Holders Only and will provide the opportunity to mingle with the coaches and students from the UC Football program.
"The game of football is all about having fun and with BEARCAT BOWL we want to make sure that fans know that when they come to Nippert Stadium they are going to be entertained from the moment they arrive" says Director of Athletics Mike Thomas. "Coach Kelly's style is non-stop action and I believe that this format will soon become a must-attend event in Cincinnati."
A series of interactive contests will also be held on GoBEARCATS.com beginning Monday, April 2 where fans can register to have an active role in the BEARCAT BOWL game. Opportunities range from the chance to be a guest coach, to serving as guest PA Announcer, or ball kid. More information on these roles will be announced in the weeks ahead.
Fans in attendance at the game will have the chance to call plays at select times by using special two-sided cards which will be handed out upon entry to Nippert Stadium. The CATSVISION screens will prompt fans to call for either a RUN play or a PASS play with their cards. The coaches will take the direction from the fans and will run the appropriate play based on the majority of cards showing a choice.
Wannabe coaches will also have a chance to submit their own plays to the coaching staff via e-mail. A total of four (4) FAN PLAYS will be selected with the lucky designers being invited to watch the game from the UCATS Club Level of the Nippert Stadium Press Box. These fans will also be given an autographed football and will be interviewed on the GoBEARCATS.com live web cast of the event.
Head Coach Brian Kelly is excited about some of the ideas that may come from the fan contest.
"Our playbook is pretty diverse, is creative, and will keep the fans on the edges of their seats. But you never know, Cincinnati is a great football town and we just may find a great new play from the submissions to this contest. One thing is for sure, it will be fun to watch."
More fan-friendly interactive plans are being finalized, along with a roster of celebrity guest captains for the game.
Football's annual Alumni Weekend coincides with the BEARCAT BOWL. Former Football letter winners have an opportunity to reunited at Pebble Creek Golf Course on Friday, April 20. A shotgun start is set for 12:15 p.m. and a special 25-year reunion for the 1982 Bearcats' team will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Pebble Creek Golf Course's clubhouse. On Saturday, Jim Kelly's Captains' Breakfast is set for 10 a.m. in the Faculty Club located on the eighth floor of the Lindner Center.
Featured lettermen for the 2007 Lettermen's Weekend include Jack Lee and Brad Jackson. Inducted into UC Hall of Fame in 1985, Jack Lee was a two-time All-Missouri Valley Conference quarterback for the Bearcats. He capped a stellar collegiate career by earning the MVP honors at the 1960 Senior Bowl. Drafted in first round by Houston Oilers in 1960 he spent 10 years playing professionally and was a member of three AFL champion teams.
A three-time All-Conference USA choice, Jackson received the Claude Rost Award as UC's MVP in 1997. A standout linebacker at UC, he was drafted in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. A five-year veteran of the NFL, Jackson helped the Baltimore Ravens win the 2001 Super Bowl.
If you have not already ordered your 2007 UC Football Season Tickets you may do so by calling 1-877-CATS-TIX or you may log on to UC Athletics" all-new, ticketing and customer service web site at www.CATSTIX.com.
Fans who order tickets before April 20 will be invited to an exclusive event to be held immediately following BEARCAT BOWL, featuring new head football coach Brian Kelly.
Stay logged on to www.GoBEARCATS.com for more information regarding BEARCAT BOWL and this very special weekend for UC Athletics.