TicketsWEST HARRISON, Ind. – A year ago at this time, college athletics was awash with speculation about the possibility that the Big 12 Conference would expand.
The University of Cincinnati, along with Houston and BYU, were considered by most observers to be the top three candidates from which the Big 12 would choose two schools to grow from 10 members to 12.
In the end, the Big 12 presidents voted on Oct. 17 to maintain the status quo. There would be no expansion. And just like that, it was back to business as usual. The Bearcats would remain a member of the American Athletic Conference.
At the time, the Big 12's decision was a disappointing blow to UC fans who were hoping to see their school become a member of a Power 5 conference, although it should be noted that AAC commissioner Mike Aresco likes to call his league a Power 6 conference, every bit as much of a national player as any other league in the country.
When the Big 12 announced its decision, athletic director Mike Bohn and the rest of the members of the UC athletic department had no choice but to put their heads down and keep moving ahead so the next time the college landscape shifts, if in fact it does, the Bearcats will be ready.
Bohn, who attended UC's football practice Thursday at the Higher Ground Retreat Center, said he felt no need to deliver a pep talk to his employees after the Big 12 decided to stand pat.
"It was the opposite," he said. "They recognized that sometimes things are out of our control. But we're going to support these young men and women who represent us and our city and our community and our institution and everybody's going to keep working their tail off knowing that we want to be the class of the league and play at the highest level."
At the time of the Big 12's announcement, the UC football team was in the midst of a 4-8 season that would result in the resignation of head coach Tommy Tuberville. Bohn replaced him with Ohio State defensive coordinator Luke Fickell, who quickly infused a new sense of optimism around the program. The talk around town now isn't about conference expansion, but about the possibilities for the football program under Fickell.
"Luke Fickell brings an incredible level of passion," Bohn said. "He's an incredible teacher. He's a guy that really fits UC, our community and this region like a glove. It's been a real blessing to have him demonstrate the leadership skills that he's bringing to our program each and every day in all facets of the program."
According to Bohn, season ticket sales have increased by about 1,100 over last season.
"That's exciting," Bohn said. "But it's so much more than that. It's more about the overall consistency of the vision of the program and the integrity of the program and the way we operate. That's really what's so important. Instead of worrying about winning, we're conducting ourselves with a professionalism and a vision and Luke's running an enterprise that will produce (wins). What's most impressive is he's working to ensure that everybody understands that that's what it's about."
Fickell will put his team on display for the first time on Aug. 31 when the Bearcats take on Austin Peay at Nippert Stadium, which will sport a new state-of-the-art LED video board. At 31 feet high and 114 feet wide, it will provide nearly four times more video display area than the old scoreboard.
And just behind Nippert, 28-year-old Fifth Third Arena continues to undergo a massive $87-million renovation, which is scheduled to be completed in time for the start of the 2018-19 basketball season. The Bearcats have been ranked among the Top 15 this season in most pre-season rankings and will be seeking their eighth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament under head coach Mick Cronin.
Meanwhile, Bohn continues to tout the accomplishments of UC's overall athletic program.
"We've talked a lot about Luke," Bohn said, "and obviously what Mick did with 30 wins. I could go on and on. We're in the top 3 percent in the nation with our Academic Progress Rate for the entire program, all 19 sports. That's what our focus is. Our vision is to be the class of the league. We believe as we continue to do that, those other things are going to take care of themselves."
For now, UC is looking forward to Fickell's first season at UC. After nine months of putting his own mark on the program, he'll soon be able to show results on the field.
"We're really taking a long-term approach to it," Bohn said. "Luke is too. That's why we're excited to see where we are and how we can continue to grow the program and continue to improve."
Bill Koch covered UC athletics for 27 years – 15 at The Cincinnati Post and 12 at The Cincinnati Enquirer – before joining the staff of GoBearcats.com in January, 2015.
The University of Cincinnati, along with Houston and BYU, were considered by most observers to be the top three candidates from which the Big 12 would choose two schools to grow from 10 members to 12.
In the end, the Big 12 presidents voted on Oct. 17 to maintain the status quo. There would be no expansion. And just like that, it was back to business as usual. The Bearcats would remain a member of the American Athletic Conference.
At the time, the Big 12's decision was a disappointing blow to UC fans who were hoping to see their school become a member of a Power 5 conference, although it should be noted that AAC commissioner Mike Aresco likes to call his league a Power 6 conference, every bit as much of a national player as any other league in the country.
When the Big 12 announced its decision, athletic director Mike Bohn and the rest of the members of the UC athletic department had no choice but to put their heads down and keep moving ahead so the next time the college landscape shifts, if in fact it does, the Bearcats will be ready.
Bohn, who attended UC's football practice Thursday at the Higher Ground Retreat Center, said he felt no need to deliver a pep talk to his employees after the Big 12 decided to stand pat.
"It was the opposite," he said. "They recognized that sometimes things are out of our control. But we're going to support these young men and women who represent us and our city and our community and our institution and everybody's going to keep working their tail off knowing that we want to be the class of the league and play at the highest level."
At the time of the Big 12's announcement, the UC football team was in the midst of a 4-8 season that would result in the resignation of head coach Tommy Tuberville. Bohn replaced him with Ohio State defensive coordinator Luke Fickell, who quickly infused a new sense of optimism around the program. The talk around town now isn't about conference expansion, but about the possibilities for the football program under Fickell.
"Luke Fickell brings an incredible level of passion," Bohn said. "He's an incredible teacher. He's a guy that really fits UC, our community and this region like a glove. It's been a real blessing to have him demonstrate the leadership skills that he's bringing to our program each and every day in all facets of the program."
According to Bohn, season ticket sales have increased by about 1,100 over last season.
"That's exciting," Bohn said. "But it's so much more than that. It's more about the overall consistency of the vision of the program and the integrity of the program and the way we operate. That's really what's so important. Instead of worrying about winning, we're conducting ourselves with a professionalism and a vision and Luke's running an enterprise that will produce (wins). What's most impressive is he's working to ensure that everybody understands that that's what it's about."
Fickell will put his team on display for the first time on Aug. 31 when the Bearcats take on Austin Peay at Nippert Stadium, which will sport a new state-of-the-art LED video board. At 31 feet high and 114 feet wide, it will provide nearly four times more video display area than the old scoreboard.
And just behind Nippert, 28-year-old Fifth Third Arena continues to undergo a massive $87-million renovation, which is scheduled to be completed in time for the start of the 2018-19 basketball season. The Bearcats have been ranked among the Top 15 this season in most pre-season rankings and will be seeking their eighth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament under head coach Mick Cronin.
Meanwhile, Bohn continues to tout the accomplishments of UC's overall athletic program.
"We've talked a lot about Luke," Bohn said, "and obviously what Mick did with 30 wins. I could go on and on. We're in the top 3 percent in the nation with our Academic Progress Rate for the entire program, all 19 sports. That's what our focus is. Our vision is to be the class of the league. We believe as we continue to do that, those other things are going to take care of themselves."
For now, UC is looking forward to Fickell's first season at UC. After nine months of putting his own mark on the program, he'll soon be able to show results on the field.
"We're really taking a long-term approach to it," Bohn said. "Luke is too. That's why we're excited to see where we are and how we can continue to grow the program and continue to improve."
Bill Koch covered UC athletics for 27 years – 15 at The Cincinnati Post and 12 at The Cincinnati Enquirer – before joining the staff of GoBearcats.com in January, 2015.