TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati received an 11th-straight "A" grade for hiring female coaches based on the latest report card from the Tucker Center and WeCOACH.
The annual study, now in its 11th year, is presented by the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota — the first research center of its kind in the world — and WeCOACH, the premier organization dedicated to the recruitment, advancement and retention of women coaches of all sports at all levels.
Cincinnati is the only school to earn an "A" in all 11 years of the study. Seven of the Bearcats women's teams were coached by women in 2022-23, with the 77.8% mark ranking first among schools in Select 7 conferences.
"I am incredibly proud of the innovation and investment by our university and department in providing the resources and support to attract and retain talented women head coaches that connect and care for our women student-athletes," said Maggie McKinley, Deputy Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator. " I look forward to collaborating with our Big 12 peers to nationally increase the number of institutions receiving an A grade annually."
Since the report was made, UC hired Erica Demers (women's soccer), Katrina Merriweather (women's basketball) and Aimee Ponte (women's golf), joining Molly Alvey (volleyball), Mandy Commons-DiSalle (men's and women's swimming and diving), Susan Seaton (men's and women's country country and track & field) and Gina Thomas (women's lacrosse).
The percentage of women head coaches of NCAA D-I women's teams in seven select conferences is up again for the ninth year in a row. The percentage of women head coaches increased by the largest margin (2.3%) in the history of the Report Card, and 2022 marked the second greatest increase (1.2%).
Every year, the Tucker Center and WeCOACH release the report card and assigns grades to institutions based on the percentage of women's head coaches of women's teams in seven leagues, the American Athletic Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference, Big East Conference, Big Ten Conference, Big 12 Conference, Pac-12 Conference and the Southeastern Conference.
About Cincinnati Athletics
The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics competes at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics with the vision to reach Next Level Success for all 18 varsity teams and more than 450 student-athletes. The Bearcats have a proud athletics history, winning eight national championships and 118 conference titles. The Cincinnati men's basketball team is among the 15 winningest programs all-time, while the football team became the first non-Power Five program to compete in the College Football Playoff in 2021. Olympic gold medalist volleyball player Jordan Thompson, NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson and Major League Baseball legend Sandy Koufax are among the several luminaries who have competed as Bearcats.
In July 2023, the Bearcats entered a new era as a Power Five School when they officially joined the Big 12 Conference, positioning Cincinnati among the nation's premier athletics programs.
Off the field, UC student-athletes continue to find success, as well, collectively posting a 3.4 GPA in the spring of 2023 with 78 percent earning spots on the Honor Roll.
Under the leadership of Director of Athletics John Cunningham, and supported by more than 150 full-time staff members, UC Athletics' mission is to connect our community, enhance our university and impact the lives of student-athletes as they prepare to change the world on and off the field.
For more information visit gobearcats.com.
The annual study, now in its 11th year, is presented by the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota — the first research center of its kind in the world — and WeCOACH, the premier organization dedicated to the recruitment, advancement and retention of women coaches of all sports at all levels.
Cincinnati is the only school to earn an "A" in all 11 years of the study. Seven of the Bearcats women's teams were coached by women in 2022-23, with the 77.8% mark ranking first among schools in Select 7 conferences.
"I am incredibly proud of the innovation and investment by our university and department in providing the resources and support to attract and retain talented women head coaches that connect and care for our women student-athletes," said Maggie McKinley, Deputy Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator. " I look forward to collaborating with our Big 12 peers to nationally increase the number of institutions receiving an A grade annually."
Since the report was made, UC hired Erica Demers (women's soccer), Katrina Merriweather (women's basketball) and Aimee Ponte (women's golf), joining Molly Alvey (volleyball), Mandy Commons-DiSalle (men's and women's swimming and diving), Susan Seaton (men's and women's country country and track & field) and Gina Thomas (women's lacrosse).
The percentage of women head coaches of NCAA D-I women's teams in seven select conferences is up again for the ninth year in a row. The percentage of women head coaches increased by the largest margin (2.3%) in the history of the Report Card, and 2022 marked the second greatest increase (1.2%).
Every year, the Tucker Center and WeCOACH release the report card and assigns grades to institutions based on the percentage of women's head coaches of women's teams in seven leagues, the American Athletic Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference, Big East Conference, Big Ten Conference, Big 12 Conference, Pac-12 Conference and the Southeastern Conference.
About Cincinnati Athletics
The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics competes at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics with the vision to reach Next Level Success for all 18 varsity teams and more than 450 student-athletes. The Bearcats have a proud athletics history, winning eight national championships and 118 conference titles. The Cincinnati men's basketball team is among the 15 winningest programs all-time, while the football team became the first non-Power Five program to compete in the College Football Playoff in 2021. Olympic gold medalist volleyball player Jordan Thompson, NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson and Major League Baseball legend Sandy Koufax are among the several luminaries who have competed as Bearcats.
In July 2023, the Bearcats entered a new era as a Power Five School when they officially joined the Big 12 Conference, positioning Cincinnati among the nation's premier athletics programs.
Off the field, UC student-athletes continue to find success, as well, collectively posting a 3.4 GPA in the spring of 2023 with 78 percent earning spots on the Honor Roll.
Under the leadership of Director of Athletics John Cunningham, and supported by more than 150 full-time staff members, UC Athletics' mission is to connect our community, enhance our university and impact the lives of student-athletes as they prepare to change the world on and off the field.
For more information visit gobearcats.com.