TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati athletics department mourns the passing of Bernie Meese, a 40-year staff member who remained an active supporter in his retirement. He was 86.
Meese, an alum and member of Pi Kappa Alpha as well, began his UC career in the ticket office before becoming the department's business manager. He later returned to tickets before working with UCATS in its early years. Meese was also honored with the Strubbe Distinguished Service award at the 2007 Legion of Excellence ceremony.
Bill Mulvihill, who helped start UCATS in 1979 and worked there for 28 years, said he first met Meese in the late 1960s when he was a student rep on the Board of Trustees athletics committee and Meese a full-time staff member.
"Bernie was the supreme customer service person who would do anything to help anyone wanting to help UC advance," Mulvihill said. "He took on roles and responsibilities most wouldn't want. He was on the front line of dealing with donors and navigating the challenging opportunities of seat upgrades and working with new donors. He recognized everyone is an individual important to the program and did it on a personal level. He was the ultimate Bearcat in doing what he could to elevate UC to a special place."
Meese was a season-ticket holder for football and men's basketball in his retirement, as well as traveling with family to Texas for the 2021 CFP Semifinal. He is survived by his wife, Beverly, as well as his children, Rick and Sharon, daughter-in-law Angie, and two grandchildren, Lauren and Jacob.
The Bernie Meese Endowed Scholarship fund is also underway. Donations can be sent to the UC Foundation, PO Box 19970, Cincinnati, OH, 45219 or made here.
Any arrangements can be sent to the Ronald B. Jones Funeral Home in Ludlow, Ky. The service takes place Monday, July 10 at the Florence Baptist Church (Mt. Zion Road in Florence, Ky.) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., which includes the service and visitation, with the celebration-of-life lunch to follow at the Gardens of Park Hills.
Meese, an alum and member of Pi Kappa Alpha as well, began his UC career in the ticket office before becoming the department's business manager. He later returned to tickets before working with UCATS in its early years. Meese was also honored with the Strubbe Distinguished Service award at the 2007 Legion of Excellence ceremony.
Bill Mulvihill, who helped start UCATS in 1979 and worked there for 28 years, said he first met Meese in the late 1960s when he was a student rep on the Board of Trustees athletics committee and Meese a full-time staff member.
"Bernie was the supreme customer service person who would do anything to help anyone wanting to help UC advance," Mulvihill said. "He took on roles and responsibilities most wouldn't want. He was on the front line of dealing with donors and navigating the challenging opportunities of seat upgrades and working with new donors. He recognized everyone is an individual important to the program and did it on a personal level. He was the ultimate Bearcat in doing what he could to elevate UC to a special place."
Meese was a season-ticket holder for football and men's basketball in his retirement, as well as traveling with family to Texas for the 2021 CFP Semifinal. He is survived by his wife, Beverly, as well as his children, Rick and Sharon, daughter-in-law Angie, and two grandchildren, Lauren and Jacob.
The Bernie Meese Endowed Scholarship fund is also underway. Donations can be sent to the UC Foundation, PO Box 19970, Cincinnati, OH, 45219 or made here.
Any arrangements can be sent to the Ronald B. Jones Funeral Home in Ludlow, Ky. The service takes place Monday, July 10 at the Florence Baptist Church (Mt. Zion Road in Florence, Ky.) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., which includes the service and visitation, with the celebration-of-life lunch to follow at the Gardens of Park Hills.