TicketsCINCINNATI – The 2025 James P. Kelly Athletics Hall of Fame Class brought together six Bearcats who defined excellence in their eras on Friday night at Fifth Third Arena. The class featured a game-changing quarterback and standout defensive backs, record-setting volleyball and basketball standouts and a coaching pioneer.
Tony Pike (football, 2004–09), Mike Mickens (football, 2005–08), Meridy Glenn (women’s soccer head coach, 1984–2007), KB Sharp (women’s basketball, 1999–2003), Jessie Nevitt (volleyball, 2005–08) and Tom Marvaso (football, 1973–75) returned to Clifton to join the prestigious UC Athletics Hall of Fame, fittingly during Homecoming Weekend.
“This Hall of Fame class represents the very best of Bearcats athletics,” Director of Athletics John Cunningham said. “Tony Pike and Mike Mickens changed the trajectory of our football program and showed the country that Cincinnati could compete at the highest level. Meridy Glenn built a legacy in women’s soccer that still resonates today, while KB Sharp and Jessie Nevitt are among the greatest to ever step on our basketball and volleyball courts. And Tom Marvaso remains one of the most dynamic players in UC football history. Together, this group embodies what it means to be a Bearcat for life — talented, driven and forever connected to this university.”
Hosted by “Voice of the Bearcats” Dan Hoard, the event recognized Hall of Famer, 1970s star receiver and longtime radio analyst Jim Kelly Jr., who passed away less than two weeks prior. The Hall of Fame is named after his father, James P. Kelly Sr., who starred in the late 1940s on the Bearcats football team and served as a coach and administrator until 1994, ushering in this very event along the way.
The Class will also be recognized during Cincinnati’s football game against Baylor at Historic Nippert Stadium on Saturday at 4 p.m.
Pike, who stays close to UC as a member of the gameday radio crew, quarterbacked Cincinnati through one of the most successful eras in program history, leading the Bearcats to consecutive BCS bowl appearances in 2008 and 2009. The First Team All-BIG EAST selection threw for 2,520 yards and 29 touchdowns in nine games during his senior season, finishing his career with 5,018 passing yards and 49 touchdowns. A team captain and NFL Draft pick, Pike helped establish the foundation for UC football’s national rise.
"To be here, kind of at the center of my life. This is what my life has been about ever since I can remember being a kid,” Pike said. “Coming to this arena and Nippert Stadium with my grandpa and family for football games. It’s the ultimate honor that I can receive, and it means so much to me.”
Sharp remains one of the most decorated players in UC women’s basketball history. The two-time All-Conference USA selection is the program’s all-time assists leader (623) and played more minutes than any Bearcat in school history (4,339). She also ranks ninth in steals and 21st in scoring with 1,164 career points. After her college career, she played six seasons in the WNBA and continued her professional career overseas in France.
“I was definitely emotional, and I'm not normally an emotional person,” Sharp said. “For some reason, this award brought tears to my eyes. It was a very proud moment for me. It is probably the only award that I am really proud of to where I'm like, ok this is a big moment for me. I think it’s because my dream was to play basketball. I wanted to play in college, and I got that chance. From college I went to the pros, but definitely thanks to my time at UC. Even right now I’m emotional about it. It is just an amazing moment.”
Mickens helped elevate Bearcats football to national prominence during his time at UC from 2005 to 2008. The First Team FWAA All-American and four-time All-BIG EAST selection set the school record with 14 career interceptions and anchored a defense that led Cincinnati to its first-ever BIG EAST Championship and a trip to the 2009 Orange Bowl. Mickens later returned to UC as an assistant coach and currently serves on the staff at Notre Dame.
“I was in Orlando, enjoying some vacation and he [John Cunningham] gave me a call. I was humbled as well as honored,” Mickens said. “It’s a special moment when you are able to get that call to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.”
Glenn, the longtime women’s soccer head coach, built one of the most consistent and successful programs in the country during her 23-year tenure at Cincinnati. Glenn retired with 255 career wins, among the most in NCAA women’s soccer history, and guided the Bearcats to six NCAA Tournament appearances, including a 2001 Sweet 16 run. She was the 2001 Conference USA Coach of the Year and became the first female Division I head coach to reach 200 career wins.
Marvaso, a standout defensive back and return specialist from 1973 to 1975, joins the Hall of Fame as one of the most dynamic players in program history. A UC Ring of Honor inductee and Sporting News First Team All-American in 1975, Marvaso ranks among the program’s top five in career punt return yards and was named team MVP in 1974. He went on to play in the East-West Shrine Game and Senior Bowl before being drafted into the NFL.
A three-time AVCA Honorable Mention All-American, Nevitt helped UC volleyball reach new heights from 2005 to 2008. The four-time First Team All-BIG EAST honoree and 2005 BIG EAST Rookie of the Year led the Bearcats to their first BIG EAST regular-season title and four NCAA Tournament appearances. Nevitt finished her career ranked among the top 10 in eight statistical categories.
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 400 student-athletes. The Bearcats have a proud athletics history, winning eight national championships and 118 conference titles, and entered a new era as a member of the Big 12 in 2023.
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.
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