TicketsCINCINNATI – Tony Pike, a former Cincinnati football standout and 2025 James P. Kelly Hall of Fame inductee, was announced Wednesday as Cincinnati Athletics’ Football Alumni Engagement Coordinator.
The role is part of Director of Athletics John Cunningham’s commitment to support former student-athletes and their connections to the university. The AD Advisory Council, a faction of the C-Club, began in Fall 2024 and has included monthly meetings with 30 alumni across all sports. Football also boasts the highest number of alumni of all Bearcats sports.
“We have been very pleased with the turnout and impact of our Advisory Council,” Cunningham said. “As we continue to develop the program, there was no better person for this role in the football program than Tony Pike. His loyalty and passion for those that came before him, as well as the ones he's seen grow through here in succeeding years, are invaluable to our mission."
Pike’s role includes working with Cunningham and Dr. Joe Luckey, UC’s Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Support Services, on all matters related to former football player engagement. This includes helping identify connections within each decade, particularly leading a small Football Alumni Council, to replicate the same relationships as those of the current locker room.
“We have worked hard with our C-Club AD Advisory Council over the last two years to set a path for former athlete/support staff engagement,” Luckey said. “We want to continue building connectors within each sport program. Tony’s passion for UC and his connections with the city/athletics department were perfect combinations to help us build deeper connections within the football alumni community.”
Pike, who stays close to UC as a member of the gameday radio crew while hosting Cincy 360 daily on ESPN 1530, 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.
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