Tickets
Dear Bearcats Fans,
The new year is here! Our fall sports teams are back on campus and some have already kicked off their competitive seasons. I hope you are excited as I am with great anticipation and expectations for the Bearcats in 2011-12.
As many of you already know, Mike Thomas (who normally writes in this space each month) has accepted the athletics director job at the University of Illinois. So I'm stepping in this month to bring you up to speed on our transition and also get your ready for the new school year. But let me also say thank you to Mike for all he accomplished during his time at UC. This program went through incredible changes during his time at the helm and the Bearcats are in the right place for what may come in the future. I'll always be grateful to Mike because he gave me the opportunity to come to this great University seven months ago and I hope you'll join me in wishing all the best to him, his wife Jeni and their family.
Following Mike's announcement that he would be leaving for Illinois, UC President Dr. Gregory Williams asked Bob Arkeilpane, our Deputy Director of Athletics, to serve as the Interim Athletics Director. This won't be the first time that Bob has led an athletic department, having served as the Director of Athletics at the University at Buffalo for five years. He also has a long history in fundraising and development, having started his career as the Director of Annual Giving at Buffalo, then progressing to Assistant Director of Athletics for Development roles at Cal State-Fullerton and Miami University. Prior to becoming our Deputy AD, he was an Associate Vice President of the UC Foundation.
Upon acceptance of President Williams' request for him to serve as the Interim Athletics Director, here is what Bob had to say: "I am pleased to serve the University of Cincinnati in this important interim capacity. While leadership changes are always a time of uncertainty, they also present opportunities to reflect on and evaluate the direction of the program as the organization readies itself for new leadership. We have a veteran group of coaches and staff members, and I'm very confident the program we'll be in good hands."
I would encourage each of you to take a moment when you see Bob to stop and shake his hand or share a word with him. You may already have known him from his role within the athletic department or his previous duties with the UC Foundation, but even if you didn't know him before it's not too late to acquaint yourself with him now.
Bearcats fans, it is time to get behind these teams! Let these student-athletes and coaches see you in the stands supporting them as they wear our colors in competition. I hope every one of you are planning to be in Nippert Stadium on Saturday, September 3, when we kick off the football season against Austin Peay. We've worked hard over the offseason to improve the football game day experience, including a new tailgating area on campus and, as always, lots of family friendly activities around the stadium. I hope you'll like what you see. If you haven't already done so, now is the time to get your tickets. Click here to buy online. Click here to check out the 2011 schedule. We also have a Preseason Central page on GoBEARCATS.com that includes the inside look at what's been going on at Higher Ground, the Bearcats home away from home.
Let's also offer our support to the men's and women's soccer teams and volleyball team. Gettler Stadium is a great place to take in a soccer match and both teams have high expectations for this season. Check out the men's soccer and women's soccer schedules. Our volleyball team is coming off a championship season and will look to bring another BIG EAST Conference trophy back to Cincinnati again this year. Check out the volleyball schedule here. Men's and women's cross country will be starting soon and they will host a meet in the area next month. I'll look forward to the opportunity to see you at one of these events soon.
There are so many great ways to follow the Bearcats. I appreciate that you've obviously already logged into GoBEARCATS.com to read this letter. I hope you'll also take advantage of our social media opportunities, such as Twitter feeds and Facebook pages. Those are the best ways to stay current up to the minute on the Bearcats. We've put together a handy, one-stop page that lists all of our social media opportunities ? check it out here and follow all your favorite programs.
GO BEARCATS!
Doug Mosley
Associate Director of Athletics for External and Media Communications