If it feels a little different to be a Bearcat this month, there’s a good reason. On top of UC’s countless, multifaceted achievements in recent years (and largely because of them), we officially became a member of the Big 12 Conference on July 1. This highly rewards our legacy of excellence, raises our institutional profile, and provides a range of exciting opportunities.
Such a transformational change acknowledges the tremendous impact we’ve been making for generations, affirms that body of visionary work, and turbocharges our ascent. National media — especially those throughout the conference’s huge footprint — are pulling back the curtain and “discovering” today’s UC. We can see our own bold, innovative nature reflected in Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark, a proactive leader who loves what we bring to the table. The many tangible ramifications of our Big 12 entry are substantial, with the intangible benefits even more so.
President Neville Pinto and several UC Athletics leaders — including Athletics Director John Cunningham, football coach Scott Satterfield, and basketball coaches Wes Miller and Katrina Merriweather — are taking the Big 12 message on the road this summer, describing the importance of the transition and the university’s preparation to hit the ground running. Their “Day One Tour – Road to the Big 12” has visited Cleveland, Columbus and Chicago with upcoming stops in Dayton and Cincinnati. And soon enough it will all become that much more real: The Bearcats’ first-ever football game in the Big 12 Conference is Sept. 23 when Oklahoma visits Nippert Stadium; three weeks later we’ll host Iowa State at Homecoming.
We often say, “It’s a great time to be a Bearcat,” and today that’s truer than ever. Thank you for being part of this amazing success story. We look forward to celebrating with you throughout the years ahead.
Go Bearcats!
