CINCINNATI – The
Day One Ready Campaign for University of Cincinnati Athletics topped $100 million during the first quarter of the 2023 football season right as the Bearcats began a new era as a Power 5 school.
Since the public launch of
Day One Ready in November 2021, the Cincinnati community has come together to ensure that more than 450 student-athletes will be positioned to compete and win in the Big 12.
"We set an ambitious goal to compete for championships on the first day we entered the Big 12, and we can't thank our Bearcats community enough for what has been an outpouring of support," said Director of Athletics John Cunningham. "We've seen advances already—in facilities, support for our student-athletes and critical investment needed to be championship ready. We thank our supporters and fans. The future is bright for Cincinnati Athletics."
Seventeen gifts to the Day One Ready campaign were $1 million or more. More than 11,000 donors contributed.
The Day One Ready campaign focused on three elements: signature facilities, student-athlete wellness and championship readiness. Big changes are already underway.
Signature Facilities
Fueled by investments from Bearcats supporters, work is underway on facilities projects that will put UC on par with other Power 5 programs and bring championships to Cincinnati.
- UC broke ground this spring on the campaign's flagship project: a new indoor practice facility and performance center that will feature a 120-yard field, nutrition station, weight room and sports medicine offices, among other amenities. It will be the permanent, all-weather home for UC football to train year-round, and a versatile practice facility for other UC sports.
Lead donors to the project included Larry and Rhonda Sheakley, Total Quality Logistics, John and Cathy Burns, Mike and Susie Leonard, Kirk and Jacki Perry, Shane Dever, Mike Dever, Dick and Cornie Thornburgh, and Kerry and Missy Byrne.
Approximately 70 percent of the goal has been met for the practice facility, and fundraising continues.
- Upgrades to the men's and women's basketball team facilities, including new locker rooms in Fifth Third Arena will be completed before the beginning of the basketball season.
This locker room enhancement was 100 percent funded by donors. Lead donors were Dave and Wendy Herche and Ed and Nina Paul.
Other facilities upgrades include track and field enhancements and a new year-round indoor golf facility.
Student-Athlete Wellness
An endowment and additional support have been established to provide funding for student-athletes to access dedicated mental health and wellness services. A growing team, led by Lenecia Nickell, Director of Sport Psychology and Wellness, is in place.
Lead donors to student-wellness initiatives include Travis Kelce, Kimbler Family Trust, and the Jerow Family.
In other key areas:
- A new Director of Performance Nutrition, Dillon Frees, has joined the team and additional registered dieticians have been hired.
- UC launched the Student-Athlete Career Development and Leadership Academy, which will prepare every Bearcat for their professional life after college.
Championship Readiness
More than 2,000 donors gave over $11 million to scholarship funds through the Day One Ready Campaign. These endowed investments will provide permanent financial support for student-athletes across all sports while ensuring the long-term viability of UC's varsity programs.
Six donors contributed to the "Raise the Bar" initiative to invest in recruiting and retaining top coaching staff.
"The community and fans have come together to help our Bearcats teams compete at the highest level of college athletics," Cunningham said. "We're excited for this next chapter, and can't wait to continue to support our student-athletes to ensure they have success on and off the field."
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The Day One Ready Campaign is part of
Next, Now: The Campaign for Cincinnati, the comprehensive fundraising campaign supporting UC and UC Health. Naming opportunities are available for the indoor practice facility. For information about ongoing projects, visit
gobearcats.com/DayOne or by calling the UCATS Office at 513-556-4884.
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 450 student-athletes. The Bearcats have a proud athletics history, winning eight national championships and 118 conference titles. The Cincinnati men's basketball team is among the 15 winningest programs all-time, while the football team became the first non-Power Five program to compete in the College Football Playoff in 2021. Olympic gold medalist volleyball player Jordan Thompson, NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson and Major League Baseball legend Sandy Koufax are among the several luminaries who have competed as Bearcats.
In July 2023, the Bearcats entered a new era as a Power Five School when they officially joined the Big 12 Conference, positioning Cincinnati among the nation's premier athletics programs.
Off the field, UC student-athletes continue to find success, as well, collectively posting a 3.4 GPA in the spring of 2023 with 78 percent earning spots on the Honor Roll.
Under the leadership of Director of Athletics
John Cunningham, and supported by more than 150 full-time staff members
, 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.
