UC band member Nate Little was clearly fired up for the pep rally and charged up the crowd without even needing his trombone.

UC alumnae Juli Grossman, Kathy Shewak and Cindy Coggins joined in the Irish theme with their fancy "Irish eyes" are smiling glasses. The UC Bearcat mascot shared in the fun while staying with the traditional red and black.

"This is a great success," said UC Alumni Association program coordinator Phillip Lanham, as he welcomed alumni and students to the club along Penn Avenue's Strip District. "People were looking for something to do on Saturday anyway. This is perfect."

Alum Philip Steen was also thrilled with the turnout. He is a sales partner with Have a Nice Day and immediately started the ball rolling on getting his school a place to kick up their heels when he found out where they were headed for the first round. Ironically, it was the same story two years ago when he landed UC at Bar Nashville.

"It is amazing," Steen said. "I have never seen so much energy in a nightclub. I just hope we can do this again later this year at Bar Atlanta."

To get to Atlanta and the Final Four, however, UC will first have to get by UCLA, a team Cincinnati hasn't played since 1965 - one of nine consecutive years the Bruins won the NCAA Championship. For fans here, if Saturday's spirit and a touch of the day's Irish luck spills over to Sunday, the Bearcats may get one game closer.