Big 12 era begins for Bearcats

Cincinnati Athletics hosted a Big 12 Bash at Rhinegeist Brewery to celebrate the university's entry into the Power Five conference with festivities beginning at noon Friday. Local radio personality Mo Egger began the formal program at 7 p.m.
 
The Big 12 announced on Sept. 10, 2021, that UC, along with Houston, UCF and BYU, would join the conference, kicking off an exciting fall that saw the Bearcats' football team become the first Group of Five program to reach the College Football Playoff.
 
The Big 12 boasts one of the biggest, most loyal fan bases in all of sports. Since their teams travel well in terms of fan support, the city, state and region will also benefit from the growing economic impact of Big 12 fans coming to Cincinnati each year. UC officials say the Power 5 membership will enable the university to re-energize its alumni and co-op connections in Big 12 states, too.