Party on tap as UC joins Big East

[Apis Bull]

Party on tap as UC joins Big East

8th conference for Bearcats

By C. Trent Rosecrans

Post staff reporter

Despite a recent showdown between University of Cincinnati president Nancy Zimpher and men's basketball coach Bob Huggins, Bearcat athletic director Bob Goin insists Friday's Big East Celebration will be just that, a celebration.

Goin said he hopes fans don't use the day-long Big East induction day to be a public forum on Huggins' contract situation.

"We're not going to let that happen," Goin said. "This is about a university going into a great league, it's not about an individual."

Zimpher and Goin will be joined by Big East Commissioner Michael Tranghese starting at 7:45 Friday morning, at breakfast for students, faculty, administration and staff at the UC Baseball Stadium.

Zimpher, Goin and Tranghese will then meet city officials downtown at Fountain Square at noon.

Tranghese will throw out the first pitch at the Reds game against the Astros that night.

And the celebration will end back at the baseball stadium with local bands beginning at 8 p.m., followed by a fireworks show at 10. Admission and parking will be free.

"It's going to be a great day and we're going to celebrate it," Goin said. "This is the platform the University of Cincinnati needs to spring to the next level."

Goin said it was important for the entire city to celebrate the school's entrance into what many are considering the best basketball conference in the country, and a conference that is affiliated with the Bowl Championship Series.

"This is for us to say to the city, take ownership of this opportunity," Goin said.

The Bearcats were one of the founding members of Conference USA in 1995. They were a member of the Great Midwest from 1991-95, the Metro Conference from 1975-1991 and the Missouri Valley Conference from 1957-1975. They've also been members of the Mid-American Conference (1946-57), the Buckeye Athletic Association (1925-1946) and the Ohio Conference (1910-25).

Goin said he believes this will be the last conference for the Bearcats for quite a while.

"I'm proud to pass the torch," said Goin, who will be leaving UC next year. "It's finally here. We may have waited a long time, but we're going to be in it a long time."

Former Conference USA foes DePaul, Louisville, Marquette and South Florida will also officially be joining the Big East today.

"This is about a university," Goin said. "This is an association with other great universities. It's a good thing for a lot of people."

Party on tap as UC joins Big East