University of Cincinnati
10/20/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/20/2025 08:24
'Bearcats for Life' set to return for UC Homecoming
'Bearcats for Life' set to return for UC Homecoming
UC community unites Oct. 22-25, celebrating lifelong Bearcat bonds
6 minute read October 20, 2025 Share on facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share on Reddit Print StoryLike
The University of Cincinnati community will unite on Oct. 22-25 for annual Homecoming festivities. The year's "Bearcats for Life" theme underscores the lifelong relationship shared by the entire UC community.
The University of Cincinnati Alumni Association's annual Homecoming festivities will take place Oct. 22-25, with all the pageantry of the university's premier event for its alumni and students. Each year, Homecoming draws tens of thousands of people from the UC and Cincinnati communities for a variety of activities. The cornerstone is Saturday's Big 12 Conference football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the visiting Baylor Bears in historic Nippert Stadium. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. with the game televised on ESPN 2 (or ESPNU). A limited number of tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
Student Alumni Council members holding the UC Alumni Association Homecoming banner at the front of the 2024 Homecoming parade. Photo/UC Alumni Association.
As always, the traditional Homecoming parade will be a focal point, traveling down Clifton Avenue beginning at Noon. This year's edition will feature 50 parade entries with generations of onlookers and well-wishers from the UC family lining the route. The parade will highlight the 2025 Homecoming theme "Bearcats for Life," which references the enduring connections forged within our Bearcats community, and Homecoming's role in celebrating it. The parade grand marshals will be newly inducted members of the James P. Kelly UC Athletics Hall of Fame:
- Meridy Glenn, Women's Soccer Coach (1984-2007)
- Tom Marvaso, Football (1973-1975)
- Mike Mickens, Football (2005-2008)
- Jessie Nevitt, Volleyball (2005-2008)
- Tony Pike, Football (2004-2009)
- KB Sharp, Women's Basketball (1999-2003)
Across generations, one thing has always united those who attend and graduate from UC: we're Bearcats for Life.
Jennifer Heisey, A&S '97 Chief Alumni Officer
While the Cincinnati-Baylor football game and parade are the most notable among the official Homecoming festivities running Wednesday through Saturday, Oct. 22-25, a variety of events will provide alumni, students and friends with many opportunities to enjoy the occasion. The schedule includes Bearcats in the City, an alumni social event in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, Oct. 23; the James P. Kelly Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Fifth Third Arena on Friday, Oct. 24; and a host of events over the range of four days hosted by alumni groups and colleges/units within the UC community.
On Saturday, Oct. 25, pregame festivities will occur all around campus and the surrounding neighborhood, including at The Grid tailgate area on Campus Green and Sigma Sigma Commons, which will open at 11 a.m. The football team's traditional Catwalk to the stadium will pass through The Grid at approximately 1:30 p.m. UC fans are asked to wear red.
"Across generations, one thing has always united those who attend and graduate from UC: we're Bearcats for Life," said Chief Alumni Officer Jennifer Heisey, A&S '97. "That bond is powerful and lasting. It carries memories of our time on campus, sparks new conversations, and inspires us to support one another throughout our lives. Homecoming is our annual reunion - a chance to come home, celebrate our shared Bearcat spirit, and create new memories together - which makes this year's theme especially fitting."
Homecoming Week Events
A full list of more than two dozen events is available on the UC Homecoming website. The schedule includes activities hosted by the UC Alumni Association, alumni networks, colleges and units, student groups and UC Athletics. Highlights include:
Wednesday, Oct. 22
Jay Chatterjee Global Lecture Series: Ann Hamilton
5 p.m., College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning - Aronoff Room 4400
Women's Volleyball: Cincinnati vs. Utah
6:30 p.m., Fifth Third Arena
Thursday, Oct. 23
Nursing Webinar: Intellectual Property, Innovation and You
Noon, virtual
Alumni Campus Tours
1 and 3 p.m., University Pavilion
Bearcats in the City
5-7 p.m., Vintage on Race
UC4A Greek Alumni Basketball Tournament
6-9 p.m., Mount Auburn Preparatory Academy
Women's Soccer: Cincinnati vs. Oklahoma State
7 p.m., Gettler Stadium
Baseball: Red vs. Black World Series, Game 1
Time TBA, UC Baseball Stadium
Friday, Oct. 24
Alumni Campus Tours
10 a.m. and 4 p.m., University Pavilion
4A: Chat with Cats - Campus Updates
Noon-2:30 p.m., The Cultural Center
Alumni Band Reunion
6-10 p.m., Rhinegeist Brewery Lounge, 1910 Elm St.
CCM Alumni: Pre-Show Reception for The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
7 p.m., College-Conservatory of Music
James P. Kelly Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
7 p.m., Fifth Third Arena
Saturday, Oct. 25
UC Alumni Band Reunion
Various times
Golden Bearcat Society Homecoming Parade Grandstand
11 a.m. patio opens, Clifton Court Patio
SAC Alumni Parade Watch
11:30 a.m. tent opens, Clifton Ave.
Homecoming Parade
Noon, Parade travels down Clifton Ave. from Calhoun St. to Probasco St.
Spirit Alumni Reunion
Noon
Bearcats on the Grid
1 p.m., Grid spots 71 & 72
College of Engineering and Applied Science Homecoming Celebration
1 p.m., Schneider Quad
Double A Alumni Homecoming Tailgate
Noon-8 p.m., Short Vine
National Network Game Watches
4 p.m., locations vary per network
Football Team's CATWALK
Approximately 1:30 p.m., starting in Campus Green and traveling through The Grid and Sigma Sigma Commons
Cincinnati vs. Baylor Homecoming Game
4 p.m., Nippert Stadium
Presentation of Homecoming Court
Halftime, Nippert Stadium
Plan ahead and see parade route and street closures.
Homecoming is presented by the UC Alumni Association and sponsored by Ohio 529 CollegeAdvantage, Skyline Chili, and U Square.
Featured image at the top: Historic Nippert Stadium on Homecoming 2024. Photo/UC Alumni Association.
Briana Harper, UCBA '18, A&S '21, Bus '21
Program Director, Alumni Engagement
513-558-5932
Tags
- Athletics
- Alumni Association
- Student Experience
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