Summary

At the University of Cincinnati, any sport that is not Football or Men's Basketball is considered an Olympic sport. Not all Olympic sports have specific traditions, but the ones which do are covered below. Olympic sports at UC offer an exceptional chance to cheer on student-athletes in a more intimate setting, often sitting on or extremely close to the court or pitch! Also, being smaller than Football and Men's Basketball allows players and spectators to meet each other and appreciate both parties' efforts.

Baseball

The Bearcats Baseball team has a rich history of producing All-Star professional athletes and in the past has competed in the NCAA Tournament. Notable alumni include Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax and Miller Huggins, All-Star and World Series Champion Kevin Youkilis, All-Star Josh Harrison, and most recently Ian Happ, who was selected 9th overall in the 2015 MLB draft by the Chicago Cubs. Being in Cincinnati, the Bearcats have big shoes to fill with the Reds in the backyard. The atmosphere at games is intimate and very true to a stereotypical baseball game. The music can sometimes remind one of the good old days at a high school diamond... until one of the Bearcats send one flying out of the park! Come join us in the front row behind the Bearcats Dugout!

Gameday Traditions

IN-GAME

The student section has a few baseball specific cheers including:

• "Left-Righting" opposing players after they are struck out and walk back to their dugout. In other words, when the player takes a left step we shout "left!" and when they take a right step we shout "right!" until they reach the dugout, at which point we shout "step, step, step, sit - down!"

• During the 7th inning stretch we stand and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," substituting "Home team" for "BEARCATS" (root, root root for the BEARCATS...)

• RallyCats is responsible for putting up the strikeout “K’s.” A forward K is for a strikeout swinging and a backward K is for a strikeout looking.

• Heckle (respectfully) the opposing team’s pitcher to get in his head!

POST-GAME

Bearcats fans ALWAYS stay to the end... and it's not over until the Alma Mater is sung!! If the 'Cats win, we sing "Cheer Cincinnati," then the Alma Mater. If we lose, we only sing the Alma Mater.

Soccer

The Bearcats Men's and Women's Soccer programs have been gaining momentum in recent years, playing many tough opponents and triumphing in many of the contests. Our Women's team, founded in 1980 (the second oldest women's program in Ohio) has had a great past few years and is looking to keep improving. Our Men's team has been a contender in our conference and has a history of putting out phenomenal players both on the pitch and in the classroom.

GAMEDAY TRADITIONS

IN-GAME

• We always sit behind the opposing team's goalie and give them a hard (but fair) time.

• We "amp up" goal kicks, which means we say "Cinciiiiiiiiiiii..." Getting louder as the kicker approaches the ball. Once it's kicked we all shout in unison "'N-A-T-I!"

• Every time the Bearcats score a goal we sing "Ole Ole Ole" three times through.

POST-GAME

Bearcats fans ALWAYS stay to the end... and it's not over until the Alma Mater is sung!! If the 'Cats win, we sing "Cheer Cincinnati," then the Alma Mater. If we lose, we only sing the Alma Mater.

Volleyball

The Bearcats Women's Volleyball team has a storied history of NCAA tournament appearances and producing Olympians, U.S. National team players, professionals, as well as 1st and 2nd team All-Conference and All-American players. Volleyball matches in Fifth Third Arena are always hotly contested and exciting.

GAMEDAY TRADITIONS

IN-GAME

The student section has a few volleyball specific cheers including:

• When an opposing player is preparing to serve, the student section narrates their actions. For instance,  " Bounce! Bounce! Bounce! Bounce! Spinnnnn..."

• Just before an opposing player serves we shout Noonan! This tradition unique to Bearcats Volleyball gets its roots from the movie Caddy Shack.

  • If the player causes a fault that is one Noonan. After a second Noonan is accumulated, the students turn around hit their bleacher seat for the number of Noonans that the other team has reached, then shouts "Noonan!"

• On a serve, if an opposing player's serve hits the net then goes over it is still a fair ball, so we shout "I hate that rule!" However, if the same happens on a Bearcats serve we say "I love that rule!"

POST-GAME

Bearcats fans ALWAYS stay to the end... and it's not over until the Alma Mater is sung!! If the 'Cats win, we sing "Cheer Cincinnati," then the Alma Mater. If we lose, we only sing the Alma Mater.