For those of you that knew me in high school, you'll know that I grew up an Ohio State fan. But that quickly changed.
I still remember driving down to campus for the first home game of my collegiate career (we were still on quarters at that point and classes hadn't started yet). Over the course of that first year, I developed a passion for everything UC: sports, student government, and the student community.
Last night's UC vs. Ohio State game helped me realize why I stopped rooting for the Buckeyes. I stopped rooting for the Buckeyes because the connection I had to OSU was nothing compared to the connection that I developed with UC. The connection that I had with OSU was superficial. It was never based on anything except for the fact that everyone around me also rooted for OSU.
Attending UC allowed me the opportunity to develop a bond with a university. A bond with my classmates and professors. A bond with the city and community. A bond that was rooted in my experience at UC.
Last night, I tweeted that "UC fans went to UC. Ohio State fans wish they went to Ohio State. The difference is dedicated passion." Not everyone on Twitter agreed with that statement (mainly OSU fans), but hey, I will never make a statement that is universally agreed with.
In my experience, UC fans root for the Bearcats because of their vested interest in the school. UC doesn't have the same national reputation that Ohio State has, and as such, most of UC's fans are homegrown. UC fans went to UC, work for UC, or have kids that go to UC. Sure, just like any school, UC has fans that are fans because they live in Cincinnati and enjoy collegiate sports, but in my experience the vast majority of Bearcats' fans have a deeper connection to the team.
This is where the dedicated passion comes in.
I will always be a dedicated and passionate Bearcats fan because of the relationship that I was able to create with my Alma Mater. I would not be who I am today if it were not for the University of Cincinnati. My beliefs were challenged and my boundaries were stretched. I met my best friends and developed relationships that will last for the rest of my life.
I don't just root for UC because of its Athletic Department's reputation. I cheer for UC because of everything the university has given me. My passion is rooted in just more than sports. It's rooted in the people I have met, the knowledge that I have gained, and the memories that I have made.
I will always proudly "Stand First and Last for Old UC."
