<a href='http://www.ucbearcats.com/sports/football/release.asp?release_id=3637' target='_blank'>http://www.ucbearcats.com/sports/football/...release_id=3637</a>

Graduate Guidugli gets degree first, then NFL playbook
Contact: Tom Hathaway

7/14/2005

By Becky Hart, Sports Communications student

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Gino Guidugli was one of the last Bearcats to report to NFL mini camp this spring, but for good reason.

Guidugli did not participate in the May mini-camp held by the Tennessee Titans, who signed the University of Cincinnati quarterback as a free agent. The Bearcats’ all-time leading passer instead was back in Cincinnati working to complete his academic degree.

Like its quarterback, the 2004 football team experienced another year of academic success by graduating 21 of its 25 seniors, eight of whom finished their coursework before the start of the 7-5 season.

Guidugli and his team’s work didn’t end with their win over Marshall at the Fort Worth Bowl last December however. They carried their success into the classroom, raising the football team’s 72% graduation rate in 2003 to 86% in 2004. This earned them recognition for academic excellence from the American College Football Coaches Association.

As a freshman beginning his academic career at Cincinnati four years ago, Guidugli was unsure of where his future might take him. Initially undecided on a major, his main plans were to play football and “to just try to graduate.

Great news! Gino is a gutsy kid for sure. I hope he makes it for him
and his family. They supported UC in big way and established quite a following in Northern Ky for UC football, especially in Ft. Thomas.
It will be interesting to see how this positive news i c carried by the local media....any guesses??? Congrats Gino and the rest of the senior class. You did UC proud!

I can assure you that the local media will squash the story bc it's positive....now if it was a story about how Gino killed three people after tripping on acid, it would have legs......

Media in Cincy can't stand putting UC in a good light....don't get me started in this topic!!

:mad:

Bearcats#1 Wrote:now if it was a story about how Gino killed three people after tripping on acid, it would have legs......

I would think if anyone did that, let alone Gino, it would be a story. :laugh:

Congrats to Gino. Definitely a good story.