1972 Graduate - here is my perspective

UC was transitioning from a joint "Municipal" university to "fully state supported" school in the early 1970's. Basically, the city didn't feel it had the ability to continue funding the university, and state support was shaky and mixed. They would provide money to build classrooms, and not a whole lot else. Neither Nippert or the Armory Fieldhouse got much maintenance in the 1970's, and things were really falling apart. The old UC bandroom was under in Nippert, and it was difficult to believe.

So to answer the question, what happened in the 1980's - it was starved for money. Add in some questionable coaching selections and weak conferences for FB, and the answer unfolds.

(12-20-2017 04:12 PM)OKIcat Wrote:  Great read, thanks for sharing. I too was an undergraduate during those years and remember fondly that flashy Tony Mason team and a basketball team that was pretty competitive and fun to watch. And who could forget Gale Catlett's sport coats that probably inspired those worn by Herb Tarlic on WKRP?

Bolded, you are so right about campus. But it reminds me of what a Depression era friend of my parents told me once. He said he never knew they were poor growing up until he became an adult and had a successful career. Similarly, I didn't give the campus much thought in those days--attending classes was a means to an end. But the transformation to what we see today is still breathtaking.

Yet another "graybeard."

(12-20-2017 04:41 PM)ucbandguy Wrote:  1972 Graduate - here is my perspective

UC was transitioning from a joint "Municipal" university to "fully state supported" school in the early 1970's. Basically, the city didn't feel it had the ability to continue funding the university, and state support was shaky and mixed. They would provide money to build classrooms, and not a whole lot else. Neither Nippert or the Armory Fieldhouse got much maintenance in the 1970's, and things were really falling apart. The old UC bandroom was under in Nippert, and it was difficult to believe.

So to answer the question, what happened in the 1980's - it was starved for money. Add in some questionable coaching selections and weak conferences for FB, and the answer unfolds.

"Methuselah Award Winner."

(12-19-2017 10:16 PM)Bruce Monnin Wrote:  

(12-19-2017 05:34 PM)rtaylor Wrote:  [quote='levydl' pid='14911939' dateline='1513722577']
The first UC game I remember going to was against Louisville down at the Coliseum. UofL had Pervis Ellison. I remember the crowd being pretty big and wild. We did the Louisville Sucks! chant, which my 6 or 7 year old self thought was hilarious. UC had beaten UofL earlier in the year, but lost the game at home pretty badly, I think. UofL went on the win the title that season.

We Beat them ay UL that year. Roger Mclendon was unconscious going for 35.

I have to agree, I don't think I've seen something quite like that before or since. If I remember he didn't have the most text book looking jumpshot. Also if my memories aren't playing tricks - - I think I remember some type of kick or something no one else did with his leg or legs? Dunno. Funny how things get entrenched in your mind, sometimes even wrong. Fantastic thread and recollections.

(12-20-2017 01:44 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  

(12-20-2017 01:40 PM)bcat80 Wrote:  My first game was in 1975. Football wasn't bad during the Tony Mason era; in fact I believe they were invited to a bowl game in the 76 season but Tony turned it down because it wasn't televised. Basketball was great my freshman year (1975-76). That was the last year we played in the Fieldhouse. What a place to watch a game; that place rocked! It's a shame we had to move downtown. Catlett had a good team that year but we were beat by Notre Dame in the 1st round NCAA. Basketball started going down hill after '77 between playing downtown and Catlett's NCAA infractions.

The campus itself was a dump. My daughter cheered at UC in 2004, which was the first time I was back at campus since graduating in 1980. Man I couldn't believe the transformation. I was jealous and wished I could've gone back to school. We go back to campus from Chicago at least once a year to see a football or basketball game. I wish we could do it more often.

Another Board "old timer" posting great memories.

Being 8 yrs. old "The Fieldhouse" was all I knew and it made no sense to me in leaving. Matter of fact I must say that was first UC Heartbreak, I loved that place and it (to me) just wasn't the same at the Coliseum. What an incredible venue to watch a basketball game.

(12-19-2017 01:13 PM)Bruce Monnin Wrote:  I went to school in the late 80's, and to be honest, the whole campus was a dump, not just the sports teams. It took someone strong willed enough to make things happen, and that was Huggins and that former Florida State AD on the athletic side. Not sure who got the academics and infrastructure turned in the right direction. Was it Henry Winkler?

the administrators of that era were pathetic. Jim Kelly, Sr. was just a moment of wanting someone from the past on the payroll. They constantly messed up stuff at the basketball and football banquets. Yates ruined his legacy of being a sports hero at UC with his not caring if he won or not as UC's basketball coach. The Football program was a mess too. Things started changing with a young bob huggins at the helm. He didn't like losing. He started UC back on track in sports excellence. Football came back with a bit of Dantonia and then Kelly and Jones. Not sure that can be fixed easily today.

(12-20-2017 04:41 PM)ucbandguy Wrote:  1972 Graduate - here is my perspective

UC was transitioning from a joint "Municipal" university to "fully state supported" school in the early 1970's. Basically, the city didn't feel it had the ability to continue funding the university, and state support was shaky and mixed. They would provide money to build classrooms, and not a whole lot else. Neither Nippert or the Armory Fieldhouse got much maintenance in the 1970's, and things were really falling apart. The old UC bandroom was under in Nippert, and it was difficult to believe.

So to answer the question, what happened in the 1980's - it was starved for money. Add in some questionable coaching selections and weak conferences for FB, and the answer unfolds.

Obviously I was just a tot back in the early 70s, but from my studies the conversation from municipal to fully state supported was a major factor in what I call "the dark ages" of UC. UofL went through the process at the same time as us and faced the same growing pains.

Also, as others have noted Vietnam and poor leadership were contributing factors.

I've attached the Cincinnatian, the former school year book from 1965 and 1971 for us to compare and contrast. The 1965 version indicates there was campus growth and facility development going on (please note, early years indicate likewise). Greek life and athletics are very prominent. If the yearbook is any indication, UC resembled what many perceive a traditional college to look like. By contrast, by 1971, the yearbook is much more dark. UC appears much more like the concrete jungle that those of us who attended UC in the 80s and early 90s saw. The section for athletics is razor thin.


Edit: Due to space limitations, I wasn't able to add the attachments. If you are interested, you can view these yearbooks (and any other year you might be interested including some amazing ones from the 1880s and 1890s at the following link). https://drc.libraries.uc.edu/handle/2374...ode=search

(12-19-2017 01:43 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  My first year at UC the football team went 8-3 under Murphy and the basketball team had super frosh Wingfield, Flint, Wright, Burton, and Julson coming in.

always curious, what brought you to uc?

For most of us back in the day? Convenience.

(12-21-2017 10:23 AM)Lush Wrote:  

(12-19-2017 01:43 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  My first year at UC the football team went 8-3 under Murphy and the basketball team had super frosh Wingfield, Flint, Wright, Burton, and Julson coming in.

always curious, what brought you to uc?

For me, it was almost purely the engineering co-op program. And the bowling alley.

(12-20-2017 12:52 PM)BJUnklFkr Wrote:  Who could forget Reggie Taylor rushing for 250+ vs. Miami-OH in '86? Good times!

Jarr, thanks for the topic been an enjoyable read.

Been enjoying reading all the old timers takes. I was born at the very end of the 80's, so I grew up spoiled with Huggs and Kenyon Martin as a kid and the Bryan Kelly teams while in school.

(12-21-2017 12:54 PM)jarr Wrote:  

(12-20-2017 12:52 PM)BJUnklFkr Wrote:  Who could forget Reggie Taylor rushing for 250+ vs. Miami-OH in '86? Good times!

Jarr, thanks for the topic been an enjoyable read.

Been enjoying reading all the old timers takes. I was born at the very end of the 80's, so I grew up spoiled with Huggs and Kenyon Martin as a kid and the Bryan Kelly teams while in school.

You were born at the end of the 80s? I pegged you for being born in 1950.

(12-21-2017 01:17 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(12-21-2017 12:54 PM)jarr Wrote:  

(12-20-2017 12:52 PM)BJUnklFkr Wrote:  Who could forget Reggie Taylor rushing for 250+ vs. Miami-OH in '86? Good times!

Jarr, thanks for the topicbeen an enjoyable read.

Been enjoying reading all the old timers takes. I was born at the very end of the 80's, so I grew up spoiled with Huggs and Kenyon Martin as a kid and the Bryan Kelly teams while in school.

You were born at the end of the 80s? I pegged you for being born in 1950.

Ditto. He's an old soul.

(12-21-2017 12:52 PM)Bruce Monnin Wrote:  

(12-21-2017 10:23 AM)Lush Wrote:  

(12-19-2017 01:43 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  My first year at UC the football team went 8-3 under Murphy and the basketball team had super frosh Wingfield, Flint, Wright, Burton, and Julson coming in.

always curious, what brought you to uc?

For me, it was almost purely the engineering co-op program. And the bowling alley.

Same, only substitute "basketball tickets" in for "bowling alley"