If you're like us, you've been waiting for the Nippert Stadium renovations to begin since the day the project was announced.  Now that the 2013-2014 regular season has closed, construction has officially begun.  Click here for a live Nippert Stadium construction cam where you can follow the progress over the next ~19 months.

With the recent announcement that the 53rd meeting between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Louisville Cardinals has been declared a sell out, it is now time to rally the troops and ensure that all Bearcat fans COME EARLY, BE LOUD, and WEAR BLACK!

The following is an email that UC Student Body President, Joe Blizzard (@joeblizz) sent out to students this morning.  While addressed to students, we requested a copy to publish, as this call to arms is applicable to ALL of BearcatNation!

Loyal Bearcat, 

We go to different classes. We study different majors. We are from different cities, states, and countries, but when the lights turn on we come together. We are the University of Cincinnati. We are Bearcats. 

Six years ago, in 2008, as a student at UC, you didn't need a ticket to sit in the student section. Believe it or not, you could walk right into Nippert Stadium with your student ID. This season that isn't the case, but to some people, it sure seems like it. 

Under the guidance of first year coach Tommy Tuberville our record sits at 9-2. That record has us currently tied for second in the American Athletic Conference, with a chance to clinch a share of the league title for the fifth time in six years. All we need to do is beat Louisville on Thursday night. Should UCF lose to SMU on Saturday, a win on Thursday night puts us in position to clinch a share of the AAC League Title and to potentially earn a spot in the last ever Bowl Championship Series; something we have done twice in the last five years. 

As students, we bring more energy to Nippert Stadium than the rest of the fans combined. We are youthful, loud, and full of rambunctious energy that easily drowns out the communication of the Louisville offense. 

At the end of each home game this year the football team has gathered around the student section to sing our Alma Mater; most of the time they have been greeted by just a few students. This week we can change that!

Coach Tuberville and members of the football team have noticed that the students aren't sticking around for the entire game. Join me this Thursday in the student section as we cheer our Bearcats onto a victory against Louisville. With this victory we will #KeepTheKeg--the Keg of Nails that our bitter rivalry with Louisville is known for. Be sure to stick around and join the rest of the student section in honoring our great university.

So get to Nippert early, be loud, and wear black! 

Stand First and Last for Old UC, 

Joe Blizzard 

Student Body President