ONWARD TO VICTORY
5th OLDEST PROGRAM IN FOOTBALL BOWL SUBDIVISION 650+ ALL-TIME WINS 51 ALL-AMERICANS 151 NFL DRAFT PICKS 23 BOWL GAMES 16 CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
THE MISSION
For more than 100 years, Nippert Stadium has stood as one of college athletics’ most distinctive home fields. Named in memory of Bearcats player James “Jimmy” Gamble Nippert, who tragically passed away after a game injury in 1923, the stadium was completed through a gift from his grandfather, James N. Gamble, and dedicated in his honor in 1924. That gift carried lasting purpose, including a commitment to studentathlete care that continues to shape University of Cincinnati athletics today.
Etched in the memorial to Jimmy are his enduring words: “Five more yards to go, then drop.”
The Nippert Legacy Society carries that spirit forward, honoring a legacy that continues to define the strength and future of Cincinnati Athletics.
MOVE THE CHAINS: TAKING UC FOOTBALL TO THE NEXT LEVEL
College athletics is changing fast. The programs that act now will lead what comes next. Revenue sharing, NIL and a new era of the Big 12 demand strength, vision and investment today. The Nippert Legacy Society ensures Cincinnati is ready. Ready to recruit the best. Ready to compete nationally. Ready to bring championships back where they belong.
The drive is underway. There are still yards to gain. Together, we push forward.
BIG 12 FOOTBALL BUDGETS FY26
AVERAGE BUDGET
UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
Benchmarking against our Big 12 peers shows that while our football program remains competitive, it operates with fewer resources than many of the teams we face each season. From travel and operations to scholarships and overall program support, we rely more heavily on institutional funding than top-tier programs in the conference— limiting flexibility and long-term growth.
To achieve sustained success at the highest level, we must reduce our reliance on institutional support and increase private investment.
UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI ATHLETICS FY26 BUDGET
UC Athletics’ budget gap is currently covered by institutional funding, underscoring the need for increased private investment to elevate men’s football.
TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACT
Membership in the Nippert Legacy Society is reserved for those who make a commitment of $50,000 or more, recognizing a select group whose investment shapes the future of Bearcats football.
YOUR GIFT POWERS:
• Student-athlete scholarships that open doors to education and opportunity.
• World-class facilities like the Sheakley Indoor Practice Facility and Sheakley Athletics Performance Center.
• Revenue-sharing innovation through the Impact Fund, keeping UC competitive in the new era.
• The resources to preserve UC’s tradition of championships and national recognition.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
As members, you gain access to a first-class, insider experience throughout the season, including:
• Direct insight into the program, with exclusive access to the Bearcats coaching staff and Cincinnati football leadership.
• Invitations to private events, including curated gatherings, meals, game-day experiences and special programs.
• Behind-the-scenes access, with opportunities to enter football facilities and attend select practices.
• Distinctive member recognition, featuring exclusive Cincinnati football gifts and apparel available only to Nippert Legacy Society members.
Over a century ago, the Nippert family changed the future of Bearcats football. Today, Nippert Legacy Society members carry that legacy forward.
