Heard it From Hoard: Column 65
Brian Kelly and the UC football team have done what once seemed impossible. No, I'm not referring to back-to-back Top 25 seasons, an outright BIG EAST championship or the BCS bowl bid. They've convinced Steve Bell to forgive UC. Until recently, Steve had a hard time getting past what he calls the "Bob Huggins fiasco." Here's a portion of the e-mail he sent after my recent column about Coach Kelly's future at Cincinnati (column 62). First of all, thanks for a terrific blog article on Coach Kelly. I have to admit that I have not bought a ticket for UC Football or Basketball. It was not because of the love for UC. To be honest, it was because of Nancy Zimpher. I have spent my monies on the Cincinnati Bengals (8 season tickets last year and 4 this year). My son and I have decided that we will not be renewing our Bengal tickets next year. Instead, we have decided to buy UC Football and Basketball tickets. This is a big leap for us. We love our alma mater. We now believe it is time to move forward and support Brian Kelly, Mick Cronin and the players! As the first step, our whole family will be going to either the Orange or Sugar Bowl to support the Bearcats. I can think of no better way to start showing my support for UC Football!!! Some of you aren't there yet. Perhaps you're waiting for Mick to contend for a BIG EAST basketball championship. Perhaps you're still irate even though it's been more than three years since Coach Huggins' departure. If a BIG EAST championship in football or the good young nucleus in basketball don't have you thinking like Steve Bell, consider my basketball broadcasting partner Chuck Machock. Chuck is, and always will be one of Bob Huggins' closest friends, and was obviously hurt by the way his tenure ended at UC. But Chuck was a Bearcat long before Huggs was the head coach and he'll remain one until the day he dies. He's not broadcasting games for the money - he loves his alma mater, the game of basketball, and believes Mick Cronin will build the Bearcats into a BIG EAST and NCAA contender. You're familiar with the old saying, "time heals all wounds" right? I suspect that winning heals them even faster. Hope to see you in Miami or New Orleans around the New Year. I'd love to hear from you. The address is dhoard@pawsox.com. Enjoy this week's photo of the handsome lad and yes, we have him chasing a chicken just like Sylvester Stallone in Rocky II to improve his quickness.
Column Archives:
