Bearcats Rising: Rags to Division I Riches: How a Gridiron Minority Bludgeons Its Way into the Big Time

by Josh Katzowitz

The University of Cincinnati s football team has always been an after thought to sports fans in Cincinnati, Ohio. That all changed when Coach Brian Kelly came along and led the team to its first BCS bowl game appearance in the program s history. How did he do it? In Bearcats Rising, the story is told of how an old, dusty football program was brought back to life by a coach whose enthusiasm could set the world on fire. Sportswriter Josh Katzowitz takes a hard, in depth look at the history of the program from the early 1900 s to their 2008 Orange Bowl appearance and what he uncovers is a circus of a program that was in desperate need of a genius ringmaster and finally got one.

329 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2009

Reviews

[Mark Raines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a tremendous read about the history of Bearcat football. Katz takes you from UC's early beginnings (the 5th oldest college football program) to Glenn Sample and Jim Kelly. Through the glory years of Sid Gillman, to the struggles of the 80s and early 90s. Katz gives Minter his credit for the foundation he laid at the time he is here, but gives plenty of perspective into the challenges he faced. Reading about the rise of the Bearcat football program makes me prouder and prouder to be a Bearcat. This is a must read for any Bearcat football fan.



OHHHHHHHHH OHHHHHHH OHHHHHHH OH OH OH OH UC!!!

[Ginny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awesome book! It got a little boring in certain parts, but that's because I'm not into sports statistics. All in all, it was an extremely uplifting story about a fabulous football team and its wonderful coach. GO BEARCATS!