UC Family Weekend brings thousands of parents and siblings of Bearcats to campus

More than 5,000 family members of Bearcats visited the Uptown campus to sample more than 50 events and activities for UC Family Weekend.

The activities were designed to introduce families to university life by offering something for every age, explains Whitney White, director of parent and family programs at the University of Cincinnati. 

“Engaging our students’ families and their supporters is essential to student success and persistence,” explains White. “These individuals are their champions — the ones who keep them going and support them on the good and bad days. Throughout Family Weekend, we aim to help families learn more about UC, navigate our campus and find ways to support their students. We also want them to have a little fun with their Bearcat.”

WLWT, WCPO and Spectrum News covered UC Family Weekend.

A Friday pep rally on UC Mainstreet complete with the Bearcat Mascot, the UC Band, cheerleaders and spirited students helped energize and kickoff the weekend. Families participated in meet-and-greets with UC administrators, tried their luck at making crafts and canvas paintings and gathered to enjoy games, jugglers, music and movies.

On Saturday, Oct. 4, there were a host of morning activities ranging from Donuts with the Dean of Students outside Steger Student Life Center to the GRIDiron Tailgate festivities (marching band, music and CATwalk) on Sigma Sigma Commons/Campus Green.  

Families also participated in service projects like installing a chain-link fence mural along Short Vine, joined a Taylor Swift Album release listening party and enjoyed a magic show in Probasco Auditorium. They were able to check out musical and theater productions at CCM and Family Fun Fest drew many to Clifton Court Hall. The noon football game between the Bearcats and 14-ranked Iowa State marked a weekend highlight with the Bearcats winning 38-30.

Sunday’s Jazz Brunch Riverboat Cruise in Newport brought Bearcat families together while an afternoon soccer game between the Bearcats and the University of Arizona brought spectators to Gettler Stadium.

“Over 150 staff and faculty were involved in coordinating the weekend, planning events, and volunteering to welcome families and showcase all our campus has to offer," explains White.

“We absolutely could not create this meaningful experience for our Bearcat families without our dedicated team of student leaders, our incredible campus partners, and the many staff and faculty who volunteer their time to make a memory-filled weekend for families and students,” adds White.

Watch UC Family Weekend coverage on WLWT and WCPO.

Featured top photo of a Bearcat family at a pep rally kicking off UC Family Weekend 2025.  Photo/Ainsley Moore/University of Cincinnati.