The 2007-08 school year was an up and down year for the University of Cincinnati athletics. The football and baseball teams finished historic campaigns, while other programs struggled for consistency. With that in mind, here are the top-five newsworthy moments from the 2007-08 athletic year.
1. Football wins PapaJohns.com Bowl. In head coach Brian Kelly's first season, the UC football team finished the 2007 season with a 10-3 record (4-3 Big East) and a 31-21 victory over Southern Mississippi University in the PapaJohns.com Bowl. With the Bowl game victory, the Bearcats finished the regular season ranked No. 17 in the Associated Press poll and reached the 10-win plateau for the first time since 1951. Punter Kevin Huber was named first team All-American by the AP and defensive tackle Terrill Byrd earned second-team plaudits. Kelly was also named Big East Coach of the Year.
2. Baseball battles for Big East Championship. The baseball team also had a historic year in 2007-08. UC won a school-record 39 games, including their first-ever appearance in the Big East Championship game against the University of Louisville. Junior second baseman Josh Harrison was named the Big East co-Player of the Year. Both Harrison and senior outfielder Tony Campana were first team All-Big East selections. Junior third baseman Mike Spina broke current Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis' school-record for homeruns with 21.
3. UC vs. Huggins Former Bearcat head coach Bob Huggins dressed up in his legendary gold suit while facing his old team for the first time as head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers. Head coach Mick Cronin, a former Huggins assistant, got the better of his former boss, as the Bearcats won 62-39 in Morgantown, W.Va. UC held the Mountaineers to 20 percent shooting.
4. Coaching changes Brian Kelly, and J. Kelley Hall finished their first seasons at UC in 2007-08. While Hall's women's basketball team struggled to an eventual 12-16 record, Kelly's football squad finished their season with a 10-3 record and was ranked No. 17 in the final AP poll. The Michelle Salmon era is set to begin in August 2008, as she was hired to lead the women's soccer program Jan. 10 to replace Meridy Glenn. The tennis team will also have a fresh face for next season, as former head coach Kimberly Jones did not have her contract renewed for next season.
5. Lacrosse finishes inaugural season. Bearcat fans had a new sport to watch in 2008, as the women's lacrosse program was launched. In head coach Lellie Swords' first season, the Bearcats finished with a 2-14 record, including wins over Saint Mary's College and Howard University. Junior Lindsey Marshall led the Bearcats with 32 points, scoring 30 goals, and assisting on two.
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