Ohio will take on in-state rival University of Cincinnati on Saturday in the southwest corner of the state.
While the Bearcats will take on the Bobcats on the field, it’s not all about athletics. Cincinnati has more to offer than football. So, here are five fun facts about Cincinnati:
1. It was relocated
The Cincinnati College and the Medical College of Ohio was founded in 1819 on Clifton Avenue, but it only survived six years. It was reestablished in 1835, but wasn’t renamed to the University of Cincinnati until 1870. By 1893, the main portion of campus was at its current location at the Heights.
2. Nippert Stadium
Ohio’s Peden Stadium is notably old, while maintaining its beauty. But Nippert Stadium, on the campus of the University of Cincinnati, is actually older than Peden. The original grounds that Nippert sits on now was called Carson Field. It hosted its first game in 1901, when Ohio defeated Cincinnati 16-0. In 1915, Cincinnati constructed a brick and concrete stadium, and Nippert has been the home of the Bearcats since.
3. William Howard Taft
Taft earned his law degree from Cincinnati, which isn’t surprising because he was raised in the city. Taft was the 27th President and the 10th Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. He’s also known as the heaviest president. He checked in at well over 300 pounds.
4. Neil Armstrong taught at Cincinnati for nearly a decade
Armstrong, the first man on the moon, was born and raised about 110 miles from Cincinnati. After he made “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” Armstrong hit the books and became a professor, teaching classes based on aircraft design and flight operations.
5. Other notable alums
Joining Taft in Cincinnati’s alumni chain is Bob Taft, former Ohio Governor; Joseph B. Strauss, designer of the Golden Gate Bridge; Cris Collinsworth, NBC Sports color commentator; Oscar Robertson, point guard who won an NBA MVP and an NBA championship; and Sandy Koufax, largely considered one of the greatest pitchers of all time.
