The Cincinnati Bearcats are a Division I volleyball program in the Big 12. Cincinnati volleyball has competed across the Big 12 championship contention through multiple eras at the Division I level. The Bearcats are preparing for the volleyball season as the schedule progresses. Cincinnati enters this season with 18 athletes on the roster. The Bearcats play home games on the Cincinnati campus. The 2026 Bearcats' schedule will be updated as games are completed. The Bearcats are anchored in a long Cincinnati athletic tradition. When fans fuel a Bearcat athlete on RallyFuel, 90% lands directly with the athlete — funding training, recovery, and the realities of college sports.
The University of Cincinnati, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, competes in the Big 12 Conference as of the 2023–24 academic year, marking a significant step in its athletic and institutional growth. Founded in 1819, Cincinnati is a large public research university with a student population exceeding 46,000 across undergraduate and graduate programs. It maintains a strong academic reputation, particularly in engineering, health sciences, and business disciplines, positioning itself as a major urban research institution. This scale and prestige underpin the university’s strategic investments in athletic infrastructure and competitive positioning within major college sports.
The Cincinnati Bearcats have established a competitive athletics program with notable success in men’s basketball, football, and other sports. The men's basketball program boasts a rich history, including multiple Final Four appearances and consistent NCAA Tournament participation, contributing to one of the most recognized mid-major brands nationally prior to its Power Five move. Football has shown periods of growth with bowl game appearances and increased competitiveness in nationally televised games. Rivalries with Louisville and Memphis remain central to the program’s identity and fan engagement.
Cincinnati’s student-athlete ROI is enhanced by a robust donor ecosystem supported by an extensive and engaged alumni network concentrated in the Cincinnati metropolitan area and beyond. The local economic environment is characterized by a diverse industrial base and strong corporate presence, providing ample partnership and endorsement opportunities for student-athletes under NIL agreements. The university’s key athletic facilities, including the Fifth Third Arena for basketball and Nippert Stadium for football, serve as significant assets in recruiting leverage and media rights negotiations, boosting brand visibility. With the Big 12 affiliation, Cincinnati’s marketability increases markedly, attracting national exposure that translates to higher NIL valuations and enhanced donor contributions.
