The Bearcat community was hit with some sad news yesterday, when it was reported Bearcat Legend Tom O’Malley passed away Saturday. O’Malley was 85. He is survived by 3 children, and a plethora of grandchildren. O’Malley has his name in the UC Ring of Honor, earning the distincting with a fine career. Under coach Sid Gillman, O’Malley led the nation in passing with 1,617 yards. That was a school record, as well as his 16 TD passes. Both records stayed 19 years until Greg Cook broke them. UC went to the Glass Bowl in 1949, besting Toledo 33-13. O’Malley served in the Navy during the second World War before becoming a Bearcat. Once he came to UC, his legend was born. He was the top Bearcat passer three years in a row, and when his career at UC was over, his number 27 was retired. O’Malley went into the UC Hall of Fame in 2006. Tom had a pro career, which saw him play in the NFL with Cleveland and Green Bay. He had success in Canada, when he let the Ottawa Rough Riders to the Grey Cup in 1951.
Not a lot of people take the time to learn the history of great players. I’ll admit to not know what Tom O’Malley did before doing a lot of research and reading about him yesterday. I knew he was good, because hey, his name was in a place of prominance and his number was retired. The history of UC football is not a very deep one. Outside of Bearcats Rising, I don’t know another source of the past. Down the Drive has a great look at everyone in the Ring of Honor. It’s worth checking out. Tradition is something relatively new for UC football. Being kind of awful for a long time makes one overlook the players of the past. Unfortunately, it takes death to look back in some cases. Tom O’Malley was a Bearcat legend, and hopefully he won’t be forgotten.
It’s a little hard to transition from that to other things that have been happening with UC, but we will try. The NCAA track and field finals were held Saturday. The Bearcats had a couple of people compete. Eric Finan ran in some very long race. I have no idea where he finished, but he wasn’t near the top. I had a hard time picking out what UC’s tank top thing was. Red is kind of generic. The most notable Bearcat to run was Terrence Somerville. Somerville competed in the 110 meter hurdles. Unfortuantely, he ended up getting disqualified for knocking over a hurdle. The guy next to him ran terribly as well. It was disappointing to see the dream die like that. But, it was pretty cool to watch two Bearcats compete on that grand a stage. Congrats on a great season guys. Both earned All American honors. The lone female Bearcat to run, Kathy Klump, finished 8th in the 800 meters, but as was an All American. Great job, Kathy.
The Bearcats baseball team had 3 players sign on to the pro ranks. Dan Jenson was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds, Chris Peters signed with the Toronto Blue Jays, and pitcher Nick Johnson signed with the Chicago Cubs. The Bearcats are getting guys in the system. It’s cool to see. Even if they are with the Cubs.
UC had a camp this weekend, and it resulted in a lot of offers. CB Leviticus Payne from Southfield in Michigan, CB Kevin Houchins from Lyndhurst Brush in Ohio, and QB Nick Wargo from Walsh Jesuit in Ohio all received offers. From the little blurbs I read, Wargo sounds like the best of the bunch. He participated in the Elite-11 combine, and is rushing up the lists. The Bearcast already have a QB of the future in Munchie Leagux, and a QB of the future after him, in Patrick Coyne. The more the merrier though. Elite prospects can come to UC every day.
Finally, incoming Bearcat freshman Akise Teague will be playing in the Big 33 game this Saturday. It’s the “Super Bowl of High School Football”, pitting Ohio against Pennslyvania. Teague will join UC after the game according to him. All the best to Akise, hope he has a great game.
I hope that you guys, and gals, have a great game as well. You should get involved in a game today, and then that would sound very nice. The photo is credit of the Enquirer.
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