Cincinnati PR

So, why did UC Head Football Coach Butch Jones agree to be the keynote speaker at tonight’s 35th Annual Elder Sports Stag?

“Tradition. History,” he said last night, taking a brief respite between the grind of the recruiting trail and the planning of spring practice.

“When you look at the tradition, and the history, of Cincinnati Bearcat football, you’ll see that since the 1990s, Elder has contributed more players than any other high school,” said Jones.

“That’s what Elder brings. That’s why I’m going to Elder. When you think of University of Cincinnati football, you also think of Elder,” said Jones, entering his second year at the helm in Clifton.

“The Elder program has meant so much to us. There are so many great players who have worn the Red and Black for us, who have come from Elder, in such a very short period of time, that we have come to have great respect for the school and the Elder football program.”

Jones will speak from 8-9 p.m. at tonight’s event, to be held in The Elder Memorial Fieldhouse. Festivities kick off with a happy hour from 5:30-7 p.m.; followed by dinner from 7-8 p.m., then The Coach Jones Hour.

Tickets are $50, $125 for a VIP reception with Coach Jones and other celebrities following his speech. The VIP reception will be held from 9-11 p.m. in The Schaeper Center.

For tickets, please contact the Elder Alumni/Development office at (513) 921-3744 or send an e-mail to Pat Fiorino at fiorino.p@elderhs.org. The official program can be found at: http://www.elderhs.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=DnlzMlLdpe4%3d&tabid=97.

Tonight won’t be Coach Jones’ first trip to The Pit. He witnessed Friday nights in Purple up-close and personal last Fall, during the Elder-St. X game at Elder Stadium.

“I was very excited to get the chance to see a game at The Pit. I know it didn’t end the way Elder wanted it to, but it was amazing. The tailgating. The crowd. The cheering section. The Purple. It truly is a very special and unique situation that Elder has at The Pit,” Jones said.

“When I think of Elder football, I think of tremendous pride and passion, and that’s what we’re building here at UC,” Coach Jones continued. “As the Head Coach, I feel very excited and fortunate to have that opportunity.”

Coach Jones said all three Elder Panthers on the UC roster are vying for starting positions: redshirt junior offensive lineman Austen Bujnoch, redshirt sophomore linebacker Corey Mason, and redshirt sophomore kicker Tony Miliano.

“All three individuals have the same, excellent redeeming qualities: they each have tremendous character. Each of them is a tremendous young man, and each has a bright future here at the University of Cincinnati,” Coach Jones said.

“We’re excited about all three. They’re gonna help us win championships. They’re all fighting for playing time, and this spring will be extremely important,” Coach Jones concluded. “All three will have tremendous opportunities to get on the field.”

Here’s a post from last month with more information about Elder players on the current UC roster:

http://local.cincinnati.com/share/news/story.aspx?sid=176109

Come join us – and Coach Jones – at Elder tonight!