Continue Paul Bailey's UC Legacy

Paul’s time on this earth ended too soon when a tragic accident at his home took his life on October 28, 2016 at the age of 69. While our family continues to adjust to life without him, we hold onto our faith that we will be reunited with him one day.

Paul was known for the many great talents he had, such as being the inaugural public address announcer for FC Cincinnati soccer team. However, his final and favorite job, and probably what he was best known for, was being the public address announcer, the “voice” for the University of Cincinnati Bearcats.

Paul grew up a UC Bearcats fan, watching the basketball team on TV as they won the NCAA championships in 1961 and 1962. After graduating from Western Hills High School in 1965, Paul continued his education at UC graduating in 1970 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with his focus on broadcasting. He covered the football and basketball teams on UC radio station WGUC while a student. Following graduation, he worked for WKRC TV and WCKY radio doing on-air and on-site reporting, including the tragic Beverly Hills Supper Club fire and the 1974 tornadoes.

In 2004, he began his public address announcing career with the UC baseball team, then adding the men and women’s soccer games soon after. In 2008 he was given the opportunity to do the PA for UC football and then men’s basketball, and occasionally filled in for UC volleyball and women’s basketball. Paul would often tell those he worked with to pinch him because he couldn’t believe he got to do his “dream job.” He always came up with exciting ways to engage the crowd, from "Move the chains for another Bearcat’s first down” to his bigger-than-life “THREE POINT BASKET.” And then there was his way of getting the crowd on their feet at Fifth Third Arena as he shouted out with his unforgettable, powerful voice… “CINCINNATI….ARE YOU READY…..BECAUSE IT’S BASKETBALL TIME IN CINCINNATI AND HERE COME THE CATS!!!” At that moment, the Cincinnati flags would come out followed by the team. We have heard from many people how much they miss that voice.

Our family would like to continue Paul’s legacy at the new Fifth Third Arena, the placed he loved to be. Please consider making a gift so we can dedicate and name the PA Chair that will be present for all men’s basketball, women’s basketball and volleyball games at the official scorer’s table, keeping Paul’s memory alive for years to come.