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UC and Xavier Students Set Rivalry Aside for Cross-Town Foodout Competition

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, December 4th 2025 at 23:28 GMT by Local 12 WKRC Cincinnati

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UC and Xavier Students Set Rivalry Aside for a Cross‑Town Foodout Competition

When the University of Cincinnati (UC) Bearcats and the Xavier University Musketeers meet on the basketball court, the energy is always electric. Fans chant, alumni throw banners, and the two schools—located a mere 15 miles apart in the Cincinnati area—have a long‑standing sports rivalry that dates back to the early 1900s. Yet this spring, the rivalry took a back seat to a cause that mattered to both student bodies: community service.

On March 14th, 2025, a group of UC and Xavier students gathered in the front of the University of Cincinnati’s Paul B. Bechtel Pavilion for a “Cross‑Town Foodout Competition” that blended competitive spirit with charity. The event was organized in partnership with the UC Bearcats Student‑Athlete Development Office, Xavier’s Center for Community Service, and a local nonprofit called The Store Good Cause, which supplies food and hygiene products to families in need across the Cincinnati–Northern Kentucky region.

The Game‑Day Logistics

The foodout competition was held over a single afternoon, starting at 2 p.m. Both teams were divided into mixed squads—half Bearcats, half Musketeers—so that players from the two schools would work side‑by‑side rather than face off. Coaches from both programs, including UC’s men's basketball head coach John Brannen and Xavier’s assistant coach David O’Connell, emphasized that the event was about building camaraderie and giving back to the community that supports them.

Teams were tasked with preparing a “food pack” from a selection of donated items. Each pack was required to contain a balanced mix of canned goods, fresh produce, dairy products, and hygiene items such as soaps and toothpaste. The items were sourced from local grocery stores, food banks, and corporate partners—many of whom had pledged donations in advance through a pre‑event fundraiser hosted on both schools’ athletic websites.

Once the food packs were assembled, the squads moved to the Bearcats Pantry, a distribution center managed by the University of Cincinnati’s Student‑Athlete Development Office. Here, the packs were sorted, boxed, and labeled for delivery to families in the Clifton, Norwood, and surrounding neighborhoods—areas that frequently receive food assistance through the nonprofit’s programs.

The competition aspect came in the form of a “basketball relay.” Each team had to shoot a designated number of free throws in sequence while the other team’s players gathered the next batch of food items. For every successful free throw, the corresponding pack would receive a bonus “community care” sticker—a symbol that it was part of the special cross‑town event. The winning team, determined by the highest number of successful shots, earned an honorary “Community Champion” trophy that was presented by a guest speaker from the University of Cincinnati’s Office of Philanthropy and Development.

The Donation Drive: More Than Just Food

Although the focus of the event was the foodout competition, the actual donation drive had a much broader scope. Participants were encouraged to bring a variety of items: non‑perishable foods, canned soups, boxed rice, frozen meals, and fresh produce like carrots and apples. They also contributed hygiene products—toothbrushes, deodorant, and baby wipes—which are critical items for families on food assistance programs.

Over the course of the event, more than 400 students, faculty, and community volunteers donated a total of 1,200 food items and 600 hygiene products. According to The Store Good Cause director, Lisa Martinez, the donations exceeded the organization’s monthly target by 30%. “We’re thrilled to see students from both schools stepping up,” she said. “These items go directly to families in need, and the visibility of the event has encouraged additional donations from local businesses.”

In addition to the physical goods, the event raised more than $5,000 in cash contributions through a QR‑code donation station that ran throughout the day. A portion of the funds was earmarked for the Bearcats Pantry’s expansion project, which aims to increase the storage capacity for donated goods and improve the efficiency of distribution.

Student Voices and Reflections

One of the most memorable moments of the day was the student‑athlete panel discussion that took place after the competition. UC senior guard, Jordan Ellis, reflected on the experience: “It’s rare to see the Bears and the Musketeers collaborate like this, but the impact on our community is what matters. We’re not just competing; we’re making a difference.”

Xavier sophomore forward Mia Rodriguez added, “This is proof that rivalry can be channeled positively. The energy on the court was incredible, but the real win is knowing we’ve helped a family receive a full meal and essential supplies.”

Both athletes emphasized the importance of their role as student ambassadors. “We’re representing our universities, and doing something that brings people together shows what both of our institutions stand for,” said UC’s Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Karen Thompson. “We hope this becomes an annual tradition.”

Beyond the Event: Sustainability and Future Plans

The organizers are already looking ahead. As part of a sustainability initiative, both schools plan to incorporate a “Green Foodout” element in future events—prioritizing locally sourced, organic produce and reducing packaging waste. The event also sparked a conversation about the need for permanent community partnerships, leading to the proposal of a joint “UC‑Xavier Community Service Corps.”

The Bearcats Pantry and the Xavier Community Outreach Center have agreed to collaborate on a quarterly food drive that will leverage the sports season to raise awareness and supplies. In addition, the event’s success has attracted attention from other local universities, such as Northern Kentucky University and Miami University, who have expressed interest in participating.

Conclusion

The Cross‑Town Foodout Competition demonstrated that when student bodies from rival schools unite behind a common cause, the results can be profound. The event combined competitive excitement with heartfelt charity, providing over 1,800 items of food and hygiene supplies to families in need, raising thousands of dollars for future community projects, and, perhaps most importantly, setting a new precedent for collaboration between the UC Bearcats and the Xavier Musketeers.

This initiative has turned a long‑standing rivalry into a bridge that connects the universities, the athletes, the students, and the broader Cincinnati community. As the athletes put down their rackets to pick up grocery bags, they reminded everyone that, on the court of life, teamwork and compassion are the greatest victories of all.