UC Clermont athletic director, teams receive national acclaim
The Cougars have won seven national titles since 2006
University of Cincinnati Clermont College Athletic Director Brian Sullivan has been named Athletic Director of the Year by the United States Collegiate Athletic Association.
Sullivan, who has spearheaded athletics at UC Clermont since 2006, has overseen the addition of soccer and baseball programs, a conference change, new home facilities and standing-room only crowds. The Cougars also have earned seven national titles and celebrated nearly 100 student-athletes receiving national honors under his tenure. Four UC Clermont coaches have been named USCAA Coach of the Year, and Sullivan serves on the conference board of directors.
“We have unbelievable support from the college administration that fuels our success,” Sullivan said. “It creates a trickle-down effect — good teams, good coaches, strong community relationships — without any of those pieces, it wouldn’t work.”
After serving as director of operations for the Cincinnati Cyclones and former minor-league soccer team the Cincinnati Silverbacks, Sullivan, who also coached boys’ soccer at Anderson High School for 13 years, saw a fresh opportunity at UC Clermont. At the time, the college was part of the now-defunct Ohio Regional College Conference (ORCC) and fielded volleyball, basketball, softball and golf teams.
“Athletics were more like club sports at the time,” said Sullivan. “I wanted to take UC Clermont to the next level, to be part of a national organization.”
The same year Sullivan was hired, the Student Activities Center became the on-campus home court for volleyball and basketball, and the Cougars joined the more competitive USCAA.
We have the name recognition now; our coaches go into high schools, and they know UC Clermont. We are getting student-athletes from schools where in the past we wouldn’t. And they want to play for us.
Brian Sullivan UC Clermont athletic director
“That changed everything,” he said.
Suddenly, UC Clermont could compete for — and win — national championships, which attracted a different type of recruit. Since then, the Cougars have claimed titles in men’s basketball (2007), baseball (2013), women’s basketball (2014, 2023), women’s soccer (2018, 2019) and volleyball (2021).
“We have the name recognition now; our coaches go into high schools, and they know UC Clermont,” said Sullivan. “We are now getting student-athletes from schools where in the past we wouldn’t. And they want to play for us.”
Sullivan said the quality of the college’s coaches and student-athletes is also crucial to the college’s more recent success. The ideal recruit is not only strong academically but has a solid character and family foundation. Most UC Clermont student-athletes receive academic financial assistance, and a number have been recruited by higher level teams after playing for the college.
“I want them to know this isn’t 13th grade,” Sullivan said. “We’re going to treat them like college athletes. Every year we try to upgrade the experience — how our teams travel, the gear they use, filling the stands every home game. You’re part of something bigger. You’re going to leave with a University of Cincinnati degree.”
Learn more about UC Clermont athletics at ucclermont.edu/athletics.
About UC Clermont
UC Clermont College is located in the center of Clermont County on 91 beautiful, wooded acres in Batavia Township. The college is an accredited, open-access institution offering more than 60 programs and degrees. UC Clermont is part of the nationally recognized University of Cincinnati. For more information, call 513-556-5400 or visit www.ucclermont.edu
Related Stories
UC to celebrate 100th anniversary of Nippert Stadium dedication all season
June 27, 2024
Cincinnati Athletics will commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the dedication of Nippert Stadium during the entire 2024 football season, celebrating the life of stadium namesake Jimmy Nippert as the Bearcats' season-long theme. The celebration will take center stage Nov. 9, 2024 when the Bearcats face former BIG EAST rival West Virginia on Carson Field.
Annette Echikunwoke qualifies for 2024 Paris Olympics
June 25, 2024
Former University of Cincinnati track and field standout Annette Echikunwoke has qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. She won the hammer throw event with a season-best mark of 74.68m at the U.S. Olympic Trials at Hayward Field on Sunday.
Born to run
June 20, 2024
Former professional athletes have advantages in running for political office, UC’s David Niven tells The Atlantic. Niven, an associate professor in the School of Public and International Affairs, teaches a course on sports and politics.
Paris bound: Jordan Thompson selected to 2024 U.S. Olympic Team
June 6, 2024
UC alum Jordan Thompson has been selected to the 2024 U.S. Olympic Women's Volleyball Team, marking her second consecutive Olympic roster. She was part of the 2020 U.S. team that won gold in Tokyo, becoming the sixth Bearcat to earn a gold medal.
A century-old love affair with the Bearcat
May 31, 2024
The Bearcat mascot is probably the most recognizable ambassador for goodwill and school spirit at the University of Cincinnati. The term “UC Bearcat” dates back to 1914 and seems to have first appeared in the campus newspaper following a football game between UC and the University of Kentucky Wildcats. The Cincinnati Enquirer recounts the tradition.
UC Clermont baseball team wins second national title
May 23, 2024
The University of Cincinnati Clermont College men’s baseball team has taken first place in the 2024 United States Collegiate Athletic Association Small College World Series. The Cougars defeated four-time national champion Penn State Dubois to claim the program’s second title and first since 2013.
UC Clermont welcomes students from 50 states as programs, pathways increase
May 20, 2024
The University of Cincinnati Clermont College now boasts students from all 50 states in the United States and overseas, thanks to a growing slate of online programs and innovative in-person and hybrid offerings.
From student-athlete to OIP advocate
May 15, 2024
In a tale of resilience and ambition, Alexandria Anderson's journey to the hallowed halls of the University of Cincinnati College of Law and Ohio Innocence Project exemplifies the transformative power of scholarships in shaping futures.
UC faculty unveil startup platform to redefine NIL landscape
May 8, 2024
UC faculty develop new platform for students to track scholarship criteria and monetize their name, image and likeness (NIL) for branding purposes. Carbon Copy Assets will launch a mobile application where students earn badges and rewards for verifying their participation at campus events like career fairs, student club meetings and volunteer opportunities. Students will also prove that they are building job and life skills such as financial and legal literacy. A blockchain will record these activities, allowing donors and employers to view a publicly verifiable, immutable list of achievements.
UC Clermont professor teaches history through sci-fi lens in new book
May 7, 2024
A University of Cincinnati Clermont College professor is pioneering a new path — using science fiction — to teach history to students.