Alumni from Xavier University and the University of Cincinnati are coming together across the nation Friday to watch the “Crosstown Shootout” at XU (9 p.m. on ESPN).

        “This is our first time,' says Jennifer Drenik, 29, of Boston, a 1995 graduate and president of UC's Boston alumni chapter, who never attended a Shootout before leaving Cincinnati.

        She's expecting 50 alumni from UC and Xavier to convene at Sports Depot on Cambridge Street in Boston's Allston neighborhood. “It will probably get heated but I don't expect any fights.”

        Among 20 cities where alumni will convene for joint Shootout parties are Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Denver, Dallas and Lima, Ohio.

        Mrs. Drenik says she draws an even bigger crowd when UC's alumni association headquarters in Cincinnati sends Skyline chili or Graeter's Ice Cream for the annual picnic at a Lowell (Mass.) Spinners minor league baseball game.

        The push for coast-to-coast parties originates with Kevin Garry, director for XU alumni chapters. He said XU and UC alumni may have done this informally but this is the first sponsorship by both alumni associations.

        Phillip Lanham, program coordinator for the UC alumni association, grabbed the idea and urged his chapters to consider TV parties.

        Another enthusiastic response comes from 1987 graduate Mark Carroll, 40, of Winter Springs, Fla. He heads the Orlando XU alumni chapter. Last year, he and 1992 graduate Lori Martin, 40, the UC chapter president, decided it was too late for a joint TV party.

        This year, Ms. Martin says, “He reminded me and I picked the bar.”

        UC grad Jerry McCarthy, 30 (Class of '94), and his wife, Julie, 29 (Class of '95), of Kettering used to drive down to catch the game. Now, they can't find a baby sitter for two toddlers for so late an outing. Thus, the Shootout gathering at the Fox and Hound English Pub & Grill, on Lyons Road in Centerville, will suffice.

        Friday's game marks the first Shootout at XU's Cintas Center and the first time the game has been played on the XU campus since 1956. For nearly five decades previously, XU's home court has been Cincinnati Gardens or what has become Firstar Center.

Indiana riverboats paying off
Argosy wants weekday gamblers
College freshmen lack basic skills
Board of Regents report highlights
Sporty's in the spotlight
Anderson acquiring acreage
Council has four plans to clean streets
Leis eyes airborne transport
School closings seen
Taft fixed on biotech, Hyundai
Tristate A.M. Report
Waagner extradited to Ill.
XU, UC alumni fan 'shootout' flame from afar
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: Toxic waste
Cambodian expected to plead guilty in killing
Ex-councilman: Duning forced out
Hamilton OKs 2002 budget
Jury says student unharmed
Mason manager gets a raise
Nix joins council a few weeks early
Poster parents owe money
Sheriff Ariss heads state lawmen group
Talawanda educators weighing facilities plans
Economic woes far-reaching
Ohio fun parks charging more
Portman won't seek GOP post
Two GOP leaders fight for Orient
Barking dog case could resonate
Eyebrows, questions raised
Four more Ky. Guard units about to get call
Garage to honor crossing guard
Kentucky News Briefs
Shelters' property dispute may displace potbellied pigs
State workers to join Teamsters