By Stephenie Steitzer
Enquirer contributor

Scott Glaser, a former UC cheerleader who lives in Pleasant Ridge, watches UC Homecoming festivities with his wife, Linda, and their children Logan, 18 months, and Julianna, 4. (Jeff Swinger photo) | ZOOM |

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS - Rob Walker used to celebrate University of Cincinnati homecomings with beer and his buddies.

"Those were the days of drinking and being a student," the 1992 graduate said. "Now, it's time to play ball with my boys instead of my buddies."

Walker spent Saturday's pregame time tossing a football to his youngest son, 2-year-old Jared, who was decked out in a red UC T-shirt and hat.

Walker, of Sharonville, and about a hundred other UC alumni who now have small children, gathered at the carnival on McMicken Lawn, where a juggler, magician and face painters provided free entertainment.

Kathy Schertzinger (Class of '86) watched a face painter design a "C" paw on her 4-year-old son Henry's face.

"I love to see the crowds here," the Loveland native said. "It's great for UC."

Schertzinger, like Walker, used to celebrate Homecoming differently. A cheerleader and a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, she said she was always involved in the parade and official festivities.

But UC fans of all ages - spread out across 137 acres of the university's main campus - found different ways to celebrate Homecoming.

At Uncle Woody's Tavern and Eatery on Calhoun Street, throngs of students and alumni spilled out to the sidewalk.

Brian Steele(Class of 2000) got a head start on the day's festivities at Uncle Woody's with a kegs and eggs breakfast at 8:15 a.m.

"We live for homecoming," Steele said, referring to his Sigma Sigma fraternity brothers.

Steele, who lives in Norwood, said it's a chance to bump into old friends and classmates whom he hasn't seen since graduation.

On the other end of campus, diehard UC football fans were busy tailgating in a parking lot near the stadium. They say they don't need a special reason like homecoming to support the team.

"It's always homecoming for us," said Tom Wherry, a 1975 graduate.

Wherry of Covington and about 20 other alumni and their spouses have been getting together to celebrate before every home football game since the 1970s.

"We've seen a lot of long days, but we're still here," said Doug Sinck of Fairfield, a friend of Wherry.

E-mail stephsteitzer@hotmail.com