Cincinnati Bearcats basketball to be featured in ESPN+ documentary

At their annual Tip-Off Dinner on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at Fifth Third Arena, Cincinnati Bearcats coach Jerrod Calhoun announced the men’s basketball team has partnered with 4th Floor Creative on an all-access, behind-the-scenes look into the basketball program.

The most interesting detail is the name: Calhoun Street.

“We’re really excited to partner with 4th Floor Creative on this project detailing what goes on behind the scenes of our program with just a tremendous group of student-athletes and staff members,” Calhoun said. “We’ve had them with us throughout the preseason and I’m looking forward to this showcase of our group heading into the season.”

The Bearcats, who have 14 newcomers to the program in the opening season under Calhoun, will have the Big 12 roster with the most combined years played in college basketball this season.

Other than walk-on Grant Darbyshire, the entire oster is new. The documentary, which will provide an inside look into all aspects of the program, will be streamed on ESPN+.

“We’re excited and honored to provide an in-depth look inside the Bearcats basketball program this fall,” Marc Graham, vice president and director of 4th Floor Creative, said. “Being back on campus at my alma mater makes this project especially meaningful, and gives us a unique lens to bring Bearcats fans inside this storied program and share a side of it they haven’t experienced before.”

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Tom Gelehrter founded 4th Floor Creative in April 2015 after nine years working in collegiate athletics at the University of Cincinnati. During his time at UC, Gelehrter created Bearcats TV and helped lead UC Athletics into the digital era. He is now the voice of FC Cincinnati. The company’s name pays direct homage to his office on the fourth floor of the Richard Lindner Center.

Over the past 11 years, 4th Floor Creative has grown into a nationally recognized video production and storytelling company, establishing partnerships with colleges, universities and professional sports organizations across the country. The company’s work has been recognized by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Ohio Valley Chapter, with more than 20 Emmy Awards.

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Mazzula played at West Virginia for Bob Huggins when Jerrod Calhoun was an assistant,leading the Mountaineers to the Final Four in 2010. He followed Calhoun to Fairmont State as his assistant and later was the school’s head coach. He became a Boston Celtics assistant in 2019, was elevated to interim coach in 2022 and has been head coach since 2023.

Mazzula addressed the team before the event. During the banquet, Calhoun had all of the Bearcats stand and introduce themselves to those at the sold-out event.
exhibition season begins Oct. 7

The Bearcats start with the CareSource Invitational on Oct. 7 at the unique Lindner Tennis Center site in Mason. UC plays Ohio State at 3 p.m., followed by Xavier taking on Dayton at 5:30 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bearcats basketball to be featured in ESPN+ documentary