UC students defend statue in front of Crosstown Shootout

On December 15, 2024By Littum

CINCINNATI (WXIX) – University of Cincinnati students spent the week leading up to the Crosstown Shootout defending the statue of Oscar Robertson outside Fifth Third Bank Arena.

FOX 19 NOW spoke with students who spent the night outside Friday. They explained that they had so far thwarted two attempts to put a Xavier basketball jersey on the statue.

The jerseys had been “clawed” and displayed as trophies.

“We try to avoid violence,” junior Nathan Troutman explained. “We have the support of the UC (police), so if things escalate, we’ve definitely got their back.”

He explained that every evening they have been holding events and games that other students can participate in while waiting for sunrise.

Friday night they held a three-on-three basketball game.

Troutman said it’s about keeping the traditions alive before a big game.

“The basketball team has a lot of hype,” he said. “We feel very good about our chances tomorrow so we will do everything we can to protect it.”

The game tips off at 2pm on Saturday.

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