UC to compete in CareSource Invitational Outdoor Basketball Doubleheader
Ohio teams meet in October at the newly renovated facility to support mental health awareness and suicide prevention among young people
Per GoBearcats:
The CareSource Invitationals will debut a first-of-its-kind outdoor college basketball experience, featuring a marquee lineup of legendary Ohio rivals at the newly renovated Lindner Family Tennis Center.
On Wednesday, October 7, the same Center Court that welcomes the biggest names in tennis for the Cincinnati Open will transform into a basketball arena hosting men’s teams from University of Dayton, Ohio State, University of Cincinnati and Xavier University. The event will raise awareness and funds for mental health and suicide prevention.
Now in its fourth year, the CareSource Invitationals support mental health awareness with a focus on the foundational message “It’s OK to not be OK.” In addition to normalizing mental health conversations, the collegiate games raise funds for nonprofit mental health and suicide prevention organizations.
The CareSource Invitational tips off with the University of Cincinnati Bearcats playing the Ohio State Buckeyes. Their rivalry dates to 1961 and 1962, when the two teams met in consecutive national championship games. Following that, the Xavier University Musketeers will face the University of Dayton Flyers in a rivalry dating back to 1920. Xavier won and currently holds the Blackburn/McCafferty Trophy, named after legendary coaches of the two teams.
The four Ohio Division I teams will be the first to play at the Lindner Family Tennis Center following the $260 million campus transformation completed in August 2025. Done in partnership with the City of Mason, Warren County and the State of Ohio, the 40-acre site was expanded and enhanced to operate as a year-round sports and entertainment destination.
“The CareSource Invitational is exactly the type of unique event we envisioned when we reimagined the Lindner Family Tennis Center beyond the Cincinnati Open,” said Bob Moran, President of Beemok Sports & Entertainment. “Center Court has long been the stage for unforgettable moments, and we're excited to create an atmosphere and energy that will be unlike anything college basketball fans have experienced before.”