CINCINNATI — After 27 years, a foundational preseason tradition for Cincinnati Bearcats football has officially come to an end.

The University of Cincinnati has decided to move its annual fall training camp from the familiar grounds of Camp Higher Ground in West Harrison, Indiana, back to campus. Moving forward, the program will fully centralize its operations at the newly constructed Sheakley Indoor Practice Facility and Performance Center.

The transition represents a massive operational pivot for UC Athletics. According to details shared by Scott Springer of the Cincinnati Enquirer, keeping the team on campus for the preseason will save the university an estimated $250,000 annually.

Beyond the significant financial savings, the move ensures that players and coaching staff have direct, uninterrupted access to top-tier, modern athletic resources. The on-campus center features an updated, state-of-the-art weight room, specialized recovery areas, and advanced medical and training facilities that surpass the accommodations available at the Indiana retreat.

The university expressed its appreciation for the long-standing partnerships that defined nearly three decades of preseason preparation in a statement provided to the Enquirer: “The University of Cincinnati and UC Athletics are grateful for the 27 years of football spent at the Higher Ground Conference and Retreat Center and the relationships built with Chuck and Brenda Hail, Mark Lingle and the Church of the Nazarene. With the opening of the Sheakley Indoor Practice Facility and Performance Center, it makes competitive and operational sense to fully utilize a facility that provides everything our program needs in one location, including a state-of-the-art weight room, training room, and recovery areas."