Cincinnati, Creighton matchup in NCAA Tournament starts 'family feud' for UC president Santa Ono

CINCINNATI - University of Cincinnati President Santa Ono says there hasn’t been any trash-talking with his brother Momoro, who teaches at Creighton University, but the two have made a bet. And their dad is taking sides.

“My brother has to wear a Bearcats jersey at Creighton for a day if Cincinnati wins, and I have to wear a Bluejays T-shirt if Creighton wins,” President Ono told 9 On You Side Monday, looking ahead to Friday’s NCAA basketball tournament matchup in Philadelphia.

Ono is clearly caught up in the excitement of March Madness. He tweeted Monday morning: “ My brother teaches at Creighton. #Family feud at March Madness.”

His brother is a master pianist and teaches piano at Creighton, Ono said. See video of Momoro Ono at http://youtu.be/gzIokWCP4yY

Ono talked with 9 On Your Side on the phone from Baltimore, where he was visiting his parents before going on to Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love.

Ono said his dad is rooting for Cincinnati.

“My parents are Japanese, understand. My mother is taking the Fifth because she really doesn’t understand basketball. But my dad is rooting for UC.  He did say he’d be more pumped if UC had a sumo wrestling team,“  Ono laughed.

Ono first told 9 On Your Side he wouldn’t shave his head again, then he cheerfully gave in.

“If the Bearcats win the national championship, I will shave my head again,” he laughed.

In January, Ono followed through with a promise to shave his head if the Bearcats won 10 games in a row. He said he did it in support of the team and the Dragonfly Foundation, which benefits children and young adults with cancer. He was taking a cue from Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman, who shaved his head after the Reds won 10 straight games last summer and raised money and awareness for the Dragonfly Foundation.

See video of President Ono shaving his head at Fifth Third Arena in January at http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/region_central_cincinnati/clifton/uc-president-to-shave-head-in-support-of-team-charity

Ono didn’t offer a prediction on Friday’s game, but he was already looking ahead to UC’s second game in the tournament.  If the 10th-seeded Bearcats beat seventh-seeded Creighton, they’re expected to play second-seeded Duke on Sunday

“I do want to see the Bearcats beat Duke. That would probably make my whole year,” Ono said.

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