Ed Jucker was eulogized as a family man, friend, mentor and all-around enthusiastic guy at a memorial service Monday.

        The fact that he coached the University of Cincinnati to two national titles was mentioned. But those who played for and coached with Jucker went out of their way to say he was much more than just a successful coach.

        “I'm the second-most excitable guy in Cincinnati,” said Glenn Sample, who coached with Jucker at UC. “Ed Jucker was the most excitable. I had such love for him. He was a wonderful friend.”

        Jucker, 85, died Feb.2 at his home in South Carolina. His many colleagues and former players from UC were given a chance to pay their respects at Wyoming Presbyterian Church.

        The occasion was somewhat sad, of course, but a lot of happy memories were recalled.

        “I can still see coach Jucker now, riding the shoulders of his players, pumping his fist in the air in celebration,” said Tony Yates, the point guard on UC's championship teams.

        “Coach Jucker was a role model for us all,” said Ike Misali, who played on Jucker's first baseball team at UC. “He set high expectations and high goals.”

        Jucker is best known for coaching the Bearcats to those national titles, but he was the ultimate UC athletic department insider. He coached baseball as well as basketball.

        Yates and Sample recalled one of Jucker's favorite expressions: “Keep your dauber up.” He would tell his star players that, as well as the guys on the end of the bench.

        “He told me you should work to make your mark, do something special,” Yates said. “I said, "You did that, Coach, and you touched us all.'”

        Jucker kept in touch with his players long after he retired.

        “He was always making phone calls and sending little notes,” Sample said, “always with encouragement.”

It's business as usual for No. 5 Cats Buckeyes play UC Sept. 21 at PBS Ed Jucker memorial

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