Who: Four-year-old twins Tyler and Zachary Mitchell of Delhi Township, the sons of Chris and Bill Mitchell, preschool students at St. John's Learning Center and devoted University of Cincinnati Bearcats fans.

        What: Their Bearcats-themed bedroom.

        On display: Logo items including red-and-white striped wallpaper, a Cincinnati Bearcats border and red-and-black UC curtains. There is also a set of fire-engine red bunk beds (Tyler sleeps on top, Zachary on bottom) made up with UC bedspreads, sheets and pillows.

Twins Tyler and Zachary Mitchell are Bearcat-crazy (Steven M. Herppich photo) | ZOOM |

        Seating is provided by canvas UC Bearcats director's chairs. Scattered about the room are toy Bearcats, red and black pompoms, UC water bottles and matching backpacks.

        Thanks, Dad: The boy's favorite UC decoration is a huge Bearcats mural that their father (a 1986 UC grad) painted for them.

        Tyler and Zachary have attended many UC basketball and football games, because their father holds season tickets. They enjoy watching the competition, but the mascot is their favorite part of the games.

        “We met him once,” Tyler says with a grin. “He gave us a hug and squeezed real tight.”

        The boys agree that the UC cheerleaders are “pretty neat” but don't like the dancers. “Their music is really loud,” Zachary says, putting his fingers in his ears. But they give the food at the games high praise, especially the popcorn and pretzels.

        From the mouths of babes: “You know what else?” his brother giggles. “That Bob Huggins yells a lot. He also throws his coat.”

        Four-year-old boys know better than to act like that at games. “Mommy won't let us throw our coats,” Zachary confides. But they are allowed to cheer and recently came home from a game with sore throats.

        Discriminating taste: UC guard Steve Logan is Tyler's favorite basketball player because “he dunks and shoots” and Kenny Satterfield is Zachary's because “he wears a headband.”

        Family feud: Not everyone in the family is “Bearcatty.” Their maternal “Pa-Pa,” Mark Joseph, is a Xavier fan. This has set off a good-natured rivalry. “We don't like it when they win,” Tyler says.

        “The Xavier Musketeers stink!” Zachary bellows, unprovoked.

        How do they feel when their beloved Bearcats lose? “It puts us in a bad mood,” the precocious pair say in unison.

        What are your prize possessions? Show them off by writing to Marsie Hall Newbold, c/o Tempo, Prize Possessions, The Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St., 45202 or e-mail marsolete@aol.com.

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