Somewhere along the line someone really missed this, and now it’s a bit embarrassing.
The Cincinnati Enquirer has a list of top donors to college athletics in the area and why. This one jumped out like a big frickin’ neon sign.

MAX AND JUDI REDLICH

Occupation: Founders of PENCO Inc. Max is retired, but plays professional poker.

Booster activity: The Redlichs, who are University of Pittsburgh graduates, have been UCATS members since 1995 and longtime Cincinnati residents. They are part of the George Smith Society and give about $20,000 per year. They have decided to leave their seven-figure estate to UC with 75 percent going to athletics and 25 percent going to the College-Conservatory of Music. Currently the value is about $4 million.

Why they do it: “Pitt never asked us,” Max said.

The Redlichs’ children took over the family business and are financially well off.

“So you sit down and you say, what are you going to do with your money when you die?” Max said. “We just evolved into this idea of planned giving. We are both big advocates of a college education.”

They’re also big basketball fans. They have second-row seats at Fifth Third Arena and have traveled to some of UC’s big games. Max even recalled playing blackjack with former UC player Ruben Patterson in Puerto Rico. They’ve also gotten to know UC President Nancy Zimpher through dinner parties and UC basketball coach Mick Cronin.

“The whole athletic department is getting to know the UCATS members better,” Max said.

“A big part of it is the people,” Judi said. “We know Mike Thomas, and these people have been so nice to meet. That’s been a big part of us doing this as far as I’m concerned.”

[Emphasis added.]

Next time. Ask. AD Jeff Long might want to consider reaching out personally on this one.