UCF Knights
Encyclopedia
The UCF Knights are the athletics teams of the University of Central Florida
in Orlando, Florida
. All of UCF's varsity sports teams are known as the Knights, with the women's teams sometimes referred to as the "Lady Knights." The Knights, which includes the university's 16 varsity sports teams, compete in the NCAA
's Division I and in Conference USA
, although as of November 2011, it was reported that UCF would move to the Big East Conference
for all sports.
The UCF Knights football team was Conference USA
champions in 2007
and 2010
, and the Knights women's basketball team were the 2009 C-USA champions. The UCF cheerleading team has captured two national titles at the College Cheerleading and Dance Team Nationals, in 2003 and 2007.
UCF, its athletic program, and the university's alumni and sports fans are sometimes jointly referred to as the "UCF Nation."
in 1975. The school moved up to Division I in 1984. In its first years in D-I, UCF was a member of the American South Conference
, merging into the Sun Belt Conference
in 1991. Women's sports in Division I played in the New South Women's Athletic Conference until 1990, when the American South began organizing women's sports. In 1992, UCF joined the Trans America Athletic Conference
(TAAC) in all D-I sports except football, which remained independent. In 1996, UCF was advanced to I-A (FBS) in football, and initially remained independent in football until becoming a football-only member of the Mid-American Conference
in 2001, the same year the TAAC became the Atlantic Sun Conference. UCF joined Conference USA
in all sports in 2005.
The sports teams were originally known as the "Knights of the Pegasus" since their first intercollegiate competitions in 1970. They switched to "Golden Knights" in 1993 as a solution to poor merchandise sales. The mascot of the athletic teams is Knightro
, a black knight with gold armor. The university has asked to be identified as UCF when being referenced as opposed to Central Florida. Television networks and other media outlets, most notably ESPN
, have been slow to adopt this policy.
In 2007, UCF made major changes to its athletic program. A new "athletic village" on the north end of campus known as Knights Plaza
was developed. It included new sports facilities such as a new arena connected to the existing UCF Arena
and a new 45,000 seat football stadium known as the Bright House Networks Stadium
, a new softball complex, and the only Division I indoor football practice facility in the state. This made UCF the first school to ever open a new stadium and arena at the same time, for the 2007-08 season. It also includes Jay Bergman Field
and UCF Soccer and Track Stadium. The area was built in a downtown style with four towers of student housing including approximately 1000 beds, retail and restaurant areas, and a new pedestrian mall connecting the front of the new arena to the student union. To mark the start of the new era, the teams were renamed from the "Golden Knights" on May 4, 2007 to the Knights and new logos and football helmets were unveiled.
On April 26, 2006, UCF hired Keith R. Tribble
, the Chief Executive Officer of the Orange Bowl Committee, to replace departed Athletic Director
Steve Orsini, who took the same job at the Southern Methodist University
, a C-USA rival. Before leading the Orange Bowl Committee, Tribble had been an associate AD at the University of Florida
and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
.
.
UCF has had some measure of success in football in its short NCAA history. It is the alma mater for NFL stars Brandon Marshall
, Daunte Culpepper
and Asante Samuel
, among others. The Knights fielded an NCAA football team in Division III in 1979, moving up to Division II in 1982 and Division I-AA in 1990, finally matching the rest of its sports programs. In 1996, the program made its foray into Division I-A. The Knights play in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the NCAA
's Division I and in Conference USA
.
The University of Central Florida fielded an official varsity football team for the first time in 1979, under head coach Don Jonas
. Since then, the Knights have played in four bowl games, won two conference championships, and produced 2 All-Americans, and eleven current National Football League
(NFL) players.
The Knights' most prominent current football rivals are C-USA Eastern Division foes East Carolina
and Marshall
, C-USA Western Division opponent Tulsa, and in-state rival South Florida
from the Big East.
George O'Leary
became UCF's head football coach in 2004, and his seven teams have had great success. The 2005 team won the school's first division championship, and earned their first trip to a bowl game, in the Knights first season in C-USA. In 2007
, the Knights won their second division championship, and earned their first conference championship. During the 2009
campaign, UCF earned its first victory over a ranked opponent and third bowl appearance under O'Leary's watch. In 2010
, the Knights cemeneted the best year in program history, earning their first top 25 ranking, second conference championship, and winning their first bowl game
.
The Knights have won the Conference USA Championship Game two times in three tries since the C-USA instituted the championship game in 2005. The Knights were a leading program in Division I-AA in the early 1990's. In 1990, UCF became the first school in history to qualify for the I-AA playoffs in its first season of eligibility. The Knights once again made the postseason in 1993, and were selected as the preseason #1 to start the 1994 season.
The Knights football team plays its home games in Bright House Networks Stadium
, the team's home field since 2007.
UCF played its first intercollegiate basketball game before the team even had a nickname. In the Division II era, under Torchy Clark, UCF found great success including a DII Final Four appearance.
UCF has been a member of Division I since 1985, and has advanced to the NCAA tournament 4 times (94, 96, 04, 05), all under coach Kirk Speraw
. UCF competed in the Atlantic Sun Conference
(formerly called the Trans America Athletic Conference) from 1992 until 2005 when all sports joined Conference USA
, and plays in the UCF Arena
. UCF made their debut in the Conference USA Championship Tournament in the 2006 season, falling to Houston in the second round and closing out the season with the program's first losing record (14-15) since 2000-2001. The Knights made a huge turnaround in the 2006-07 season, finishing 2nd in conference play to Memphis
with an overall record of 22-9.
The UCF Men's Basketball team played its first exhibition game in the 10,000 seat New UCF Arena, with an 86-78 win over the Saint Leo Lions
, on November 3, 2007. Their first regular-season game in the New UCF Arena was a 63-60 victory over the Nevada
on November 11. Their first home C-USA game was against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane
on January 11, 2008. The game was won by the Knights in triple overtime. On December 1st, 2010, the Knights upset the #16 Florida Gators
57-54 at the new Amway Center in downtown Orlando, giving the Knights their first victory over a top 20 opponent as well as their first victory over the Gators. Following a 10–0 start to the 2010–11 season
, the Knights were nationally ranked for the first time in program history. At the time, UCF was one of nine unbeaten teams, and one of only four schools to be ranked in the BCS standings and the AP men's basketball poll.
for women's basketball in 1977-78. They won the Division II small college tournament in 1979-80. They were promoted to AIAW Division I in its last year of existence, 1981–82, and made it to that year's District I tournament quarterfinals, before joining the NCAA in 1982-83.
The women's basketball team made the NCAA Division I tournament in 1996
and 1999
, and won the TAAC/Atlantic Sun regular-season title in 1999, 2003 and 2005, before joining C-USA. In 2009, UCF's women's basketball team shocked the C-USA by going 11-5 in conference play after going 2-11 in non-conference games and 10-20 the previous year, and swept through the 2009 Conference USA Women's Basketball Tournament
, dominating Southern Miss in overtime to win the championship game, 65-54, and earn its third Division I tournament
appearance.
who will entered his first season as head coach in 2009. Jay Bergman
had been head coach since 1976 but was fired on May 1, 2008 after allegations arose of sexual harassment towards a male equipment coach. Bergman had a large amount of success in this position, leading UCF to Atlantic Sun Championships in 93, 95, 96, 97, 00, 01, 02, 04 and NCAA Regional Appearances in 89, 93, 95, 96, 97, 00, 01, 02, 04, and brought UCF to a national ranking of #8 in 2001. In honor of his long term success with the Knights, on February 3, 2001, UCF opened and dedicated Jay Bergman Field
.
and Kim Wyant
. Akers and Wyant were founding players on the United States women's national soccer team
from 1985-2000. Akers helped them win the FIFA Women's World Cup
in 1991 and 1999, and the 1996 Summer Olympics
. Her career was so distinguished that Pelé
named her among only two female players (along with teammate Mia Hamm
) on the FIFA 100
list of the greatest living soccer players in 2004.
The women's program made the Final of the first ever NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship
in 1982, losing 1-0 to North Carolina
.
The men's program has developed midfielder Eric Vasquez, who made his professional soccer debut with the Columbus Crew
Major League Soccer. Vasquez later played for Miami FC
in the United Soccer Leagues' First Division and the Orlando Sharks
of the Major Indoor Soccer League before retiring due to injury. As well, former Knights Goalkeeper Ryan McIntosh initially signed a development deal with D.C. United
of MLS. After a year with the D.C. United Reserve team, McIntosh signed with the Atlanta Silverbacks
of USL Division One, where he led the team to the league final. The Silverbacks ended up losing to the Seattle Sounders. Both players were a part of the 2004 Central Florida Kraze
amateur soccer team that won the Premier Development League's championship by defeating the Boulder Rapids Resevers, 1-0 at the UCF soccer stadium.
Former UCF goalkeeper Sean Johnson
joined the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer
in 2010. He made his pro debut on August 1 and defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy
. He was a member of the United States U-20 men's national soccer team
which qualified for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup
in Egypt
. On the women's team, Aline Reis, an All-American in her freshman year in 2008, was selected to the Brazil women's national football team
for the first time in 2009, playing in a friendly against a local Brazilian team in July. Former women's goalkeeper Lynzee Lee plays for the Buffalo Flash
of the W-League
. In 2010, both the men's and women's soccer teams advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
Renee Luers-Gillispie, who is in her tenth year with the team, has been the programs only head coach. Through the conclusion of the 2010 season, Gillispie has led the Knights to a record of 341–233–1 during her tenure, and she has an overall win-loss record of 593–437–3 during her seventeen seasons as a head coach.
The Knights softball team plays its home games at the UCF Softball Complex.
Bryce Wallor is the head coach for the men's golf team, and Courtney Trimble is the head coach for the women's team. The Knights men's golf team plays its home matches at the Rio Pinar Country Club. The Knights women's golf team plays its home matches at the RedTail Golf Course. The Knight's golf teams practice at the UCF Golf Practice Facility, located near the UCF campus at the Twin Rivers Golf Club in Oviedo
.
Numerous former Knight golfers have represented the UCF on the PGA
and LPGA Tours, including Robert Damron
and Cliff Kresge
.
team has won ten total conference championships, eight in their nine years in the Atlantic Sun Conference, and won the 2010 Conference USA outdoor title and the 2011 Conference USA indoor title. In 2011, the Knights were nationally ranked for the first time in program history, while at the same time ranking as the top team in the state, rising as high as No. 8 in the polls.
The head coach for the track and field program is Caryl Smith Gilbert, and the assistant coaches are Jeff Chakouian, Paul Brown and LaTonya Loche. Gilbert has coached four All-Americans during her tenure at UCF, including two-time All-American Jackie Coward.
The Knights track and field teams hold their outdoor home meets at the UCF Soccer and Track Stadium, which is part of Knights Plaza.
Original weekly series Cheerleader U followed the UCF cheerleaders through an entire season.
"Black and gold" is a cheer that is very popular at home games, with one part of the student section yelling "Black!", and the other part of the section answering back with their loudest "Gold!" This can go back and forth for several minutes, with both sides competing to be the louder. The student section in the UCF Arena is known as the "Knightmare." Another popular cheer at games occurs during the national anthem
, when students loudly exclaim "Knight", during the line: "Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there."
The University of Central Florida Fight Song is titled 'Charge On':
The universities coordinated dance team, KnightMoves, is considered to be one of the nation's top college programs, and features 12-18 girls each year. The team performs year round at school and athletic events, such as Spirit Splash, pep rally's, and football and basketball games.
, UCF has many notable student athletes, coaches and staff members, such as NFL players Joe Burnett
, Kevin Smith
, Brandon Marshall
, Asante Samuel
and Mike Sims-Walker, NBA starting guard Jermaine Taylor
, NASCAR
driver Aric Almirola
, and soccer stars Michelle Akers
and Sean Johnson
. Currently, more than 50 UCF alumni compete in professional basketball
, football
, baseball
and golf
.
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
. All of UCF's varsity sports teams are known as the Knights, with the women's teams sometimes referred to as the "Lady Knights." The Knights, which includes the university's 16 varsity sports teams, compete in the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
's Division I and in Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
, although as of November 2011, it was reported that UCF would move to the Big East Conference
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
for all sports.
The UCF Knights football team was Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
champions in 2007
2007 UCF Knights football team
The 2007 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Their head coach is George O'Leary...
and 2010
2010 UCF Knights football team
The 2010 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Their head coach was George O'Leary, who was in his seventh season with the team. For the first time in program history, the Knights were nationally ranked following a...
, and the Knights women's basketball team were the 2009 C-USA champions. The UCF cheerleading team has captured two national titles at the College Cheerleading and Dance Team Nationals, in 2003 and 2007.
UCF, its athletic program, and the university's alumni and sports fans are sometimes jointly referred to as the "UCF Nation."
History and overview
The UCF varsity athletic program was a charter member of the Sunshine State ConferenceSunshine State Conference
The Sunshine State Conference was originally formed in 1975 as an NCAA Division II men's basketball conference. It has since expanded to sponsor championships in 14 sports, including men's and women's basketball, baseball, men's and women's golf, women's rowing, men's and women's soccer, softball,...
in 1975. The school moved up to Division I in 1984. In its first years in D-I, UCF was a member of the American South Conference
American South Conference
The American South Conference was in the NCAA. The conference existed from 1987 to 1991.-Membership:*Arkansas State *UCF *Lamar *Louisiana–Lafayette *Louisiana Tech *New Orleans...
, merging into the Sun Belt Conference
Sun Belt Conference
The Sun Belt Conference is a college athletic conference that has been affiliated with the NCAA's Division I since 1976. Its football teams participate in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of Division I football competition . The Sun Belt has member institutions...
in 1991. Women's sports in Division I played in the New South Women's Athletic Conference until 1990, when the American South began organizing women's sports. In 1992, UCF joined the Trans America Athletic Conference
Atlantic Sun Conference
The Atlantic Sun Conference is a college athletic conference operating in the Southeastern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I; it does not sponsor football. The conference was established in 1978 as the Trans America Athletic Conference...
(TAAC) in all D-I sports except football, which remained independent. In 1996, UCF was advanced to I-A (FBS) in football, and initially remained independent in football until becoming a football-only member of the Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
in 2001, the same year the TAAC became the Atlantic Sun Conference. UCF joined Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
in all sports in 2005.
The sports teams were originally known as the "Knights of the Pegasus" since their first intercollegiate competitions in 1970. They switched to "Golden Knights" in 1993 as a solution to poor merchandise sales. The mascot of the athletic teams is Knightro
Knightro
Knightro is the official mascot of the University of Central Florida, and its sports teams, the Knights. Knightro appears at UCF sporting events and also appears at UCF-related functions...
, a black knight with gold armor. The university has asked to be identified as UCF when being referenced as opposed to Central Florida. Television networks and other media outlets, most notably ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
, have been slow to adopt this policy.
In 2007, UCF made major changes to its athletic program. A new "athletic village" on the north end of campus known as Knights Plaza
Knights Plaza
Knights Plaza at University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as Knights Plaza, is an athletic village and shopping center on the main campus of the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, USA. The plaza consists of housing for 2,000 students in four Towers, of commercial space,...
was developed. It included new sports facilities such as a new arena connected to the existing UCF Arena
UCF Arena
The UCF Arena is a multi-purpose arena complex located on the main campus of the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, USA. It is the home to the UCF Knights men's and women's basketball teams...
and a new 45,000 seat football stadium known as the Bright House Networks Stadium
Bright House Networks Stadium
Bright House Networks Stadium is the football stadium for the University of Central Florida’s football team, nicknamed the Knights. Located in Knights Plaza on the main campus of the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, the stadium was the first on-campus stadium in NCAA Division I...
, a new softball complex, and the only Division I indoor football practice facility in the state. This made UCF the first school to ever open a new stadium and arena at the same time, for the 2007-08 season. It also includes Jay Bergman Field
Jay Bergman Field
Jay Bergman Field is a baseball stadium located on the main campus of the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, USA. The stadium serves as the home of the UCF Knights baseball team.-History:...
and UCF Soccer and Track Stadium. The area was built in a downtown style with four towers of student housing including approximately 1000 beds, retail and restaurant areas, and a new pedestrian mall connecting the front of the new arena to the student union. To mark the start of the new era, the teams were renamed from the "Golden Knights" on May 4, 2007 to the Knights and new logos and football helmets were unveiled.
On April 26, 2006, UCF hired Keith R. Tribble
Keith R. Tribble
Keith R. Tribble is an American university sports administrator and former college athlete. He previously served as the chief executive officer of the Orange Bowl, and as the athletic director for the UCF Knights Division I sports program of the University of Central Florida...
, the Chief Executive Officer of the Orange Bowl Committee, to replace departed Athletic Director
Athletic director
An athletic director is an administrator at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic programs...
Steve Orsini, who took the same job at the Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
, a C-USA rival. Before leading the Orange Bowl Committee, Tribble had been an associate AD at the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of Nevada-Las Vegas is a public, coeducational university located in the Las Vegas suburb of Paradise, Nevada, USA. The campus is located approximately east of the Las Vegas Strip. The institution includes a Shadow Lane Campus, located just east of the University Medical Center of...
.
Organization
The Knights comprise 16 varsity sports teams which play in the Eastern Division of Conference USA. Co-ed sports include CheerleadingCheerleading
Cheerleading is a physical activity, sometimes a competitive sport, based on organized routines, usually ranging from one to three minutes, which contain the components of tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers, and stunting to direct spectators of events to cheer on sports teams at games or to participate...
.
|
|
Football
Brandon Marshall
-2006:Before the regular season even began, Marshall suffered a slight tear to his PCL in a pre-season game against the Detroit Lions. Although the injury sidelined him for a couple of weeks, he was able to return and play 15 games during the regular season. Marshall had a total of 20 catches, 309...
, Daunte Culpepper
Daunte Culpepper
Daunte Rachard Culpepper is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He last played for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League . Prior to joining the UFL, Culpepper enjoyed a successful National Football League career after being drafted 11th overall in...
and Asante Samuel
Asante Samuel
Asante T. Samuel is an American football cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
, among others. The Knights fielded an NCAA football team in Division III in 1979, moving up to Division II in 1982 and Division I-AA in 1990, finally matching the rest of its sports programs. In 1996, the program made its foray into Division I-A. The Knights play in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
's Division I and in Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
.
The University of Central Florida fielded an official varsity football team for the first time in 1979, under head coach Don Jonas
Don Jonas
-Sources:* Bob Gill, “The Best Little Quarterback You Never Heard Of” on the Professional Football Researchers Association website.-References:...
. Since then, the Knights have played in four bowl games, won two conference championships, and produced 2 All-Americans, and eleven current National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL) players.
The Knights' most prominent current football rivals are C-USA Eastern Division foes East Carolina
East Carolina Pirates
The East Carolina Pirates are the intercollegiate sports teams representing East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. All varsity-level sports teams sponsored by the university compete in NCAA Division I as a member of Conference USA...
and Marshall
Marshall Thundering Herd
The Marshall Thundering Herd are the intercollegiate athletic teams that collectively represent the Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Thundering Herd athletic teams compete in Conference USA, which are members of the NCAA Division I...
, C-USA Western Division opponent Tulsa, and in-state rival South Florida
South Florida Bulls
The South Florida Bulls are the athletic teams for the University of South Florida. The university competes in NCAA Division I, USF is a member of the Big East Conference, and has been since 2005...
from the Big East.
George O'Leary
George O'Leary
George Joseph O'Leary is the head football coach of the UCF Knights football team that represents the University of Central Florida located in Orlando, Florida; he previously coached the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team from 1994 to 2001, and served as an assistant coach for the Minnesota...
became UCF's head football coach in 2004, and his seven teams have had great success. The 2005 team won the school's first division championship, and earned their first trip to a bowl game, in the Knights first season in C-USA. In 2007
2007 UCF Knights football team
The 2007 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Their head coach is George O'Leary...
, the Knights won their second division championship, and earned their first conference championship. During the 2009
2009 UCF Knights football team
The 2009 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Their head coach was George O'Leary, in his sixth season with the team. Coaching changes included new offensive coordinator Charlie Taaffe...
campaign, UCF earned its first victory over a ranked opponent and third bowl appearance under O'Leary's watch. In 2010
2010 UCF Knights football team
The 2010 UCF Knights football team represented the University of Central Florida in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Their head coach was George O'Leary, who was in his seventh season with the team. For the first time in program history, the Knights were nationally ranked following a...
, the Knights cemeneted the best year in program history, earning their first top 25 ranking, second conference championship, and winning their first bowl game
2010 Liberty Bowl (December)
The 2010 Liberty Bowl, also known as Autozone Liberty Bowl, was the fifty-second edition of the college football bowl game, and was played at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee. The game started at 3:30 PM US EST on December 31, 2010...
.
The Knights have won the Conference USA Championship Game two times in three tries since the C-USA instituted the championship game in 2005. The Knights were a leading program in Division I-AA in the early 1990's. In 1990, UCF became the first school in history to qualify for the I-AA playoffs in its first season of eligibility. The Knights once again made the postseason in 1993, and were selected as the preseason #1 to start the 1994 season.
The Knights football team plays its home games in Bright House Networks Stadium
Bright House Networks Stadium
Bright House Networks Stadium is the football stadium for the University of Central Florida’s football team, nicknamed the Knights. Located in Knights Plaza on the main campus of the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, the stadium was the first on-campus stadium in NCAA Division I...
, the team's home field since 2007.
Men's basketball
UCF has been a member of Division I since 1985, and has advanced to the NCAA tournament 4 times (94, 96, 04, 05), all under coach Kirk Speraw
Kirk Speraw
Kirk Speraw is currently an assistant basketball coach for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, under Head Coach Fran McCaffery. He is the former head basketball coach at the University of Central Florida, in Orlando, Florida...
. UCF competed in the Atlantic Sun Conference
Atlantic Sun Conference
The Atlantic Sun Conference is a college athletic conference operating in the Southeastern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I; it does not sponsor football. The conference was established in 1978 as the Trans America Athletic Conference...
(formerly called the Trans America Athletic Conference) from 1992 until 2005 when all sports joined Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
, and plays in the UCF Arena
UCF Arena
The UCF Arena is a multi-purpose arena complex located on the main campus of the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, USA. It is the home to the UCF Knights men's and women's basketball teams...
. UCF made their debut in the Conference USA Championship Tournament in the 2006 season, falling to Houston in the second round and closing out the season with the program's first losing record (14-15) since 2000-2001. The Knights made a huge turnaround in the 2006-07 season, finishing 2nd in conference play to Memphis
University of Memphis
The University of Memphis is an American public research university located in the Normal Station neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee and is the flagship public research university of the Tennessee Board of Regents system....
with an overall record of 22-9.
The UCF Men's Basketball team played its first exhibition game in the 10,000 seat New UCF Arena, with an 86-78 win over the Saint Leo Lions
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo University is a private, non-profit, Roman Catholic liberal arts university established in 1889 and located in Saint Leo, Florida, 35 miles north of Tampa. The University is associated with the Holy Name Monastery, a Benedictine convent, and Saint Leo Abbey, a Benedictine monastery...
, on November 3, 2007. Their first regular-season game in the New UCF Arena was a 63-60 victory over the Nevada
Nevada Wolf Pack men's basketball
The Nevada Wolf Pack basketball program is a college basketball team that represents the University of Nevada, Reno. The team is currently a member of the Western Athletic Conference, which is a Division I conference in the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
on November 11. Their first home C-USA game was against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Tulsa Golden Hurricane men's basketball
The University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane basketball team represents the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The team participates in Conference USA. The men’s team is currently coached by Doug Wojcik....
on January 11, 2008. The game was won by the Knights in triple overtime. On December 1st, 2010, the Knights upset the #16 Florida Gators
Florida Gators men's basketball
The Florida Gators men's basketball team represents the University of Florida in the sport of basketball. The Gators compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Southeastern Conference...
57-54 at the new Amway Center in downtown Orlando, giving the Knights their first victory over a top 20 opponent as well as their first victory over the Gators. Following a 10–0 start to the 2010–11 season
2010–11 UCF Knights men's basketball team
The 2010–11 UCF Knights men's basketball team was a NCAA Division I college basketball team that represented the University of Central Florida and competed in Conference USA...
, the Knights were nationally ranked for the first time in program history. At the time, UCF was one of nine unbeaten teams, and one of only four schools to be ranked in the BCS standings and the AP men's basketball poll.
Women's basketball
UCF first joined the AIAWAssociation for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women
The Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women was founded in 1971 to govern collegiate women's athletics in the United States and to administer national championships. It evolved out of the Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics for Women . The association was one of the biggest...
for women's basketball in 1977-78. They won the Division II small college tournament in 1979-80. They were promoted to AIAW Division I in its last year of existence, 1981–82, and made it to that year's District I tournament quarterfinals, before joining the NCAA in 1982-83.
The women's basketball team made the NCAA Division I tournament in 1996
1996 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1996 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament took place from March 15 – March 31, 1996. The Final Four consisted of Connecticut, Georgia, Stanford, and Tennessee. Tennessee defeated Georgia 83–65 in the championship game.-Regional cities:...
and 1999
1999 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1999 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament began on March 12, 1999 and concluded on March 28, 1999 when Purdue won its first national championship in any women's sport. The Final Four was held at the San Jose Arena in San Jose, California on March 26 - March 28, 1999. Purdue defeated...
, and won the TAAC/Atlantic Sun regular-season title in 1999, 2003 and 2005, before joining C-USA. In 2009, UCF's women's basketball team shocked the C-USA by going 11-5 in conference play after going 2-11 in non-conference games and 10-20 the previous year, and swept through the 2009 Conference USA Women's Basketball Tournament
Conference USA Women's Basketball Tournament
The Conference USA Women's Basketball Tournament is held annually following the end of the regular season of NCAA Division I Women's Basketball.The tournament has been played every year since the inception of Conference USA in 1996...
, dominating Southern Miss in overtime to win the championship game, 65-54, and earn its third Division I tournament
2009 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament
The regionals, held in the city rather than the geographic area as a practice that has been used since 2005, were held there from March 28 to 31 at these sites:...
appearance.
Baseball
The baseball team is led by head coach, Terry RooneyTerry Rooney (baseball)
Terry Rooney is the head baseball coach at the University of Central Florida. Rooney was previously an assistant coach at LSU and Notre Dame under head coach Paul Mainieri....
who will entered his first season as head coach in 2009. Jay Bergman
Jay Bergman
Jay Bergman is a former American college baseball coach. During his coaching career he served as the head coach of Seminole Community College, University of Florida and the University of Central Florida...
had been head coach since 1976 but was fired on May 1, 2008 after allegations arose of sexual harassment towards a male equipment coach. Bergman had a large amount of success in this position, leading UCF to Atlantic Sun Championships in 93, 95, 96, 97, 00, 01, 02, 04 and NCAA Regional Appearances in 89, 93, 95, 96, 97, 00, 01, 02, 04, and brought UCF to a national ranking of #8 in 2001. In honor of his long term success with the Knights, on February 3, 2001, UCF opened and dedicated Jay Bergman Field
Jay Bergman Field
Jay Bergman Field is a baseball stadium located on the main campus of the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, USA. The stadium serves as the home of the UCF Knights baseball team.-History:...
.
Soccer
UCF has produced a number of soccer stars. Most notably, Michelle AkersMichelle Akers
Michelle Akers is a former leading American association football player, who starred in the historic 1991 and 1999 Women's World Cup victory by the U.S.. She won the Golden Boot as the top scorer in the 1991 tournament...
and Kim Wyant
Kim Wyant
Kim Wyant is an American Soccer player. She was the first Goalkeeper for the US Women’s National Team, appearing in the inaugural US game in Italy in 1985...
. Akers and Wyant were founding players on the United States women's national soccer team
United States women's national soccer team
The United States women's national soccer team represents the United States in international soccer competition and is controlled by U.S. Soccer. The U.S. team won the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and has since been a superpower in women's soccer. It is currently ranked first in the world...
from 1985-2000. Akers helped them win the FIFA Women's World Cup
FIFA Women's World Cup
The FIFA Women's World Cup is an international association football competition contested by the senior women's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the...
in 1991 and 1999, and the 1996 Summer Olympics
Football at the 1996 Summer Olympics
The association football competition at the 1996 Summer Olympics was held in Birmingham, Alabama; Washington, D.C; Orlando, Florida; Miami, Florida; and Athens, Georgia....
. Her career was so distinguished that Pelé
Pelé
However, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...
named her among only two female players (along with teammate Mia Hamm
Mia Hamm
Mariel Margaret "Mia" Hamm is a retired American soccer player. Hamm played many years as a forward for the United States women's national soccer team and was a founding member of the Washington Freedom. Hamm has scored more international goals in her career than any other player, male or female,...
) on the FIFA 100
FIFA 100
The FIFA 100 is a list of the world-renowned Brazilian striker Pelé's choice of the "greatest living footballers". Unveiled on 4 March 2004 at a gala ceremony in London, the FIFA 100 marked part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Fédération Internationale de...
list of the greatest living soccer players in 2004.
The women's program made the Final of the first ever NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship
NCAA Women's Soccer Championship
NCAA Women's Soccer Championships are divided into three divisions. This article lists NCAA Women's soccer championships.-Division I:The NCAA began conducting a Women's Division I Soccer Championship tournament in 1982 with a 12-team tournament...
in 1982, losing 1-0 to North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels
The North Carolina Tar Heels are the athletic teams for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The name Tar Heel is a nickname used to refer to individuals from the state of North Carolina, the Tar Heel State...
.
The men's program has developed midfielder Eric Vasquez, who made his professional soccer debut with the Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
Major League Soccer. Vasquez later played for Miami FC
Miami FC
Fort Lauderdale Strikers is an American professional association football team based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
in the United Soccer Leagues' First Division and the Orlando Sharks
Orlando Sharks
The Orlando Sharks were an American indoor soccer was based in Orlando, Florida, USA. Founded in 2007, the team played in the Major Indoor Soccer League....
of the Major Indoor Soccer League before retiring due to injury. As well, former Knights Goalkeeper Ryan McIntosh initially signed a development deal with D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
of MLS. After a year with the D.C. United Reserve team, McIntosh signed with the Atlanta Silverbacks
Atlanta Silverbacks
Atlanta Silverbacks is an American professional soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having previously sat out the 2009 and 2010 seasons while the ownership...
of USL Division One, where he led the team to the league final. The Silverbacks ended up losing to the Seattle Sounders. Both players were a part of the 2004 Central Florida Kraze
Central Florida Kraze
Orlando City U-23 is an American soccer team based in Lake Mary, Florida, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference...
amateur soccer team that won the Premier Development League's championship by defeating the Boulder Rapids Resevers, 1-0 at the UCF soccer stadium.
Former UCF goalkeeper Sean Johnson
Sean Johnson (soccer)
Sean Johnson is an American soccer player who currently plays for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
joined the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
in 2010. He made his pro debut on August 1 and defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
. He was a member of the United States U-20 men's national soccer team
United States U-20 men's national soccer team
The United States U-20 men's national soccer team is the national under-20 soccer team of the United States of America and is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation. The highest level of competition in which the team competes is the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is held every two years.The...
which qualified for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup
2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup
The 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, was the 17th U-20 tournament, which was hosted by Egypt from 24 September to 16 October, in the cities of Cairo, Alexandria, Port Said, Suez and Ismaïlia...
in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
. On the women's team, Aline Reis, an All-American in her freshman year in 2008, was selected to the Brazil women's national football team
Brazil women's national football team
The Brazil women's national football team represents Brazil in international women's association football. Brazil played their first game on July 22, 1986 against the United States....
for the first time in 2009, playing in a friendly against a local Brazilian team in July. Former women's goalkeeper Lynzee Lee plays for the Buffalo Flash
Buffalo Flash
The Western New York Flash is an American professional soccer club based in Buffalo, New York . It was founded in 2008 and played its inaugural season in 2009...
of the W-League
W-League
The USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer....
. In 2010, both the men's and women's soccer teams advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
Softball
The Knights softball program was founded in 2002, and the team officially started competing in the Atlantic Sun Conference in that same year under head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie. Since the program began, the Knights have won two conference tournament champions, and have appeared in the NCAA tournament three times.Renee Luers-Gillispie, who is in her tenth year with the team, has been the programs only head coach. Through the conclusion of the 2010 season, Gillispie has led the Knights to a record of 341–233–1 during her tenure, and she has an overall win-loss record of 593–437–3 during her seventeen seasons as a head coach.
The Knights softball team plays its home games at the UCF Softball Complex.
Golf
The men's golf team was formed in 1979, and has appeared in NCAA Regionals 12 times, and have played in for the NCAA Championship four times. The last time the squad reached the championship was in 2009. The 2010 men's golf team were Conference USA champions. The women's golf team was founded in 1982, and has made 8 NCAA Regional appearances, and has played for one NCAA Championship in 1996.Bryce Wallor is the head coach for the men's golf team, and Courtney Trimble is the head coach for the women's team. The Knights men's golf team plays its home matches at the Rio Pinar Country Club. The Knights women's golf team plays its home matches at the RedTail Golf Course. The Knight's golf teams practice at the UCF Golf Practice Facility, located near the UCF campus at the Twin Rivers Golf Club in Oviedo
Oviedo, Florida
Oviedo is a city in Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 26,316 as of the 2000 census. As of 2009, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 32,961...
.
Numerous former Knight golfers have represented the UCF on the PGA
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
and LPGA Tours, including Robert Damron
Robert Damron
Robert Douglas Damron is an American professional golfer and current player on the PGA Tour.Damron was born in Pikeville, Kentucky. He was raised there and later in Orlando, Florida after his father, a wealthy Kentucky coal magnate, moved the family to central Florida's exclusive Bay Hill...
and Cliff Kresge
Cliff Kresge
Clifford Terry Kresge is an American professional golfer. He has played on the PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour since 1997....
.
Track and field
The Knights women's track and fieldTrack and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
team has won ten total conference championships, eight in their nine years in the Atlantic Sun Conference, and won the 2010 Conference USA outdoor title and the 2011 Conference USA indoor title. In 2011, the Knights were nationally ranked for the first time in program history, while at the same time ranking as the top team in the state, rising as high as No. 8 in the polls.
The head coach for the track and field program is Caryl Smith Gilbert, and the assistant coaches are Jeff Chakouian, Paul Brown and LaTonya Loche. Gilbert has coached four All-Americans during her tenure at UCF, including two-time All-American Jackie Coward.
The Knights track and field teams hold their outdoor home meets at the UCF Soccer and Track Stadium, which is part of Knights Plaza.
Cheerleading and spirit programs
The UCF cheerleading squad has captured two national titles at the College Cheerleading and Dance Team Nationals, in 2003 and 2007. UCF cheerleading has received a spot in the top three in the country the last five seasons in the national championship, and has earned a top-10 finish 16 times in the last 18 years. In 2008, the WEWE TV
We TV is the third TV channel from Malayalam Communications Ltd, in Kerala and based at Trivandrum. The other two channels of this company are Kairali TV and People TV. WE TV is mainly aimed at the youth and was officially launched on April 14, 2007. Mr...
Original weekly series Cheerleader U followed the UCF cheerleaders through an entire season.
"Black and gold" is a cheer that is very popular at home games, with one part of the student section yelling "Black!", and the other part of the section answering back with their loudest "Gold!" This can go back and forth for several minutes, with both sides competing to be the louder. The student section in the UCF Arena is known as the "Knightmare." Another popular cheer at games occurs during the national anthem
The Star-Spangled Banner
"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort McHenry", a poem written in 1814 by the 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet, Francis Scott Key, after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships...
, when students loudly exclaim "Knight", during the line: "Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there."
The University of Central Florida Fight Song is titled 'Charge On':
Marching Knights and KnightMoves
The Marching Knights were formed after the start of the football program in 1979, and is the largest and most visible student organization at the university. They are known for their high energy performances, unique and contemporary drill designs, and musical selections ranging from jazz, to pop, to classical. Members experience the thrill of performing for tens of thousands of fans alongside over 300 other outstanding performers at each home UCF football game and select away games, as well as any bowl games.The universities coordinated dance team, KnightMoves, is considered to be one of the nation's top college programs, and features 12-18 girls each year. The team performs year round at school and athletic events, such as Spirit Splash, pep rally's, and football and basketball games.
Athletic facilities
Since 2000, the UCF has invested significant capital and effort in the construction, expansion and improvements of its major sports programs and their facilities. In 2007, UCF opened the new 45,000 seat Bright House Networks, and the new 10,000 seat UCF Arena. In 2011, the university renovated the Track and Soccer complex, increasing capacity to over 2,000 and adding amenities such as clubhouses and restrooms. Also starting in 2011, UCF plans to start a major renovation of Jay Bergman Field, expanding it to a total capacity at 4,180.Notable athletes
As a competitor in college athleticsSport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
, UCF has many notable student athletes, coaches and staff members, such as NFL players Joe Burnett
Joe Burnett
Joe Burnett is a CFL cornerback who currently plays for the Edmonton Eskimos. He played college football for the UCF Knights and high school football at Eustis High School in Eustis...
, Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith (running back)
Kevin Smith is an American football running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Central Florida.-Early years:Smith attended Southridge High School...
, Brandon Marshall
Brandon Marshall
-2006:Before the regular season even began, Marshall suffered a slight tear to his PCL in a pre-season game against the Detroit Lions. Although the injury sidelined him for a couple of weeks, he was able to return and play 15 games during the regular season. Marshall had a total of 20 catches, 309...
, Asante Samuel
Asante Samuel
Asante T. Samuel is an American football cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
and Mike Sims-Walker, NBA starting guard Jermaine Taylor
Jermaine Taylor (basketball)
Jermaine Taylor is an American professional basketball player. Taylor was a starting guard for the University of Central Florida basketball team...
, NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
driver Aric Almirola
Aric Almirola
Aric A. Almirola is a Cuban-American stock car driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He currently drives the #88 Unilever/Grand Touring Vodka Chevrolet Impala for JR Motorsports. Almirola attended the University of Central Florida working on a degree in mechanical engineering before leaving to...
, and soccer stars Michelle Akers
Michelle Akers
Michelle Akers is a former leading American association football player, who starred in the historic 1991 and 1999 Women's World Cup victory by the U.S.. She won the Golden Boot as the top scorer in the 1991 tournament...
and Sean Johnson
Sean Johnson (soccer)
Sean Johnson is an American soccer player who currently plays for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
. Currently, more than 50 UCF alumni compete in professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
and golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
.