UCF Knights: Difference between revisions
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==Soccer== |
==Soccer== |
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[[Image:UCFTrackandSoccerComplex.jpg|thumb|200px|right|UCF Track and Soccer Complex]] |
[[Image:UCFTrackandSoccerComplex.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[UCF Track and Soccer Complex]]]] |
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UCF has produced a number of soccer stars. Most notably, [[Michelle Akers]] 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 FIFA Women's World Cup|1991]] and [[1999 FIFA Women's World Cup|1999]], and the [[Football at the 1996 Summer Olympics|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. |
UCF has produced a number of soccer stars. Most notably, [[Michelle Akers]] 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 FIFA Women's World Cup|1991]] and [[1999 FIFA Women's World Cup|1999]], and the [[Football at the 1996 Summer Olympics|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. |
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Revision as of 21:39, 13 June 2010
28°35′55″N 81°11′55″W / 28.59861°N 81.19861°W
| UCF Knights | |
|---|---|
| Logo | |
| University | University of Central Florida |
| Conference | Conference USA |
| NCAA | Division I / FBS |
| Athletic director | Keith R. Tribble |
| Location | Orlando, Florida |
| Varsity teams | 17 |
| Football stadium | Bright House Networks Stadium |
| Arena | UCF Arena |
| Baseball stadium | Jay Bergman Field |
| Soccer stadium | UCF Track and Soccer Complex |
| Lacrosse stadium | UCF Intramural Fields |
| Other venues | The Venue at UCF Arena |
| Mascot | Knightro |
| Nickname | Knights |
| Fight song | UCF Fight Song |
| Colors | Black and Gold |
| Website | www |
The UCF Knights comprise 17 varsity sports teams at the University of Central Florida. These teams compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the NCAA's Division I and in Conference USA.
Men's sports include Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country Running, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, and Tennis. Women's sports include Basketball, Cross Country Running, Golf, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track and field, and Volleyball. Co-ed sports include Cheerleading.
The UCF Knights football team was Conference USA champions in 2007, and the Knights women's basketball team are the reigning 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. Nike will be the official outfitter of the UCF Knights athletic teams beginning for the 2010-2011 season.[1]
History and overview
The UCF varsity athletic program was a charter member of the Sunshine State Conference 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-American Athletic Conference (TAAC) in all D-I sports except football, which remained independent.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4] It also includes Jay Bergman Field and UCF Track and Soccer Complex. 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.[5]
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.
Football
UCF has had some measure of success in football in its short NCAA history. It is the alma mater for NFL stars Daunte Culpepper and Asante Samuel, among others. The Knights first 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.
Don Jonas was the first head coach of the football team, initially hired on a volunteer basis in 1979. Gene McDowell took over as head coach and athletic director in 1985. During his tenure, the program was a I-AA playoff team in 1990 and 1993. In 1996, the program made its foray into Division I-A. After a cell phone scandal caused the resignation of McDowell, offensive coordinator Mike Kruczek was named head coach in 1998.
In 1998, Culpepper led UCF to its best season ever with a 9-2 record (with losses only coming to Purdue and Auburn). Culpepper finished 6th in the Heisman Trophy voting and set the NCAA record for completion percentage that year (73.4%).
In 2003, following a string of disappointments on and off the field, UCF relieved coach Mike Kruczek of his duties. Assistant coach and former player Alan Gooch finished out the dismal 3-9 season with losses to Mid-American Conference rivals Marshall and Miami (OH). The Marshall game marked UCF's first nationally televised home football game as it was aired on ESPN2.
In 2004, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator George O'Leary was named UCF's head coach. This was a controversial hire on several fronts. O'Leary had previously been named head coach of the University of Notre Dame, but was relieved of his duties five days into his tenure after inconsistencies were found on his resume. UCF also paid O'Leary a hefty salary which upset many UCF professors who were in contract negotiations with the university administration at the time. O'Leary cleaned house, and in that rebuilding season, UCF did not record a single win as they went 0-11 in the worst season in school history.
In 2005, the team's luck changed when they defeated Marshall 23-13 to end the school's 17 game losing steak. UCF fans celebrated by storming the field and tearing down the goal posts. Students came back to the campus and celebrated further by jumping into UCF's Reflection Pond (a practice normally reserved for Spirit Splash), which is regarded as the central point on campus. UCF then went on to win eight out of the remaining nine games on their schedule, beating Memphis, Tulane, and Houston at home and Louisiana-Lafayette, East Carolina, UAB, and Rice on the road. Only Southern Miss defeated UCF in regular-season conference play in 2005. Their 7-1 conference record enabled UCF to win the 2005 Conference USA East Division championship. UCF progressed to the inaugural Conference USA Championship Game at their home stadium on December 3, 2005 where they suffered a 44-27 defeat against western division champion Tulsa. UCF accepted a bid to play in the Sheraton Hawaiʻi Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 24, 2005 against the University of Nevada Wolf Pack. The Golden Knights ended up losing the game 49-48 in overtime due to a missed PAT that would have tied the game. UCF finished the season 8-5.
On May 24, 2006, UCF extended the contract for 10 years and increased his pay to $1M plus incentives per year after O'Leary, having engineered the third-largest turnaround in college football history, was targeted by larger programs. In 2005 O'Leary was chosen by SportsIllustrated.com for the coach of the year award and received votes for the larger Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year award. O'Leary and the Knights followed up a surprising and successful 2005 season with a disappointing 4-8 year in 2006.
Fortunes seemed to have changed as the Knights moved into new facilities. In 2007, home games moved from downtown Orlando's Citrus Bowl to Bright House Networks Stadium, a new on-campus facility. The new stadium was inaugurated with a surprisingly close game as UCF gave the then-#6-ranked University of Texas Longhorns a scare, ultimately losing, 35-32, after leading early in the 4th quarter.[6] On December 1, 2007, following a 6 game winning streak that allowed UCF to grab the Conference USA East Division Championship, UCF defeated Tulsa in a near-reversal of the 2005 Conference USA Championship Game 44-25, thereby gaining UCF's first ever Conference Championship title. Kevin Smith led the UCF Knights to a 10-4 record that season (including a 10-3 loss in the Liberty Bowl to Mississippi State). He gained 2,567 rushing yards, second only to Barry Sanders in Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division 1-A) history. Surprisingly, he was not nominated for the Doak Walker Award for most outstanding running back. He also was the only running back in the 2007 season to rush for more than 100 yards against the Texas Longhorns. He was a fan favorite, especially with student section at Brighthouse Networks Stadium. He is also a favorite among teammates, where his team-oriented attitude gains him much respect. On September 1, 2007 he scored an 80-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage against the NC State Wolfpack. He also broke his own record for longest play from scrimmage (87 yards) by a UCF player on 11/3/2007 against the Thundering Herd of Marshall. Smith originally stated that he would return for his senior season at UCF. [1]. However, he later changed his mind, announcing on January 6, 2008 that he would declare for the NFL Draft.[7] He went with the first pick in the third round, to the Detroit Lions.
After a lackluster 4-8 season in 2008, UCF bounced back with an 8-4 record in 2009, including winning their last six straight C-USA games. Among those wins was their first victory over a nationally-ranked team, beating then-#12 Houston on November 14. They earned their third bowl appearance in five years, facing Rutgers in the 2009 St. Petersburg Bowl and losing 45-24.
Basketball
Men's basketball
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-American 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.
Women's basketball
UCF first joined the AIAW 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.
Baseball
The baseball team is led by head coach, Terry Rooney 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.
Soccer
UCF has produced a number of soccer stars. Most notably, Michelle Akers 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 now plays for Miami FC in the United Soccer Leagues' First Division and the Orlando Sharks of the Major Indoor Soccer League. 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 lead 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.
Currently, Sean Johnson of the men's team is 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.[8] Former women's goalkeeper Lynzee Lee plays for the Buffalo Flash of the W-League.
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.[9] In 2008 WE Original weekly series Cheerleader U followed the UCF cheerleaders through an entire season.[10]
The University of Central Florida Fight Song:[11]
UCF charge onto the field
With our spirit we’ll never yield
Black and Gold - Charge right through the line
Victory is our cry, V-I-C-T-O-R-Y
Tonight our Knights will shine!
U! C! F! Knights!
UCF, Let's Go Knights!
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 dance team, KnightMoves, is considered to be one of the nation's top college programs, and features 12-18 girls each year.[12] 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.[13] In 2010, the university plans to renovate the Track and Soccer complex, increasing capacity to over 2,000 and adding amenities such as clubhouses and restrooms. Also starting in 2010, UCF plans to start a major renovation of Jay Bergman Field, expanding it to a total capacity at 4,180.[14]
Notable athletes
As a competitor in college athletics, 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 star Michelle Akers. Currently, more than 50 UCF alumni compete in professional basketball, football, baseball and golf.
See also
- University of Central Florida
- University of Central Florida Alumni
- List of UCF Knights football seasons
- University of Central Florida Faculty and Administrators
References
- ^ "UCF reaches shoe and apparel agreement with Nike covering all sports". Orlando Sentinel. 2010-03-19. Retrieved 2010-03-19.
- ^ Annual standings published in Official NCAA Football Records Book, 1992-1996 editions
- ^ 'Golden' era ends for Knights Orlando Sentinel
- ^ Convocation Center Update UCF Arena
- ^ UCF Athletics Reveals New Logo and Font
- ^ "(6) Texas 35, UCF 32 Play-by-play". ESPNU.com. September 15, 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-15.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Associated Press (2008-01-06). "UCF's Smith turning pro, reversing decision from last month". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/071309aaa.html
- ^ "UCF Cheerleaders Finish Third at National Finals". University of Central Florida. 2008-01-20. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
- ^ "CheerleaderU". UCF Athletics. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
- ^ http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/ot/ucf-fight-song.html UCF Fight Song
- ^ "KnightMoves Dance Team". UCF Athletics. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
- ^ Convocation Center Update UCF Arena
- ^ UCF planning expansion of Jay Bergman Field
External links
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| Future members |
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| Baseball affiliate members | ||
| Beach volleyball affiliate members |
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| Bowling affiliate members | ||
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Division I college sports teams of Florida | ||
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