UCF Today Fall 2012

UCF TODAY f o r Fa m i ly a n d f r i e n d s o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C e n t r a l F l o r i da

Fa ll 2 0 1 2

END GAME

Coach O’Leary leads his team on the field and on to life.

“I don’t bring anyone in that I don’t think I can’t graduate.”

University of Central Florida UCF Marketing P.O. Box 160090 Orlando, FL 32816-0090

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ucf TODAY

Dear Knights Fans he NCAA announced its ruling related to our football and men’s basketball programs late last month. As each day passes since that announcement, we move one more day toward putting it in our rear-view mirror.

The NCAA added several sanctions, including one-year postseason bans for our football and men’s basketball programs, to the significant self-imposed penalties that the university had already proposed.

As President Hitt said recently, we generally accept the findings and sanctions imposed by the NCAA. After thoughtfully considering the many elements in the report, the decision was made to appeal the committee’s decision to impose the postseason ban for the 2012 football season.

There is no doubt that the NCAA penalties will impact our programs, coaches and studentathletes. I encourage you to continue to enthusiastically support our student-athletes as they strive for success in competition, in the classroom and in the community.

I also urge you to help me build a culture of compliance that lives up to President Hitt’s and my high standards of conduct. All of us— administrators, coaches, staff members, studentathletes and fans—have a responsibility to work together to win with integrity.

If you have questions about whether certain actions are permitted, please contact our Compliance Office at 407-823-3089 or UCFCompliance@athletics.ucf.edu.

Thank you for your support of our dedicated and hard-working student-athletes. As I’ve said often in the past few weeks, I am confident that a bright future lies ahead for UCF Athletics.

Todd Stansbury UCF Vice President and Director of Athletics

as of SUMMER 2012 Kamar Aiken, ’10

Charley Hughlett, ’11

Adam Nissley, ’11

Asante Samuel, ’02

Wide Receiver

Long Snapper

Tight End

Defensive Back

Buffalo Bills: 2011-12

Dallas Cowboys: 2012

Atlanta Falcons: 2012

Atlanta Falcons: 2012

Atari Bigby, ’04

Josh Linam, ’11

Nick Pieschel, ’11

Defensive Back

Linebacker

Offensive Guard

San Diego Chargers: 2012

San Diego Chargers: 2012

Chicago Bears: 2012

Seattle Seahawks: 2011

Brandon Marshall, ’05

Matt Prater, ’05

Wide Receiver

Placekicker

Patrick Brown, ’08

Chicago Bears: 2012

Denver Broncos: 2007-12

Offensive Tackle

Miami Dolphins: 2010-11

Atlanta Falcons: 2007

Minnesota Vikings: 2010-12

Denver Broncos: 2006-09

Green Bay Packers: 2005-10

Miami Dolphins: 2010 New York Jets: 2010 Leger Douzable, ’07 Defensive Tackle Tennessee Titans: 2012 Jacksonville Jaguars: 2010-11 St. Louis Rams: 2009 New York Giants: 2008-09

Jah Reid, ’10

Bruce Miller, ’10

Offensive Tackle

Fullback

Baltimore Ravens: 2011-12

San Francisco 49ers: 2011-12

Josh Robinson, ’11

Jamar Newsome, ’10

Cornerback

Wide Receiver

Minnesota Vikings: 2012

Kansas City Chiefs: 2012

Philadelphia Eagles: 2008-11 New England Patriots: 2003-07 Mike Sims-Walker, ’06 Wide Receiver Free Agent: 2012 Jacksonville Jaguars: 2011 St. Louis Rams: 2011 Jacksonville Jaguars: 2008-10 Josh Sitton, ’07 Offensive Guard Green Bay Packers: 2008-12 Kevin Smith, ’07 Running Back Detroit Lions: 2008-12 Torell Troup, ’09

Jacksonville Jaguars: 2011

Defensive Tackle Buffalo Bills: 2010-12

WALK-ON WORK ETHIC “Coming into UCF, I knew that physically I was going to have to work my butt off to get onto that field. I wanted to prove everyone wrong who said that I couldn’t play Division I football. Some advice to other walk-ons would be to just keep working, and let your passion drive you to succeed. Do not

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let anyone tell you that you can’t achieve your goals, because anything is possible if you work at it.”

– Billy Giovanetti, senior fullback

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C o a c h o ’ l e a ry t e a c h e s h i s p l ay e r s t o b e i m pa c t p l ay e r s in the classroom, out in the community and on the field.

Here he shares his thoughts on five subjects.

Athletes today wish their parents would spend

NOTE: Four games into the 2010 season,

more quality time with them and take more

the one-millionth fan entered Bright House

1. PURPOSE

interest and ownership.

Networks Stadium.

COACH: I’ve turned down kids before. I don’t bring

They say their parents let them do their own thing.

4. OFFENSE

anyone in that I don’t think I can’t graduate.

Football is a means to an end. It’s my job to get kids here, give them the skills that will help them on the field and in the classroom and in life. But most importantly, they must come to UCF with the determination to graduate.

NOTE: UCF football ranked in the top 10 for public institutions in the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate (APR) score.

Or they say their parents coddled them and it’s developed a culture of entitlements.

So the trouble for me and my coaches starts before we get these teenagers.

offense—but on the ground and in the air. You

has to do. This is a “We” game, not

spread out and play matchups.

an “I” game.

3. FANS COACH: Our fans have only had Division I since 1996, which is fan base.

And they’re busy. They have other priorities. They’re young alumni

2. PARENTS

with new families or new careers.

COACH: My dad and I used to watch the

But it’s unbelievable where this place is going, where we’ll be. I believe today’s students and young alumni will become season ticket holders.

As I recall, it was mostly boxing matches. It’s a great memory for me and probably one of the reasons I love sports—especially contact sports.

NOTE: Coach grew up in New York. And even today remains a Yankees, Giants and

same: You must run, and stop the run.

Today’s game is a space game. It’s the wishbone

USA for Academic Progress Rate and would

“Gillette Cavalcade of Sports” on Friday nights.

But to win a championship, the game is still the

the single toughest thing a coach

not a long time to build a strong

the Big East.

yards and a cloud of dust are gone.

Getting kids to play as a team is

UCF’s APR ranked second in Conference be ranked third among football schools in

COACH: The game has changed. The days of three

NOTE: In 2011, UCF averaged 407 yards per game.

5. GAME DAY COACH: I can tell in pregame if the players aren’t ready. If they are not ready, I’ll go see the coaches.

During the game, the only time I get upset is if kids don’t give max potential—if they don’t give a great effort. It has nothing to do with a fumble or dropped pass.

At halftime, it’s critical to make adjustments. If we’re not playing well, we’ll get a player’s attention.

And after the game, it’s important how you handle a win, a loss, or any setbacks. You always try to protect the players. The wins, the losses, they go on my record, not theirs.

NOTE: In 2011, UCF scored more points in the

a Rangers fan.

first half than the second half.

Coac h i n g ca r eer 1980-1986: Syracuse (Defensive Line) 1987-1991: Georgia Tech (Defensive Coordinator) 1992-1993: San Diego Chargers (Defensive Line) 1994-2001: Georgia Tech (Head Coach) 2002-2003: Minnesota Vikings (Defensive Line) 2004-present: UCF (Head Coach)

Acco m p li s h m e n t s & honors ACC Championship (1998) C-USA Championships (2007, 2010) C-USA East Division Titles (2005, 2007, 2010)

Awa r d s ACC Coach of the Year (1998, 2000) AFCA Region I Coach of the Year (1998) Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award (2000) C-USA Coach of the Year (2005, 2007, 2010)

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Game Day ucf TODAY

PARKING

E5

E4 E7

E3

Gold Zone

E6

(Permit Parking Only) ocated in the northeast sector of campus, closest to L the stadium.

E2

equires valid football game day parking permit and R is reserved for members of the Golden Knights Club, credentialed media, stadium personnel, patrons with disablities and selected others.

E1

ToWERS ST

referred routing to Gold Zone parking is (from the south) P via Libra Drive/Gemini Blvd. and (from the north or west) via McCulloch Rd./Orion Blvd.

D2

Red Zone

C1

(General and Official University Business Parking)

ME

arking is free and provided on a first-come, first-served P basis unless otherwise designated.

D1 MO

RY

MA

LL

referred routing to Red Zone parking (from the south) is P via Alafaya Trail/Central Florida Blvd. and (from the north or west) via Alafaya Trail/University Blvd. he first two levels of Garage B are reserved for official T university business.

PGh

Blue Zone (General Parking)

arking is free and provided on a first-come, first-served P basis unless otherwise designated. arage H is reserved for authorized students displaying G SGA-provided parking passes, credentialed staff and cashpaying customers ($20) on a first-come, first-served basis.

LAKE CLAIRE h10

h7 h2

h1

h6

referred routing to Blue Zone parking is via Alafaya Trail/ P University Blvd., or Alafaya Trail/Centaurus Drive.

h5

h9

Traffic Flow

h8 h4

emini Blvd. North (from Parking Garage H to Orion Blvd.)

G is closed to all traffic from three hours prior to the game until the game starts and, again, from midway through the 4th quarter until two hours after the game.

PGI

emini Blvd. East (from North Orion Blvd. to Libra Drive) G and North Orion Blvd. have two-way traffic on game days; however, both will be restricted to Gold Zone patrons from three hours prior to the game until the game starts and again from midway through the 4th quarter until two hours after the game ends. ostgame traffic routing is prioritized using all available P exits to expedite the movement of traffic.

Parking & Driving Tips

arking is only authorized in designated parking lots P and garages. o parking along campus roadways, in residential N housing parking lots or garages, or on any open grassy areas throughout campus (except E lots by the stadium). niversity parking decals/hangtags are not honored on U football game days, except for permanently assigned campus residential housing. isabled permit parking: Take Alafaya Trail to McCulloch D Road to Orion Blvd., or take S.R. 408 into the Central Florida Research Park to Libra Drive. nly Gold Zone patrons and patrons with disabled parking O permits may enter/exit the campus via Orion Blvd. (north entrance accessible from McCulloch Rd. or Lockwood Blvd.) from three hours prior to kickoff until game start and from midway through the 4th quarter until two hours following the end of the game (or as required). isabled permit parking is provided in Garage D, D with wheelchair-accessible shuttle service to Gate 13 beginning two hours before kickoff.

TAILGATE 101 DO elcome visitors as W our guests

ailgate in parking T garages

Have fun

ossess or consume P alcoholic beverages if under 21 years of age

Make new friends Bring your family Respect the opponent Honor UCF ring propane B cooking grills—if using charcoal, dispose of hot coals in designated barrels ring personal tents/ B canopies (10’ x 10’ or smaller) for use in “tent zones” on Memory Mall Drink plenty of water

See the “Traffic & Parking” link at www.ucfgameday.com for detailed information.

DON’T

ave an “open H container” of alcohol once the game starts ell or distribute S alcohol se kegs, glass U containers or beer funnels lay drinking contests P or games Bring pets

HOURS For weekend games starting before 6 p.m. arking and the “open container” waiver P begin at 8 a.m. The “open container” waiver ends at game start.

For weekend games starting at 6 p.m. or later old Zone E lots, baseball lot and G Garage F open at 8 a.m. ll Blue Zone and Red Zone parking A areas, plus Gold Zone C and D lots and garages open at noon. he “open container” waiver for alcohol T begins at noon and ends at game start.

For weekday games arking and the “open container” waiver P begin at 2 p.m. The “open container” waiver ends at game start.

For all games lear lots within two hours after the C game ends or midnight, whichever occurs first.

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ucf TODAY Game Day

GOLD ZONE - Permit Parking Only IVE NE PT UN E DR

RED ZONE - General Parking BLUE ZONE - General Parking RESIDENTIAL PARKING ONLY OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY BUSINESS PARKING (Levels 1,2)

B17

B13

B12 C2

B14

B15

B16

B11

B18 B10

C3

B9

HE RC UL

IR

B2

EDA ANDROM

C

ES

B8 B7

B4 B6 B1 B3 B5

HOME FOOT B A L L SCHE D U L E O P P ONENT

TIME 4 p.m.

9.15

Florida International (Family Weekend/Open House)

9.29

Missouri

10.4

East Carolina

8 p.m.

10.13

Southern Miss

8 p.m.

11.3

SMU (Homecoming)

7 p.m.

11.24

UAB

TBA

TBA DATES AND TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

LAKE LEE

STADIUM DO

DON’T

e in your seat prior B to kickoff

moke anywhere S on campus

Enjoy the game

rink alcohol D (authorized in stadium suites and the club lounge only)

Defend our house Cheer, don’t jeer Respect the opponent Be a good sport

QUESTIONS

eave the stadium— L re-entry not allowed

hink reputation, T not intimidation se signs, but not U banners, flags, signs with poles, sticks or braces ent chair R back seats at knightseats.com

UCF IS NOW SMOKE-FREE The new policy covers visitors to campus on game days in addition to employees, students, vendors and others.

L atest Information Visit UCFGameDay.com

T icket Information Call the UCF Athletics Ticket Office at 407-823-1000.

G ame Day Questions On home game days, fans can call 407-882-FANS (407-882-3267).

Fans

Inside the Stadium Text “69050” and type into the message “UCF” followed by a space and a brief description of the issue and its location. Ushers, public safety personnel, first aid responders or event staff will respond as needed.

EVENTS Sept. 14-16

UCF Family Weekend Events for students and families. For more, visit parents.sdes.ucf.edu/ familyweekend.

Sept. 15

College Open House Everyone is invited to attend the open houses from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more, visit openhouse.ucf.edu.

Oct. 29-NOV. 3

Homecoming Week UCF vs. SMU: November 3, 2012 at 7 p.m.

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members We challengeD four to a of the ucf cheer team game of “what if?”.

Jalen Dixon

Lauren McGinnis

Major: Sport and Exercise Science Hometown: Lawrence, Kansas. I moved to Clermont my freshman year of high school.

What would be your first purchase if you hit the jackpot?

A car, a Chrysler 300C. Because that’s the car I’d always choose when I played the video game, Midnight Club 3.

If you could play on one sports franchise, what would it be?

I’d want to play football for the Giants.

If you could watch sports with one person, past or present—who would it be?

Heidi Rothe because she’s so animated when she watches sports. She used to be on the UCF cheerleading squad, but she graduated. She’s a really good friend of mine.

Major: Advertising and Public Relations Hometown: Orlando What would be your first purchase if you hit the jackpot?

A trip to Europe. I’d like to visit Greece.

If you could play on one sports franchise, what would it be?

Orlando Magic.

If you could watch sports with one person, past or present—who would it be?

Tim Tebow because he’s so good looking.

Kia Miller Major: Health Services Administration Hometown: Orlando What would be your first purchase if you hit the jackpot?

Give some to my parents and buy a nice car.

If you could play on one sports franchise, what would it be?

I’d be on the Orlando Magic.

If you could watch sports with one person, past or present—who would it be?

Hillary Clinton because she’s a strong woman.

Tyler Hansen Major: Marketing Hometown: Jacksonville What would be your first purchase if you hit the jackpot?

A house on the water in Fort Lauderdale.

If you could play on one sports franchise, what would it be?

I don’t know, but my favorite team is the Jaguars because I’m from Jacksonville.

If you could watch sports with one person, past or present—who would it be?

My grandfather. We used to watch football together.

Great Expectations

Happy students make great alumni. We were curious, so we asked “How are we doing?”

Kayli Keough

Andrea Rodrigues

Nicolette Radovcic

What has been your favorite class at UCF? Probably Data Analysis with Dr. Amy Donley. We were able to create our own sociological research project— performing the research and the analysis—and it was very interesting.

Do you have any gameday ritual?

I have a music playlist that I specifically make for each season. I try and update it as often as possible.

I generally order the same thing at wherever pregame meal is located.

What has been your favorite class at UCF? My favorite class at UCF has been Consumer Behavior with Dr. Huifang Mao.

basketball

What is the greatest life lesson you have learned at UCF? The greatest lesson I’ve learned at UCF is that it is so important to identify and seize every opportunity to reach your goals. Many things that appear to be obstacles are merely opportunities.

What is your favorite spot on campus and why?

I’m a big fan of Lake Claire. I enjoy kayaking and the beach volleyball courts.

What does it mean to be a Knight?

To me, being a Knight means having a sense of pride.

This sense of pride should allow us to know that we are a strong and successful university and anything less than that is not acceptable.

Ne’Ausha Logan Cross Country

What has been your favorite class at UCF? My favorite class would have to be American Sign Language because it is a very fascinating language to learn.

What is the No. 1 thing you have learned while at UCF? I’ve learned to be more independent since I have been here. Being far away from home forces me to grow up and not depend on my mom.

What is your favorite spot on campus and why?

My favorite spot on campus is All Knight Study because it helped me out so much. With it open late at night I was able to get work done and printed.

What does it mean to be a Knight?

To be a Knight means having pride for UCF. It is also representing UCF as a whole. When I put on my black and gold uniform I do not just think about my team, but also the entire school.

Soccer

What is the greatest life lesson you have learned at UCF? I have learned that you build character with hard work and perseverance. You have to put 100 percent effort in everything you do in order to have no regrets. What you put in, you will get back in some form.

What does it mean to be a Knight?

Being a Knight is an honor in so many ways. I respect the fact that I’m not only a student at this school, but a student-athlete. I feel extreme pride in our school and am honored to be a part of this huge family.

What is your best memory at UCF? By far, beating UNC on penalty kicks and dog piling on Florida’s home field.

Gevenia Carter

Soccer

What is the greatest life lesson you have learned at UCF? I think the greatest life lesson that I can take away from UCF is that you have to be willing to bet on “you” before anyone else will.

What is your favorite spot on campus and why?

My favorite spot on campus is the Business Administration II building. The building has many windows. When I do my school work, I like there to be a lot of light. I also like the openness and the modern look of the building.

What does it mean to be a Knight?

I am a Knight, an athlete and a champion. Being a Knight encourages me to continue to pursue excellence and it is an honor to be able to wear black and gold.

What is your best memory at UCF? My favorite memory is beating UNC in the Sweet 16 in penalty kicks and advancing to the Elite 8.

Basketball

Do you have any gameday rituals?

I don’t usually do anything that is a ritual except pray and visualize what I should do in each game.

What is the No. 1 thing you have learned while at UCF? The greatest lesson I’ve taken away is that everything in life may not go the way you desire it to go, but with a positive attitude through each and every adversity you will go a long way.

What does it mean to be a Knight?

It means work. To work and drive yourself each and every day because everyone feels like you have to prove yourself.

What is your best memory at UCF? My best memory is winning the 2011 C-USA title in El Paso, Texas, with my teammates.

February 11-13, 1971 First Homecoming Celebration

What History Will Be Made Next?

Join the conversation at ucf.edu/50.

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Dead Last

UCF FACTS* The Princeton Review and Kiplinger’s named UCF a bestvalue university, and Forbes named UCF one of the nation’s 50 most-affordable colleges.

In 2010-11, UCF awarded $408 million in financial aid to students.

How Dr. Richard Lapchick made it public, President Hitt supported it and the UCF coaches and staff responded.

There are lots of reasons I am proud to work at UCF for President John Hitt. I have been lucky enough to be friends with John since early in his presidency around the same time we opened a regional office of The National Consortium for Academics and Sports on campus in the early 1990s. I joined UCF in 2001 when I came on board as the chair of the DeVos Sport Business Management Graduate Program and the director for The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport.

We publish 20-plus reports every year that are widely publicized in the media on racial and gender hiring practices and on graduation rates of student-athletes.

When I came to UCF and started the publications, I was a little relieved that UCF was not making bowl games or the NCAA basketball tournaments. They are the two areas we report on graduation rates. I knew that UCF’s record had not been great at that time. But I knew that we had hired one of the best people in the country for academic affairs and student-athletes and that things would change. When UCF made its first bowl appearance in 2005, I had to publish the graduation rates of UCF which still had not reached where we would want them to be.

In fact, of all the 2005 bowl bound teams we were last in graduation rates and next to last in Academic Progress Rates (APR). Those are the two best measures of the academic success of student-athletes. Our report did not mention UCF, but they were listed in the table with all the other bowl bound teams. The Orlando Sentinel headline for the story was “UCF worst in graduation rates, next to worse in APR rates.”

When I came to campus I received phone calls and emails from people across campus unhappy that I had released this information since I was a UCF employee.

• Average SAT scores of incoming freshmen increased for the seventh consecutive year

UCF President John Hitt and Richard Lapchick induct Rich DeVos into the National Consortium for Academics and Sports Hall of Fame.

(L-R) Lin Dawson, Charece Williams, Rich DeVos, Richard Lapchick and John Hitt.

Coincidently, I had a meeting that afternoon with John Hitt about another matter. We talked about various things for most of the hour.

As I was leaving John said, “Thank you for holding our feet to the fire.

We will be better as a result.” The last time UCF was in a bowl game, the report showed that UCF was fourth in graduation rates and fifth in academic progress rates and had, indeed, gotten better. Much better.

John Hitt is a president who wants a winning athletic program, but knows that the biggest value of athletics may be the fact that so many young people get an education who would not have had the chance had they not received the scholarship to play in their sport. If we do not help them to succeed academically, then we are failing in the mission.

UCF athletics now has consistently high graduation rates as well as a core of student-athletes who serve endless hours in the community trying to make Central Florida a better place. Again it is one of the reasons that I most appreciate our president. Among many.

-Dr. Richard Lapchick

• Ranked second in Florida and 34th in U.S. for number of first-time-in-college National Merit Scholars • Ranked fourth “Top Up-andComing” national university

by U.S. News & World Report

Top 15 Majors, Enrollment 1. Psychology 2. Nursing 3. Biomedical Sciences 4. Biology 5. General Business 6. Health Sciences: Pre-Clinical 7. Accounting 8. Elementary Education 9. Interdisciplinary Studies 10. Hospitality Management 11. Mechanical Engineering 12. Finance 13. Criminal Justice 14. Marketing 15. Management

Chair of DeVos Sport Business Management Program

REPORT CARD

Each week, UCF coaches receive academic reports from the department

of Academics Services for Student-Athletes. Staffed with 11 hard-working individuals, Academic Services ensures 450 athletes are academically successful. Here’s an example of their accomplishments for 2011-12.

Top 5 Degree Programs: Sport and Exercise Science, Business, Interdisciplinary Studies, Criminal Justice and Interpersonal/Organizational Communication.

69 4 3.37 3 50 1000 26 1 83% 2

Different majors the athletes are pursuing Consecutive years the athletic department GPA has been at least a 3.0 Highest UCF team GPA (volleyball) Years in a row, All-American Team Academic Award (volleyball) Student-athletes earned a perfect 4.0 GPA Perfect score, NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) (women’s tennis) Points above the APR multi-year national average (football) C-USA Sport Academic Award for highest GPA in the conference for its sport (football) Highest graduation success rate in UCF history, three points above national average Teams earned Academic All-American status, one of only two universities in the state to achieve this status (men’s and women’s tennis)

*Fall 2011

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2012-13 Athletics ucf TODAY

Baseball

Men’s Golf

Softball

Head Coach: Terry Rooney (5th Year) Last Year: 45-17 Season Highlight: Tied the program’s highest national ranking at No. 7, and reached the NCAA Tournament for the second-straight year.

Key Dates: February 2013: Season opens June 2013: NCAA Tournament and College World Series

Head Coach: Bryce Wallor (4th Year) Season Highlight: Ranked No. 20 in the nation, competed in the NCAA Championship.

Key Dates: September: Fall campaign begins October 21-23: Isleworth Collegiate Invitational in Windermere, Fla. May 2013: Spring campaign concludes with the NCAA Tournament

Head Coach: Renee Luers-Gillispie (12th Year) Last Year: 39-19 Season Highlight: Shut out No. 3 Florida at home, advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in its 11-year history.

Key Dates: February 2013: Season opens May 2013: NCAA Tournament

Men’s Basketball Head Coach: Donnie Jones (3rd Year) Last Year: 22-11 Season Highlight: Defeated defending National Champion UConn and earned first NIT berth.

Key Dates: November 10: Season opener at USF November 23: at Florida December 18: vs. Miami

Women’s Basketball Head Coach: Joi Williams (6th Year) Last Year: 12-17 Season Highlight: Topped Virginia Tech, the program’s first win against an ACC opponent since 1986.

Key Dates: November 9: Home opener against Georgia State November 20-22: Puerto Vallarta Hardwood Tournament of Hope in Mexico March 13-16, 2013: C-USA Tournament

Cheerleading Head Coach: Linda Gooch (27th Year) Season Highlight: Placed third at 2012 Nationals, and KnightMoves earned ninth in the country. UCF Cheer had a top three showing in each of the past six seasons.

Key Dates: September 15: Football home opener January 2013: College Cheerleading and Dance National Championships at the ESPN Wide World of Sports

Cross Country Head Coach: Caryl Smith Gilbert (6th Year) Season Highlight: UCF won the Black and Gold Challenge, topping 15 teams in its only home event of the year.

Key Dates: October 12: UCF Black and Gold Invitational October 27: C-USA Championship

Football Head Coach: George O’Leary (9th Year) Last Year: 5-7 Season Highlight: Beat Boston College at home, and placed six Knights on the C-USA All-Freshman Team.

Key Dates: August 30: Season opener at Akron September 8: at Ohio State September 15: Home opener vs. FIU September 29: vs. Missouri—First time hosting an SEC opponent

Women’s GoLF Head Coach: Emily Marron (1st Year) Season Highlight: Ranked No. 41 in the country, and participated in the NCAA East Regional and recorded the lowest overall tournament score in program history at the UCF Challenge.

Key Dates: September: Fall campaign begins May 2013: Spring campaign concludes with the NCAA Tournament

Rowing Head Coach: Becky Cramer (5th Year) Season Highlight: Varsity 4+ ranked as high as No. 2 in the Southern Region.

Key Dates: November 3: Head of the Hooch in Chattanooga, Tenn., wrapping up the fall season March 22-24, 2013: Longhorn Invitational in Austin, Texas May 18, 2013: C-USA Championship

Women’s Tennis Head Coach: Stephanie Nickitas (6th Year) Last Year: 10-11 Season Highlight: Battled 10 nationally-ranked opponents and defeated Michigan State, Harvard and West Virginia.

Key Dates: September 28-30: First fall tournament January 25, 2013: Dual-match season begins

Track & Field Head Coach: Caryl Smith Gilbert (6th Year) Season Highlight: Best finish in school history (eighth) at NCAA Indoor Championships and sent four athletes to the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Key Dates: February 23-24, 2013: C-USA Indoor Championships March 16, 2013: Black and Gold Challenge March 22-23, 2013: UCF Invitational May 9-12, 2013: C-USA Outdoor Championships

Volleyball

Men’s Soccer Head Coach: Bryan Cunningham (6th Year) Last Year: 12-6-3 Season Highlight: Ranked as high as No. 6 in the nation, and reached the NCAA second round for the secondstraight year.

Key Dates: September 1: vs. Old Dominion September 26: vs. NCAA runner-up Charlotte

Women’s Soccer

Head Coach: Todd Dagenais (5th Year) Last Year: 20-11 Season Highlight: Swept No. 3 USC for first victory over a ranked opponent since 2003.

Key Dates: August 24-26: Season opens at the USF Invitational August 31-September 1: Courtyard by Marriott/ UCF Classic November 16-18: C-USA Championship

Head Coach: Amanda Cromwell (14th Year) Last Year: 13-5-6 Season Highlight: Ranked among the top teams in the nation, reached the NCAA Elite Eight after eliminating Florida and North Carolina.

Key Dates: August 17: Season opener at USF August 24 and 26: Home opening weekend against FSU and Miami October 31-November 4: C-USA Championship

UCF ATHLETICS 407.823.3213 TICKETS: 407.823.1000 ucfathletics.com

Men’s Tennis Head Coach: Bobby Cashman (14th Year) Last Year: 10-13 Season Highlight: Faced nine nationally ranked opponents.

Key Dates: September 28-30: First fall tournament January 25, 2013: Dual-match season begins

Knightro exits one of two newly decorated 50th anniversary UCF shuttles buses.

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