History and Traditions

        This proud institution traces its roots back to 1968 when students first arrived to the Orlando campus, first named Florida Technological University, in anticipation of the technological impact of the Kennedy Space Center.  It is one of the fastest growing members of the State University System.  Beginning with only 1,500 students UCF now serves a student body of over 40,000.  A major metropolitan university, UCF strives to reflect the region it serves by offering a wide range of academic programs.
     President Hitt has defined five specific goals to guide the University into the next century:
        1. Offer the best undergraduate education in Florida.
        2. Achieve international prominence in key programs of graduate study.
        3. Provide an international focus to the curricula and research programs.
        4. Become more inclusive and diverse.
        5. Become America’s leading “partnership university.”
     The design of the main campus reflects the basic philosophy of the University, a philosophy with two basic tenets.  The first is to accent the individual.  The campus has been designed to provide a small college atmosphere with educational and enrichment opportunities normally found only in large university settings.  The second tenet is accent on excellence.  In embracing this second element of the University’s basic philosophy, it is expected that every person at the University-faculty, staff, and students-will reach for excellence in all endeavors.
     Along with the academic programs offered on the main campus in Orlando, the University of Central Florida offers a number of educational opportunities at other locations within the Orlando metropolitan area and at area campuses and instructional sites scattered throughout the 11-county service area of the University, many in conjunction with community colleges within the region.
     UCF has also developed a large cooperative education program in Florida, giving students a chance to apply classroom training in actual jobs while earning competitive salaries.  More than 200 employers of all sizes provide work and learning experiences for 1,200 UCF co-op students each year.
     As the new millennium begins, the University of Central Florida is committed to educating students in preparation for the new challenges and opportunities ahead, while forging partnerships and providing research and service that enhance the community it serves.

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Athletic Conference Affiliation/Team Profiles
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        The University of Central Florida is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Conference USA.  Student-athletes at UCF are known as “Golden Knights” and proudly wear the official school colors of black and gold.
         All UCF sports now compete for Conference USA Championships each year.  The men’s teams consist of baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, soccer, and tennis.  The women compete in golf, soccer, basketball, rowing, softball, tennis, cross-country, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, and volleyball.  In addition, UCF also has numerous club sports that compete at a state and national level.
          Student-athletes at UCF are able to train and compete at facilities on campus.

UCF Arena
        The UCF Arena is a multi-purpose 5,100 seat facility that was completed in 1991.  It is the home of UCF volleyball and basketball.  The arena has multiple configurations that allows five basketball and volleyball courts.  There is also a weight room, training facility, and 11 locker/shower rooms.
 Behind the arena is a track and field complex where UCF cross-country, soccer, and track and field practices and competes.

Jay Bergman Field
         Bergman Field became the home of the UCF baseball team in February 2001.  This is a state-of-the-art facility with up to 2,000 seats.  The field is beautiful with the open concourses and palm trees.  This facility includes coaches offices, a reception area, UCF Athletics Hall of Fame, spacious locker rooms, weight room, training area, and equipment room.   Bergman Field is located on campus, behind the UCF Arena.

Tennis Courts
        The UCF tennis teams practice and compete on the on-campus tennis courts located behind the Wayne-Densch Sports Center.

Lake Pickett
         The Women’s crew team competes and practices at nearby Lake Pickett.

Wayne Densch Sports Center
         This building contains the athletic offices as well as a weight room for all sports.
Citrus Bowl

The football team practices on campus, but plays home games at Orlando’s Citrus Bowl.  The stadium seats almost 70,000.  Knight fans typically tailgate in the surrounding parking lots before the game and then enjoy the show inside the huge stadium.

Football Facility
 The Wayne Densch Sports Center is a state-of-the-art training facility for the football team.  It includes a 10,000 square foot weight room, 5,000 square foot training room, 4,000 square foot locker room, and a theatre-style team meeting room.  The new facility is adjacent to six new practice fields. This facility opened in the Summer of 2003.

UCF Creed

Knight Traditions
Every university has its own set of traditions that help to distinguish it from other institutions.  The University of Central Florida is no exception.  Below is a list of traditions that UCF has formed:

Cannon
 At UCF football games, every time the Knight’s score the UCF ROTC shoots a canon in celebration.

Dance Marathon
 Every year the Campus Activities Board puts on a 24-hour dance marathon to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network.  Many fraternities, sororities, clubs, and students take part in this exciting event.

Glycerin
 Glycerin is Knightro’s female friend.  She accompanies him to sporting events and helps excite the crowd.

Keys
 At all sporting events Knight fans bring their keys.  At exciting moments during the games, like kick off at a football game, the fans stand and proudly shake their keys in the air.

Knight
 Students at the University of Central Florida are known as “Knights” or “Golden Knights”.

Knightro
 Knightro is one of UCF’s mascots.  At the beginning of football games he rides around in his sports car.  He also helps cheerleaders with cheers and uses his special gun to shoot prizes into the air.  One of the most prized UCF novelties is a replica of Knightro.

Movie at the Reflecting Pond
 As a part of Homecoming week, one night is reserved for a movie.  All Knights come with blankets, chairs, and couches to celebrate homecoming at the Reflecting Pond.  A huge screen is set up to watch a movie.

Parade
 To complete the celebrations of Homecoming Week, a parade is held in Downtown Orlando the morning of the football game.  Many organizations, fraternities, and sororities proudly ride on their floats.  Knight students and fans gather to watch the parade.

Spirit Splash
 The only time students are allowed to enter the Reflecting Pond is during Spirit Splash.  This is a pep rally held during homecoming week at the Reflecting Pond.  At the end of the pep rally all Knights jump into the pond!

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