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Welcome to the Big 12 University of Central Florida Knights

July 1, 2023
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STILLWATER – The school that has celebrated the most since getting the invite to join the Big 12 is the University of Central Florida. Their athletic staff has been very active including attending Big 12 media days for football and basketball since accepting the invite to go Big 12. They have had the most active campaign and response on social media. Basically, those people have gone ga ga. 

Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
QB John Rhys Plumlee is a big part of the hopes this season. their first in the Big 12.

In an effort to tell the UCF story, the yearlong celebration began with stops in Atlanta (May 10) and New York City (May 24). The focus for these three destinations is to expand our brand footprint, locally, regionally, and nationally. Each trip will be headlined by coaches meeting with media members, donors, and evening alumni chapter lead events featuring our coaches and leadership within UCF. 

While there will be celebrations and events this coming weekend, the biggest is coming in August.

With the kickoff of our inaugural Big 12 season approaching, it's time to bring the celebration home, where UCF is UCF - Orlando! With more than 200,000 alumni living in Orlando/Central Florida, it is our largest alumni and fanbase regionally, in the state, and nationally.  

Oklahoma State Athletics
Boone Pickens Stadium flew the four new flags on July 1.

Activities for Knight Nation's Celebrations Alumni/Fans will include a social hour, appearance by Knightro, meet and greet with coaches, and a formal Q & A segment where coaches will deliver remarks. 

Like I wrote, these people are fanatical over joining the Big 12. Central Florida will bring 15 sports total with them to the Big 12. It is unknown where their men’s soccer program will play as the Big 12 does not compete in men’s soccer. There are six other men’s sports and eight women’s sports.

Need to Know Facts

Official Name/Location/Date Established: University of Central Florida (formerly Florida Technological University)/Orange County, Florida/June 10, 1963

Mascot: Knights (Knightro)

Official Colors: UCF Bright Gold and Black

Enrollment: 68.442

Famous Alumni: Nicole Stott, astronaut; Fernando Caldeiro, astronaut; George Kalogridis, Walt Disney executive; Shaquill Griffin, football; Shaquem Griffin, football; Brandon Marshall, football

President or Chancellor: Alexander Cartwright

Athletic Director: Terry Mohajir

Sports Offered (Men’s/Women’s): 15 (7/8)

Current Head Coaches

UCF Athletics
FBC Mortgage Stadium on a gorgeous night.

Head Football Coach: Gus Malzahn - 2 seasons (18-9)

Football Stadium/Capacity: FBC Mortgage Stadium (48,453-record)

Head Basketball Coach: Johnny Dawkins - 7 seasons (131-87)

Head Women’s Basketball Coach: Sytia Messer - 1 season (14-15)

Basketball Arena/Capacity: Addition Financial Arena (10,000)

Head Baseball Coach: Rich Wallace (newly hired was an asst. at Florida State)

Baseball Stadium/Capacity: John Euliano Park (3,841)

Head Softball Coach: Cindy Ball-Malone - 5 seasons (185-60-2)

Softball Stadium/Capacity: UCF Softball Complex (600)

History Lesson with Oklahoma State

Not much here as the two schools have never met in football, but Oklahoma State has enjoyed playing in Orlando twice recently with a 30-21 win over Virginia Tech in the 2017 Camping World Bowl and then a return trip for a 37-34 win over Miami, Fla.  in the re-named Cheez-It Bowl. Oklahoma State will be back in Orlando on Nov. 11 to play the first ever game with UCF at FBC Mortgage Stadium.

Pokes Report
C.J. Kelly was theleading scorer in a win over Oklahoma State in hoops.

In basketball the two schools met for the first time ever in the Bahamas last season and it was costly for Oklahoma State as the Knights C.J. Kelly scored 18 points and UCF hit a late three-pointer in overtime leading to a 60-56 win. That win may have been a determining factor with the committee, it was at least one of the losses that kept the Cowboys out of the NCAA Tournament.

Oklahoma State’s women’s basketball won the only match-up between the schools 74-55 in 2015.

Baseball, believe it or not the two schools have never played. In softball they have played twice and Oklahoma State won on the smaller diamond this season 9-4.

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Welcome to the Big 12 University of Central Florida Knights

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