July 31, 2006
ORLANDO - The time to take a wait-and-see approach to buying season tickets for UCF football has officially ended and fans are responding in great number. With the Golden Knights coming off a remarkable season and their first bowl appearance, head coach George O'Leary signing a 10-year contract and construction underway for an on-campus football stadium, the future of UCF football is colliding with the present.
"There is tremendous excitement surrounding the UCF football program at this time and I expect that to keep building," UCF Director of Athletics Keith R. Tribble said. "With all the elements converging such as the turnaround of the program and the construction of the new stadium, there will never be a better time than now for those who are waiting to become a supporter of the program through the purchase of season tickets."
UCF's paid season ticket count reached the 12,500 mark last week, far eclipsing last year's total with more than five weeks before the start of the season. There appears to be no decline in sight with an advertising campaign, including radio, billboard, print and internet, that is just now hitting its stride and the team reporting to camp this week.
"We have had great response in terms of sales from our existing season ticket holders as well as a tremendous influx of first-time season-ticket buyers," said Matt DiFebo, director of customer sales and service for the UCF Athletics Association. "Many of the new buyers say they are excited about the turnaround of the program and don't want to miss out on good seats in the new stadium."
The vast majority of those ticket buyers are taking advantage of the opportunity to lock in 2007 tickets in the new stadium at 2006 prices by purchasing both years at once. By doing so, they give themselves priority over those who don't purchase until next year and guarantee themselves a ticket to the home opener against the 2005 national champion Texas Longhorns.
"If there are single-game tickets available for the Texas game next year they are sure to sell out in a hurry," DiFebo said. "The only way to guarantee the best seats in the new stadium and a ticket to that game is to purchase season tickets and the sooner the better."
The defending Conference USA East Division Champion Golden Knights are picked by the C-USA coaches to repeat as champs of the East. The 2006 season begins in the Citrus Bowl Sept. 2 against Villanova.
Fans can purchase season tickets by phone at 407.UCF (823).1000 or on the internet by clicking