July 19, 2007
Orlando, Fla. (www.UCFAthletics.com) - The following press release may have been the biggest in the history of UCF Athletics, as it commemorated the Knights long-awaited approval for its move to Division I-A for football.
The press release wording is exactly as it was written on April 12, 1993 by the UCF Sports Information Office.
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UCF READY TO TACKLE DIVISION I-A STARTING IN 1996
ORLANDO - The University of Central Florida will upgrade its football program to the NCAA Division I-A level beginning with the 1996 season, President John Hitt announced today.
"Just as a great city needs a great university, a big-league city like Orlando should have a big-league college football program," Hitt said in making the announcement at the Florida Citrus Bowl, UCF's home field.
The decision to change divisional classification was based on a recommendation from a campus committee studying the university's overall athletics program. In addition to the classification change, enhancements also will be made to women's sports and other men's sports including increased coaching staffs and more scholarships. This recommendation is consistent with both UCF's long-term goals and those of the UCF athletic department, the report noted.
To accomplish the football divisional change and athletic program enhancements, the athletic budget will have to be increased from $3.9 million in 1992-93 to almost $5.9 million for the 1996-97 academic year, Hitt said. However, the committee's research indicates that the increased expenditures will be more than offset by revenue realized through increased donations, road game guarantees, ticket sales, television, merchandise sales and other sources. The study does not anticipate any increases in the student athletic fee.
"We expect to reap a number of benefits by making the move to major college football," Hitt said. "Historically, many elements of the community first become involved with a university through quality intercollegiate athletic programs and then expand that involvement into other areas of the university."
In addition to increased revenues, the elevation of the football program is expected to result in greater national visibility for the university and Central Florida, increased alumni and donor activity, increased interest and camaraderie among the student body, and easier recruitment of student-athletes and students in general, the president said. Local merchants should also benefit financially through increased fan support at UCF athletic events and therefore the support of the business community, including the major attractions, should increase dramatically, he said.
One of UCF's stated goals is to become America's leading Partnership University, a theme that also will be at the heart of the divisional classification change, the president said.
"This change isn't something that will just happen; we will have to earn it," Hitt said. "One of key requirements in moving up to Division I-A is for us to reach an average attendance of 17,000 per game prior to 1996. For this happen, we will need support from all of UCF's friends, from the student body and the campus community to alumni, community leaders and business leaders throughout Central Florida."
Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood said the city is solidly behind UCF's move into big-time college football.
"The move of UCF football to I-A is another milestone in the rapid ascent of our Hometown University to academic and athletic excellence," Hood said. "The crowds and the color that come with I-A football will pay handsome dividends to the university, its students and athletes and our entire community. I am proud of UCF and I know that the people of Orlando and Central Florida are behind the Knights all the way."
During the three-year transition phase, the university will conduct "town meetings" to enhance support, undertake marketing and impact studies, expand the sports information department, develop a marketing plan, seek a conference affiliation and solidify revenue bases.
In addition to the season ticket requirements, Division I-A programs are expected to play a minimum of six I-A opponents each year. UCF has occasionally faced I-A foes throughout the years, including games on this year's schedule against East Carolina and Louisiana Tech. Arrangements are currently being considered with Louisville, Georgia Tech, Memphis State, Mississippi State, Purdue, New Mexico and Nevada-Reno, according to McDowell. Negotiations are under way with several other schools to initiate home-and-home series. Meetings with in-state powers Florida, Miami and Florida State on a single-game basis are also a possibility, McDowell said, including a Sept. 23, 1995, date with FSU in Tallahassee.
"This is a great day for the UCF football program and the entire university," McDowell said. "We've been working toward this goal since I arrived eight years ago and I'm delighted to see it become a reality."
The UCF football program was born as a Division III team under the guidance of UCF's second president, Trevor Colbourn, and athletic director Jack O'Leary. The first game was in 1979 against St. Leo College, which UCF won 21-0 enroute to a 6-2 record in the inaugural season.
In 1982, the program moved up to Division II. In 1985, McDowell was hired to reverse a streak of six straight losing seasons since that first year. After a 4-7 record in McDowell's first season, the team improved to 6-5 the next year and in 1987, UCF posted a 9-4 mark, earning a trip to the Division II playoffs. There UCF registered a first-round win before losing to eventual champion Troy State.
In 1990, the UCF program was on the move again, stepping up to the Division 1-AA level. That year, UCF ran its record to 10-4, becoming the first team to ever make the playoffs in its first year of I-AA competition, winning twice before finally bowing, again to the eventual national champion, Georgia Southern.
UCF's 14-year record stands at 76-74-1.
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