Aug. 1, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Senior cornerback/punt returner Joe Burnett has made many remarkable plays during his career with UCF. Burnett currently leads the Knights in career punt return yards with 926, including three touchdowns, and ranks second in interceptions with 12 for his career. This game-changing player has had his share of monumental moments with the Knights, including a punt return for a touchdown in the two Conference USA Championship games that UCF has participated in. Recently, Burnett spent some time with the UCF athletics communications staff to chat about his time with the Knights and his plans for the future.
Your schedule over the summer is a lot different than the activities you participate in during the fall. What is a typical summer day like for you?
"I wake up and go to tutoring. After tutoring, I go to class. After that, it is lunch time. I am in the weight room a lot. I get there an hour early just to warm up. After weightlifting, we have skelly on some days. If not, then I usually go back and study college algebra. I have to put a lot of time on it - at least four hours a day. Then, I am in the library from 6-10 sometimes just doing math problems."
Johnell Neal, Sha'reff Rashad, Jason Venson and yourself have gone though three years together with the football team. How would you describe the relationship between the members of the secondary?
"Last year, Johnell, Sha'reff, Jason and I had a unique chemistry. We look at it as a bunch of brothers. Johnell and I decided to be roommates. We look out for each other. He is just like a brother to me. [It is the] same thing with Sha'reff or Jason, they got my back and I got their back. It is on and off the field. It is a unique chemistry between us, not just on the football field, but in the meeting rooms. It is off the football field, too. This is special. It is good to have that type of chemistry between your unit on the team."
What is your favorite meal to cook for dinner?
"My best meal to cook is probably spaghetti. Spaghetti with shrimp cut in it. Johnell is a little fancier. He will cook jambalaya or steak sometimes."
Majoring in hospitality, what are your career goals after playing football for UCF?
"I want to go into the NFL right now. If that does not work out, then I plan on working in the hotel field. I want to be a part owner of hotels. Investing in hotels and cruise ships is a dream of mine."
Who inspired you to become involved in hospitality?
"Renford Parkes. He was a safety [at UCF] and he got me into hospitality by having me take a class I actually liked. I have been doing it ever since I was told to take that first class. Ever since then, he now works at the Radisson and he moved up pretty quick. I think that it is people. I like to be around people and talk to people... meeting and greeting."
Burnett and the Knights are slated to open the 2008 season at home on Aug. 30 versus South Carolina State at Bright House Networks Stadium. The squad will play six contests at the on-campus venue this season.
Season tickets are currently available. To order season tickets, or to learn more about attending games at Bright House Networks Stadium, call 407-UCF-1000.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to www.UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit www.UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.