Oct. 7, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - When Todd Dagenais took the reins of the UCF volleyball team in January, the head coach took time to learn about the history and the tradition of the program. What Dagenais found impressed him so much that he wanted to welcome past players and coaches alike back to UCF and recognize their accomplishments and commitment to the volleyball program. That thought culminated into reality Oct. 3-5, when Dagenais and the Knights hosted their first Alumni Weekend.
"Alumni weekend is important in that we recognize all the people along the way that put us in this beautiful gym and the status we are trying to be, and to honor them in their accomplishments," Dagenais said. "It is also important for the current players to realize that there was something long before them and that there will be something here long after them. They have something to come back to and to show them that they are apart of a bigger family. Again, it is important that we recognize the history of the program because that is why we are where we are today. I feel that Alumni weekend is going to be something, in the future, that we look forward to every year."
The three-day event kicked-off Friday night at the UCF volleyball match against Marshall. Between the second and third sets of the contest, the 1978 AIAW National Championship squad was honored with a championship-banner unveiling and center-court recognition in front of a privileged home crowd. After the banner was dropped, former head coach Lucy McDaniel, who led the 1978 squad to a perfect 55-0 record, had only one thing to say:
"If someone couldn't have won the National Championship with the team I had," McDaniel said. "Then they didn't know a darn thing about coaching."
Following the ceremony, the alumni enjoyed a thrilling five-set victory by the Black and Gold and also had a chance to catch up with familiar faces.
"I was so excited to see the women who started this, who made it possible for me to be here and who set the foundation for all the success that we're having," senior Stephanie Serna said. "If it wasn't for the 1978 team winning the National Championship, who knows where the team would be now? I was so thankful to be able to be in their presence and just tell them thank you and that this is your home and they can come here. It's nice to know when I graduate I can come back and that my last match on this court won't be my last."
Everyone's day-planner was filled with events on Saturday, with the day's schedule beginning at 10 a.m. for the much-anticipated Alumni Match. Players from all four generations of the program took part in the contest, with their closest friends and family watching on.
Aggie Skalski, a member of the 1978 Championship team, enjoyed time on the floor with her teammates and had her head coach taking in the action.
"Coming here and playing back at UCF feels great," Skalski said. "This was so fabulous to have after so many years, especially for our coach. She has done so much and I am so glad that she was here to see it all."
Following the exciting and fun-filled contest, Dagenais and staff hosted an alumni luncheon and invited alumni to observe the 2008 Knights' practice. As practice wound down, alumni and guests made the short walk to Bright House Networks Stadium to watch the UCF football team defeat SMU, 31-17.
One more event was on the agenda for Alumni Weekend Sunday, with the Knights taking on league-rival East Carolina in the afternoon. At intermission of the contest, all former players were brought to center court and were acknowledged for their contributions and dedication to the volleyball program and the University.
The finale of Alumni Weekend came when the Black and Gold came from two sets down to defeat the Pirates, 3-2, in front of their mentors, former teammates and families to put the icing on the long-anticipated cake.
Season tickets for UCF's 2008 volleyball campaign at The Venue are currently available by calling the UCF athletics ticket office at 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.
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