Nov. 4, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Like at many schools and universities around the nation, Homecoming Week at UCF includes numerous longstanding traditions and events that Knight fans look forward to for the months preceding the football game. This season, UCF will host Southern Miss on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Bright House Networks Stadium.
From Spirit Splash to the Homecoming football game, many of these traditions will hold true yet again. However, with home games moving on campus to Bright House Networks Stadium beginning in 2007, the construction of UCF Arena and the ever-growing fan base of UCF Athletics, new traditions have developed and added fresh excitement to Homecoming Week.
As the football games moved to campus, so has the Homecoming Parade. The parade is a staple of Homecoming traditions that has created excitement amongst the UCF students and community, and for the second year in a row it will take place on campus.
An event added to the calendar in 2008 is UCF Postgame Madness, an intra-squad scrimmage the men's basketball team will hold immediately following the football game. The scrimmage will allow Knights fans to get a sneak preview of the squad while meeting and getting autographs from the players.
The Festival of Knights, held at the south end of Memory Mall Saturday at noon, in another new and exciting event being added to the slate in 2008. Festival of Knights is the first Homecoming tailgate event to be held on-campus. It will include activities, competitions, free food and performances and will be tied to the medieval theme.
Lastly, the football game will include another new tradition as UCF fans will be asked to be armored in gold this Homecoming and in the future.
Tickets for the clash with the Golden Eagles are still available, including a $20 ticket courtesy of SunTrust Banks. To order your tickets today, call Ticketmaster at (407) 839-3900 or visit Ticketmaster.com. Tickets are not available at SunTrust Bank locations.
This year's Homecoming includes concerts, pep rallies and basketball games. Below is a list of some of the highlights during the week. For more information on the events, visit ucfhc.com.
Comedy Knight
Tuesday, 8 p.m.
UCF Arena
Enjoy a night of laughter at the UCF Arena as John Pinette, LaVell Crawford and Kyle Cease are scheduled to perform.
Skit Knight
Wednesday, 7 p.m.
UCF Arena
UCF men's basketball head coach Kirk Speraw is scheduled to serve as a judge at one of the most popular Homecoming events.
Concert Knight
Thursday, 7 p.m.
UCF Arena
Panic At the Disco, Dashboard Confessional, Plain White T's and The Cab are slated to perform at the arena.
Spirit Splash
Friday, Noon
Reflecting Pond
Show your UCF pride at what is recognized as one of the best Homecoming traditions in the nation. The event will feature a pep rally with the Marching Knights, the UCF spirit team and football head coach George O'Leary.
Homecoming Parade and Festival of Knights
Saturday, 10 a.m.
Come watch as floats make their way around Gemini Boulevard. The parade begins at the intersection of Central Florida Boulevard and Gemini Boulevard and ends at Orion Boulevard. Afterwards, visit Memory Mall for free food and games.
Women's Basketball Exhibition Game
Saturday, 11 a.m.
UCF Arena
Get your first look at the 2008-09 Knights when they host DT3 for an exhibition contest. Admission to the game is free.
Homecoming Game
Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
Bright House Networks Stadium
The Knights return to Bright House Networks Stadium to host Southern Miss for Homecoming. Wear gold to show your support for the Knights as they take on their Conference USA rivals.
UCF Postgame Madness
Saturday, 7 p.m.
UCF Arena
After the Homecoming game, head over to the UCF Arena to get a sneak preview of this year's men's basketball team. The free event will give fans an opportunity to select their season ticket seat location. In addition to an intra-squad scrimmage, fans will be treated to free pizza, fantastic giveaways and an autograph session.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to 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 UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.