November 3, 2007
Orlando, FL (www.UCFAthletics.com) - By Christine Dellert and Chad Binette
Don Reynolds' statue, "The Charging Knight," symbolizes UCF's excellence in academics, partnerships and athletics.
A new campus "focal point," a bronze statue of a knight on his horse was unveiled outside Bright House Networks Stadium on Saturday shortly before the Knights routed Marshall in their first on-campus Homecoming football game.
Fans were already posing for photos in front of "The Charging Knight" statue minutes after it was unveiled during a ceremony featuring artist Don Reynolds of Sanford, university leaders, the Marching Knights and cheerleaders. The statue, located in IOA Plaza just west of the stadium, symbolizes UCF's push toward national prominence.
A Bright House Networks Stadium-record crowd of 46,103 watched the Knights defeat Marshall, 47-13. Earlier in the day, hundreds of fans lined Gemini Boulevard for the Homecoming parade's return to campus after years in downtown Orlando. And UCF won the first-ever men's basketball game in the new UCF Arena, defeating St. Leo in an exhibition game.
During the statue unveiling, Hitt called Reynolds an "incredibly talented artist" and said the piece embodies UCF's excellence in academics, its partnerships with the community and its athletics.
The bronze horse and jousting knight with a UCF shield tower as high as 17 feet and weigh about 3,000 pounds. UCF officials worked with Reynolds to put together a time capsule that is sealed inside the statue's black, white and gold aluminum pedestal.
Reynolds' artwork is also featured outside the UCF Academy for Teaching, Learning and Leadership and on the floors of the Barbara Ying Center for Multilingual Multicultural Studies.
Reynolds described UCF as "an inspirational place to work because there are lots of things happening here." He added, "It's easy to get caught up in the spirit."
The statue was possible with donations from UCF alumni and a $50,000 pledge from the Student Government Association led by past President Mark White.
"[Mark] knew it was important to make a contribution on behalf of the student body," now-SGA President Brandie Hollinger said at the unveiling ceremony. "Having this statue on campus will no doubt mean something special to everyone who sees it."