April 8, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - This Friday, four individuals will be inducted into the UCF Athletics Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the J. Rolfe Davis Recruiting Room at Bright House Networks Stadium. The event is part of UCF's Hall of Fame Weekend, which includes the spring football game Saturday.
The best way to enjoy the weekend is by purchasing the Hall of Fame Pass for only $60. The pass includes a ticket to the hall of fame ceremony and dinner, the Bubbalou's Pregame Pig-Out and UCF Football Legends Barbecue Saturday, the spring game, priority placement for the postgame autograph session, a weekend pass to the baseball series versus Tulane and a weekend pass to the softball series against Marshall.
To purchase a Hall of Fame Pass, contact Misty Knight in the Golden Knights Club office at (407) 882-1289.
Former UCF football star Sylvester Bembery will be inducted into the hall of fame Friday along with Chariya Davis (women's basketball), Bennie Shaw (men's basketball) and Bob Spitulski (football).
Bembery was a defensive lineman for the Knights and in 1986 helped UCF to its first winning season since its inaugural campaign in 1979. In his senior season he totaled 71 tackles and was the team's lineman of the year. He continued his football career by playing 11 seasons in the Arena Football League, where he won two championships and was named one of the top-20 players in AFL history in 2006.
Bembery is very grateful for his experience in the AFL.
"It gave me an opportunity to showcase my talent and I thank God for that opportunity," he said.
Bembery, who now lives in St. Petersburg with his wife and three children, started his own healthcare company three years ago. The company is called BEM Services, which stands for Be Everything Meaningful. The company helps the elderly, disabled and handicapped. His affect on the community goes further than just the job as Bembery takes it upon himself to be a mentor to many youngsters in the community.
UCFAthletics.com had a chance to catch up with the former UCF and arena football star and spoke to him about his honor.
What are your feelings on being inducted into the UCF Hall of Fame?
"It's something I never thought would have been possible. Besides my kids being born it's probably one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I never expected it. Manny (Messenguer, of the UCF football office) called me up one day to tell me. I was driving and I was so excited I had to pull over and catch my breath. Even now it is still hard to believe it. I am really looking forward to that afternoon and having my friends and family there. It's just an awesome feeling."
What were some of your experiences playing for UCF?
"We were a tight-knit group. A lot of us came in as freshmen together. Everybody knew everybody. We were a family. We learned to play as a team. We came in as boys and we left UCF as men."
What was it like getting to play in the Citrus Bowl?
"It was incredible. When we first started going out there our crowds weren't that big, but when we started doing better and winning the crowds got bigger. It seemed like the whole city got behind us. It felt great. I was really happy for the school and the community."
You were very successful in the Arena Football League. What was that experience like?
"It was a lot of fun. Of course I wish I could have been in the NFL. But we had some guys who did play in the NFL come play in the arena league. It was a wonderful experience... playing with and against some of the greatest players in the world. It was a big adjustment learning how to play offense and defense. I won a couple of championships. When I was in the league I was one of the best players at what I did; making sacks and playing offensive line and being offensive lineman of the year."
Do you still follow the UCF football team? What are you impressions of the program?
"I get to make it out to a couple games a year. Last year I went to the South Florida game. I don't get to go as often as I want to go, but I am very proud of UCF. To see that school grow, I never could have imagined how incredible it is now."
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.