March 5, 2010
By Leigh Torbin
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Like many UCF fans and Golden Knights Club members, Jim Brodmerkel is excited to see what the 2010 football season will bring the Knights. UCF enters the year on the heels of its third bowl game appearance in five years with returning starters at many key positions and the best recruiting class in school history to help fill in the gaps.
Brodmerkel came to Orlando as a freshman in 1992 and, although he lives in Coral Springs today, a part of him is still at UCF.
"(I became a UCF fan in) 1992," he says. "I have many fond memories of the team when I was a student. I was born and raised in south Florida growing up a diehard Hurricane fan. Going to my first UCF football game I fell in love with the team and was no longer a Hurricane football fan at that point."
The 2010 Knights will be led by a solid core including three players that Brodmerkel said he was a particularly big fan of, 2009 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year Bruce Miller, 2009 first-team Freshman All-American Josh Robinson and 1,109 yard-rushing tailback Brynn Harvey. He was excited about last year's 8-5 team which faced Rutgers in the St. Petersburg Bowl and featured one of America's most improved offenses.
"It was a pleasant surprise," he said acknowledging that he has high standards for the Knights. "I'm looking forward to seeing them improve even more over last season and I think we'll have an even better showing for sure."
Living in south Florida has not put any damper on Brodmerkel's love of the Knights. "I try and get out to as many games as I can," he said. "Last season I went to four." He enjoys the day of tailgating and the whole gameday experience amongst new facilities which have been above his expectations.
The calendar might say March and spring football is still two weeks away, starting on March 19, but Brodmerkel is already anxious for the Knights to kick off the 2010 season in September. "I'm excited to play football again," he says. "I'm excited to see the incoming signees and the new quarterbacks. I just can't wait. It's my favorite thing to do is go up for UCF games and tailgate."
Fans who hope to also enjoy a full season of UCF home games in 2010 can purchase season tickets now, starting for just $99 by calling the Athletic Ticket Office at (407) 823-1000 or by logging onto UCFAthletics.com. You can also purchase advance tickets there for the Spring Game on April 17 at Bright House Networks Stadium. Current season ticket holders are reminded that the renewal deadline is April 1.
For more information on how to become a member of the Golden Knights Club and help provide for UCF's athletic scholarships, call (407) 823-2086, logon to UCFAthleticFund.com or email goldenknightsclub@athletics.ucf.edu.