April 12, 2010
By Philippe Saboulaut
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - On Friday, five 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 weekend is by purchasing the Hall of Fame Pass for only $60. The pass includes a ticket to the Hall of Fame Induction Dinner on Friday night, the UCF Spring Football Game and a barbecue plate at the UCF Pigskin Barbecue & Fan Day on Saturday and a weekend pass to the UCF baseball vs. Rice series.
To purchase a Hall of Fame Pass through the Golden Knights Club, please call (407) 823-2086 or e-mail GoldenKnightsClub@athletics.ucf.edu.
The late Wayne Densch will be inducted into the hall of fame Friday along with Elgin Davis (football), Kim Wyant (women's soccer), Michael O'Shaughnessy (football) and Lex Wood (tennis founder).
Densch is recognized as one of the Central Florida region's greatest philanthropists. Each year, Wayne Densch, Inc. sponsors and participates in numerous charitable, non-profit events to benefit the Central Florida community. Densch passed away on May 8, 1994. In appreciation of his generous contributions to the school, UCF has named its athletics department buildings after Densch.
UCFAthletics.com recently had a chance to Cran Riley, Wayne Densch's long-time friend and business partner.
UCF is something that was very special to Mr. Densch. How much did Wayne Densch care about UCF?
"Mr. Densch cared a lot about UCF. He was a real football fan, and when he found out that UCF was trying to make a football team and they were struggling he wanted to know what he could do to implement or help UCF get their football team."
What was Wayne Densch like as a person?
"He was real sincere to his employees. He considered all of his employees his family and from day one, if you worked with Mr. Densch or for Mr. Densch, you never wanted to leave. Everybody felt that they were one big family."
What do you think he would say about this honor of being inducted into the UCF Hall of Fame?
"I think he would be proud. Knowing Mr. Densch, you would have to do it in fashion where he would have no part in it because of the fact that he was the type of individual who didn't like a lot of publicity. He always felt that whatever he was doing, he was doing it from his heart. Overall, he would be proud of it as long as he didn't have to come in."
With regard to UCF Athletics, what do you think Wayne Densch's legacy is?
"I think that his legacy would be that if he could help somebody, that's what he would want to do. He wanted to make sure that their full potential is reached and everybody has the opportunity to do whatever they need to do."
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.