April 13, 2010
By Jared Greenbaum
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - On Friday, April 16, 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. Kim Wyant will be inducted into the hall of fame Friday along with Elgin Davis (football), Lex Wood (men's tennis), Michael O'Shaughnessy (football) and the late Wayne Densch.
Wyant played soccer for the Knights from 1982-85, and accumulated a number of honors during her tenure. She was named the team's rookie of the year as a goalkeeper in 1982, and was named the team's MVP her senior year. Wyant also earned NSCAA first-team All-American honors, and has the distinction of being awarded the Most Valuable Player award for the first-ever Women's NCAA National Championship game. After her time at UCF, Wyant played for the first U.S. Women's National Team, and was the starting goalkeeper in the team's first international match. Wyant recently discussed her induction to the hall of fame and her memories of her time at UCF.
What are your favorite memories from your time at UCF?
"I made a lot of friends that I still stay and contact with and have a bond with. That is one of the greatest items I've taken from my time at UCF. I had to dig out some old pictures to give to the hall of fame, and I just smile when I look at those pictures and think about the good times we had. And then of course we played in a national championship at UCF, the first-ever national championship. That probably is one of the most prominent memories in my mind; it's hard to forget that game, that day, and the events surrounding it."
You were part of many `firsts' for women's soccer, including the first-ever NCAA Championship and even the first U.S. Women's National Team. How does it feel to look back and see that you helped set the stage for women's soccer?
"I was in a sport at a time when it was new and up-and-coming. I just happened to get in on a ground level. I consider myself lucky to be a part of the first group, whether it's with the first national team or what I did in college. I was in the right place at the right time."
What does being inducted into the UCF Athletics Hall of Fame mean to you?
"It goes without saying that it's a great, great honor. I was completely surprised when I found out, and I was thrilled. I looked up some of the players who are already in the UCF Athletics Hall of Fame, and it's just awesome to be part of such a great group and to be recognized for the accomplishments I've had in soccer."
What are you currently up to?
"I have an older daughter that is four-years old, and my youngest child is two, so I'm doing the most important job so far that I have had, and that's raising my children. I'm staying at home as a full-time mom, but I'm also coaching a U-13 team here in Long Island. I'm staying a little connected to the sport, and it's a nice outlet after being home all day with the kids. I have a lot of experience so I hope to import my knowledge to the kids I am working with."
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.