April 14, 2010
ORLANDO, Fla.(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. Elgin Davis will be inducted into the hall of fame Friday along with Kim Wyant (women's soccer), Lex Wood (men's tennis), Michael O'Shaughnessy (football) and the late Wayne Densch.
As a four-year star for the Knights football program, Davis played both the fullback and running back positions for coaches Lou Saban and Gene McDowell. While at UCF, Davis ran for 2,064 yards on 464 rushes (4.4 average) and 23 scored touchdowns. As a freshman in 1983, Davis had 786 yards on 156 attempts (5.2 average) and scored nine touchdowns. His 786 yards that season were the most any UCF back had ever gained in a career, to that point.
In 1987, the New England Patriots drafted Davis into the NFL, making him the second player ever drafted out of UCF. Davis continued on with the Pittsburgh Steelers, later the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL and ended his career with the London Monarchs of the World Football League.
UCFAthletics.com recently had a chance to catch up with Davis and talked with him about entering the hall of fame.
What does being inducted to the UCF Athletics Hall of Fame mean to you? "[It is a] tremendous honor, I feel extremely humbled that my peers and friends at UCF would think that much of me. When I think of all the people that have had an impact on me, I realize they helped to nurture my passion and love for the game. Many of my coaches were like parents away from home. My teammates sacrificed the blood, sweat and tears and with their help and dedication we have been able to turn the program into the wonderful program it is today. I would like to give my coaches, my teammates and my friends and family a particular part of my gratitude."
How does it feel watching games in Bright House Networks Stadium and how different it is from the Citrus Bowl? "Just to see the magnitude of the progress and the energy I felt from the students. It was a jammed packed stadium, and it was a proud moment to see what the school was doing and the direction it is going."
Do you think your professional career helped spread the word about UCF's program? "Absolutely. Most players when they attend college always have playing professionally in the back of their mind. When I was drafted in '87 it gave hope to the little players at the little schools, that their dreams can come true. We have opened doors for recruiting at UCF as a result from the progress that many players out of UCF have made. Personally, I feel as though I made the professional teams realize there is talent down here."
What are you currently up to? "I am an author of a new book entitled Why Did it Happen to Me? This is an autobiography of my life. We recently started the Elgin Davis foundation, which helps people during a time of crisis. When my book sells a portion of those sales go directly towards Haiti. [The] book can be found at ElginDavis.com"
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.