June 1, 2011
="" alt="Knight Head" border="0" class="imported"> Read John Denton's Knights Insider | ="" alt="Twitter Logo" border="0" class="imported">Follow us on Twitter | ="" alt="Facebook Logo" border="0" class="imported">Get social with the Knights on Facebook
By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
Purchase Football Season Tickets | Join the Golden Knights Club
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Recently, 7-year old Bradley Ribaric was asked by his teacher to discuss his favorite family tradition. The youngster gave an answer that his father, Brian, and any other Knight fan for that matter, would love.
Bradley said that his favorite family tradition was going tailgating and attending UCF football games at Bright House Networks Stadium. To say that his father is proud is an understatement.
Brian attended UCF and graduated from the school in 1998. His affiliation with UCF goes back even further - his father Ron was an assistant athletic trainer for the Knights in the 1980s. Brian frequently attended UCF games at the Florida Citrus Bowl.
Now, he has the pleasure of going to games on campus with his wife Heather, who graduated from UCF in 1997, Bradley and daughter Taylor. The 2011 campaign will serve as his second year as a season ticket holder. The family will be in their seats early when the Knights open the campaign against Charleston Southern on Sept. 3.
"The on-campus stadium is an awesome addition to UCF," he said. "It is a great group environment. It is much more friendlier."
Brian remembers those games at the Citrus Bowl, from both his childhood and his days as a UCF student. Needless to say, he is pleased how Bright House Networks Stadium has helped create unity within the UCF community.
"It has brought everyone together. Student participation was okay in the Citrus Bowl. Now it is amazing. The whole alumni experience is great too," he said.
Judging from Bradley's answer, the experience for families on gameday is also positive. When asked what he enjoys most about attending UCF games, Brian echoed his son's answer.
"I enjoy tailgating with my family," he said. "It is great to share that experience with them."