July 25, 2011
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By Joe Hornstein
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - It will be an exciting, fun-filled weekend for UCF football fans of all ages beginning on Thursday, Aug. 18 with the annual UCF Football Countdown To Kickoff Luncheon at the UCF Arena and concluding on Saturday with the annual UCF Football Fall FanFest. The weekend also marks the last preseason practices that are open to the public prior to the start of school. Not long after, the Knights kick-off the new campaign with their season-opener on Saturday, Sept. 3 against Charleston Southern.
The UCF Football Countdown To Kickoff Luncheon begins promptly at 11:30 a.m. at the UCF Arena with a grand entrance by the 2010 Conference USA and AutoZone Liberty Bowl Champion UCF Knights football team. Registration opens at 11 a.m. and parking is complimentary in Garage D, adjacent to the UCF Arena.
The event, which will conclude at 1:30 p.m., also features University of Central Florida President John C. Hitt, Bright House Networks Vice President of Operations/General Manager Orlando Region Michel Champagne and C-USA Three-Time Coach of the Year George O'Leary as program emcees. Senior Vice President of the Orlando Magic, Pat Williams, will serve as keynote speaker of the 2011 event. Performing at the Kickoff Luncheon will be the 2011 edition of the Marching Knights, UCF spirit squad, Knight Moves and Knightro.
Proceeds from the UCF Football Countdown To Kickoff Luncheon benefit scholarships for student-athletes through the Golden Knights Club. The event will also feature a premium silent auction located in the UCF Arena lobby. In 2010, patrons had the chance to bid on fantastic UCF experience packages, trips to ESPN's ESPY Awards and a weekend in New York to watch a taping of Saturday Night Live.
On Saturday, Aug. 20, come on out to the UCF campus and Bright House Networks Stadium to purchase your new football season tickets and take part in the UCF Football stadium tour event between 1-3 p.m. Meet the ticket sales staff in the lobby of the Roth Tower on the west side of the stadium.
While on campus on Saturday, stop by for the last open day for UCF football practice from 2-4:30 p.m.
Your best chance this fall to meet, greet and take photos with your entire 2011 Knights football team will occur at their annual UCF Football Fall FanFest in the west concourse at Bright House Networks Stadium between 5-6:15 p.m. There is no admission charge and parking is free in Lots E6, E7 and E8 around the stadium.
The 2011 football schedule poster series and schedule cards will also be available for free, courtesy of the UCF Athletics Sports Marketing Office. Additionally, staff members from the Golden Knights Club will be available to provide further details on becoming proud supporters of UCF Athletics.
Why "THE PATCH"?
• "THE PATCH" is the Logo Our Teams Wear
• "THE PATCH" is Our Game Day Gear
• "THE PATCH" is The Billboard for UCF's Rich History
2011 UCF Football season ticket packages can be purchased online at UCFAthletics.com or by calling the UCF Athletics Ticket Office at (407) 823-1000. Should UCF host the C-USA Championship Game for the fourth time in seven years, it would be played on Saturday, Dec. 3, and season ticket holders will receive the first shot at the best seats.
45,000 UKNIGHT ON SEPT. 3!
• 2010 AutoZone Liberty Bowl champions
• Top 20 ranking and a program-best 11 wins in 2010
• Two-time Conference USA champions (2007 & 2010)
• Three-time Conference USA East Division champions (2005, 2007 & 2010)
• Four bowl appearances since 2005
• Led by three-time C-USA Coach of the Year George O'Leary
• Over a dozen UCF Knights appeared on NFL rosters in 2010
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 for UCF's new online apparel store.