Oct. 28, 2011
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By Brian Ormiston
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Since coming to Orlando for the 2004 season, UCF head coach George O'Leary has not only guided the Black and Gold to a pair of Conference USA titles and four bowl games, but he also has mentored the Knights to countless achievements in the classroom. And it showed this week when the NCAA announced its Graduation Success Rate for student-athletes enrolled in school during the 2004 academic year.
Prior to O'Leary's arrival to UCF, the Knights' GSR hovered from 42-58 percent dating back to 1998-02. However, now UCF serves as one of the most respected programs in not only the conference but the entire country as well.
UCF boasts a 79 percent GSR, which stands at 12 points above the national average of 67 percent among FBS schools, and ranks 17th in the nation. It also was a nine-point increase from its 70 percent in last year's GSR report and is an all-time high for O'Leary's program.
Placing second in C-USA behind only Rice, UCF football had the second-highest GSR of all FBS schools in the state of Florida, trailing just Miami. Meanwhile, football was second of all men's sports at UCF (behind only men's golf).
The Knights are currently preparing for a home tussle with Memphis Saturday at 4 p.m. at Bright House Networks Stadium. The game will cap off UCF's annual Homecoming Week, as the Black and Gold is 21-10 all-time on Homecoming.
UCF football mini-plans for the three remaining home games can still be purchased online at UCFAthletics.com or by calling the UCF Athletics Ticket Office at (407) 823-1000.