May 4, 2012
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Chad Binette
UCFAthletics.com
Whenever life presents challenges to UCF's student-athletes after they graduate, Todd Stansbury wants them to think about their toughness.
"Remember two-a-days. Remember how many times you thought about giving up but you didn't give up," he said. "That's the resolve you get from athletics that enables you to become successful."
About 70 UCF student-athletes plan to graduate either this weekend or during the summer. Stansbury addressed most of them this week at a luncheon held in their honor. Many coaches and athletics staff members also attended the luncheon, which was organized by Academic Services for Student-Athletes and the Knights PRIDE program.
Stansbury encouraged the student-athletes to be "part of our program for your entire lives."
"Wherever your opportunities take you, remember that you always have a home here at UCF," he said. "We're always here to help you."
Stansbury wants to provide former student-athletes with more career resources and networking opportunities. He has asked former UCF basketball standout Mike O'Donnell, now his director of administrative operations, and former quarterback Kyle Israel, who led the Knights to their 2007 Conference USA title, to help him accomplish those goals.
The senior class entered UCF at a time of unprecedented growth and renovations to athletics facilities on campus. Since 2007, Bright House Networks Stadium, the UCF Arena and new golf and rowing facilities have opened, and renovations have enhanced the facilities for volleyball, baseball, soccer, and track and field.
The class has won 11 Conference USA championships and made 20 NCAA or postseason appearances, and those numbers could be higher when the spring season concludes. The seniors also will leave a strong academic legacy, as they have earned 10 Academic All-American selections and posted a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for eight consecutive semesters.
Two seniors, Ashia Kelly of women's basketball and Cameron Cooksey of men's soccer, addressed their fellow graduates at the luncheon.
Kelly encouraged her peers to use what they have learned playing sports to help them succeed in life. Cooksey described his time at UCF as "amazing."
"I feel like I really have a family here," he said.
Cooksey also read a poem he wrote for the occasion about his experiences at UCF. Excerpts are below:
"I Remember the Days"
I remember the days
of bear crawls and squats
My first college game
my stomach in knots.
The flip of the coin
a sea full of gold
An American Flag
flying high and bold.
I remember the days
of crossing and finishing
And suffering the pain
of preseason conditioning
The crunch of a tackle
a perfect first touch
Napping in Tulsa
because we ate way too much.
...
I remember the days
of Spencer's epic goal
Fueling our season
like an ever-burning coal.
Earning national respect
With hard work and selflessness
Building a culture
strongly based on righteousness.
...
Taking this place
And making it home
I'll remember the days
When I never walked alone!