After a day of travel and some sight-seeing on Sunday, the Knights Without Borders group got down to work (and even a little play) on Monday. After an early wake-up, they traveled to Colon, where the SOS Aldeas Infantiles location they are helping is located. The group got to meet many of the children who live there and even played a little soccer with them. From there, the group began working on six of the homes where the children live. 

Below is Monday's student-athlete blog entry:

Blog - May 6, 2013 - Kyle Cox (Men's Soccer)

Today, we woke up bright and early to the SOS Aldeas Infantiles orphanage in Colón to begin our community service work. Those of us staying at "The Palace" were treated to some delicious coffee from our hosts, were picked up by the bus to gather the others, and after a not-so-quick pit stop at "Super 99" we were on our way! Since we had an hour-long drive ahead of us, I volunteered to serve as our DJ for the trip and felt that it was extremely appropriate to kick the trip off by blaring Suavemente by Elvis Crespo. (Needless to say, the song was soon voted the song of the trip and was already requested to be played at the beginning and end of every road trip we take in Panama). We then proceeded to drive through the scenic forest outside of Panama City, catching glimpses of the Panama Canal, and finally made it to the orphanage!

Excitement was definitely running high when we arrived and we were introduced to some more students from the local university in Panama City as well as some of the social workers and mothers that run the orphanage.  After we exchanged pleasantries and settled in, we split ourselves into two groups to take a tour of the various homes within the orphanage and receive a brief education about the orphanage itself. On a semi-related yet important note: prior to this, Mario had left with Kimya (Massey) to purchase our supplies for the day, so we were down a translator and Evers was the only fluent Spanish speaker between the two groups. As a result, Lianne, Courtney and I volunteered to translate for the group during the tour and actually did very well. We joked that the three of us combined would be the equivalent of one Mario or one Evers. Personally, I was excited to have the opportunity to utilize the four years of knowledge about the Spanish language that I had acquired during high school and even surprised a few people, including myself, at how well I could still speak the language (Señora Mendes would be so proud!). But I digress...

On the tour, our guide explained to us that the orphanage has six houses, each of which is run by a single mother who they call Tía (or Aunt) and one home houses anywhere from seven to twelve children. She also explained that the houses had not been renovated in a long time and that they greatly needed several things to be fixed around the campus, particularly repainting the walls of the homes that were in poor condition. Since it is our  mission to help these individuals in any way possible, we decided to focus our time and energy on resurfacing and repainting the rooms in all the houses. But before we began our project, something incredible happened: we found a soccer ball!

As anticlimactic as that may have sounded, I have been dying to play a pick up game since we landed In Panama, there are literally soccer fields everywhere and it has taken every ounce of me to not jump out of the bus and hop into a game with some random strangers for a few hours. But my opportunity finally came and it was incredible Everyone joined in the game, from most of the student-athletes to the children and even some of the staff. I am pretty sure some of them had never touched a soccer ball in their lives before, but to me, this is a true testament as to why we are here; to spread happiness, to impact the lives of others, and to grow as individuals through sport. When I mentioned to some children that I played soccer, their faces instantly lit up and were extremely eager to start kicking around with us. For me, I was excited to experience a culture that values soccer as much as I do and everyone seemed to have an absolute blast during the game!

After an intense match, we started our restoration project by first laying a coat of primer paint on the areas of the wall that had chipped paint or were just in poor condition, which turned out to be a lot more wall than we had originally anticipated. At one point, we were afraid that we would not have enough primer paint to finish priming all the walls in all six houses. But, due to some efficient paint allocation and usage coordinated by our friend Chicken, we were able to complete our job for the day! By the end of the day, we were all covered in paint primer but none of us cared because we knew we were doing something great! To have the opportunity to give our time and energy to help others in need is something truly special. These kids are all absolute gems and they deserve way more that what they have been given in their lives. It hasn't even been two full days here in Panama and I can already begin to see myself growing as a person as a result of experiences such as these. I can only imagine what tomorrow has in store, but whatever that may be, I am beyond exited to find out and take it on headstrong.

Knights Without Borders Photo Gallery

The UCF Knights Without Borders group left Orlando at 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning, arriving in Panama City around mid-day. The Knights hit the ground running, as they took advantage of the remainder of their day to visit the ruins at Panama Viejo, the original Panamanian settlement.

The group enjoyed its first authentic Panamanian meal and checked into their accommodations at a local hostel. After getting settled, they enjoyed dinner at Casablanca in the historic Casco Viejo, the historic district of Panama City. Then, the group turned in early, as the Knights were going to  be up very early Monday morning to drive to Colon and begin their first day of improvement work at the SOS Aldeas Infantiles home there.

Below is a blog entry from women's soccer student-athlete Lianne Maldonado, recounting the group's first day:

Blog - May 5, 2013 - Lianne Maldonado (Women's Soccer)
Today was definitely not your ordinary Cinco de Mayo for all of us traveling with Knights Without Borders! 

It has been less than 24 hours since we took off from Orlando, but it definitely doesn't feel that way. After arriving in Panama City, and being greeted by our hosts from a local university, we headed over to Ricón Tablero to have an authentic Panamanian lunch. It was awesome to try new food ... and we all know food is definitely a way to bring people together!

Since we are going to be busy most of the week with our service project, we took time today to learn about the history and culture of Panama and become more familiar with not only the Panamanian students, but our own group's members too. We started off by visiting the ruins of Panama Viejo and also stopped by a small museum. Learning about the history of Panama, including the search for gold by Henry Morgan in the 1600's and his destruction of part of the country were all very interesting to me. 

After checking into our hostel, which we nick-named "The Palace," we headed out to dinner at Casablanca in Casco Viejo. Once we stepped off our bus, we were all in amazement. The structure and architecture of the city was beautiful and antique--it looked like something you'd see out of a romantic movie. The aroma of flavors, the dim lights, and the sound of salsa all helped set the mood for what we knew would be a great dinner and night.

It is obvious this country is very different from the United States. However, it has a lot to offer. I admire how rich the culture is and I cannot wait to meet the people we will be working with. As exhausted as I am, I am eager to wake up bright and early to start our adventure!

UCF's first international service-learning trip under the Knights Without Borders banner is almost upon us. A group of nearly 20 UCF student-athletes, Varsity Knights, staff members and administrators will be leaving for Panama May 5. This group will working at a children's home run by Aldeas Infantiles SOS. This program "builds families for children in need," according to the organization's literature. The Aldeas program houses and cares for children who are at risk because their basic needs are neglected, they may have been abused, lost their parents, have never known them or have been removed from the home because their parents do not have the resources or skills to properly care for them.

Click here to read more about what the student-athletes taking part in the trip are thinking as the trip nears. 
Click here to read even more about the project and the initial trip to Panama by UCF administrators Jessica Reo and Kimya Massey.

Check back here often from May 5-11. We'll share as many video blogs, journal entries, photos, etc. as we can to chronicle the first-ever Knights Without Borders trip. 

There's a Knight in the upcoming issue of Sports Illustrated, set to hit news stands on Friday, April 26. Sprinter Octavious Freeman is featured in the long-running segment "Faces in the Crowd," which highlights standout amateur athletes.

Former Knight Eduardo Jimenez is playing professionally in the North American Soccer League with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. The midfielder, who concluded his collegiate career in the fall, signed with the team in early April.

Jimenez appeared in 68 career contests for the Knights and scored four goals with five assists. In 2012, he played in all 18 matches and recorded one goal and one assist. Jimenez was a member of two NCAA Tournament squads during his time in Orlando.

The North American Soccer League has 11 teams, including three in Florida.

ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Former Knights and current staff members swarmed Rio Pinar Country Club for the annual UCF Football Lettermen's Golf Tournament Friday. More than 20 groups were signed up to compete for several UCF prizes, along with a little bragging rights.

The format was an 18-hole, four-person scramble, and afterward there was a lunch reception where the winners were announced, along with who had the longest drives of the day. The winning group of Tyson Hinshaw, Stuart Stipe, Jason Thorpe and Mary Vander Heider carded a 58.

This year's event took place a day before the UCF Spring Football Game which is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. at Bright House Networks Stadium.

 Photo Gallery Volume I 

Photo Gallery Volume II 

Plan your game days with the Knights, and experience one of the best schedules in program history in the best available seat locations at Bright House Networks Stadium. 2013 season tickets start at $99. To secure your UCF football season tickets, visit UCFAthletics.com or call 407-UCF-1000. 

After fall and winter workouts by many at the UCF baseball complex, and Opening Day in the books, it's time to take a look at where former Knights are starting spring in the professional ranks.

With 16 players currently active spread out all over the nation representing the Black & Gold, let's start with the class of 2012 that has made some early noise already in the 2013 campaign.

In summer ball where he moved up from rookie to Class-A in just a few weeks after being drafted in the 13^th round by the LA Dodgers, shortstop Darnell Sweeney has already made his presence felt at High-A Rancho Cucamonga. Sunday afternoon, Sweeney came through with a walk-off single in the 10^th to give the Quakes the victory (Read HERE).

Fresh off of his walk-off grand slam that gave the Elizabethton Twins the Appalachian League title, D.J. Hicks didn't wait long to go yard again, smacking a solo shot on Opening Day. He already has a pair of multi-hit games and is batting .389 early on.

Perhaps the best 1-2 combo to finish games in the 2012 collegiate season is at it again. Roman Madrid is currently with Class-A Fort Wayne ( check out that logo) and has registered a save already. All-time saves leader in UCF history Joe Rogers has also made two appearances for High-A Lakeland. The current location for the southpaw is particularly ideal for friends and family to watch him pitch as he is a native of Winter Haven, just 16 miles from Lakeland.

The 2011 draft class is also off to a solid start this spring, led by big-bopping first baseman Jon Griffin. The 6-foot-6 righty received a non-roster invitation to Big League Spring Training this year with the Diamondbacks and is already raking at AA Mobile to the tune of nine base-knocks (.500), three RBI and three multi-hit games.

Right-handed pitcher Danny Winkler also made a strong start in 2013. He begins the year with the High-A Modesto Nuts ( great name & logo) and came away a winner in his first start, tossing 5 2/3 frames while allowing just one run on four hits with six strikeouts. He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 20^th round of the 2011 MLB draft.

For news and numbers on the rest of the Knights in the pros, make sure to click on their names below to see their MiLB pages with up-to-date stats after each game.

Hitters:

Shane Brown - AA Trenton Thunder

Drew Butera - AAA Rochester Red Wngs

Jonathan Griffin - AA Mobile BayBears

D.J. Hicks - Class A Cedar Rapids Kernels  

Darnell Sweeney - Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

Ronnie Richardson - Class A Short-Season Eugene Emeralds (2012)

Beau Taylor - AA Midland RockHounds

Pitchers:

Tim Bascom - AA Bowie Baysox

Chase Bradford - Class A Advanced St. Lucie Mets

Matt Collins - Rookie Arizona League Angels (2012)

Owen Dew - Class A Advanced Carolina Mudcats

Caleb Graham - Class A Advanced Inland Empire 66ers

Robert Lara - Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore Storm

Roman Madrid - Class A Fort Wayne TinCaps

Joe Rogers - Class A Advanced Lakeland Flying Tigers

Danny Winkler - Class A Advanced Modesto Nuts 

On Tuesday, Keith Clanton will head to Virginia for the Portsmouth Invitational, a four-day event which will allow the former UCF star to play in front of representatives from every NBA team. The forward is one of 64 players who received an invitation to the P.I.T.

Clanton's team will open the tournament Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Orlando native's teammates include Belmont's Ian Clark, Arizona's Mark Lyons, BYU's Brandon Davies and Kansas' Elijiah Johnson.

UCF's career leader in rebounds, blocks, games played and starts, Clanton averaged 14.8 points, 8.5 boards, 2.5 assists and 2.0 blocks as a senior in 2012-13 and was named to the NABC All-District 11 First Team and the All-Conference USA Second Team. He helped lead the Knights to their third-straight 20-win campaign and finished his career as one of only two players in C-USA history with at least 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.

Since the P.I.T. was established in 1953, dozens of participants have gone on to play in the NBA, including Rick Barry, Dave Cowens, Tim Hardaway, Scottie Pippen, Terry Porter, John Stockton and Ben Wallace.

Last year, several P.I.T. participants earned NBA training camp invitations, including Kyle O'Quinn with the Orlando Magic. Former UCF star Jermaine Taylor participated in the P.I.T. before he was selected with the 32nd overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.

With all of the noise the UCF track and field team has been making not only nationally, but internationally as well, the Knights have graced the headlines of several prominent publications and websites. 

After playing in Spain, China and Israel earlier this season, former UCF star Jermaine Taylor appears happy to be back in the United States. The guard recently signed with the Maine Red Claws in the NBA D-League and is off to a sensational start with his new team.

Taylor has appeared in three contests for Maine and is averaging 23.7 points on 45.8 percent shooting from the floor.

On Wednesday evening in a road contest against the Canton Charge, Taylor was unstoppable. He scored 34 points on 14-of-29 shooting. He also recorded five steals in the game.

Taylor is not the only individual with UCF connections on the Red Claws. Former assistant director of basketball operations J.P. Clark is an assistant coach with Maine.