ORLANDO – It's nearly time to honor another impressive group of Knights. UCF Athletics is set to induct a new Hall of Fame class in 2020 and nominations are now being accepted.
Nominees may come from three distinct categories -- Legendary Knight, Accomplished Knight, Honorary Letterwinner.
Legendary Knights are described as letterwinners/athletes who have brought recognition and prominence to UCF and themselves through athletic accomplishments as a student-athlete.
Accomplished Knights are defined as letterwinners/athletes who have made major contributions to UCF through personal time, effort, interest and through years of continued service and have distinguished themselves in their chosen field of endeavor.
The Honorary Letterwinner category is defined as coaches, athletics staff members, donors, alumni and community leaders who were not letterwinners/athletes at UCF, but have rendered outstanding service to the athletic department through personal time, effort, interest and many years of continued service.
Legendary Knights Category:
Individual UCF student-athletes shall be eligible for selection as a Legendary Knight if he/she has received at least one letter award from participating in an intercollegiate, NCAA sanctioned sport AND have met all of the following criteria:
1. Athletic Accomplishments: To be eligible for selection, a former student-athlete shall have achieved one or more of the following
a. Been named First Team All-Conference or All-America;
b. Won an individual NCAA National Championship;
c. Set a world record while a student-athlete at UCF;
d. Participated in the Olympic Games as a student-athlete at UCF;
e. Held a historically significant individual record in a recognized NCAA statistical category;
f. Led the nation in a recognized NCAA statistical category.
2. Academic Standing: To be eligible for selection, a former student-athlete shall have been awarded a degree from the University of Central Florida.
3. Good Citizenship: To be eligible for selection, the former student-athlete must possess and shall have demonstrated qualities of sportsmanship, character, and integrity. The individual is not eligible if they have previously been convicted of or plead guilty to any felony criminal activity.
4. Eligibility Waiting Period:
a. Student-Athletes who completed their eligibility and immediately graduated from UCF will be eligible on July 1st seven (7) years following completion of their eligibility;
b. Student-Athletes who left UCF prior to the completion of their eligibility, but who subsequently received a degree from UCF, will be eligible on July 1st ten (10) years following the date they left UCF.
5. National Championship Winning Teams:
a. Varsity Teams who have won a team national championship, as recognized by the NCAA or the sport's national sanctioning body, are eligible to be inducted in the Hall of Fame on July 1st ten (10) years following their championship achievement.
Accomplished Knights Category:
Individual UCF student-athletes shall be eligible for selection as an Accomplished Knight if he/she has received at least one letter award from participating in an intercollegiate, NCAA sanctioned sport AND have met all of the following criteria:
1. Accomplishments:
a. Continued extraordinary service and/or major contributions to the University Athletic Program;
b. Recognized as being exceptional in their chosen field of endeavor and in a manner that brings prominence and recognition to UCF;
2. Academic Standing: To be eligible for selection, a former student-athlete shall have been in good academic standing at the University of Central Florida.
3. Good Citizenship: To be eligible for selection, the former student-athlete must possess and shall have demonstrated qualities of sportsmanship, character, and integrity. The individual is not eligible if they have previously been convicted of or plead guilty to any felony criminal activity.
4. Eligibility Waiting Period:
a. Student-Athletes who completed their eligibility and immediately graduated from UCF will be eligible on July 1st seven (7) years following completion of their eligibility;
b. Student-Athletes who left UCF prior to the completion of their eligibility, but who subsequently received a degree from UCF, will be eligible on July 1st ten (10) years following the date they left UCF.
Honorary Letterwinners Category:
Former coaches, athletics staff and administrators, donors, alumni, and community leaders who were not letterwinners at UCF, yet have rendered extraordinary service, leadership, and/or support to the UCF Athletics Program shall be eligible for consideration. All criteria and qualifications are based upon the candidate's participation while serving for the betterment of UCF Athletics. The following criteria should be considered as guidelines in determining the extraordinary service, leadership, or support:
1. Accomplishments:
a. For Coaches: Shall be evaluated on their body of work at UCF, including win-loss record, significant national victories or finishes, conference championships, participation in post-season competition, final national rankings, academic achievements of their student-athletes including Graduation Progress Rates and/or sustained Academic Progress Rates, and social contributions of their student athletes within the University and Orlando communities, as well as statewide and nationally;
b. For athletics staff and administrators: A minimum of ten (10) years of employment and service involving significant development and growth in their areas of responsibility, including facilities developed, programs started, and awards and/or recognitions by credible professional associations and national and conference awards received;
c. For an alumnus donor or community leader: Significant and tangible contributions to UCF Athletics, in terms of philanthropic support, influence, guidance or time commitment, which create or significantly facilitate the tangible growth and evolution of UCF Athletics in its mission to the University, and which brings advancement in terms or reputation, perception, and prominence on the state and national stage.
2. Good Citizenship: To be eligible for selection, the individual must possess and shall have demonstrated qualities of sportsmanship, character, and integrity. The individual is not eligible if they have previously been convicted of or plead guilty to any felony criminal activity.
3. Eligibility Waiting Period: There is no prescribed waiting period for former UCF Athletics staff and administrators (eligible under the terms above), except that UCF Athletics staff and administrators must have completed their minimum of ten (10) years of service and completed their respective tenures at the University before they are eligible for induction.
Nominations will be accepted until Midnight ET, on Friday, Jan. 17, 2020.
To nominate, please be sure the nominee meets the criteria for one of the above categories. Then, please send an email to HOF@athletics.ucf.edu with the following information:
Nominee:
Category:
Sport:
Supporting Material:
Your Name/Contact Info.: