2023 is a historic year for UCF and the celebration will be no different! In an effort to tell the UCF story, we will be kicking off this yearlong celebration with stops in Atlanta, New York City and Downtown Orlando. The focus for these three destinations will be to expand our brand footprint, locally, regionally, and nationally. Each trip is slated to be headlined by coaches meeting with media members, donors, and evening alumni chapter lead events featuring our coaches and leadership within UCF.
Home of the College Football Hall of Fame, UCF Football capping off a perfect season at the Peach Bowl, Atlanta is widely regarded as the epicenter of college football. As the closest Big 12 team to Atlanta, coupled with UCF's second-largest alumni base living outside of Florida, this is where our celebration begins.
"We're excited for the trip to Atlanta," said UCF football head coach Gus Malzahn. "We're looking forward to meeting with our donors, fans and alumni of Knight Nation in the area, as we gear up for our first season in the Big 12."
As one of the most vocal and largest alumni bases outside of the state, New York is next up! Combined with recent Big 12 news to expand its footprint into the city, we want to be aligned in the approach as we expand our footprint into the city.
"The Big 12 has been strategic about its commitment to growing the conference presence in New York City and we understand the importance of being aligned with conference initiatives as we tell the UCF Story. We are equally excited to bring our coaches to New York to meet with media, donors, and alumni in the New York area," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir.
Weeks before we kickoff our Inaugural Big 12 season, it's time to bring the celebration home, where UCF is UCF - Orlando! With more than 200,000 alumni living in Orlando/Central Florida, it is our largest alumni and fanbase regionally, in the state, and nationally.
Plan on attending one of these celebratory events by clicking the links below.
Fan/Alumni Event Info:
Activities for Knight Nation's Celebrations Alumni/Fans will include a social hour, appearance by Knightro, meet and greet with Coaches, and a formal Q & A segment where coaches will deliver remarks.
- Wednesday, May 10 – Atlanta Location: Murph's (2 Galleria Pkwy SE #1c-27, Atlanta, GA 30339) Time: 7-9 p.m. Entry: $15 per person, Speakers – Gus Malzahn, Terry Mohajir
- Wednesday, May 24 – New York City Location: Selina Chelsea (518 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001) Time: 6-8 p.m. Entry: $60 per person – includes food and drink, Speakers – Gus Malzahn, Johnny Dawkins, Terry Mohajir, President Alex Cartwright
- Friday, August 11 – Downtown Orlando Location: Ace Cafe (100 W. Livingston St., Orlando, FL 32801) Time: 5-8 p.m. Entry: Free (Food and Drink available for purchase)