Stars of UCF’s Past Shine Bright at 2024 Hall of Fame Induction CeremonyStars of UCF’s Past Shine Bright at 2024 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Stars of UCF’s Past Shine Bright at 2024 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

by Adam Widman

ORLANDO – It was a memorable evening Friday at the Celeste Hotel as the UCF Athletics Hall of Fame officially inducted its 2024 class, celebrating the achievements and contributions of six remarkable inductees.

This year’s class includes Chris Duffy (baseball), Mark Giacone (football), Shaquem Griffin (football), Ashley Holder (women’s golf), Anne Marie Blaney (track and field/cross country) and Kirk Speraw (men’s basketball head coach).

Emceed by Voice of the Knights – and fellow Hall of Famer, Marc Daniels – the evening brought together former teammates, family members, and fans who gathered to honor the inductees’ dedication to their sports and the university. Each honoree took the stage to share reflections on their time at UCF, recalling pivotal moments, personal growth, and the community that supported them.

“You represent the very foundation of UCF Athletics,” UCF Vice President and Athletics Director Terry Mohajir said. “For those of us entrusted with building upon this incredible program, you are the motivation that drives us to continually reach new heights and enhance our national profile. Each of tonight’s honorees has profoundly shaped the legacy of UCF. Through pushing limits, inspiring others, and upholding what it means to be a Knight, their achievements remind us of the grit, teamwork, and determination it takes to succeed. Tonight, we honor them not only as athletes and coaches, but as UCF icons. Their legacy now takes its rightful place in the proud history of UCF Athletics!”

The atmosphere was filled with pride and admiration, with each inductee being recognized not only for their athletic achievements but also for the way they embodied the values of UCF Athletics. The ceremony concluded with heartfelt applause and a standing ovation, marking a memorable night that underscored UCF's rich history and bright future in collegiate athletics.

The inductees will also be honored on the field at halftime of the UCF-Arizona football game Saturday at FBC Mortgage Stadium.

The UCF Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 1998 to honor members of past athletic teams who have excelled in intercollegiate athletics at UCF, or gained national recognition in athletics following their departure from campus. It also gives special recognition to non-athletes who have contributed significantly to the development of the UCF Athletics program.

Nominees are not eligible until at least seven years after they last participated in intercollegiate athletics at the University. Eligible inductees beyond individual student-athletes comprise of teams, coaches, administrators/staff.

With the addition of this class, the UCF Athletics Hall of Fame now consists of 104 inductees, highlighted by former coaches, athletes, national championship teams and administrators.

Here are details on the 2024 inductees:

Chris Duffy, Baseball, 2007-10: Four-year starter in the outfield for the Knights … All-Conference USA performer and First Team All-American in 2010 as a senior by Baseball America, NCBWA, ABCA/Rawlings, Yahoo! Sports and Louisville Slugger … put together one of the finest seasons in UCF baseball history in 2010, setting UCF and C-USA single-season records with a .447 batting average and .850 slugging percentage to go along with a school-record 21 home runs and 81 RBI … still ranks second in the Conference USA record books for batting average (.447) and is third in slugging percentage (.850) … was one of five finalists for the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award, given to the top amateur player in the country ... semifinalist for the NCBWA Dick Howser Trophy, which is handed out to the best collegiate baseball player … ranked among the top 10 in the nation for: batting average (4th), RBI per game (5th), slugging (3rd) and OBP (6th) … selected by the Chicago White Sox in the ninth round of the 2006 MLB Draft before electing to attend UCF … drafted again after college by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 26th round of the 2010 MLB Draft.

Mark Giacone, Football, 1987-90: Rushed for 2,128 career yards, good enough for second all-time at UCF at the time … still ranks ninth all-time … scored 22 career touchdowns, the most at the time and still the sixth most in school history … rushed for a then-school record 923 yards in the 1990 regular season, earning team MVP honors … rushed for a then-school record 191 yards and a touchdown to help UCF upset undefeated Youngstown State in the first round of the I-AA Playoffs that same season, becoming the first UCF back to top 1,000 yards in a single season, and helping the Knights to a 20-17 playoff win in its first season in I-AA … led the Knights with 510 yards rushing as a freshman and a trip to the Division II playoffs in 1987 … suffered a knee injury in 1988 that sidelined him for most of the season … returned to the field in 1989 healthy and earned team MVP honors with 410 yards on the ground … earned the nickname “Magnet Man” because he occasionally sought contact even in the open field at 5-foot-8, 195 pounds.

Shaquem Griffin, Football, 2013-17: 2017 All-Conference First Team in The American … 2016 American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference performer … led the team with 20.0 tackles for loss, which is tied for the third most in a single season in UCF history … also led the Knights with 11.5 sacks, the sixth most in a season at UCF … finished the season ranked 12th in the nation in sacks and 13th in tackles for loss … named the Defensive MVP of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl as a senior … received 2018 Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion award … nominated for Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, honoring student-athletes for their outstanding community service … selected in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks where he played for three seasons with his twin brother, Shaquill, also a UCF standout … also spent time with the Miami Dolphins before announcing his retirement in 2022.

Ashley Holder, Women’s Golf, 2014-17: A three-time American Athletic Conference Women’s Golfer of the Year honoree her freshman, sophomore and senior seasons (2014, 2015, 2017) and was a four-time all-conference selection … career scoring average of 72.65 … recorded three first-place finishes, which is the fourth most in program history … as a junior she qualified to play as an individual in the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional where she notched a season-low team-low 68 (-4) in the final round and finished tied for 22nd overall … finished runner-up at the American Athletic Conference Championship and was the Knights top finisher in seven of the nine team events in which she competed … recorded a season- and team-low 209 (-7) at the Landfall Tradition where she notched her first win as a Knight her sophomore season … American Athletic Conference Women's Freshman Golfer of the Year in 2014 … ranks sixth in the UCF record books for lowest 18 hole score, shooting a 66 (par 70) at the Schooner Fall Classic in the fall of 2014.

Anne-Marie Blaney, Track & Field/Cross Country, 2013-17: One of the most accomplished runners in UCF history … a two-time All-American while earning 13 AAC All-Conference honors … captured the 2013 and 2016 AAC Cross Country Championship … won the 2014 and 2016 AAC Outdoor Track & Field 10K championship … won the 2015 Indoor Track & Field 5K championship … set multiple records at UCF, earning program marks in the cross country 5K and 6K, the indoor mile, 3K and 5K, along with the outdoor 5K and 10K … she still is the only distance runner in UCF history to qualify for the NCAA Championships, doing so at the 2014 and 2016 Cross Country Championships, the 2016 Outdoor Track and Field Championships and the 2017 Indoor Track and Field Championships … competed in the 2020 and 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials.

Kirk Speraw, Men’s Basketball (Head Coach), 1993-2010: Served as men’s basketball head coach from 1993-2010 … led UCF to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in his first season in 1994 after a 21-9 finish and an Atlantic Sun Tournament championship, and four NCAA Tournament appearances overall (1994, 1996, 2004 and 2005) … captured four Atlantic Sun Tournament championships (1994, 1996, 2004, 2005) and a regular season championship in 2005 … led the Knights to a 25-6 record during the 2003-04 season and an NCAA Tournament appearance … named Conference USA Coach of the Year in 2007 after guiding the Knights to 22 victories and a second-place league finish … coached a total of 18 all-conference selections in his 17 years as head coach, including 54 academic all-conference honorees … coached a total of 43 years as an assistant coach at Iowa (1979-80, 2010-22), Denver (1980-1982), Florida Southern (1982-87), Florida (1990-93) and head coach at Pensacola Junior College (1987-90) and UCF … native of Sioux City, Iowa … was a two-time letterman (1978-79) at Iowa under Hall of Fame head coach Lute Olson.