ORLANDO – UCF is proud to unveil its star-studded 2025 Hall of Fame Class, featuring six standout Knights who have left an indelible mark on the university’s athletics legacy.
This year’s lineup of stars includes gridiron greats Mike Sims-Walker, Alex Haynes and Cornell Green, track sensation Aurieyall Scott, volleyball standout Miriam Metzcus-Ochoa and men’s basketball stalwart Dexter Lyons.
These exceptional alumni will be celebrated during a formal induction banquet on Friday, Oct. 17, at the Celeste Hotel (4105 N Alafaya Trail), conveniently located on the UCF campus. Guests can enjoy an evening of recognition and fellowship, starting with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. ET, followed by dinner and the program at 7 p.m.
Individual tickets are $175, and Hall of Fame Tables (seating 10) are available at $2,000. Secure your seat at the celebration purchase here. For further information, please email varsityknights@ucfathletics.org.
The festivities continue as the inductees take center stage during the UCF-West Virginia football game the following day at Acrisure Bounce House, with kickoff time to be announced.
Since its founding in 1998, the UCF Athletics Hall of Fame has honored athletes, coaches, teams, and special contributors who have elevated UCF’s prominence in collegiate sports and beyond. Nominees become eligible at least seven years after their final competition for the Knights, with honorees selected from among not only athletes but also teams, coaches, and dedicated staff who have shaped the program’s history.
With this newest class, the Hall of Fame now proudly boasts 110 members, commemorating decades of athletic excellence, inspiring stories, and championship moments.
Here are details on the 2025 inductees:
Mike Sims-Walker, Football, 2003-06
A dynamic and productive wide receiver, Mike Sims-Walker was instrumental in UCF’s rise in Division I football. Over 46 games, he amassed 184 receptions (then 4th all-time) for 2,561 yards (also 4th) and 17 touchdowns, earning Second Team All-Conference USA honors in 2005 and First Team in 2006. That senior season, he set the program’s single-season receptions record with 90, a mark that still stands as #1 all-time at UCF. Known for his size, body control, and ability to make contested catches, Sims-Walker became a reliable go-to target and even led the team with three interceptions in the 2004 season, displaying his defensive versatility. Selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft (79th overall), he overcame early-career injuries to deliver a breakout 2009 campaign with 63 receptions, 869 yards, and 7 touchdowns. He finished his NFL career with 134 catches, 1,798 yards, and 14 touchdowns over four seasons, also spending time with the St. Louis Rams and briefly playing in the CFL with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Off the field, Sims-Walker has maintained close ties to UCF, mentoring student-athletes and establishing a scholarship fund. His legacy is one of production, resilience, and serving as a bridge between UCF’s early days in Conference USA and its later national prominence.
Alex Haynes, Football, 2000–04
Alex Haynes was the definition of a workhorse for UCF, leaving as the program’s all-time leading rusher (with 3,356 yards on 742 carries at graduation, now 2nd all-time), along with 662 receiving yards on 88 catches and 28 total touchdowns. He was also the first Knight to record four rushing touchdowns in a single game (vs. Tulane in 2001). Haynes became the first running back in school history to surpass 4,000 all-purpose yards, averaging 98.1 per game, ranking 6th in career all-purpose yards (4,021) and 7th in average all-purpose yards. His 27 career rushing touchdowns are good for 5th in program history and his 15 100-yard rushing games still tie for 2nd all-time. A physical, downhill runner with breakaway speed, Haynes shined in pivotal matchups with multiple 1,000-yard seasons and earned All-Conference recognition. Despite going undrafted in 2005, he earned NFL opportunities with the Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, and Denver Broncos, and later played with the UFL’s Florida Tuskers. Known for his work ethic and durability, he was a dependable offensive force who kept drives alive and wore down opposing defenses. Haynes’s combination of power, vision, and consistent production left a mark as one of the most accomplished backs in program history, and his career remains a benchmark for excellence among UCF’s running backs.
Aurieyall Scott, Track & Field, 2011-13
Aurieyall Scott redefined UCF Track & Field by achieving milestones never before seen in the program. In 2013, she became the first Knight to win an NCAA title, taking gold in the 60-meter dash at the NCAA Indoor Championships in 7.13 seconds, which was both a school record and the fifth-fastest time in collegiate history, as well as the seventh fastest in the world that year. Additionally, she earned a silver medal in the 200-meter dash at the same championship meet. Scott received Conference USA Indoor and Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year honors for 2012 and 2013, while setting school records in the 100m (11.12) and 200m (22.83). She earned five medals in NCAA Championships over her three-year career and 14 All-American honors across six NCAA Championship meets, spanning several events including the 60, 100, and 200, as well as relays. Scott led UCF to five CUSA titles (two indoor, three outdoor), was named Freshman of the Meet in 2011, and tied for the highest individual scorer in the 2013 outdoor championships. Internationally, Scott captured double gold in the 100m and 4x100m relay at the 2012 NACAC U23 Championships and claimed the 100m crown at the 2013 Summer Universiade in Kazan, Russia. Her leadership helped UCF secure multiple top-five national team finishes and elevated the program into the national conversation. Known for her explosive starts and technical precision, Scott’s impact went beyond records. She inspired a new era of elite sprinting at UCF and her tenure cemented her as the face of UCF’s track breakthrough.
Miriam Metzcus-Ochoa, Volleyball, 1991-94
Miriam Metzcus-Ochoa was the cornerstone of one of UCF Volleyball’s golden eras, leading the Knights through unprecedented success. Playing from 1991-94, she was a three-time All-ASUN First Team honoree and powered UCF to three straight conference championships from 1992-94. In 1994, she steered the Knights to their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth, a milestone that elevated the program’s national profile. Under her leadership, UCF also made a run in the 1993 NIVC Tournament. By career’s end, she held program records for kills (1,811) and digs (1,644), ranking fourth all-time for both. She still holds the record for career service aces (235) and aces per set (0.46) and sits in the top five all-time for multiple statistical categories. Metzcus-Ochoa also coached at UCF, contributing to five straight ASUN championships between 1993-97 as either player, graduate assistant, assistant coach, or interim head coach. Known for her versatility and consistent play, she excelled both offensively and defensively, mentoring younger teammates and thriving in high-pressure moments. Beyond statistics, she was the anchor during a period that proved UCF could not only dominate its conference, but compete with the nation’s top programs. Today, she remains celebrated in anniversary retrospectives and alumni recognitions, continuing to influence her alma mater as a reading teacher and volleyball coach.
Cornell Green, Football, 1995–98
Cornell Green anchored UCF’s offensive line during some of the most important years in program history. Playing at UCF from 1995–98, he started all 33 games in his final three years, including being part of the standout 9-2 team in 1998. A four-year starting tackle, Green played a critical role protecting quarterback Daunte Culpepper during UCF’s early FBS years and powered record-setting offensive performances. His dominance garnered a place on UCF’s All-FBS Era Team. Despite going undrafted in 1999, Green’s perseverance led to a nine-year NFL career spanning seven teams (Jets, Dolphins, Broncos, Buccaneers, Bills, Raiders) and 94 career games (51 starts). His crowning achievement came as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Super Bowl XXXVII championship squad. Green was valued throughout his pro career for his adaptability across multiple spots on the line and for his toughness and durability. He even reunited with Culpepper on the 2007 Raiders. Green remains a point of pride for UCF football alumni, embodying the determination and work ethic that defined UCF’s growth from a young Division I contender to a respected member of the national football scene.
Dexter Lyons, Men’s Basketball, 2002-04
Dexter Lyons made an immediate impact after transferring from Daytona Beach Community College, becoming UCF’s premier scoring threat. Lyons played a pivotal role on both ends of the floor, helping UCF to two consecutive ASUN Championship Game appearances, including the 2004 conference title and an NCAA Tournament berth. Renowned for his two-way game, he posted 18.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game as a senior, shooting 54% from the field and 44% from three-point range while his 567 points rank as the fourth-highest single season in UCF’s Division I era. That same year, Lyons swept Atlantic Sun honors (Defensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-Conference, Tournament MVP) and became the first player in school history to record a triple-double (14 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Troy on Jan. 11, 2003). After college, Lyons built a successful pro career overseas, competing in Holland, Turkey, Luxembourg, Spain (winning two titles), France, Japan, and the Dominican Republic. His international stints highlighted his adaptability and skill, and he’s continued to impact the sport as a coach and mentor, working with student-athletes in Atlanta. His UCF legacy endures as an elite scorer and defensive stopper who could take over games when it mattered most.
