Every semester is a chance to start fresh.

Whether you鈥檙e navigating your first days on campus or a returning Knight, each new academic semester is an opportunity to discover what works for you, meet new people, challenge yourself and take advantage of everything UCF has to offer.

No matter what you set out to accomplish, you鈥檒l find the support to help get you there. Whether you鈥檙e in need of academic guidance, career preparation, wellness resources and support or ways to get involved, here are the tools to set you up for success.

Build Strong Habits with Academic Support

The key to overcoming academic challenges isn鈥檛 waiting until you鈥檙e struggling 鈥� it鈥檚 knowing where to turn before you get there.

If you鈥檙e adjusting to college-level coursework, working through a difficult class or trying to stay ahead, UCF provides a variety of academic support services 鈥� available in person and virtually 鈥� to help you stay on track all semester long.

Start here:

• Academic Success Coaching:鈥疭tudents are encouraged to meet regularly with their for help setting goals, staying on track, improving study strategies, managing time and connecting with campus resources.
  • Support Pop-Up Station: Visit the UCF Student Union from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, and Thursday, Aug. 27, for on-the-spot support and guidance from Academic Advocates and Academic Success Coaches.

• Peer Tutoring: The Student Academic Resource Center (SARC) offers鈥�痠n more than 30 subjects. Visit the SARC office in Trevor Colbourn Hall Room 117 or the Engineering II atrium for assistance.

• : Drop in for help with undergraduate math courses and work through challenging concepts with experienced tutors.

• : Whether you鈥檙e writing your first college essay, polishing a lab report or updating your resume, writing consultants are available at every stage of the writing process.

• Academic Calendar: Refer to the official for important dates for enrollment, holidays, exams, commencement and events.

• : Academic Engagement Librarians are available to help graduate students find research materials, navigate databases, develop stronger research projects and access additional library resources and services.

• : From laptops for class to calculators for exams, this new service on the second floor of the John C. Hitt Library makes it easy to borrow the tools you need to succeed academically.

• Study Spaces: If you prefer complete silence, a lively atmosphere or the outdoors, there are plenty of places to help you stay productive. Check out some of these favorite spots across UCF鈥檚 campuses:

• • Grab your favorite drink and settle in at a coffee shop. Campus favorites like Dunkin鈥� Donuts, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Foxtail Coffee or Starbucks are ideal if you enjoy a little background noise while studying, meeting with a group or working on a project.

• • Escape the bustle of campus at the Burnett Honors College Meditation Garden, a peaceful outdoor space where shaded seating, lush greenery and a tranquil koi pond create a relaxing environment for reading, studying or recharging between classes.

• • If you’re crossing the Dr. Phillips Academic Commons Bridge between classes at UCF Downtown, pause to review your notes or catch up on reading in one of the quiet seating areas overlooking campus.

• • The shaded lounge area in front of Addition Financial Arena at Knights Plaza offers a comfortable place to catch up on assignments, meet up with friends or unwind between classes.

• • Looking for a quieter environment? in the John C. Hitt Library or find one of the many individual and group study spaces designed for focused work.

• • Take your studying outside at the Reflecting Pond by spreading a blanket on the grass or settling into a shady spot along the water. Fresh air and a change of scenery can be a great way to recharge while reviewing notes.

Prioritize Your Health and Well-Being

Taking care of yourself is just as important as keeping up with your coursework. When you feel your best, you鈥檙e better prepared to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Through UCF鈥檚 wide variety of health and wellness services, you鈥檒l have support physically, mentally and emotionally throughout the semester.

That holistic approach to serving students recently earned UCF national recognition. The university received Insight Into Academia magazine’s 2026 Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award for fostering a campus culture in which students and employees have access to meaningful wellness resources, supportive communities and proactive care.

Available student well-being and support resources include:

• Mental Health Support:鈥� (CAPS) provides all students with free around-the-clock鈥痬ental health support. Additionally, they have complimentary access to ‘鈥痑nonymous peer support community and鈥�痶eletherapy sessions throughout the semester. Students can access support by calling CAPS at 407-823-2811, visiting in person or . For after-hours support, call 407-823-2811 and press 5 to connect with a counselor.
  • Spend time with from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 27 and enjoy a mindful break while learning practical stress-management techniques as you ease into the semester.

• : Build healthy habits that support your well-being and academic success with free services and programs, including wellness coaching, FreshU Kitchen, cooking demonstrations and classes, and access to free healthy food.

• Physical Wellness:鈥� is your on-campus healthcare home, providing convenient access to primary and preventive care, sports medicine, dental care, pharmacy, immunizations, laboratory testing and more. Looking to stay active? The鈥�痟as you covered with a two-story fitness area, group exercise classes and a variety of recreational activities. For some fresh air, head to 聽at Lake Claire, where you can unwind outdoors with free kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.

• Well-Being and Basic Needs Support: The Center for Student Care and Advocacy is a hub for navigating academic, personal and financial challenges. You can contact at 407-823-5607 or caremanager@ucf.edu for assistance. For help with everyday essentials, provides free food, clothing and toiletries daily to currently enrolled UCF students.

Prepare for Your Career Now

You don鈥檛 have to wait until graduation to start building your professional experience. The (DCDC) can assist you with exploring career paths, preparing for graduate or professional school,聽building professional skills and connecting with employers from your first semester through graduation.

This semester, you can:

• Meet with UCF DCDC staff for resume reviews, LinkedIn profile feedback, mock interviews and more at the center.

• Get guidance from team for exploring careers that require advanced degrees and preparing and applying to graduate, health professional and law schools.

• Attend career workshops covering everything from networking and interviewing to job searching and using AI in your job search.

• Discover internship opportunities that provide you with real-world experience 鈥� and, in some cases, the chance to earn academic credit.

• Secure your next internship or job and connect with employers from a wide range of industries at the on Oct. 1 at Addition Financial Arena.

• Connect with employers, discover career opportunities and receive a free headshot at the on Oct. 28 in the Darden Auditorium.

Even if you鈥檙e only beginning to explore your career options, these experiences can help you build skills and connections long before graduation.

Find Your Community on Campus

Some of your best college memories happen outside the classroom.

Whether you鈥檙e looking to meet people, discover new interests, give back or just get out and have fun, you鈥檒l find plenty of ways to get involved and connect with campus.

Take the opportunity to:

• Find your people by joining one (or more!) 色花堂鈥檚 650+ student organizations.

• Grab your game day gear and embrace the energy of Knight Nation while cheering on the Knights across 16 sports. Students can claim free tickets to home games throughout the season.

• Make a difference through Volunteer UCF, where you can sort donations at local food pantries, tutor students, assist in hospitals and connect with the community.

• Take part in iconic UCF traditions like Spirit Splash, one of the most beloved Homecoming Week events, and Pegasus Palooza, UCF鈥檚 official welcome week featuring free events and big-name entertainment.

• Graduate students: Build connections and get involved on campus through the Graduate Student Center, a welcoming hub in Trevor Colbourn Hall Room 213, where you can meet other graduate students and participate in , including Fall Take Off, two weeks of activities that welcome new and returning graduate students.

No matter what your interests are, there鈥檚 a place for you here and a community ready to welcome you.

Know Your Transportation Options

A little preparation can make getting around campus much easier 鈥� especially during the first few weeks of the semester.

Before heading to class:

• Make sure you have the correct parking permit and know where you can park. Beforehand, review and real-time to save time and avoid hassle. Parking Garages A and I often have the most availability.

• Check shuttle routes and schedules using the UCF Mobile app or the . offers 10 conveniently located stops near most academic buildings and popular campus destinations.

• Give yourself extra travel time during the first few weeks of the semester, when campus is busiest.

Friendly reminder: A valid UCF or Daily Parking Permit is required to park on campus at all times (24/7).

Stay Organized with Essential Tools

myKnight STAR

Keeping track of classes, appointments and deadlines is much easier when everything is in one place. That鈥檚 where , powered by Navigate Student, comes in. With tools designed to help you stay organized, connected and on track, it鈥檚 your go-to resource for managing the semester and accessing the support you need.

Using the app or web browser, you can:

• View your class schedule.

• Schedule appointments for Academic Success Coaching and other campus services.

• Explore majors and career pathways.

• Connect with classmates to form study groups.

• Receive reminders about important academic deadlines and upcoming appointments.

Student Center

The Student Center, accessible through , has a new, mobile-first design and updated navigation, but the tools you rely on 鈥� such as class registration, financial aid, tuition payments, grades and academic records 鈥� remain the same. They may just be in a different place. For help finding and accessing key tools, log in to myUCF and click the banner at the top of the page to visit the Help Center. Graduate students can also use the dedicated Graduate Students tile to access resources and tools for managing their academic journey.

Make This Semester Count

No matter where you are on your UCF journey, you won鈥檛 have to navigate it alone.

The habits you build now 鈥� and the people and resources you connect with along the way 鈥� can make all the difference in your college experience.

So ask questions, get involved, try something new and take advantage of the opportunities around you.

Wishing you a successful semester, Knights. Charge On!

This guide is a resource to help you develop a sense of belonging, find community and build lifelong friendships while studying at UCF.

Marquee Events

Whether you鈥檙e studying at UCF Downtown, the , Rosen College of Hospitality Management or the main campus,聽聽you鈥檒l have plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Some signature events have become beloved UCF traditions聽with not-to-be-missed programming:

• Pegasus Palooza, UCF鈥檚 annual welcome week, greets new and returning students to campus with a variety of events including notable headliners at Comedy Knight and Concert Knight.

• UCF Homecoming聽Week,听蹿别补迟耻谤颈苍驳听Spirit Splash,聽kicks聽off聽Monday,聽Oct. 19,聽and聽concludes聽with the UCF football team鈥檚 matchup against BYU on聽Saturday,聽Oct. 24.

• Space Game, a football game unlike any other in the nation, pays tribute to our UCF鈥檚 roots as America鈥檚 Space University. This year鈥檚 matchup against Baylor on Friday, Oct. 30, marks 10 years of the Space Game.

• , held each spring at聽聽Orlando鈥檚 Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, showcases the artistic talents 色花堂鈥檚 faculty and students in performances, exhibitions, presentations and interactive experiences.

• Gather Luncheon,聽a聽community-building event in the spring hosted by聽Wellness & Health Promotion Services and Dining Services,聽聽brings hundreds of students聽together聽聽for聽a free, three-course meal.

Recreation, Intramurals and Sports Clubs

In addition to its fitness and recreation facilities, the Recreation and Wellness Center has longstanding intramural and sports club programs that allow students to form friendships and win championships, sometimes on the brightest of stages.

The RWC鈥檚 intramural sports program welcomes all UCF students, especially those who are new to Orlando and haven鈥檛 met enough peers to form their own team. Thanks to its free agency feature, individuals ca聽be matched up with others or be paired with an established team.

The sports club includes 45 different sports, encompassing everything from judo to lacrosse to wakeboarding and have produced some 色花堂鈥檚 most notable alumni. Gold medalist Phil Dalhausser 鈥�02, who played club volleyball while pursuing his business degree, and bronze medalist Kristen Thomas 鈥�16, who began her rugby career聽as a theatre studies major聽at UCF,聽both went on to聽represent聽Team USA聽at聽multiple Summer Olympic Games.

For more information, visit聽.

Registered Student Organizations

UCF offers more than 650 registered student organizations spanning academic, professional, cultural and spiritual, social and recreational, and sports interests.

KnightConnect聽is UCF鈥檚 official involvement platform where students can explore聽these organizations or even create a new one.聽Each organization has its own page with meeting times, contact information,聽and ways to get involved.

Visit the聽聽to find the organization right for you.

Greek Life

The fraternity and sorority experience has long been a part of campus life. Since the 1970s, fraternities and sororities have been providing spaces of belonging for students to grow together during their collegiate years.

Currently our UCF Greek community is comprised of 47 organizations, which all share the values of scholarship, leadership, service and brotherhood/sisterhood.

For more information visit聽.

UCF Athletics 鈥� Knightmare Society and Marching Knights

UCF is a member of one of the premiere conferences in the nation, the Big 12. From聽Fear the Fronds聽to聽Zombie Nation, the student section鈥檚 energy is聽an integral part of the game day atmosphere聽and gives the Knights a distinct home field (and court) advantage.

All full-time UCF-enrolled students (except 色花堂) are eligible for free tickets to home sporting events. Please note: all seating is first-come, first-served and admission is not guaranteed. For more information, especially for football and men鈥檚 basketball student tickets, please visit .

罢丑别听 is an organization built and run by UCF students and supported by UCF Athletics. Joining the official group has its perks, including football tickets automatically loaded to members鈥� Ticketmaster accounts, a dedicated fast pass entrance at all UCF men鈥檚 basketball games, and first access to post-season student ticket claims.

Students can also contribute to game-day experiences by joining聽, a more than 390-member marching band student organization that performs at pregame shows, halftime shows, pep rallies and聽other聽fan-fest聽events. By creating the soundtrack for these dynamic events, the Marching Knights serve as one of the most vibrant and visible forces for school spirit.

Engage in聽Research

Undergraduate research provides opportunities to build a learning community with faculty and fellow students聽while engaging聽in meaningful work that聽develops聽solutions聽for聽challenges facing our communities,聽industries聽and the world.

In addition to forging connections with peers and mentors, this聽practical experience聽allows students to聽build their professional resumes聽before聽they graduate.

, UCF鈥檚 annual university-wide celebration of research and creative scholarship showcases graduate and undergraduate research. The week is scheduled for March 29 through April 2, 2027, featuring presentations, exhibitions and other events showcasing student research.

For more information on how to get involved with undergraduate research, visit聽.

贰虫辫濒辞谤别听翱谤濒补苍诲辞

UCF students live in one of the most vibrant destinations in the world, Orlando.聽Whatever your interest, Orlando聽likely has聽it:聽theme parks,聽elite聽sporting events,聽electric festivals,聽Michelin-rated restaurants,聽nearby聽coastlines聽and聽natural springs.

Orlando is what you make it, and there are ways to experience it all on a student budget.

罢丑别听聽offers聽discounted聽tickets to various attractions, including Walt Disney World, Universal聽Orlando聽and Kennedy Space Center.聽Every spring semester, UCF students聽enjoy聽free, exclusive access to Universal Islands of Adventure as part of Universal Knights.

聽gives Knights of all experience levels opportunities to go on hiking and camping trips at nearby springs, learn to surf, paddle through bioluminescent waters and more.

Several cultural museums in the area offer free entry,聽including聽the聽 on the main campus,聽Rollins Museum of Art聽and Mead Garden in nearby Winter Park,聽and the聽Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Central Florida聽in Maitland.聽罢丑别听acclaimed聽Orlando Museum of Art聽offers free entry on the third Thursday of each month聽as part of its Access for All initiative.

Held annually at the start of the fall semester, Visit Orlando鈥檚 Magical Dining offers a chance to sample some the area’s exceptional restaurants at a fraction of the normal cost. Savor three-course, prix-fixe dinners聽 鈥� including at Aurora at the on-campus The Celeste Hotel 鈥� for just $40 or $60 per person from Aug. 14 鈥� Sept. 30, 2026.

Electrical engineering doctoral student Ganesh Marasini tests real-life grid control operations in UCF鈥檚 鈥� a training ground for rising engineers to collaborate, learn and help reimagine the energy grid of the future.

Hundreds of fans celebrated UCF men’s basketball’s upset win over No. 3 Kansas at Addition Financial Arena.

UCF broke ground on the transformational Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion at Lake Nona, which is anticipated to open in 2025-26. The new 90,000 square-foot home of the College of Nursing will help UCF graduate more highly qualified, compassionate nurses for the future.

A student practices with a manikin hand at UCF鈥檚 state-of-the-art in the College of Nursing, which is equipped with advanced medical devices and technology to train nursing students for clinical practice.

Since kicking off the outdoor season with a top 10 national ranking, the UCF women鈥檚 track and field team has clocked some of the world鈥檚 fastest times this year.

During the 10th anniversary 色花堂 Celebrates the Arts 鈥� a聽multi-day festival honoring creative expressions 鈥� artists competed in Creative Clash, a live art event where they raced against the clock to create large-format artwork with markers in front of spectators at Seneff Arts Plaza.

A graduate walks across the stage during a Spring 2024 commencement ceremony that took place in Addition Financial Arena.

Three students dove into their studies while hanging out in their dorm room at the .

A Summer 2024 graduate beams with pride, holding his diploma as he walks across the commencement stage.

Knightro shows off a UCF specialty license plate while filming a new at Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy鈥檚 Studio 500. To Knight Your Ride, click here.

UCF students are conducting groundbreaking research at labs, paving the way for the future of space exploration and innovation.

Two fighter aircrafts flew over FBC Mortgage Stadium during the pregame ceremony for the Family Weekend football game, where the Knights defeated the Sam Houston State University Bearkats, 45-14.

Running back RJ Harvey crossed into the end zone for a touchdown during the Knight’s second home game of the season against Sam Houston.

A student guides TapeMeasure, UCF鈥檚 semiautonomous dog-like robot, up the steps of the John C. Hitt Library, demonstrating its advanced navigation capabilities for innovative research by students and faculty.

A member 色花堂 Air Force ROTC Detachment 159 salutes while being filmed on campus for , showcasing UCF as a place for those who dare to invent the future.

Annika Emmert, a health sciences student, and Limbitless Solutions intern and past bionic arm recipient, tries on a bionic arm, showcasing its advanced technology that empowers children with limb differences.

This year, UCF Downtown, in partnership with Valencia College, celebrates five years of educational excellence. The campus has welcomed more than 7,000 students and awarded 10,300 degrees since opening in 2019.

Two space scientists operate a rover on the world鈥檚 largest simulated lunar surface, located in UCF鈥檚 Exolith Lab. The lab鈥檚 Lunar Highland Regolith Test Bin was developed in partnership with the Florida Space Institute to support space exploration research.

Before the UCF Knights took on the Colorado Buffaloes, two cheerleaders interacted with a young UCF fan during Knight Walk at IOA Plaza, the lively pregame tradition where fans, the marching band, and the cheer and dance teams rally together to welcome the football team before kickoff.

UCF鈥檚 cheer team amped up the crowd as the Knights took on the University of Cincinnati Bearcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium.

Rapper NLE Choppa performed at Concert Knight presented by UCF Homecoming at Addition Financial Arena.

The cheer team hyped up the crowd with a high-energy stunt routine before students charged into the Reflecting Pond to catch homecoming rubber ducks at Spirit Splash.

Knightro surfed over a crowd of students at Spirit Splash, UCF鈥檚 biggest homecoming tradition.

During Spirit Splash, Knightro even secured a cowboy-themed rubber duck, celebrating this year鈥檚 theme: Cowboys vs. Aliens.

Knightro posed with a constellation-themed SpaceU cape in front of a giant moon backdrop at UCF鈥檚 2024 SpaceU Luncheon, honoring the university鈥檚 ties to space exploration and innovation.

UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright stands next to rocket engines while touring facilities during a visit to NASA鈥檚 Kennedy Space Center.

Forward Anzhan茅 Hutton attempts a jump shot to score in the Addition Financial Arena. UCF defeated Wichita State 59-56.

Kareem Ahmed, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, is the principal investigator of a new Naval Research Laboratory-funded project to create a morphing hypersonic engine for ultra-fast travel.

The UCF/Universal Creative Lab, which launched Spring 2023, brings immersive design learning experiences to students to cultivate the next generation of themed entertainment innovators. The class opened to graduate students in UCF鈥檚 , which is directed by Professor Peter Weishar.

Pushing the frontier of space research, Associate Professor of Physics Adrienne Dove is co-leading NASA鈥檚 $35 million science mission to the moon鈥檚 Gruithuisen Domes, which is expected to launch in 2026.

A participant in the 15th annual UCF Iron Knight Challenge drags weights across a field in a race to complete eight physical fitness tasks along a military-style obstacle course.

Forward Taylor Hendricks is UCF men鈥檚 basketball鈥檚 third NBA Draft selection in program history. Hendricks was selected by the Utah Jazz with the No. 9 overall pick of the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft.

Jane Gibson, from聽the College of Medicine, was selected as one of four聽2023 Pegasus Professors, the university鈥檚 highest faculty honor. Professors Stephen Fiore, Jennifer Kent-Walsh and Marianna Pensky were also selected.

Rapper and singer Doechii performed at UCFest Concert Knight presented by Campus Activities Board at the Addition Financial Arena.

During UCF Celebrates the Arts 鈥� a multi-day showcase of creativity 鈥� student cellists and other UCF musicians performed orchestral classics at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts.

Backstage during a UCF Celebrates the Arts production at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts in downtown Orlando.

Ballet dancers captivated the stage during TECH-nique: A Dance Concert at UCF Celebrates the Arts, which focused on the intersection of arts and technology this year.

Knights posed for photos in the Student Union during UCF Day of Giving 2023; an impactful celebration that ended with Knight Nation raising over $6.8 million 鈥� the most in university history 鈥� to support our local community, fund life-changing scholarships, power championship athletics, build 21st century learning facilities, fuel innovative research and enhance the university鈥檚 global reputation.

A graduate from Spring 2023 commencement celebrates with loved ones.

UCF students spend a day outdoors in downtown Orlando, which ranks as the No. 1 Best College City in Florida, according to WalletHub.

Principal Investigator and Associate Professor of聽Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering聽Helen Huang works with student Jordan Grubb to understand how the brain and body work together 鈥� valuable research to assist those with impaired movement.

The Charging Knight statue 鈥� representative 色花堂鈥檚 excellence in academics, its partnerships with the community and its athletics program 鈥� sits near the main entrance of FBC Mortgage Stadium.

College of Optics and Photonics Associate Professor Kyu Young Han works with doctoral student Katelyn Canedo聽鈥�16 in the , which focuses on optical nanoscopy. Han is an expert in designing new optical tools for biological applications, including ones that could aid in the understanding of human protein linked to diseases.

Student researchers gain hands-on experience with lasers in a lab in the College of Optics and Photonics.

Two students take a selfie with Knightro during the Welcome Back Popsicle Social event hosted by the Office of the President at the Reflecting Pond on the first day of the fall semester.

Political science student Sebastian Jimenez dives into a book outside of the John C. Hitt Library 鈥� carrying on the late president emeritus鈥� core belief that education transforms lives.

Jersey Shore star and DJ, Pauly D, gets the crowd pumped during his pregame set at Bounce House Live at IOA Plaza before UCF football鈥檚 first Big 12 home game.

Fans filled FBC Mortgage Stadium for the first Big 12 home football game against Baylor.

The School of Modeling, Simulation and Training secured an advanced dog-like robot named TapeMeasure 鈥� allowing them to bring students, faculty and new technology together for聽innovative research聽and teaching.

UCF Creative School for Children held a foam splash event to provide its own Spirit Splash-like experience for preschoolers during Homecoming Week.

Knightro surfed over a crowd of students at Spirit Splash during Homecoming Week.

Knights charged into the Reflecting Pond to catch coveted homecoming rubber ducks at Spirit Splash.

During Spirit Splash, the dance team amped up the crowd before Knights rushed into the Reflecting Pond.

Knightro hyped up the crowd from the sidelines at the homecoming football game against West Virginia.

Assistant Professor of Theme Park and Attraction Management Carissa Baker (middle) works with students to understand theme park storytelling. Baker is a 2023 Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching awardee.

Track and field sprinters Latasha Smith (left) and I鈥橝sia Wilson (right) pose with their collection of championship rings at a tailgate event before UCF football鈥檚 Space Game.

Football in tow, tight end Alec Holler moves up the field during UCF鈥檚 annual Space Game. The Knights defeated Oklahoma State, 45-3, marking their seventh consecutive win since the Space Game debuted in 2017.

Read more about 2021 Homecoming Week Events.

History of Homecoming

UCF鈥檚 first Homecoming was held in 1971, three years after the first classes were held at Florida Technological University (FTU). Since football didn鈥檛 start at UCF until 1979, Homecoming originally coincided with basketball season, which was the university鈥檚 first varsity sport.

The Knights won their inaugural Homecoming game, 101-75, on Feb. 13, 1971, over Florida Institute of Technology, which took place at Oviedo High School鈥檚 gymnasium.

The year 1980 saw two Homecomings for the first time: one during basketball season and the first for football, which has just put together a team the year before. Four decades later, we hosted Homecoming week in the fall and again in the spring 鈥� which for the first time included Spring Splash 鈥� as we accommodated for the uncertainty that the COVID-19 pandemic introduced to our daily lives.

On the Scene

Homecoming has witnessed themes ranging from Star Trek and Space (1975) to the Wild, Wild West (1982) to Tales from the Knightside (1991) to this year鈥檚 retro-inspired look.

Homecoming week has featured everything from exciting game day matchups to parades and fire-breathing circus performers to entertainers including LMFAO, Jay Leno, Lenny Kravitz, Jerry Seinfeld, the Beach Boys, Jim Gaffigan, Icona Pop, Snoop Dogg, T-Pain, Luke Bryan and many more.

A Salute to Royalty

Patty Gray Neff 鈥�74 wrote a retrospective story about her experience as the university鈥檚 first Homecoming queen in the Fall 2013 issue of Pegasus.

Perhaps the most memorable royalty was our 1977 Homecoming queen Rita Reutter, a 58-year-old widowed grandmother of 14. Her candidacy was covered by People Magazine, the Associated Press, NBC News and even Johnny Carson鈥檚 鈥淭onight Show.鈥� She died in 2012 at the age of 93.

The following year, the university saw its first Homecoming king crowned: Bob Baker 鈥�78 鈥� who transferred to UCF from Daytona Beach Community College where he also reigned as Homecoming royalty. 鈥淚 ran for king mainly to show handicapped people that they can do the same thing a normal person can do. They (the handicapped) shouldn’t be excluded. I think now I proved, not only to myself, but to other people on campus and in the community, that the minority can be on top,鈥� Baker said in a Feb. 10, 1978, Central Florida Future article following his victory.

This year’s Homecoming court includes:

Aundrea Perez, integrated business major

Malik Bellamy, human communication major

Nehemie Francois, marketing major

Trinity McCall-Peaks, marketing major

Jaylen Brown, finance major

Jazmine Manriquez, industrial engineering major

Geela Ramos, computer science major and Burnett Honors Scholar

Anthony Moscol, biomedical sciences major and Burnett Honors Scholar

Diamond Battles, criminal justice major

Adri-Anna Harris, environmental studies major

School Spirit

Homecoming week wouldn’t be complete without the energy and passion of Knight Nation.

Spirit Splash

Spirit Splash, awarded Best Campus Tradition in 2011 by the National Association for Campus Activities, has been a staple of Homecoming Week since 1995. The annual pep rally celebrated its 25th anniversary at Spring Splash and will return to its true form this fall.

If you’re looking for more information about this year’s Homecoming week lineup, check out this complete guide.

Stay golden, UCF.

Thousands of students lined up for the event hours before the 1 p.m. rush in at the Reflecting Pond . (Photo by Nick Leyva ’15)

UCF women’s basketball players Masseny Kaba (left), Diamond Battles (center) and Kay Kay Wright (right) hyped up the crowd. (Photo by Nick Leyva ’15)

Head Football Coach Josh Heupel was also in attendance. (Photo by Nick Leyva ’15)

A group of students showed off their excitement. (Photo by Nick Leyva ’15)

Members of the football team, including Jake Brown (left), McKenzie Milton (center) and Kyle Benkel (right) checked out the crowd before tossing ducks. (Photo by聽Nick Leyva ’15)

UCF’s 2019 Homecoming Court waved to everyone and wished them luck in catching a duck. (Photo by聽Nick Leyva ’15)

Students raced to the front of the Pond. (Photo by聽Nick Leyva ’15)

One attendee in particular took the spirit of the occasion to heart by wearing a duck mask. (Photo by Nick Leyva ’15)

Quarterback Dillon Gabriel poses with some ducks before tossing them to the crowd. (Photo by Nick聽Leyva ’15)

Offensive lineman Jordan Johnson had some fun with the crowd. (Photo by Nick Leyva ’15)

One lucky students secures a duck. (Photo by Nick Leyva ’15)

No Spirit Splash would be complete without Knightro. (Photo by聽Nick Leyva ’15)

Another student is amazed he made the catch. (Photo by Lauren Schoepfer ’17)

The cheerleading team helped keep the energy high during the event. (Photo by 聽Lauren Schoepfer ’17)

Knightro crowd surfs as more ducks are thrown. (Photo by Lauren Schoepfer ’17)

No feeling compares to catching a duck. (Photo by 聽Lauren Schoepfer ’17)

UCF Interim President Thad Seymour Jr. and Katie Seymour pose with the crowd in festive attire as the event came to an end. (Photo by Carly McCarthy ’14)

A good boy named Thor guards a few of the highly coveted ducks. (Photo by Rhiana Raymundo ’19)

Spirit Splash has been recognized as the best university tradition in the state by the National Association for Campus Activities and was featured in . It started in 1995 when the SGA president was pushed into the pond by some students at a pep rally at the fountain. The rest of the student body followed and a couple of years later, the tradition earned the name 鈥淪pirit Splash鈥� and has been going strong ever since.

Now for the tips:

1: Wear a bathing suit or other comfortable clothes that you don鈥檛 mind getting wet. As for shoes, stay away from flip flops because they鈥檒l slow you down or fall off.

2: It can get crowded in the pond, so be safe and cautious of your surroundings.

3: Wear sunscreen. Even though it鈥檚 October, the Florida sun is still hot and you鈥檒l regret it if you don鈥檛 lather up.

4: The best photo opportunity is with a giant inflatable duck.

5: At the event, you can expect a DJ, the UCF spirit team, Knightro in his best swim suit, the UCF Marching Knights and the football and basketball teams.

6: Students have been known to start gathering for the countdown by 6 a.m. It鈥檚 important to stay properly hydrated while you wait for the rush.

7: If you plan to wear sunglasses, pick a pair that you won鈥檛 mind if they fall off or Croakies that connect to the glasses and help keep them attached to your head.

8: Only bring things that can get wet. It鈥檚 advised to leave bags at home.

9: Pay it forward. If you catch more than one duck, share it with a fellow Knight.

If you鈥檙e an alumnus who is nostalgic for your Spirit Splash days, or you can鈥檛 make it to the big event this year, UCF will provide a beginning at noon. The actual splash is scheduled for 1 p.m.

For more information on聽Spirit Splash and Homecoming events, visit check out our Homecoming 2019 guide. For more The Campus Knights content, and follow on Instagram @ucf.edu.

Monday, October 14 – Movie Knight

The 2019 live action Lion King movie will play in the Addition Financial Arena at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. The event is open to the public and families are encouraged to attend.

Tuesday, October 15 – Comedy Knight

SNL stars Alex Moffat and Mikey Day will perform stand-up shows in Addition Financial Arena. Beth Stelling, writer for HBO鈥檚 Crashing will also perform. Comedy Knight starts at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m. Students can find dates and times to pick up free tickets below. To purchase tickets for guest, faculty or staff, visit Ticketmaster.

Wednesday, October 16 – Alumni Charge On Panel, Knights Got Talent

With the theme 鈥淩ise Above,鈥� this year鈥檚 Charge On Panel features four experts, including:

• Deborah Beidel, Pegasus Professor and director 色花堂 RESTORES Clinic
• Shainna Ali 鈥�10 鈥�12鈥橫A 鈥�16PhD, a mental health clinician, advocate and educator
• Albert Manero 鈥�12 鈥�14MSAE 鈥�16PhD, co-founder and president of Limbitless Solutions,
• Konya Plummer, UCF student-athlete who made history as captain of the Jamaican Women鈥檚 National Team in the 2019 FIFA Women鈥檚 World Cup

The lineup of panelists will share how they are breaking barriers, overcoming adversity and rising above expectations through innovation in their industries. Eric DeSalvo ’09, assistant athletic director for #Content, will host the event, which runs from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Be sure to RSVP for the free event, which includes breakfast.

Featuring impressive acts from students across the university, UCF鈥檚 highly anticipated talent show 鈥� Knights Got Talent 鈥� is back. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. in Addition Financial Arena. The event is open to the public.

Thursday, October 17 – Concert Knight

Atlanta singer, rapper and songwriter 6LACK (pronounced 鈥渂lack鈥�) is the main act for Concert Knight. Miami singer and dancer DaniLeigh will open the show at 8 p.m. in Addition Financial Arena. Doors open at 7 p.m. Students can find dates and times to pick up free tickets below. To purchase tickets for guest, faculty or staff, visit Ticketmaster.

Friday, October 18 – Spirit Splash, Greek Step Show, Fireworks, Black and Gold Takeover

UCF鈥檚 biggest homecoming tradition 鈥� Spirit Splash 鈥� is back at the Reflecting Pond starting at noon, but lines for the event start as early as 11 a.m.

Later in the day, fraternity and sorority members will perform at the Greek Extravaganza Step Show in the Addition Financial Arena. The show starts at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m. Students can find dates and times to pick up free tickets below.

Following the step show will be聽fireworks on Memory Mall at 9 p.m. This event is open to the public, with families especially welcomed.

The UCF Young Alumni Council is hosting a Black and Gold Takeover on Wall Street Plaza in downtown Orlando from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. All graduatess who are at least 21 are encouraged and welcome to attend.聽Register online for $5, or on-site for $10. Registration fees include:

• Admission to all participating venues
• Three complimentary drinks at Hooch, Waitiki and Cantina
• Light appetizers
• UCF swag

Saturday, October 19 鈥� Alumni Indoor Tailgate, Football Game

Before Saturday鈥檚 kickoff, UCF graduates are welcome to an indoor tailgate at the UCF FAIRWINDS Alumni Center. Starting at 4 p.m., enjoy free beverages (while supplies last), barbecue for purchase, a family-friendly game room and more. Be sure to register for the event online.

Orlando鈥檚 Hometown Team will take on the East Carolina Pirates at Spectrum Stadium for the homecoming game. Kickoff takes place at 7 p.m.聽Students may reserve free tickets聽here.聽Guests and other fans may purchase tickets here. Check out UCF Football鈥檚 Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates and more information.

Ticketing

Students will need tickets to attend Concert Knight, Comedy Knight and the Greek Extravaganza Step Show. Take your UCF ID to the following locations during these dates and times:

• Thursday, Oct. 3: Student Union Patio, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 4: Student Union Patio, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 5: Recreation and Wellness Center, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 8: Student Union Patio, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 9: Recreation and Wellness Center, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 10: Student Union Patio, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 11: Student Union Patio, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 13: Recreation and Wellness Center, 5:30 to 8 p.m.

For more information and details about Homecoming, follow UCF Homecoming on Facebook, on Twitter and @UCFHC on Instagram.

The week kicked off聽 Joel McHale as the headline act at Comedy Knight. He made a name for himself as the host of The Soup on E! and the star of NBC’s聽Community and later The Joel McHale Show With Joel McHale on Netflix. During his set, McHale commented on UCF football’s winning streak and Spirit Splash.

Thanks to CFE Arena’s stage setup for Homecoming week, the men’s basketball team enjoyed a unique atmosphere for its highly anticipated season opener on Tuesday. Senior BJ Taylor led the way with 22 points as four Knights scored in double digits to lift UCF to a 84-70 victory against Rider, the defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion and 2017 NIT participant.

The weekend continued with Knights Got Talent.聽Shivanie Sharma, who performed a traditional Indian dance, was one of 10 acts to compete in the show.

Kristen Ng’s聽rhythmic gymnastics earned runner-up honors at Knights Got Talent. She was edged by聽Brendan Pafford, who also won Rosen’s Got Talent, who was named champion after singing “I Want You Back” accompanied by his guitar skills.

Bellah stole the show when she sang her heart out to “How Far I’ll Go” from the 2016 Disney film Moana.聽She was there to represent the “Miracle Children” who benefit from Knight-Thon, a 20-hour dance marathon and year-long fundraising effort that is organized annually by UCF students to support the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

In the middle of Homecoming week, UCF also took time to remember our military ahead of Veterans Day with Nov. 8’s seventh annual Veterans Commemoration Ceremony. The Veterans Academic Resource Center planted more than 1,400聽American flags on Memory Mall in front of the Veterans Commemorative Site. Each flag represents one student veteran attending UCF for the fall semester.

Known for her singles “Boo’d Up” and “Trip” from her recently released self-titled album, British singer Ella Mai had fun with the packed crowd at CFE Arena on Concert Knight.

The crowd lights up Concert Knight.

A$AP Mob member and Harlem, New York rapper A$AP Ferg headlined Concert Knight. “Work,” “New Level,” and “Plain Jane” were among some of the hits he performed.

A tradition that’s 23 years strong, Spirit Splash once again drew hundreds of students 鈥� and UCF President Dale Whittaker 鈥� into the Reflecting Pond.

After more than 55,000 students packed Spectrum Stadium for the first five home football games this year, UCF President Dale Whittaker held up his promise to jump in the pond. Earlier this semester, Whittaker and UCF Athletics Director Danny White set a challenge for 50,000 students to attend UCF’s home games before Spirit Splash.

Apparently, Spirit Splash wasn’t just for humans this year.

These Spirit Splashers had the opportunity to get their hands on two ducks this year: the 2018-themed duck and a special edition President Whittaker duck.

Senior health science majors Alexus Williamson and Darrius McFadden were named Homecoming King and Queen.

Following the Knights’ 35-24 win over Navy, the football team and cheerleaders sang the alma mater.

The volleyball team capped the weekend聽by capturing its second American Athletic Conference Championship in five years with a sweep of East Carolina. It appears winning streaks are contagious around UCF 鈥� the volleyball squad’s win on Sunday extended its streak to 21 matches, the fifth-longest active unbeaten stretch in the nation.

Here鈥檚 the schedule: