Rocket sightings are commonplace from UCF’s campus and Acrisure Bounce House, whose 50-yard-line is on the same latitude as NASA’s historical Launch Complex 39A. But for a crowd of dozens gathered on Monday on the concourse of the football stadium, this wasn’t a typical “launch.”

Five toddlers from Greater Orlando and the I4-Corridor were on site to receive space-themed motorized cars built especially for them by UCF student-athletes, physical therapy doctoral candidates from , and healthcare professionals from Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute.

A national, community-based research, design and outreach program, Go Baby Go! provides accessible and inexpensive solutions for kids and adults with limited mobility at no cost to their families.

Nicholas Antoine ’25, a senior defensive back on the football team from Daytona Beach, Florida, who graduated last December with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, jokes his construction skills need some improvement, but he was thrilled nonetheless to be an active part of the collaboration that made an impact for the families.

“Being able to bring joy to somebody else, there’s no greater joy than that,” Antoine says.

A total of 10 cars were built ahead of the 10^th anniversary of the UCF football team’s Space Game, an annual event that celebrates UCF’s reputation as America’s Space University.

The Space Game presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute is now one of the signature events of a larger Space Week held at the university, which launches Oct. 25. The football team will take on Baylor University on Friday, Oct. 30, at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.

Monday’s build is yet another example of how the beloved tradition’s impact has spread beyond an annual football game. It continues to illustrate UCF’s integral role as a driver of impact for Central Florida, whether in the space industry, health sector or beyond.

“When we look at the Space Game, we’re excited to be in that same space to walk alongside these athletes and create an opportunity that celebrates all the things that we do here at UCF,” says UCF Clinical Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Jennifer Tucker ’23PhD.

The Magic of Go Baby Go!

Tucker started UCF’s chapter of Go Baby Go! in 2015 and has led an average of 10 to 15 workshops annually — just like the one held Monday in Athletics Village — to benefit children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years old with mobility issues stemming from Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy and osteogenesis, among others.

Over the last decade, UCF’s Go Baby Go! has built up such a reputation that prospective students talk about it in their interviews as they look to gain acceptance into the doctoral physical therapy program.

It’s gone international, too, with partnerships in Belgium and Wales. It has welcomed students from the College of Engineering and Computer Science, College of Sciences and College of Medicine all interested in contributing their talents.

UCF’s students are a key component that keeps the engine running. Philanthropy is another.

Orlando Health, a UCF Pegasus Partner and a premier sponsor for UCF Athletics, has been one of Go Baby Go!’s biggest supporters since its inception as part of its mission to advance education, research, workforce development and community impact across Central Florida. It’s often personal for the clinical teams at Orlando Health who participate in these builds, since many of the recipients are longtime patients.

“It’s exciting to work alongside our partners UCF Athletics and UCF Go Baby Go! to help create this special event for these families,” says Sara Osborne ’14 ’17MHA, Orlando Health senior director of community benefit. “Go Baby Go’s mission aligns with Orlando Health as we look for ways to support our communities beyond the clinical care we provide every day. We’re proud to help play a part in making increased mobility and independence possible for these kids.”

Kid-Sized Astronauts Ready for Warp Speed

Sean Calamigan ’23 kneels next to 2-year-old Griffin Bordner, who had just plopped happily into his custom-fitted “space ship” and was already testing the sound level on his “go for launch” horn.

The third-year physical therapy doctoral candidate playfully warns the toddler of speed limits inside the Wayne Densch Center for Student-Athlete Leadership.

Griffin’s parents look on with mile-wide smiles. His father hails from a family of Knights who have been football season ticket holders since the 1990s. His mother, Jennifer Bordner ’15MEd, graduated with a master’s in exceptional student education.

They were referred by their son’s care team to apply to UCF’s Go Baby Go program! and underwent their first consultation in May. As Griffin test drove along the concourse of Acrisure Bounce House on Monday, Jennifer was already envisioning her son in their neighborhood’s cul-de-sac, spinning his wheels alongside his older sister.

“Griffin is a happy, joyous little boy. There is nothing that slows him down — he just goes, goes, goes, but he’s normally in a stroller while his sister is on her bike or scooter. This opportunity is so exciting for him to be included in that fun,” she says. “It just gives me chills knowing that there are that many people in the community and organizations who donate the cars to allow kids with mobility issues the opportunity to be included in their communities, just to get out and play and have fun.”

UCF faculty and physical therapy students took meticulous steps ahead of the build day to ensure the vehicles would have everything they needed to launch smoothly. Each child was individually assessed to determine communication, seating and positioning needs for his or her set of wheels, and a team of volunteers assisted with a workshop to pre-wire the cars and pack kits with the necessary tools and supplies.

Faculty from the made the experience extra special for the recipients by innovating a switch-activated plush toy rocket that lights up they could take home as a memento along with their car.

Calamigan, who spent his entire morning working at the event despite a final exam on his calendar at 1 p.m., says nothing compares to the practical, hands-on experience and witnessing the families’ reactions and delight to cars they worked on so diligently.

“I think the UCF DPT program really prepares us for a lot of things, but one of the main things they do for us is make sure we’re ready to face the real world, and this is the real world,” Calamigan says.

And it’s a real world that, at the end of the day, Tucker aims to make feel a little more connected.

“We’re providing an opportunity for play, and play is a universal shared rite of passage of childhood. But we’re also building community,” Tucker says. “My hope is that the impact of today extends far outside of this moment in time, and it helps us build a better community and a better tomorrow for Central Florida.”

Students, alumni, faculty and staff are in store once again for a full lineup of unforgettable events and activities across the main and UCF Downtown campuses from Oct. 18–25.

A Quick History Lesson

UCF’s first homecoming was held in 1971, three years after the first classes were held at Florida Technological University.

Since football didn’t start at UCF until 1979, Homecoming originally coincided with basketball season, which was the university’s first varsity sport. The year 1980 saw two homecomings for the first time: one during basketball season and the first for football.

Student and Community Events

Oct. 18 – UCF Volleyball vs. West Virginia | The Venue | 1 p.m.
The Knights welcome the Mountaineers in Big 12 Conference play for “Kids Day.” Tickets are free for students. The general public can purchase tickets on . For more information, visit .

Oct 19–23 – Who’s Your Ducky?���� John C. Hitt Library | Open to Close
After the Design Your Own Duck event during Welcome Week, choose your favorite student-designed duck. Check out the Gallery Wall on the second floor of the John C. Hitt Library for the top 50 ducks and cast your vote during Homecoming Week. Scan the QR code on the wall to make your voice heard.

Oct. 19 – Homecoming Kickoff | Reflecting Pond | Noon–2 p.m.
Students can claim their exclusive 2026 Homecoming T-shirt and last-minute free tickets for Comedy and Concert nights.

Oct. 19 – Knights Got Talent | Knights Plaza | 7 p.m.
Bring a blanket or chair to support your fellow Knights as they showcase their special talents. This event is free for both the community and UCF students. Alongside the annual show, an art show will feature work from UCF students and Knight Thon’s Miracle Children.

Oct. 20 – Movie Knight | Memory Mall | 7 p.m.
Catch 2026 Academy Award Best Picture nominee F1. Secure your spot on Memory Mall as early as 6 p.m. and score an exclusive popcorn cup (while supplies last).

Oct. 21 – Game Night | UCF Downtown’s Learning Support Center | 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Challenge friends and members of the Downtown Learning Support team to some friendly competition. Prizes are up for grabs for a costume contest, Super Smash Brothers tournament and more. for more information.

Oct. 21 – Comedy Knight | Addition Financial Arena | Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.
Get ready for an unforgettable night of comedy with Jay Pharoah, with special guest AJ Foster. Best known for his standout run on Saturday Night Live, Pharoah has made a name for himself with his hilarious celebrity impressions, energetic personality, and impressive musical talent. Admission is free for all UCF students, but tickets are required. . The general public can .

Oct. 22 – Foam Splash | Communication and Media Building Plaza, UCF Downtown | Noon-2 p.m.
Dive into the biggest foam party of the semester. Splash into a giant foam pit and bubbly pool, enjoy tacos and ice cream, play water games and more. The first 200 attendees will get free rubber ducks and exclusive Foam Splash T-shirts.

Oct. 22 – UCF Wo�����’s Soccer vs. Cincinnati | UCF Soccer Complex | 7 p.m.
The Knights welcome the Bearcats in Big 12 Conference play on “Fright Knight.” Tickets are free for students. The general public can purchase tickets on the . For more information, visit .

Oct. 22 – Concert Knight | Addition Financial Arena | Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.
This high-energy show features rappers Soulja Boy and Waka Flocka Flame. Admission is free for all UCF students, but tickets are required. . The general public can .

Oct. 23 – Spirit Splash | Reflecting Pond | Noon–2 p.m.
Recognized as the best university tradition in the state by the National Association for Campus Activities, Spirit Splash is not to be missed. Thousands of students will run into the Reflecting Pond and attempt to catch this year’s custom homecoming rubber duck. There will be special guest speakers, as well as performances from the spirit team and Marching Knights. The event is free and open to UCF students and the community.

Oct. 24 – UCF Football vs. BYU | Acrisure Bounce House | TBA
UCF students can attend the game for free. A complete guide to student ticket information can be found at . The general public can purchase tickets through the or UCF Athletics Ticket Office at 407-823-1000. For more information, review the .

Oct. 25 – UCF Wo�����’s Soccer vs. Houston | UCF Soccer Complex | 1 p.m.
The Knights welcome the Cougars in Big 12 Conference play on “Alumni Weekend.” Tickets are free for students. The general public can purchase tickets on the . For more information, visit .

Oct. 25 – UCF Men’s Soccer vs. South Carolina | UCF Soccer Complex | 5 p.m.
The UCF �����’s soccer team hosts the nationally ranked Gamecocks in Sun Belt Conference play. Tickets are free for students. The general public can purchase tickets on the

Alumni Events

Oct. 22 – Shining Knights Alumni Awards Reception | Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts, Downtown Orlando | 6-9 p.m.
The Shining Knights Alumni Awards honor UCF’s outstanding alumni and community leaders who have significantly contributed to the university and the community. The UCF Alumni family will celebrate six honorees at this year’s reception.  and include a pre-reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and dinner.

Oct. 23 – Ignite the Knight | Memory Mall | 6-8:30 p.m.
This family-friendly UCF festival features live music, food, beverages, carnival games and special appearances before the grand finale: fireworks. .

Bonus – volunteer to support Trick or Treat on Greek Street by bringing sealed, individually packaged Halloween candy, small toys or crafts.

Oct. 23 – UCF Athletics Hall of Fame 2026 Class Induction Banquet | Celeste Hotel | 6 p.m.
The 2026 class includes wo�����’s soccer’s Marissa Diggs ’15, track and field’s Octavious Freeman, former football head coach Mike Kruczek, football’s McKenzie Milton ’19 ’22MA, volleyball’s Emily Mottola ’96 and �����’s basketball’s BJ Taylor ’18.

The evening begins with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the induction program at 7 p.m. Individual tickets are $200, and Hall of Fame tables (seating 10) are available for $2,000. , or email varsityknights@ucfathletics.org for additional information.

Oct. 24 – UCF Alumni Tailgate | UCF FAIRWINDS Alumni Center | Three hours before kickoff
Enjoy a live DJ, free beverages, delicious BBQ for purchase, family-friendly games and more at this indoor and outdoor tailgate. Admission to this family-friendly zone is complimentary for all UCF alumni and guests.

Oct. 24 – UCF Black Alumni Community Family Reunion and Tailgate | UCF FAIRWINDS Alumni Center | Three hours before kickoff
Head to the ultimate tailgating experience, hosted by the UCF Black Alumni Community, three hours before the Knights take on BYU. Enjoy a DJ, giant yard games, guest appearances and more. while they last. This event is open to all alumni and guests.

Oct. 24 –  UCF Regional Community Watch Parties | Locations vary | Time varies
Not able to come to campus? Regional Knights communities will host local watch parties before the homecoming game — and everyone is invited. .

Oct. 25 – Trick or Treat on Greek Street | Greek Park Drive | 2-5 p.m.
The UCF Greek Community is hosting its annual Trick or Treat on Greek Street. This family-friendly event brings Halloween fun to the Central Florida community — and everyone’s invited.

in your group. All registered Greek alumni will be entered for a chance to win.

We are America’s Space University. And we celebrate UCF Space Week to honor our origin as we dare to build what’s next.

Where Global Leaders Unite to Forge the Future of Space

Since UCF first held classes on Oct. 7, 1968, we have always been driven by an ambitious charge: “Reach for the stars.” The first moon landing followed in 1969. Decades later, UCF keeps reaching as that founding mission lives on in the Knights developing the talent, discoveries and technologies taking humanity deeper into space — and transforming life here on Earth.

Before UCF had a single classroom, we had a mission: provide the talent to help humanity reach the moon.

UCF, America’s Space University, was built for the Space Age. We have spent every decade since building what’s next.

This year’s Mission X Space Game celebrates that momentum during a year of milestones: the 10th anniversary of UCF’s Space Game, the 20th season of the university’s on-campus football stadium, the 30th anniversary ɫ���� football’s rise to the highest division of collegiate athletics and the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Together, these milestones offer a chance to reflect on how far UCF has come — and look toward where Knights are headed next.

Across six decades, every breakthrough has built on what came before. The goalposts have moved from reaching the moon to sustaining life beyond it. New fields have joined the mission. Once-distant ideas have become experiments, breakthroughs and careers powered by Knights.

The moments that follow trace those threads across generations: then, the bold moves that launched UCF’s space legacy; now, the people and possibilities building on that foundation to push exploration even further.

1960s | Building the Space Workforce

1963: Florida Technological University, now UCF, is founded to provide talent for the growing space industry as the United States is challenged with landing a man on the moon before 1970.

Today: UCF is the No. 1 supplier of graduates to the nation’s aerospace and defense industries by Aviation Week. That impact is especially visible along Florida’s Space Coast, where 29% of Kennedy Space Center employees are UCF graduates.

1968: Classes begin across UCF’s original five colleges, with aerospace sciences among the university’s earliest degree programs.

Today: Space at UCF extends far beyond a single discipline. Students can choose from more than 35 space-related programs spanning business, engineering, hospitality, medicine, planetary science, optics and policy — preparing them for in-demand careers across the space sector.

1968: UCF receives its first research grant — $12,500 from NASA — establishing an early connection between the university and the agency.

Today: UCF has received $204 million in NASA awards since 1991, supporting work that advances planetary exploration, propulsion, space medicine, technologies and more. This underscores the strong decades-long collaboration between the university and the agency.

1970s | Connecting Education to Industry

1971: NASA employs 18 students through UCF’s Co-Operative Education initiative, which leverages the university’s metropolitan location to let students alternate quarters of study with off-campus work in their academic fields.

Today: UCF students are conducting hands-on research alongside Johnson Space Center astronauts and testing technology on the world’s largest simulated lunar surface.

These experiences strengthen students’ resumes while giving them workforce-ready skills and professional connections to step directly into the fast-growing space industry — and start contributing immediately.

1980s | Developing the Foundation of Space Medicine

1985: As rockets soared off Florida’s Space Coast for NASA’s Space Shuttle Program, UCF students were already exploring spaceflight’s impact on people. A group ɫ���� health sciences graduate students, including respiratory health alum Charles Gutierrez ’82 ’85MS, conducted experiments in labs on campus and on a field used as a makeshift launch site to understand how rockets impact heart and lung health. The research, published in The Physiologist, reflects UCF’s spirit of turning curiosity into action.

Today: Reaching farther into space requires an understanding of how humans will live, work and stay healthy there. As the closest medical school to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, UCF established the Led by Emmanuel Urquieta, vice chair of aerospace medicine and associate professor of medicine, the center brings together UCF experts across disciplines to lead research and develop technologies that will help humans prepare for longer missions to the moon, Mars and beyond. Urquieta also leads .

1990s | Creating a Place for Space

1990: UCF establishes the Space Education and Research Center, which later becomes the . The institute is a hub for space research, education and technology development connected to Florida’s space industry.

Today: FSI research ranges from studying the Earth’s upper atmosphere to the origin of the planets to propulsion technologies for aerospace vehicles. Through research, operations oversight and educational programs, the institute continues to position Florida as a global leader in the space industry and contributes to the state’s economic development.

Among its facilities is the , home to the world’s largest simulated lunar surface. Filled with 240,000 pounds of simulated lunar soil, the lab’s Lunar Highland Regolith Test Bin lets researchers, students and space organizations test how rovers, tools and other technologies perform on a moonlike surface.

1996: Robinson Observatory opens on UCF’s main campus, providing students and faculty a place to study planetary systems, asteroids and more. By 2004, it housed what the Orlando Sentinel described as the largest telescope in the Southeast open to the public.

Today: UCF researchers use observations from some of the world’s most powerful telescopes, including NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii, to investigate comets, asteroids, and the origins and evolution of our solar system.

2000s | Entering the Space Renaissance

2009: Engineering alum Nicole Stott ’92MS launches aboard Space Shuttle Discovery, becoming the first UCF graduate to fly aboard a NASA shuttle and live on the International Space Station.

Today: UCF is preparing students not only to travel to space, but also to build the industries, policies and experiences surrounding it.

Through the Barry S. Miller College of Business, students can earn the nation’s first fully online MBA in space commercialization. A Space Policy and Management course in the College of Community Innovation and Education examines the decisions and administrative mechanisms that help power the space industry. Students can help imagine the future of dining and hospitality in spaceports, shuttles and orbital hotels at the , a global leader in hospitality and tourism education.

2010s | Return to Liftoff

2017: Invigorated by a new uniform line and excitement around the hiring of Scott Frost as head coach in 2016, UCF Athletics decides to debut the Space Game — an idea conceptualized three years prior by UCF Athletics’ brand experience department.

“It’s a unique part of the UCF story that it was too good of an opportunity not to use the athletics platform to amplify,” Jimmy Skiles ’06 said in a 2022 article about the origin of the Space Game.

Today: The annual Space Game — which has crossed over into UCF’s other sports — has grown into a spectacular, fan favorite event that promotes our talented people, the revolutionary work done here and has laid the groundwork for what has become UCF Space Week.

2019: UCF sends five research projects into space with SpaceX, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic flights after launch activity resumes in full force following the conclusion of the Space Shuttle program in 2011.

Today: UCF has worked with NASA on almost 600 projects since the 1990s, including the Lunar-VISE mission led by Associate Professor Kerri Donaldson Hanna and Department of Physics Chair Adrienne Dove. The $35 million project will land a spacecraft on a part of the moon never visited before: the Gruithuisen Domes.

2020s and Beyond

The next era of space exploration is already taking shape — and UCF is helping lead it.

NASA is targeting 2028 for the first crewed Artemis lunar landing. At the same time, commercial launches are accelerating — with the White House aiming to enable over 1,000 launches and reentries on American soil annually by 2030 — new markets are emerging, and the demand for space-ready talent and technology continues to grow. Our future on Earth will be shaped by our future advancements in space, and UCF will be an influential driver of that progress.

As the next phase of space exploration, launched in October 2024 as a first-of-its-kind partnership with the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research, providing a centralized, physical space to advance hypersonic technology.

In May 2027, Knights from Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics aim to launch a rocket from sea through a partnership with Seagate. The ambitious effort aims to be to first sea-based launch by university students in the nation — an example of how we continue to forge a path forward for space exploration.

UCF is also helping connect Florida’s universities, NASA and industry through the Florida University Space Research Consortium. The partnership creates new paths for shared space research, technology development and workforce preparation tied to Kennedy Space Center — strengthening Florida’s ability to lead the United States’ future space efforts.

Six decades in, UCF’s space legacy is still being written — in classrooms, labs and places we are determined to reach.

We are America’s Space University. And we celebrate UCF Space Week to honor our origin as we dare to build what’s next.

Where Global Leaders Unite to Forge the Future of Space

Anniversaries remind us of everything we’ve achieved, and of everything still possible. They tell us that to step forward, sometimes we must look back.

On the 10th anniversary of the Space Game, this year’s draw upon NASA’s beginnings and honor the courage it took to stand on the precipice of our greatest frontier.

The design was heavily influenced by the astronauts of NASA’s earliest human spaceflight missions Mercury, Gemini and Apollo during the 1960s when the university was founded.

John Young, an Orlando native, is the only astronaut to have flown during the Gemini, Apollo and space shuttle programs. He received an honorary degree as the featured guest speaker at the university’s first commencement ceremony in 1970, two years before he became the ninth person to walk on the moon.

Learn more details about the Mission X Space Game uniforms at .

The Space Game is now one of the signature events of a larger Space Week held at the university.

UCF Space Week

Oct. 25 marks the start of the second UCF Space Week, a university-wide celebration of all the ways Knight Nation boldly pushes space forward. The observance highlights UCF’s vital role in advancing space research, supporting Florida’s fast-growing space economy, and preparing the next generation of explorers, engineers and entrepreneurs.

This year’s space week features summits in partnership with the National Space Society and The Economist, a space-themed drone show, the inaugural UCF Innovate Day and more.

2026 Space Game Matchup

The football team will face Baylor in the 10^th anniversary of the annual Space Game on Friday, Oct. 30, at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN. Tickets are available for purchase at .

UCF students can attend the game for free. A complete guide to student ticket information can be found at .

There’s a moment during every game day at Acrisure Bounce House that David Hansen pauses for a little perspective.

For the last two decades since he helped open the gates and usher in the sell-out crowd for the stadium’s opening day in 2007, he has climbed to the highest row in a corner next to the student section to take in the view of the 40,000-plus in front of him.

“I wanted to see the big picture,” says Hansen, who served several roles key for UCF Athletics from 2006-24 and now is the director of the Kenneth G. Dixon Athletics Village and general manager of Knights Plaza Retail and Entertainment District. “Game day brings people together. I’ve heard so many stories of alums that live 10 minutes from each other, but their lives are busy — kids are going to school, they’re going to work, they’re traveling and never get to see each other than game day.

“It’s the one time that we put everything else aside. That’s the great thing about sport and why the stadium and our athletics village have been so instrumental to our culture and rise as a university.”

Hansen joined UCF in 2006 as senior associate athletics director for internal operations and was responsible for executing the stadium operational plan to bring game day to life on campus for the first time.

As the Bounce House celebrates its 20th season, Hansen reflects on the impact it has had on Knight Nation and the community at large.

Sprint to the Start

On Sept. 15, 2007, the stadium welcomed 45,622 through its gates for the kickoff against University of Texas. Hansen, who had been in constant motion since before sunrise, rushed to the field just in time for the national anthem and flyover.

He recalls seeing longtime athletics administrator Art Zeleznik with tears streaming down his face.

“I know everyone felt that way in the stadium at that moment. This university had been wanting this day for years, and we were all hit with the realization that it was finally really happening,” Hansen says. “We’re about ready to kick off game No. 1. That was special.”

Beyond constructing the stadium, the operational blueprint was just as crucial to make game day on campus a reality. From parking logistics to implementing a credentialing system to managing traffic flow to public safety and everything in between, UCF personnel were navigating uncharted territory.

“We had a really good, young stadium operations support staff, but we had never hosted a major college football game before,” Hansen says. “A lot of places get a several year runway for this. We had barely a year to put it together.”

After the game, Hansen put together a five-page list of items that would need to get addressed or corrected before game two.

“I never had a list that long again,” he says. “It was impossible to fully rehearse ahead of the opener, and there were several unknowns. But we knew it was going to be that way. We just had to work together and do our best. We’ve learned a lot in the last 20 years of executing game days at the scale and magnitude of the Bounce House, and it has been a truly collaborative effort between athletics, the university and community partners to build Orlando into a Power 4 town.”

An Interactive Stadium

The legend of the “Bounce House” was born as the seconds ticked off the scoreboard clock in the lead up to kick off while fans bopped to Zombie Nation’s Kernkraft 400.

Hansen felt Roth Tower moving. He saw people having fun with it. He also saw questions in their eyes.

“I made some engineering friends real quick who said, ‘This is normal. This is really more of a bridge than a building structurally, so it’s designed to move like this.’ That made me feel better,” he says.

The stadium has evolved through the years, but it continues to be the Bounce House — so much so that is has now become a part of the stadium’s official name.

“I call it an interactive stadium. Fans can actually get it to move and most stadiums you can’t do that,” he says. “Having the home field advantage played a big part in the team earning multiple conference championships, a series of elite bowl games and ultimately inclusion in one of college football’s premier leagues. Our fanbase has grown into one of the most passionate and disruptive in the country. And the on-campus stadium was a big facilitator of that.”

Athletics Village Is Born

Most places would consider opening one stadium enough of an undertaking. Most places are not UCF.

In the same week the football stadium opened, the 10,000-seat basketball and event facility, Addition Financial Arena, living spaces for 2,000 students and the surrounding Knights Plaza with 80,000 square feet of retail space opened their doors, too.

“The Athletics Village has become a true entertainment and retail district and a great destination and asset for the university,” Hansen says. “Today, a lot of universities are building those for the first time. We launched ours 20 years ago.”

Now that the Roth Tower project is complete thanks in large part to Orange County’s $90 million investment, Hansen’s top priority is revamping the Knights Plaza district.

“We are working to noticeably enhance that area and make it more of a destination, not just for game day, but for every day,” Hansen says. “We’ve got some special plans for that.”

The Vision

When the stadium opened, UCF was in its infancy of Conference USA, but the university and athletics department envisioned one day reaching the top echelon of collegiate athletics. So the stadium and Athletics Village were strategically planned to evolve as UCF did.

Over the years, we’ve seen transformations to match our rise to the Big 12 with the addition of the Carl Black and Gold Cabana, field cabanas, the Stadium Club, west stadium loge seating, the new Nicholson Plaza and more.

“A lot of stadiums around the country can’t do those things because they are older concrete structures that just can’t change without massive cost or overhauls,” Hansen says. “Here we can. We just proved it again with the new Roth Tower.”

Game Day and Career Ready

Over the last 20 years, the Athletics Village has built community and provided student-athletes with opportunities to showcase their talent while representing UCF worldwide. The village has also served as an extension ɫ����’s mission to equip students with the knowledge, skills and aptitudes that align with the workforce of the future, offering paid opportunities to gain industry experience.

Ryan Gustafson ’25 is just one of many success stories. He was a freshman majoring in biology who needed extra cash when he applied to a part-time job for the athletics facilities, events and operations team. The decision radically shaped his future.

He found purpose and switched his major to event management. In addition to learning from a , he gained practical experience in producing UCF Knights’ events and coordinating with some of the biggest brands in athletics.

“There’s a culture here that people want to stay and do their part to make it the best.” — Ryan Gustafson ’25

He has supported the Roth Tower project since it broke ground. He has worked hand in hand with the United States Tennis Association at its national campus in Lake Nona where UCF’s �����’s and wo�����’s tennis teams compete. When FIFA needed training sites in Orlando for its 2025 Club World Cup, Gustafson was one of the go-to personnel on hand to support the elite international soccer clubs using our facilities.

By the time he graduated in December 2025, he had made the most of the opportunities he experienced as a student and earned himself a full-time position as a UCF facilities, events and operations coordinator.

“There’s a culture here that people want to stay and do their part to make it the best,” he says. “I always told myself I would end up at UCF, and getting an opportunity right out of college was a dream.”

Two decades ago, UCF opened an on-campus stadium that embodied the ambition of a spirited university and the belief of its fanbase. Today, the opening of the new Roth Tower marks the next chapter in that story, celebrating the rise of Knight Nation, UCF’s trajectory as the youngest institution in a Power Four conference and the momentum still ahead.

The Roth Tower project, made possible by a $90 million commitment of Tourist Development Tax revenues from the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, represents a pivotal addition to the Kenneth G. Dixon Athletics Village that strengthens Orange County as a premier destination for sports tourism and community engagement.

“The new Roth Tower would not be possible without Orange County’s $90 million investment, and we are deeply grateful to Mayor Demings and the Board of County Commissioners for their belief in UCF,” says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. “That investment, together with the commitment of our donors, fans and community, helped make this next chapter of the Bounce House possible. Today, we are delivering a community asset designed to bring people here, bring them back and create lasting value for Orange County.”

Born to Bounce

Since its opening in 2007, Acrisure Bounce House has allowed UCF to showcase the momentum and trajectory of one of the country’s fastest-growing universities.

For years the idea of an on-campus stadium at UCF was a dream that many had said could never come true. UCF President John C. Hitt and several prominent UCF supporters, including the tower’s namesake, Jerry and Susan Roth, saw the vision of what an on-campus stadium could be. They believed the football program and a stadium could help elevate the university and its brand.

In the last 20 years of the Bounce House, UCF has captivated audiences on nationally televised primetime broadcasts; welcomed premiere college football shows �����ʱ�’s College GameDay and �󰿳�’s Big Noon Kickoff; hosted conference championships that catapulted the Knights to New Year’s Six bowl games; and has become a not-to-be-missed atmosphere in college sports.

The new Roth Tower represents another important investment in our continued rise.

A Tower With a Story to Tell

Thoughtful planning went into the design elements and functionality of the new tower.

The new space allows more opportunities beyond game day to welcome alumni, partners and visitors for corporate meetings and retreats, weddings and events, and even rocket launch viewing opportunities of nearby Kennedy Space Center, whose Launch Complex 39A aligns with the stadium’s 50-yard line.

Stronger media and broadcast spaces will help showcase UCF nationally and open possibilities for hosting other premiere sporting events and concerts. The strategic layout and structure will make operations and logistics safer, smarter and more efficient.

The tower also serves as an extension ɫ����’s mission to equip our students with the knowledge, skills and aptitudes that align with the workforce of the future, offering paid opportunities to gain industry experience in areas including facility and event management, game day operations, broadcasting and production, brand management and strategic communications.

The details are uniquely UCF, with nods to the university’s roots as America’s Space University and its location in one of the most desirable tourist destinations globally.

A new concept in luxury seating, the open-air, semi-private Sky Suites on the north and south wings of the tower​ take advantage of Orlando’s average of 233 sunny days per year. Floor-to-ceiling windows serve as the east and west walls of the central suite space on the third floor for optimal views of the field and athletic village.

The stadium’s art collection is growing with two custom murals that pay homage to the UCF story and the university’s relationship to Orange County designed by artist Harry Foreman ’18, a graphic design and emerging media management graduate. These complement several installations around the concourse already that include Knightro, wings of Pegasus (the university’s official seal), UCF’s Big 12 ties and Orlando.

Building What’s Next

Roth Tower will create memorable experiences for visitors and reinforces UCF as another reason people choose to come to Orange County and come back.

While the tower is a huge step forward for UCF Athletics, it is not the finish line, says UCF Director of Athletics and Vice President Terry Mohajir, who has worked to implement facility enhancements throughout the village since he arrived in 2021.

“Our fans gave this stadium its identity … and kept the faith as UCF climbed from one level of collegiate athletics to the next,” Mohajir says. “Our responsibility now is to keep matching that belief, by giving our student-athletes every opportunity to succeed, competing for championships, delivering a Power Four-caliber experience and continuing to build the Kenneth G. Dixon Athletics Village into one of the greatest destinations in college sports.”

The UCF football team opens the 2026 season against Bethune-Cookman on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. Ticket information can be found at .

“It’s a perfect day to bounce in Orange County, Florida.”

The Roth Tower project, made possible by a $90 million commitment of Tourist Development Tax revenues from the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, represents a pivotal addition to the Kenneth G. Dixon Athletics Village that strengthens Orange County as a premier destination for sports tourism and community engagement.

When the investment was greenlit in 2023, university and athletics administration knew they wanted to add to the stadium’s art collection, which already features several installations around the concourse that include Knightro, wings of Pegasus (the university’s official seal), UCF’s Big 12 ties and Orlando.

UCF commissioned Harry Foreman ’18 to deliver two murals that pay homage to the UCF story and the university’s relationship to Orlando and Orange County. To execute the installation in the week leading up to the tower’s unveiling, Foreman utilized virtual reality technology as part of his process and enlisted the help of fellow alumni: Nicole Lind ’11, a Burnett Honors Scholar who graduated with a degree in an elementary education, and Paulaiden Minerva ’15, who earned his bachelor’s in marketing through the program.

Foreman studied graphic design and emerging media management and previously completed murals for the UCF Downtown and the Rosen College of Hospitality Management campuses.

“When I was a student I always had so much fun on games days,” Foreman says. “It’s magic being back here.”

The Florida native, who now splits his time between Orlando and Denver, has been an active contributor to the Central Florida’s arts scene for years. He recently was selected to be part of the City of Orlando’s Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge, Art Pollination — a prestigious opportunity as Orlando was one of eight cities selected for the $1 million grant out of more than 150 submissions from around the country.

Acrisure Bounce House is his third football stadium mural project. He previously completed installations for the Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars.

“I always knew I wanted to paint big,” he says.

Here he shares more about his latest creation.

What excited you about this project?

The campus personnel were so willing and excited about my ideas and style that I brought into this that it was almost a perfect match. I led with fun first and then presented some safer ideas. And they said, “Nope. We want the fun.”

I’m grateful and appreciative that I’m creating in a way that is so well received by so many people. Especially with the way we’re doing these murals with minimal color and a gold approach, I think it’s a style that has an elevated look while also having this fun, bubbly, childlike feeling, which is perfect for a football stadium on game day.

Where did you pull inspiration from for the two murals?

A staple in a lot of my mural work is my “orange blossom gang.” They are fun, smiling orange characters that I will sprinkle in throughout a lot of my murals. They act almost as the glue that keeps other imagery and assets like together. They appear in both murals.

For the UCF-themed mural, we have my signature doodle collage style. We’re in the Bounce House, baby. So I tried to have this flowy, bubbly movement with the clouds. I wanted it to feel like it was light and airy.

With regards to Easter eggs, when I was a student, I did artwork around Orlando and I would do this little emanating whoopsie daisy flower. I snuck it into a postcard stamp. The manatee celebrates Central Florida’s natural springs, which is in my opinion, one of the most magical parts about the entire state. I also snuck in a variation of the rubber duck for Spirit Splash.

For the Orange County mural, it is centered in an Art Deco theme and is an ode to how the university is entwined with Orlando. From the downtown corridor to our relationship with the hospitality sector around I-Drive to space and UCF’s engineering and technology roots. And we wanted to include a message to what helped make this possible: “In appreciation of Orange County, Florida, whose continued belief, support and investment will welcome millions through these gates to bounce.”

How do you apply virtual reality technology in your process?

I first started using the VR headset to project my artwork on walls last year. There are many different ways to get your art on your walls through grid systems, sketching freehand, projectors and now through headsets. In this circumstance, I have another mural next week. I’ve got to get in and out. I didn’t want to wait till the nighttime to use a projector. What’s great about the headset is no matter the time of day, you are able to work and operate, and forecast your artwork on a wall.

It’s a really weird, immersive and amazing technology. If you got vertigo like I do, tread lightly. As I’m wearing it, I’m constantly thinking, ‘We are in the future.’ ”

How did your UCF experience help you hone your craft?

“Being at UCF pushed me to be great.” — Harry Foreman ’18, muralist

My UCF experience was not just a four-year degree. I used nearly every offering UCF had — I was in different clubs, at the gym all the time. I was in the engineering lab using the laser cutter for a lot of my school projects. My experience was almost competitive nurture in a sense, learning in a school setting with so many talented creatives around me. Being at UCF pushed me to be great and taught me how to be a shape shifter.

I already was running a business while in school. I immediately graduated and went right into freelancing, and the Orlando community and UCF network at large welcomed me right when I needed it. I booked amazing jobs right out of school. The UCF Downtown project, I would say, is still some of my most impactful work that gets me jobs to this day.

I never in a million years thought murals would allow me to be traveling all over the nation. I’m about to buy my wife a house. It’s a great time to be a muralist. It’s the best job in the world.

What does it mean to you to be able to give back to your alma mater and Orlando in this way?

It’s so special. As a student, and even as an artist, there’s no textbook for success, no single game plan for how to do things. The fact that I get to paint and create in spaces like this, I hope it can inspire the next student. I hope they see this and they say, “That is so cool. I want to do that,” because whenever I saw someone doing it, that was my first response.

If you’re a student that is worried about the creative world that we’re entering into, as long as you’re pushing yourself to make great work, everything you could ever want is already there waiting for you. Orlando as a canvas is the best place to blossom. It was for me.

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’re studying at UCF Downtown, the , Rosen College of Hospitality Management or the main campus,  you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get involved.

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

• Pegasus Palooza, UCF’s 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 Week,���ڱ𲹳ٳܰ����Բ���Spirit Splash, kicks off Monday, Oct. 19,�����Ի���concludes with the UCF football team’s matchup against BYU on Saturday, Oct. 24.

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

• , held each spring at  Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, showcases the artistic talents ɫ����’s faculty and students in performances, exhibitions, presentations and interactive experiences.

• Gather Luncheon, a community-building event in the spring hosted by Wellness & Health Promotion Services and Dining Services,  brings hundreds of students together  for 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’s intramural sports program welcomes all UCF students, especially those who are new to Orlando and haven’t met enough peers to form their own team. Thanks to its free agency feature, individuals ca 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 ɫ����’s most notable alumni. Gold medalist Phil Dalhausser ’02, who played club volleyball while pursuing his business degree, and bronze medalist Kristen Thomas ’16, who began her rugby career as a theatre studies major at UCF, both went on to represent Team USA at multiple Summer Olympic Games.

For more information, visit .

Registered Student Organizations

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

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

Visit the  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 .

UCF Athletics – Knightmare Society and Marching Knights

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

All full-time UCF-enrolled students (except ɫ����) 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 �����’s basketball student tickets, please visit .

�ճ���� 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’ Ticketmaster accounts, a dedicated fast pass entrance at all UCF �����’s basketball games, and first access to post-season student ticket claims.

Students can also contribute to game-day experiences by joining , a more than 390-member marching band student organization that performs at pregame shows, halftime shows, pep rallies and other fan-fest 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 Research

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

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

, UCF’s 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 .

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

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

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

 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, including the  on the main campus, Rollins Museum of Art and Mead Garden in nearby Winter Park, and the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Central Florida in Maitland. �ճ����acclaimed Orlando Museum of Art offers free entry on the third Thursday of each month as part of its Access for All initiative.

Held annually at the start of the fall semester, Visit Orlando’s 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  — including at Aurora at the on-campus The Celeste Hotel — for just $40 or $60 per person from Aug. 14 – Sept. 30, 2026.

In September, one month before the Knicks tipped off their 2025-26 season, White was promoted to manager of event presentation at Madison Square Garden. From hosting New York’s first NBA Finals game in 26 years to the Knicks’ unbelievable 29-point comeback in Game 4 to the celebratory ticker-tape parade on Manhattan’s streets that drew an estimated 2 million fans, the UCF aerospace engineering alum had a front-row view and played a supporting role to the team’s success this year.

“Madison Square Garden and the Knicks organizations have brought so many people across the world together, and getting to be a part of that kind of impact will really change your perspective forever in the best way possible,” White says.

White, a former Burnett Honors Scholar and UCF dance team member, finally had a moment to breathe to share about her experience.

You serve as manager of event presentation. What does a day on the job look like?

Event presentation is everything that happens on the court during a game that is not the actual basketball game. This includes our in-game entertainment such as our Knicks City Dancers and 7th Ave Hype Squad as well as our halftime performances, in-game fan contests, T-shirt tosses, and other elements like on-court presentations and recognitions.

I was first hired as a coordinator in 2021, and over my time with the team, I have taken on more responsibilities. I now fully manage all 40 members of our 7th Ave Squad in addition to serving as the floor director for all in-game elements during Knicks games.

You earned your degree in aerospace engineering. How did you end up in sports business?

This is a bit of a wild pivot. I grew up dancing my entire life and was a member of the UCF dance team. I loved having the ability to keep dancing while earning my degree. When I graduated college and got a full-time role in the defense industry and later the tech industry, I found a way to keep dancing with the Orlando Magic dance team. I had so many positive experiences during my three seasons working for the Magic and got to travel with the team numerous times to participate in NBA global events. I worked my 9-5 during the day and then headed to the arena at night for rehearsals and games and found myself enjoying my role in the professional sports industry more than my full-time job.

I chose to go back to school to pursue a degree in sports business so that I could properly transition into the industry. I pursued a degree in global sport business from New York University while continuing to work full-time in Orlando and was fortunate to travel to New York City and Tokyo for educational residencies.

In 2020 I landed a remote internship with Madison Square Garden and was able to meet so many passionate members of the MSG sports team. I maintained the professional connections I had created during my time in the program. About five months after my time as an MSG student associate ended, I applied for my dream role with the Knicks event presentation team, and the rest is history.

How did your experience at UCF play into your success today?

“My time at UCF as a student-athlete pursuing a rigorous degree taught me invaluable lessons in perseverance, time management and self-motivation.” — Olivia White ’16

My time at UCF as a student-athlete pursuing a rigorous degree taught me invaluable lessons in perseverance, time management and self-motivation. I got to dance at every UCF football and basketball game, perform at the 2014 Fiesta Bowl, compete in Universal Dance Association Nationals every January, and perform at numerous events in the community, including Orlando Magic halftimes. Getting to take part in all of these incredible experiences at such a young age, while also having to balance school and part-time jobs prepared me to thrive under pressure and become comfortable in chaotic environments.

This season is one for the record books. What are some of your most memorable moments?

This season was my favorite season yet. There were so many moments that will stick with me forever. The historic 29-point comeback in Game 4 is something I’ll never forget. If this postseason run taught me anything, it’s to never count the Knicks out — and this belief never failed me.

A few of my other favorites include getting to celebrate on stage at Radio City Music Hall when the Knicks secured their first championship in 53 years and getting to hold the NBA Cup back in December when the Knicks brought home their first hardware of their historic season.

When you do eventually look back on this season, what do you think are going to be your biggest takeaways from the experience?

My biggest takeaway from this entire season is definitely just pure gratitude. It’s not lost on me how lucky I was to have a front row seat to one of the most historic runs in professional sports, especially with one of the most iconic franchises of all time. And to get to be a part of something so meaningful in a city like New York at a venue like Madison Square Garden, is literally a dream that I will forever be thankful for.

What is the hardest decision you had to make that has led you to where you are today?

Packing up my life in Orlando and moving to New York to pursue a whole new career. I have always been a risk-adverse individual, so giving up the familiarity and comfort of my hometown for place as big as New York City was a huge decision for both me and my then boyfriend, now husband, Logan Cloak ’17. As hard of a decision as it was, I would make it 100 times over and am so thankful every single day that I took that leap out of my comfort zone.

The UCF baseball team learned it is headed to the NCAA Auburn Regional while at a team-bonding pool party, hosted by head coach Rich Wallace ’04’s uncle, who lives next door to the UCF rowing facility on Lake Pickett.

“[We talked to the guys and thought] we’re in Orlando, might as well get out in the pool and sunshine and enjoy this thing, do it the UCF way,” Wallace says. “I think the guys are excited for the challenge.”

The regional will run Friday, May 29 to Monday, June 1 at Auburn’s Plainsman Park in Auburn, Alabama.

Baseball is one of 10 UCF programs to compete at an NCAA postseason regional or championship event in 2025-26, joining �����’s�����Ի���wo�����’s soccer, indoor track & field, �����’s basketball, �����’s and wo�����’s tennis, wo�����’s golf, softball and rowing. The 10 NCAA appearances ties for the most in UCF history with the 2018-19 athletic year.

Postseason Outlook

UCF earned the No. 2 seed in the four-team regional and will open play against the No. 3 seed NC State Wolfpack on Friday at 6 p.m. ET. The winner of the game will advance to meet the winner of Friday’s earlier matchup between the No. 4-national seed Auburn and Milwaukee.

All games of the 64-team field are available on the ESPN family of networks.

The final eight teams to advance out of the Super Regional round will head to Omaha, Nebraska, for the 79th Men’s College World Series at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. The Men’s College World Series starts Friday, June 12.

UCF’s Road to the NCAA Tournament

For the second time in three years, the UCF baseball team has earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA appearance will mark UCF’s second under third-year head coach  and the program’s 14th NCAA Regional appearance in program history.

UCF is one of six Big 12 programs to be selected to the tournament. The Knights head into the postseason with a 31-21 overall record and set Big 12 era records in both conference wins with 19 (19-11) and league series wins with seven.

The Knights’ 19 league wins mark the most since 2005 when UCF was a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference.