{"id":35780,"date":"2012-04-26T18:50:45","date_gmt":"2012-04-26T22:50:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=35780"},"modified":"2018-07-03T10:52:38","modified_gmt":"2018-07-03T14:52:38","slug":"video-military-appreciation-night-extra-special-for-woods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/video-military-appreciation-night-extra-special-for-woods\/","title":{"rendered":"Military Brothers Make Friday’s Game Extra Special"},"content":{"rendered":"
With Woods having two older brothers actively serving in the military, rarely does a day pass that he doesn’t think about two people who had a tremendous influence on his baseball career. C.J. Woods, a former Division II baseball player in West Virginia, is a member of the U.S. Navy and aboard the USS New Orleans. And Jose Rodriguez, a medical technician formerly in Iraq, is currently stationed in Tampa and has had the opportunity to watch his younger brother’s rise to stardom at UCF.<\/p>\n
Naturally, Friday’s Military Appreciation Day at UCF means a little something extra to Woods, a freshman outfielder. Active duty, retired and civilian military personnel will receive free admission to the 6:30 p.m. game on Friday by showing their military ID, and they also will receive one complimentary ticket to the game. Tickets can be picked up on game day starting at 5 p.m. at the UCF baseball complex. Free parking will be available in the baseball lot and in lots E6, E7 and E8 next to Bright House Networks Stadium.<\/p>\n
UCF, 34-8 overall and owners of its highest national ranking ever at No. 7 (tying 2001), opens a crucial three-game series against the Tigers as the leaders in Conference USA at 12-3. Woods has been a big part 色花堂’s success, and he’s happy to be playing on a night when those who have served in the military will be honored.<\/p>\n
“There are times when I’m in the field when I will think about them because I always try to keep them in my thoughts,” Woods said of his brothers. “Every night I pray that they are safe. C.J. actually messaged me on Facebook the day after my walk-off hit, congratulating me. It feels good that he’s following me on the UCF website and checking out my stats. He still gives me encouragement and gives me tips. … There are a lot of people out there who sacrifice their lives for our country. It lets you know that you shouldn’t ever take life for granted.”<\/p>\n
No one is taking Woods’ impact on the UCF baseball team for granted after he has blossomed into a solid contributor as a true freshman. A year after starring at Orlando’s First Academy and not yet 19 years old, Woods is fifth on the team in on-base percentage, is 6-for-6 on stolen base attempts and is the owner of a dramatic walk-off, game-winning hit.<\/p>\n