Central Florida Golden Knights
From Hoopedia
The University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, Florida, and is a member institution of the State University System of Florida. As of 2005, UCF is the largest undergraduate public university in Florida and the second largest university in the state by total enrollment, trailing the University of Florida by fewer than 5,000 students. UCF is also the sixth largest university in the nation. As of Fall 2006, total enrollment included 46,907 students, consisting of 8,146 freshmen; 6,135 sophomores; 10,239 juniors; 14,862 seniors; 297 non-degree seeking students, and 7,228 graduate students. UCF awards bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctorates, as well as certificates and specialist degrees. The main campus is located approximately 13 miles east of downtown Orlando and 55 miles south of Daytona Beach. The university also has twelve satellite campuses in eastern central Florida, though none is as large as the 1,415 acre (5.73 km²) main campus.
Men's Basketball
UCF played its first intercollegiate basketball game before the team even had a nickname.
In the Division II era, under Torchy Clark, UCF found great success including a DII Final Four appearance.
UCF has been a member of Division I since 1994 and has advanced to the NCAA tournament 4 times (94, 96, 04, 05), all under coach Kirk Speraw.
UCF competed in the Atlantic Sun Conference (formerly called the Trans American Athletic Conference) until 2005 when all sports joined Conference USA.
In October, 2005, the basketball court inside the UCF Arena (nicknamed the Dungeon) was dedicated to former coach Torchy Clark and now bears his name.
The Golden Knights made their debut in the Conference USA Championship Tournament in the 2006 season, falling to Houston in the second round and closing out the season with the program's first losing record (14-15) since 2000-2001. The Knights made a huge turnaround in the 2006-07 season, finishing 2nd in conference play, and earning a first round bye in the Conference USA tournament.
UCF will move from the 5,000 seat UCF Arena to a 10,000 seat UCF Convocation Center in the 2007-2008 season. It has been rumored that AirTran Airways has purchased the naming rights for this facility.
Two fan groups, the Kirk's Jerks (composed of both alumni and students) and Rowdy Knights (an official student organization), are the lifeblood of the basketball fan base.
