October 1, 1997
On September 22, 1979, The UCF Knights won their very first football game ever by topping St. Leo 22-0 on a rain-soaked, cow pasture turned field. Since then, the Knights have seen action in all four NCAA football divisions. They currently find themselves competing amongst the nation's toughest football programs in Division I. That means playing the likes of Nebraska, Florida State and Auburn while competing for recruits in one of the most competitive regions in the entire country. It's hard enough
playing just about any of the programs at that level each and every Saturday. So why would a fledgling Division I football program schedule itself seven road games (including the first three games) out of a total of 11? And why at some of the toughest campuses in the country? Well, they did it for money, exposure and experience - mostly in that order.
First, the money thing. College football powers are created at the ticket gate, concession stands, merchandise outlets, and from the moneys generated by television and bowl game revenues. The schools that can offer their players the most state-of-the-art training facilities and the most attractive student housing accommodations are the most likely to land the premiere athletes. Having to compete with the University of Florida, Florida State University and the University of Miami, Central Florida needs
every available advantage it can find.
Coach Gene McDowell and Athletic Director Steve Sloan understand this, which explains why the Knights have what is considered by many to be one of the toughest schedules in the entire nation. By traveling on the road for most of their games this season, the Knights will earn a cool $1.41 million, which will help them compete with those other high-profile schools. The Nebraska game alone earned UCF a $450,000 paycheck. These financial numbers tend to level the playing field when it comes to competing in today's high-cost state of college football.
The national exposure of a college football team is paramount to the recruiting abilities of the coaching staff. The most sought after high school players are only interested in playing for the programs they have been able to watch on TV as they were growing up. McDowell and Sloan have been criticized in the media for loading the Knights schedule with teams that most Division I schools would lose sleep over having to face. Football broadcast commentator Beano Cook said earlier this year on ABC-Radio that the schedule was "terribly unfair" to the UCF players. But Sloan is quick to point out that Cook has never had to run an athletic department or compete in what is considered the most competitive recruiting market in all of college football. "That's
ridiculous," was Sloan's reply.
And, finally, nothing beats experience. In the short history of UCF football, the Knights have provided many highlights by fighting their way into post-season action several times. But this is Division I football, and the experience of going out on the road and battling the superpowers provides the type of experience UCF needs to become a force at this level. And up to this point, the Knights have done more than simply play the role
of sparring partner. They have taken the likes of Nebraska, South Carolina and Mississippi to the brink of upsets while earning the respect of the national sports media, as well as college football fans, everywhere.
UCF plays yet another road game Saturday, this time at Kent - it's the homecoming game for the Golden Flash. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. The Knights will return home to the Florida Citrus Bowl on October 11 to take on Samford. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. So come on Orlando, get on out and support your home town team. Don't miss history in the making.
--Reprinted from Flamingo Sports
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