Big East, Big New Coach, Big Traditions

To many average citizens Obama has yet to bring hope and change but to UCF Fans, the NCAA conference shake up has. UCF fans should be excited that change means getting into a BCS AQ Conference – which could happen as soon as today. And with that change UCF should reach higher, ‘reach for the stars’ if you will. UCF is the 2^nd largest school in the nation, has arguably the 3^rd best sports facilities in the state behind UF and FSU, has the 2^nd best public school academics in the state behind UF and most of this growth has happened in less than a decade. Back in the early 2000s state education leaders realized UF and FSU were not going to be able to grow much bigger. They were landlocked and there were tens of thousands of smart students graduating high schools that needed higher education. They decided then UCF would take a bulk of that increase with USF taking the next tier of overflow. This state has talent. Talent that has helped UCF grow and land it on the big stage. UCF will continue to grow, its stature nationally is growing, and with it it’s time for UCF to think bigger.

Imagine UCF in another decade. It’s hard to imagine given the torrid pace of the last decade. It’s akin to how Americans felt in the 1950s before we landed a man on the moon.  Perhaps UCF’s first logo, the Citronaut, is more appropriate for the mission were are undertaking now. UCF has taken a formerly sleepy Citrus town to the moon and now it’s shooting for Mars. With that momentum, we should create more traditions, think like one of the big boys, and bring a new coach into town to lead our program to the top of the Big East. With today’s hopeful bid UCF will join Houston, SMU, Boise State, Air Force and Navy as new members. Even without Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and West Virginia, the Big East is strong. It has some of the largest TV markets and with the new additions is adding the 19^th biggest (UCF), 5^th (Dallas), and 10th (Houston) largest television markets. UCF will finally be playing a full schedule with teams we have heard of.  And, after this season, it’s time for us to get a coach we don’t mind hearing about.

Our other goal while we reach for the stars should be growing our traditions. Where is our Gator Growl? We have Spirit Splash- the best student homecoming experience in the state. But, it’s not realistic to think many 50+ year old alumni are going to be jumping in the reflection pond. It’s not going to happen and besides the reflection pond is beginning to look a little small compared to our student population. It’s time for a tradition that will fill Bright House Networks Stadium or at least the UCF Arena. It’s time for an event like Gator Growl. UCF is in the big leagues now, an AQ conference, it’s time for us to create a big league tradition.  Our time is now. GO KNIGHTS!