It’s pretty easy to assume that almost every college student has some type of spirit for their school, even if they try to avoid it. At UCF, the spirit runs deep.
I’m in my last semester of my undergrad here and I couldn’t be more grateful. I say this because in terms of spirit, I can confidently say that I’ve been here for it all. My freshman and sophomore years as a Knight were shameful, as we were 0–12 in football and some of our students were wearing paper bags over their heads at the games. Then with the swipe of our sword, we were undefeated for two football seasons and now, we made it to March Madness!
If I was told this is where we would be now during my freshman year, I wouldn’t believe it. Beyond sports, this university has offered so much to me.
Diversity
Speak to anyone that goes to UCF and they can tell you that diversity is in the atmosphere as soon as you step on campus. Our students come from all different backgrounds and find a way to work together and make UCF what it is: fantastic. There are even a building and a webpage both dedicated to diversity and inclusion—that;s how important it is to us students and faculty as a whole.
Creativity
Events, events, events. The student government association at UCF knows what they’re doing and how to make us happy: free Universal tickets, a movie by the Reflection Pond, themed sport nights, free smoothies, Market Wednesdays, and more. During homecoming week comes Comedy Knight and Concert Knight. Students and locals of Central Florida are even lucky enough to experience winter thanks to Light Up UCF. If carnivals don’t sound exciting enough, every fall semester, we’re lucky enough to celebrate the end of homecoming with fireworks. When surrounded by such a positive environment it’s easy to stay creative, and I have to thank UCF for that.
Coziness
Trying to find a home away from home isn’t easy, especially at the school with the most number of students enrolled in the nation. However, with the amount of coffee shops, brick architecture and trees, home seems a few steps away. The Knights have made the hospitality on campus spectacular—I mean duh, they’re known for their hospitality program.
Knugget
It was one thing having the most fashionable mascot, but having a tiny horse run the field before a game? Priceless. Knugget takes the cake as one of the best things about UCF. He has his own Twitter and Instagram and truly makes every single student on campus smile. We love you, Knugget.
It is pretty easy to figure out how great UCF is after all. From amazing events to inclusion and an overall welcoming university environment, there is an abundance of reasons to love and cheer on UCF. We are the underdogs, the friends that never leave anyone out, and we have a mini horse named Knugget—what could be better than that? A reflection pond, maybe? Oh wait, we have that too. I am so proud to be a part of something this fabulous. Go Knights, charge on!