On Demand's John Handiboe for Central Florida News 13
September 27, 1980, that was the day the UCF Marching Knights first played at a football game. After a quarter of century they are getting ready for another first, marching into a brand new home, Bright House Stadium. Central Florida on Demand's John Handiboe takes us to band camp.
The UCF Marching Knights are pumped for a new season, new performances and oh yeah, a new home: Bright House Stadium.
This is history in the making, over 27 years of history to be exact. The UCF Marching Knights are stepping in a new direction
“Up until now, for the first 26 years of the band, every game has been an away game for us,” Band director Ron Ellis said.
The buzz at UCF is unbelievable. Attitude is everything and now at 300 strong, they are the biggest band in UCF history and possibly the best.
The UCF Marching Knights are a true Division One college band as of this year. There is no doubt about it, they have arrived.
Under the sweltering Florida sun, it takes a special determination to keep marching on
“Oh, you should have been here during band camp. Good lord it was hot, 115-degree heat index. It was murder out here,” Drum Major Jason D'Amico said.
With each day of practice, they are building more than a band. They are building great friendships.
“The Freshmen who have come in are just absolutely unbelievable and enthusiastic about everything. They are building relationships, memories, a proud community,” UCF Junior Olivia Eriksen said.
“When you talk about college football, college atmosphere, and the fans and the bands, it's what we've been waiting for, really since the university has opened,” Ellis said.
“An intense feeling that comes from within and just comes out everywhere. It's like this huge sunrise ringing with Tradition and Pride, The UCF marching nights are ready to Park, bark and jam inside their new home,” UCF Sophomore Lisa Bonadonna said.
“The best thing I can say is, you better have back-up paint stored somewhere because we are going to take that logo off the side of the Bright House Stadium with that down beat,” D'Amico said.
The UCF Marching Knights will first pump up the crowd the day before game day, holding a PEP rally at the UCF Arena.