KnightNews.com covered the wrongful death lawsuit the parents of the UCF football player — who died during a workout — brought against UCF’s private athletic association during last summer’s trial.

Even though UCF chose to privatize its athletics corporation as a direct support organization, which allows UCF to keep secret certain information that open records law would otherwise require UCF to disclose, UCF has insisted the private athletics corporation should be treated as a public state agency when it comes to a $200,000 cap on lawsuits public agencies enjoy. A reason UCF gave was because President John Hitt has control over the private corporation.

The judge disagreed UCF’s private athletics corporation should be immune to the full payment. That decision is one that UCF plans to appeal. See an interview with UCF spokesman Grant Heston we shot right after the verdict came down last year, where he discusses other issues planned for the appeal:

After a disappointing year, in which the Knights went 5-7, endured NCAA allegations and saw several players get into legal and academic trouble, the football program will have a lot to look forward to next season.

With the program’s entrance into the Big East just a year away, the Knights roster received a significant boost after Coach George O’Leary announced he’s reinstating four key offensive players, including quarterback Jeff Godfrey, wide receiver J.J. Worton, offensive tackle Chris Martin and cornerback Jordan Ozerities, who are all expected to participate in summer classes and team workouts that start Monday.

Godfrey and Worton were the two biggest question marks entering the 2012 season. Godfrey, who has been the Knights starting quarterback for the majority of the last two years, was suspended for the spring semester for violating university policy and was rumored to be transferring to FAU.

However, Godfrey changed his mind and decided to return to the Knights pending Coach O’Leary’s approval. O’Leary said he was open to the speedy junior’s return at the team’s annual Spring game, but Godfrey had to get his academics in order. He will still need to fulfill some academic obligations, but is expected to return to the program as a wide receiver.

Worton’s return may be even more noteworthy considering he was suspended on St. Patrick’s Day after getting arrested at local bar Knight Library for charges of resisting arrest, battery and resisting an officer with violence. The St. Patty’s Day incident left an uncertain future for Worton, who led the team in receiving yards in his freshman season.

Martin and Ozerities were suspended from spring practice for undisclosed violations of team policy, but O’Leary has now said they are back in good standing.

The reinstatement of Godfrey and Worton gives the Knights roster significant depth and makes them a dangerously potent offense heading into next season. Worton is an up-and-coming player for the Knights with his deep-threat capabilities.

The 6’2″ redshirt sophomore posted 531 receiving yards and four touchdowns last season and was expected to be the Knights top receiver again before his run-in with law enforcement. So, his return is a major relief for the Knights, as he will help create a dynamic offense with returning leaders, such as runningback Latavius Murray and QB Blake Bortles.

Godfrey’s decision to reunite with UCF is a big positive as well, and it will be interesting to see how he pans out at the receiver position.

Godfrey seemed like he’d be nowhere near Orlando after his father and his mentor, Luther Campbell, publicly bashed Coach O’Leary for limiting the quarterback. Godfrey lost most of his playing time at the end of the season in favor of Bortles after struggling to repeat his success from 2010.

“I told him, ‘The only thing I’m disappointed with is you could have stood up and told the truth. You know that stuff wasn’t the truth — what Luke was saying, what your dad was saying. There wasn’t two game plans and everything else,” O’Leary said in a statement from the Orlando Sentinel. “You started every practice, and you started every game. And you knew Blake was coming in at some time whether you were doing well or you were doing bad.”

It was often questioned if O’Leary tailored the playbook to favor Bortles’ strengths, in turn minimizing Godfrey’s effectiveness, which is why he struggled throughout the year. Regardless, the Knights struggled with both quarterbacks and finished 5-7.

Godfrey is a natural athlete and was scouted that way from some high-profile schools, but UCF was the one program willing to give him a shot under center.

That athleticism will give him the opportunity to be a playmaker, combined with his speed, quickness and IQ on the field. O’Leary is hoping Godfrey has matured since his offseason debacle and wants him to apologize to the team.

“I told him, ‘You have teammates that are disappointed in you,’ ” O’Leary said in a statement from the Sentinel. “It’s not going to be easy coming back in. He’ll have to address the team. I told him, ‘You sort of left them.’ … But he seems to be a little more mature and understands life’s not that easy. You have to work.”

UCF will have a very potent offense with the core of last year’s team returning and now with the announcement of Worton and Godfrey’s reinstatement.

With Bortles, Missouri-transfer Tyler Gabbert and potentially Godfrey all in the mix for quarterback, Knight fans are in for an exciting season.

While there’s still plenty of excitement in Orlando regarding the move, which will happen in 2013, the Big East seems to be experiencing a little turbulence.

Commissioner John Marinatto resigned Sunday after a rocky year for the conference, which saw quite a few high profile programs bolt for other conferences, including Pittsburgh, TCU, West Virginia and Syracuse.

Marinatto spent three years as the Big East’s commissioner before he was reportedly asked to step down from the position by league presidents.

Despite the shake up of the Big East, UCF leaders are still looking forward to the move.

“It’s a great conference, a great platform,” UCF Athletic Director Todd Stansbury said to the Orlando Sentinel. “… We just need the fans to keep supporting all our teams and enjoy it.”

There have also been rumors that Boise State may back out of its commitment to the Big East because they haven’t officially informed the Mountain West of its departure.

Regardless, the move is beneficial for the Knights. There is still a huge boost in national media exposure, the elusive automatic qualifying tag, television contracts and better competition.

Now, the Big East will search for a new commissioner, in hopes of getting more lucrative television contracts, which may have also been part of the reason the Big East wanted to go a different direction with Marinatto.

“I wouldn’t read too much into that,” Stansbury said to the Sentinel regarding Marinatto’s departure. “Conference commissioners do change and it really doesn’t really change a lot as far as what’s going on in a conference. I think John did a great job navigating through some fairly treacherous waters. … We wish him a lot of luck.”

With the Big East restocking the league with UCF, Houston, SMU, Boise State and San Diego State, Knight Nation shouldn’t be worried. The conference still has its AQ status, still boasts arguably the best college basketball conference in the nation and provides a large increase in exposure for UCF.

The Knights enter their final season as a member of C-USA starting this fall.

E-mail us at athletics@knightnews.com or follow us on Twitter … Allen Levin can be followed @TheNBAllen 

Alex Sica, an avid car enthusiast, was selected to be featured in the two day show which features reality TV star, Chip Foose.

Sica, who drives a customized 2005 Denali, was very excited to be chosen and is looking to have his car signed by Foose.

The car show, now in its second year, takes place between June 2-3 at Downtown Disney and celebrates everything “Cars.” The event features meet and greets with Lightning McQueen, Mater and Finn McMissile and includes vendors, DJ’s food and fun!

The show also has several awards that will be given to the selected cars and includes a fan favorite!

Check out http://floridacoolcars.com/ for more information about the show!

A Palm Beach County Circuit Judge sentenced Goodman to 16 years in prison, fined him $10,000 and took away his driver’s license.

Goodman in court during sentencing; awaits appeal

During the sentencing, the judge admitted that an appeals court will review the case and decide whether he handled the case appropriately.

Goodman’s attorney, Roy Black, believes his client didn’t get a fair shake.

“It is our belief that multiple errors were committed during and before the trial that, in effect, denied our client’s ability to get a fair trial,” Black said in a statement to KnightNews.com following the verdict.

“We intend to file an appeal so that our client can receive the just and fair proceeding to which he is entitled by law.”

Goodman was convicted after prosecutors alleged he was drunk at the time he left Wilson to die in a canal after his Bentley hit Wilson’s Hyundai in South Florida.

KnightNews.com will continue following the appeal process and update you if Goodman’s sentence changes.

UCF attack composite sketch

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office released a composite sketch of the man deputies say attacked the woman around 12:45 p.m.

The woman fought back, hitting the man in the face. She was able to escape.

The attacker is described as a man between 25 and 35, standing about 5-feet-11-inches tall. He was muscular, wearing a tank top and black cargo pants with white tennis shoes. The man reportedly had dark curly hair, but no facial hair.

KnightNews.com is working to find more information about this incident. If you know more about the attack, email us at news@knightnews.com, text us at 407-5-tip-ucf or send us an anonymous tip by clicking here.

Well, it aired last night. And for 30 minutes, UCF got national attention about the problems students have surrounding their sex lives.

After a quick opening montage, where Savage told an online UCF radio station not to let morning erections “go to waste” because they are “a little present from Jesus,” Savage sat down with a student concerned that her frequent masturbation may be a problem.

The student, MTV identified as Ashley, told Savage she’s “always masturbating” and said she felt that “it can be a problem.”

UCF student masturbates up to 6 times daily

Ashley asked, “Is there something I can do that will like — I can do it once and then like, I don’t have to like, constantly like think about it again?”

Savage dismissed Ashley’s concerns that she may be spending too much time masturbating — as often as six times per day.

“Masturbate, then once you’re done, concentrate and study,” Savage told Ashley, speculating that she might be an “anomaly” and is hitting her sexual peak earlier than most women. “This is what I would call a non-problem,” Savage said.

But Savage admits through a disclaimer at the end of his show that he is not a licensed professional — or even a licensed driver. So, the question is: Could a doctor disagree with Savage’s advice to Ashley?

It appears professionals are not as quick to dismiss concerns about masturbation possibly impeding other parts of someone’s life. Dr. Drew Pinsky, who appears on HLN, has told someone seeking his advice that felt addicted to masturbation that it can be a serious problem.

“The Internet and the sexual content that flows into people’s homes is literally a stress on biological systems,” Pinksy said. “And for those with a tendency to sexual addiction or compulsion, it’s like having a crack pipe in your house 24/7.”

Pinsky told people seeking his advice that “there is a problem when behaviors progress in the face of consequences. When a normal person has an adverse affect from a behavior they will curtail the behavior. An addict will not. If you are able to have stable relationships, you are not putting your health in harm’s way, or creating financial or legal liabilities, then you are probably in the normal range.”

In Ashley’s case, she suggested that a consequence of her urges was being distracted during class and when she studied.

Pinksy also pointed out there are books and “people specifically trained in this disease,” and that there’s an estimated “600,000 Americans each year newly manifesting this compulsion.”

Students wanting professional counseling at UCF can visit the wellness center.

Student tells MTV UCF means You Can't Finish

The show also featured shots of UCF’s nice landscape, and the hosts pointed out how about 58,000 students attend the university.

So, will this show have a positive or negative impact on UCF’s reputation? Share your comments below or email us at news@knightnews.com. (Also let us know if you were featured on the show and want to be interviewed about it.)

Among the objectives of the task force are to make recommendations to Scott on how the state universities can improve transparency, accountability and achieve a greater efficiency with reduced duplication of services.

“The Task Force shall, no later than November 15, 2012, provide a written report to the Governor, the Senate President, and the Speaker of the House detailing assessments and recommendations consistent with the responsibilities above,” according to Scott’s executive order.

Scott recently vetoed a bill which would have allowed Florida State University and the University of Florida to raise tuition to unprecedented levels. Scott’s office has told KnightNews.com in the past that instead of raising tuition, the governor wants universities to tighten belts like Florida families have been forced to do in the tough economic times.

At the University of Central Florida, students have recently complained about spending decisions after KnightNews.com reported that UCF administrators attended a lavish red carpet party thrown by the Student Government Association in its own honor.

Student Money Spent on Red Carpet Event

Students were outraged when they read how KnightNews.com learned the lavish event cost between $8,000 to $10,000.

“Wish I could shrug off 8 to 10 grand as if it was nothing. SGA should just hold a bonfire where they burn 10 grand and invite the whole student body to watch. At least then we could actually attend the event where our money is wasted,” student Bryan Maune posted on KnightNews.com’s Facebook page.

The controversial spending of student fees comes as university leaders argue they can’t afford state budget cuts and insist tuition increases are necessary.

When talk of the cuts were hot in Tallahassee, UCF told KnightNews.com it has already cut back — and the Legislature keeps the cuts coming anyway.

“UCF’s state budget now has been cut about $150 million during the past five years,” UCF spokesman Grant Heston told KnightNews.com in March.

Check back to KnightNews.com for updates on the new task force.

But, for 40-year-old “Sugar” Shane Mosley, there is one factor that drives him to take on 21-year-old Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, and that’s lifting up a championship belt once again.

“The motivation to be in this fight is to claim the world title, to win the gold again,” Mosley said after lots of skepticism on why he is squaring off with someone essentially half his age at this point in his career.

Mosley, a six-time, three division champion, will take the canvas with Alvarez for the quickly rising Mexican’s WBC Super Welterweight World Championship Saturday night in the undercard bout to the Floyd Mayweather-Miguel Cotto super fight.

While Mosley has already captured numerous titles and secured his spot in boxing history as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters, he wants to regain gold and add to his legacy.

“It adds to the legacy, but also sets myself up with some more big fights in the future,” Mosley said.

And if Mosley didn’t have enough motivation from potentially being a champion again, he can use his recent failures as a fuel for his 154-pound May 5 Pay-Per-View bout.

After starting his career 38-0, Mosley (46-7-1, 39 KOs) has dropped three of his last six contests, and came to a draw in one of those, and hasn’t had a victory in over three years. His last win came in early 2009, when he earned a knockout over Antonio Margarito in the ninth round to secure his sixth world title.

Since then, Mosley has suffered losses to Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, as well as fought to a draw against Sergio Mora.

Despite his recent slip ups, Mosley still feels he has what it takes to be crowned a champion again and has no plans of hanging up his gloves yet.

“I never thought of hanging it up because I knew that I wasn’t 100 percent. If I was 100 percent, and I wasn’t really where I was supposed to be, then it’d be time to give it up,” Mosley said. “But I know I wasn’t ready (then). I wasn’t at my best. Now, I’m ready.”

Mosley Finally Healthy

Mosley claims a large part of the reason he came up short in fights against Mayweather and Pacquiao is due to not being fully healthy.

He said in those fights he entered training camp not at 100 percent and that transitioned over into those bouts as he fought through pain.

“My training has changed because I’m not going into the fight hurt or going into my training camp hurt. I’m actually going in training 100 percent, and that’s obviously a perk,” Mosley said.

Now, Mosley is at full strength and feels fresh as he heads into the eve of his big fight. Not only does being back at full strength benefit him in the fight, it also motivates him to do better.

“It’s motivating because I can get back in the ring with these guys. Like I said, going into training camp 100 percent is a lot better than going into it wounded and trying to fight,” Mosley said. “It motivates me to do better in the fight.”

Scouting Alvarez

Even with Mosley at 100 percent, he will still have his hands full with the young Alvarez (39-0-1, 29 KOs), who has yet to lose a fight.

Canelo, who was given the nickname for his red hair as it translates to cinnamon in Spanish, has had rapid success after making his pro debut at just 15-years-old.

He made a name for himself after going 8-0 with four knockouts in 2008 and was recognized for his exciting style.

Alvarez is coming off victories over Alfonso Gomez and Kermit Cintron in 2011, a year where captivated his hometown of Mexico.

Canelo may have his biggest challenge to date against Mosley, who has a long career of beating some of the top names in the sport.

Tale Of The Tape- Shane Mosley

Hometown: Pomona, California

Record: 46-7-1, 39 KO’s

Age: 40

Weight: 154

Height: 5’9″

Reach: 71″

Tale Of The Tape- Canelo Alvarez

Hometown: Juanacatlan, Mexico

Record: 39-0-1, 29 KO’s

Age: 21

Weight: 154 lbs.

Height: 5’9″

Reach: 71″

Prediction

Alvarez is a tough, strong competitor who likes to keep things at his pace. Mosley will likely move around a lot and evade punches and not try to trade punches with this young gun.

While Alvarez is on the rise and remains unblemished, he still hasn’t fought someone of Mosley’s stature, regardless of his age.

Mosley is fully healthy now, confident and has a chip on his shoulder to prove he’s still one of the best fighters in the world. Remember, he absolutely annihilated Margarito in 2009 when he was fully healthy at the age of 38. So, if he’s fully healthy now, there’s no reason he can’t do much of the same against Canelo.

But, it’s Mosley’s experience in the ring that he thinks will give him the edge in this bout, despite the challenge of fighting someone half his age.

“No challenge at all for me. I feel great, I’m in great shape. I think it’s a benefit because I have the experience and the knowledge boxing to help me in the fight,” Mosley said.

Mosley knows that Alvarez is a solid competitor and acknowledges his ability to throw a variety of different head and body shots, but he is confident that his experience of the game will outweigh anything Alvarez throws at him.

“I’m not gonna give away my plan of attack (laughs), but I have all the tools to beat Canelo Alvarez. Canelo is a good, young fighter. He’s strong, he throws a variety of different punches; he throws a variety to the body and head, and he’s a good young fighter,” Mosley said.

“But, he’s not ready for me yet.”

The fight is set for 9 p.m. Saturday.

Linebacker Josh Linam signed with the San Diego Chargers, tight end Adam Nissley signed with the Atlanta Falcons and long snapper Charley Hughlett signed with the Dallas Cowboys, meaning four Knights from the 2011 roster will potentially be on NFL squads this upcoming season.

The 6’3″, 240-pound was a two-year starter for the Knights, getting 165 tackles. Linam had a solid senior season as the captain of the Knights defense.

Nissley was a four-year starter, but really emerged as a huge factor for the Knights last season as the team’s most experienced deep threat and had more catches after four games than he did his entire junior season.

Hughlett had several offers from NFL teams after being named to the All C-USA Second team his junior and senior seasons, and is widely considered as the most NFL-ready.

Hughlett, Linam and Nissley will have to prove themselves in training camp to secure a roster spot, but the trio all has the ability to notch a guaranteed professional contract.

It marks the seventh consecutive year that UCF has had at least one player taken in the NFL draft.