UCF Knights - OrlandoSentinel.com

Elite sprinters eager to help No. 14 UCF track build on success at NCAA meet

By Iliana Limón Romero, Orlando Sentinel — Thu, 24 May 2012 23:43:54 GMT

Knights say strong competition in practice helped them send school-record 14 athletes to NCAA qualifying meet

UCF senior Jackie Coward remembers when no one thought much of the Knights' track and field program.

Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbrick reaffirms commitment to Big East

By Iliana Limón Romero, Orlando Sentinel — Thu, 24 May 2012 01:41:00 GMT

Swarbrick confirms he has had informal conversations with Texas Athletic Director DeLoss Dodds, but he says Irish expect to remain in the Big East

PONTE VEDRA BEACH — Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said the school remains committed to the Big East.

Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbrick reaffirms Irish's commitment to Big East

By Iliana Limón Romero, Orlando Sentinel — Thu, 24 May 2012 00:23:00 GMT

Swarbrick confirms he has had informal conversations with Texas Athletic Director DeLoss Dodds, but he says Irish expect to remain in the Big East

PONTE VEDRA BEACH — Although saying the school is monitoring the landscape for dramatic conference changes, Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrik said on Wednesday that his school remains committed to partial membership in the Big East Conference – a potential boost to the revised league's long-term stability and a potential boon for both UCF and Orlando's Champs Sports Bowl.

Big East athletic directors support four-team playoff that rewards conference champions

By Iliana Limón Romero, Orlando Sentinel — Wed, 23 May 2012 22:23:59 GMT

Big East would prefer to use standings instead of selection committee to identify playoff teams

PONTE VEDRA BEACH — Big East athletic directors voted unanimously to support a four-team Bowl Championship Series playoff that rewards conference champions but still leaves room for an at-large team.

Big East still considering football division format but will let schools host title game

By Iliana Limón Romero, Orlando Sentinel — Tue, 22 May 2012 23:15:00 GMT

Former Big East Commissioner John Marinatto was hoping to create buzz by hosting football championship in New York, but athletic directors have endorsed shift to allowing strongest team to host title game

PONTE VEDRA BEACH — The Big East still is weighing the division format for its expanded football lineup, but the league has settled on a change in vision for its championship game format.

Big East basketball coaches support inviting all teams to expanded hoops tournament

By Iliana Limón Romero, Orlando Sentinel — Tue, 22 May 2012 22:48:18 GMT

UCF would be among schools participating in prestigious league tournament at Madison Square Garden

PONTE VEDRA BEACH — Big East basketball coaches have endorsed having all its members in an expanded lineup participate in the league's high-profile conference hoops tournament.

Florida State, Miami set for ACC baseball tournament

By Coley Harvey, Orlando Sentinel — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:07:36 GMT

Tournament begins Wednesday in Greensboro with No. 1 seed FSU vs. No. 8 Georgia Tech

TALLAHASSEE — As a freshman, Jayce Boyd's expectations for his new baseball team were enormously high. Championship banners belonged at Dick Howser Stadium, he felt, and before he left, he was going to help hoist one.

Boise State athletic director says Broncos still plan to join Big East

By Iliana Limón, Orlando Sentinel — Mon, 21 May 2012 22:55:00 GMT

Big East interim commissioner Joey Bailey says league will help support Boise State's search for a conference to house its non-football sports

PONTE VEDRA BEACH – Boise State athletic director Mark Coyle reiterated the Broncos are still headed to the Big East during the league's spring meetings Monday.

Big East members say they are confident in future, inspired by TV options

By Iliana Limón, Orlando Sentinel — Mon, 21 May 2012 21:58:00 GMT

NBC and Fox Sports Networks made presentations during Big East spring meetings that gave members a positive outlook about their future

PONTE VEDRA BEACH – Big East embattled veterans and eager newcomers said they feel confident about the league's future following the first day of spring meetings.

Schedules out for this week's college baseball conference tournaments

A staff report — Sun, 20 May 2012 19:14:28 GMT

The college baseball regular-season ended Saturday, which means conference tournmaents are just around the corner.

Florida eliminates UCF in NCAA softball regional

By Rachel George , Orlando Sentinel — Sat, 19 May 2012 23:05:00 GMT

Gators stay alive to face FGCU later Saturday

GAINESVILLE – Florida stranded four base runners despite not getting a hit in its NCAA Regional game vs. UCF on Saturday before Lauren Haeger hit the first of her two home runs.

No. 5 Rice earns Conference USA title with 5-2 win against No. 16 UCF

By Brendan Sonnone, Correspondent — Sat, 19 May 2012 21:58:00 GMT

ORLANDO — To be the best, you have to beat the best.

No. 16 UCF baseball hosts No. 5 Rice for Conference USA title Saturday

By Iliana Limón, Orlando Sentinel — Sat, 19 May 2012 03:06:00 GMT

Knights and Owls split games played Thursday and Friday, setting up battle for regular-season title on final day of the 2012 baseball season

UCF junior Ronnie Richardson said he always figured it would come down to one game, one day that defines champions.

UCF baseball claims 8-3 lead over Rice before game interrupted by storm

By Iliana Limón, Orlando Sentinel — Fri, 18 May 2012 01:51:00 GMT

Knights and Owls, who are battling for a Conference USA regular-season title, will resume play Friday at 3 p.m.

The No. 16 UCF baseball team led No. 5 Rice 8-3 in the fifth inning when a giant lightning bolt and loud clap of thunder abruptly interrupted the contest Thursday night.

Despite bumpy start, Alex Friedrich is playing major role in No. 16 UCF baseball's success

By Brendan Sonnone, For the Sentinel — Thu, 17 May 2012 00:35:18 GMT

Friedrich and the rest of the No. 15 UCF baseball team plays a big three-game home series against No. 5 Rice to determine C-USA regular season champion

Alex Friedrich's first three years on UCF's baseball team were forgettable.

UCF, others expected to pay about $7 million in C-USA exit fees

By Iliana Limón, Orlando Sentinel — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:36:00 GMT

Conference USA does not plan to trade games with current members to reduce fees, will add one more team to its 2013 lineup by June 30

DESTIN — Leaving Conference USA for the Big East could cost UCF and three other schools as much as $7 million dollars apiece in exit fees.

Conference USA champion is headed back to Liberty Bowl

By Iliana Limón, Orlando Sentinel — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:22:00 GMT

C-USA will be sending its champion back to Memphis after being shut out of the bowl game last season

DESTIN — Conference USA is going back to the Liberty Bowl.

C-USA schools insist they can compete despite college football's growing revenue gap

By Iliana Limón, Orlando Sentinel — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:37:00 GMT

Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky says university presidents and chancellors eventually will have to address the soaring costs of athletics

DESTIN — UCF head football coach George O'Leary said the Knights has proven a team can win big with a relatively small budget.

ACC believes it can get its football back on the rise

By Coley Harvey, Orlando Sentinel — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:22:13 GMT

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney believes the conference is getting close

AMELIA ISLAND — When he first spoke Saturday about Florida State's role in the conference realignment debate, FSU board of trustees chairman Andy Haggard raised a sentiment that has been expressed, rightly or wrongly, countless times over in recent days.

UCF golfer Brad Schneider overcame severe leg injury, personal loss to help Knights shine

By Iliana Limón, Staff Writer — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:00:00 GMT

Schneider, one of the most successful male athletes in UCF history, will lead the Knights at an NCAA regional being played this week in California

It would be easy for Brad Schneider to curse the deep scars on his legs and migrating pain that still courses through his body.

UCF coach George O'Leary says Jeff Godfrey among Knights who started summer classes

By Iliana Limón, Orlando Sentinel — Wed, 16 May 2012 00:49:00 GMT

UCF, UTEP boast most experienced quarterbacks in Conference USA

DESTIN — UCF coach George O'Leary has been checking in regularly on the football team during Conference USA's spring meetings.

Conference USA members say they are content despite reshuffling of members

By Iliana Limón, Staff Writer — Tue, 15 May 2012 01:39:00 GMT

Schools leaving Conference USA for the Big East say they remain excited about joining new league

DESTIN – The four Conference USA members poised to join the Big East insist they remain excited about their future home.

No. 16 UCF baseball prepares for arguably biggest week in program history

By Iliana Limón, Orlando Sentinel — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:46:00 GMT

Knights open week with home game against rival Stetson, then host No. 5 Rice for Conference USA title

The No. 16 UCF baseball team is preparing for arguably the biggest week in the history of the program.

UCF still might host 2013 Conference USA basketball tournaments

By Iliana Limón, Orlando Sentinel — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:14:00 GMT

UCF men's basketball coach Donnie Jones excited veteran lineup to return for 2012-13 season

DESTIN — UCF is still in the mix to host the 2013 Conference USA men's and women's basketball tournaments in Orlando.

UCF fighting losing cause appealing Plancher verdict

George Diaz — Sun, 13 May 2012 23:17:00 GMT

I'm not much of a ramblin' gamblin' man, in the immortal words of Bob Seger, but I suppose that the University of Central Florida has embraced that mentality by appealing the Ereck Plancher wrongful death verdict.