College Football Tour Visits UCF and Spectrum Stadium
Editor's Note:
Andrew Bauhs of College Football Tour is a college football superfan. He is on a journey to attend a game at all 134 FBS stadiums. His desire is to have a very immersive experience so he can tell the stories of the traditions, rivalries, mascots, bands, and fans that make each venue unique.
This week, before the 2023 football season begins, Andrew is sharing his story of his visit to TCU in 2021. And in an effort to get to know two of our new conference brethren, he will also share his stories from Cincinnati and UCF. What follows is his experience at UCF and Spectrum Stadium.
Next week, he begins his 2023 tour, which will add eight new stadiums to his list, taking him to 108 of 134 by season's end. He will also revisit a number of other stadiums during the season. Each week, as he travels to these destinations, he will share those adventures here at KillerFrogs.com through descriptions of the gameday experience complemented by photos and videos. The stadium reviews will provide insight into what makes gameday special at each location.
For more information on College Football Tour and to see his complete 2023 schedule, click here.
College Football Tour Visits UCF
Central Florida is a young program compared to its college football peers. Fielding its first team in 1979, the Knights grew into an FBS (Division 1) team in 1996. The city of Orlando has embraced UCF football, and the fan intensity is proof.
Tailgating is a serious adventure at UCF, and it sprawls impressively outside Spectrum Stadium with ongoing rows of tents, music, and food. It truly is an awesome scene to see such pregame fervor for UCF.
Pregame is energized as The Marching Knights fill the stadium surroundings with spirit. They add the beat to the pregame team walk while Knightro, the UCF mascot, spreads spirit. Pegasus, a white horse ridden by the UCF Knight, takes part in the action as well, but makes his grand entrance as he charges onto the football field, leading the team out of the tunnel.
An electric stadium fills with black and gold and an incredibly intense spirit. Spectrum Stadium is nicknamed The Bounce House because as fans jump in unison, the bleachers literally sway. I had my doubts about this until I walked along the top bleacher near the edge of the stadium as the crowd wildly jumped in preparation for the opening kickoff. The slabs of metal beneath my feet began to wobble, and I was forced to grab the barrier wall atop the stadium to keep my balance. It’s intense. I’m sure that structural inspections are conducted often.
As UCF moves from the AAC to the Big 12, the spotlight should shine brighter on Spectrum Stadium. UCF proves that college football gamedays are driven by passion and spirit, and a school’s football program does not have to be steeped in history in order to possess that.
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