February 20, 2005
UCF looking at building stadium on campus
If you listen to the powers that be at Central Florida, they'll tell you that home field advantage means very little to the Golden Knights right now. UCF has stepped up to Conference USA this year, but they don't expect the attendance to be any better at the Citrus Bowl. Why? Well, according to the university folks, it's because their stadium is 16 miles from campus.
UCF is studying plans to build a $40 million, 40,000 seat stadium on campus. Orlando officials are balking, however, as losing the #1 tenant at the Citrus Bowl could impact upgrades needed to continue hosting the Capital One and Champs Sports bowls.
"The Citrus Bowl has been great. We're certainly not saying anything against it, and the city has treated us great," Hitt said. "But this will just be better."Added O'Leary: "For the student body, to have an on-campus experience for a home game, nothing beats it on a Saturday. Nothing."
I completely agree that on campus stadiums are much better than playing off campus. That being said, when your team goes 16-30 in the past four seasons (including 0-11), you could play in the Taj Mahal with free beer & Hooters girls dressed in police uniforms - your attendance is going to suck.
Improve the on the field product & the off the field will take care of itself. A large portion of UCF students are commuters, they are not living on campus & have little/no interest in football. Pour the money into the Citrus Bowl & turn out a winner. The fans will show up.
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Kage said:
posted on February 23, 2005 11:51 PM — 64.136.26.228 — link — abuse?U.C.F. I made this one up myself> Unlikely College Football. I think it's a pathetic waste of money for UCF. If getting George O'Leary isn't gonna get the students in the stadium, I dont think anything will. D. Culpepper was a miracle, dont expect another. I dont even think when he was there the knights even had decent attendance. If you think UCF kids have no school spirit and never will.