OT: Article about UCF's problems raising money for program

[feelthehorsepower]

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/201 ... -john-hitt

This is a september article from the Orlando Sentinel that sheds light on some of UCF's struggles. It reminded me of SMU and what we are going through.

"As one of the largest universities in the country, UCF awardsabout 15,000 degrees annually. Despite the growing alumni base, the Knights have failed to consistently pack their on-campus stadium. UCF's average attendance in 2012 was 34,608, a 1-percent increase from 2011 but still well short of its capacity."

"Hitt recalled hearing UCF could get anywhere from $12 million to $20 million annually, a massive jump from about $1.5 million a year it collected in Conference USA.

Less than two years later, the Big East fell apart, and UCF's share of television revenue is just $2 million annually.

It's one of many financial blows the Knights have endured. The school is slated to collect $3 million less than expected from its naming-rights contract with Bright House Networks. Ticket sales and donations are climbing slowly, but they're still short of 2007 figures and well below some peers.

As a result, UCF has lost valuable assistant coaches and administrative-staff members critical to the program's growth. Coaches are forced to stretch every dollar in their recruiting budgets to help land the best possible athletes. UCF opened a new football stadium and basketball arena in 2007, but it has delayed renovating aging facilities or adding new ones.

Though the Knights are poised to host Southeastern Conference powerhouse South Carolina in one of the biggest home games in school history Saturday, UCF's biggest battle is with its own budget.

If UCF is to realize fans' lofty expectations, school leaders say they need help.

"When you look at the UCF alumni,that is our potential," UCF athletics director Todd Stansbury said. "... Our alumni and their engagement: That's the secret weapon out there.""