Orlando’s own University of Central Florida Knights football team celebrated its undefeated season and Peach bowl game win with a parade in their honor on Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom. Fans of the UCF Knights dressed in black and gold to line the parade route and cheer on their champions.
UCF student athletes also have another amazing accomplishment to celebrate. They have posted the highest graduation rate among all public institutions in the nation in the Football Bowl Subdivision for four consecutive years.
Also in the parade were UCF President John Hitt, Athletic Director Danny White, and the school’s cheerleaders, and the school’s marching band.
After the parade we had the chance to interview many of the key people behind the winning season including talented student athletes quarterback McKenzie Milton and linebacker Shaquem Griffin. They were voted Offensive and Defensive MVPs respectively.
I was really impressed with Griffin’s poise in front of the media. I wish him luck on the next level. We also learned it was Milton’s first visit to Walt Disney World. No time for play at the happiest place on Earth if you want to be a world class athlete, even if your school is just a freeway away.
For more from the day checkout this gallery of photos (click to embiggen):
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- Black and Gold were abundant in the park
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- Fans lined the route complete with signs
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- The victory parade begins
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- UCF President John Hitt and Athletic Director Danny White join Mickey Mouse
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- The cheer teams
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- More cheerleaders
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- Dance team
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- Drill Team
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- The marching band
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- UCF Marchine Band
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- Student Athletes March
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- More athletes
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- Shaquem Griffin (L) and McKenzie MIlton
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- Victory float
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- More student athlets
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- It’s a big team
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- Undefeated Champions
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- The MVPs stop to sign autographs
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- Very impressed with Griffin’s poise in front of the media
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- Griffen signs some autographs
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- McKenzie MIlton MVP Quarterback UCF Knights
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- Shaquem Griffen MVP Linebacker UCF Knights
The UCF Knights had a similar parade at the Magic Kingdom just 4 years ago when they won the Fiesta Bowl. Congratulations to everyone involved.
(photo at top courtesy Disney. Matt Stroshane, photographer)