One of the area鈥檚 most recognized and respected media personalities, Daniels reminisces on his experiences and favorite memories of the last three decades, gives an insider look into some coaches and players, shares his expertise as a broadcaster and previews this season of 麻豆原创 Football under new head coach Gus Malzahn.

Produced by 麻豆原创, the podcast highlights students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni who do incredible things on campus, in the community and around the globe.

Transcript

Marc Daniels: I think that鈥檚 one of the biggest advantages that we have is that we鈥檙e still writing our history while others are kind of upholding a history.

And that鈥檚 why I think this is the best time at 麻豆原创. There鈥檚 still so many amazing things that are out there.

Alex Cumming: Wow. Knight Nation. I am so excited for y鈥檃ll to listen to this episode of Knights Do That. To me, it鈥檚 like music to my ears, hearing the Voice of 麻豆原创 鈥� yeah, that鈥檚 right. Today we have Marc Daniels, the Voice of 麻豆原创 Athletics. He鈥檚 sharing his experiences with 麻豆原创 Athletics for 27 years now 鈥� from the early memories and how he got started in broadcasting to sharing some of his favorite moments at 麻豆原创, like his iconic call for a in 2017.

And after all the reminiscing on 麻豆原创 football and basketball, we get into looking ahead to this season of 麻豆原创 football with Coach Malzahn and some of his predictions for the season. Knights, I hope you鈥檙e ready for this one.

Broadcasting at 麻豆原创, you鈥檝e been identified as like “The Voice of 麻豆原创.” The thing that people 鈥� I know for me, before meeting you personally here 鈥� I identify you. I know your voice. When I see it on television. When I hear it in commercials I鈥檓 like “There he is. That鈥檚 him.”

Marc Daniels: Yeah, that鈥檚 cool to be recognized as that.

I joke and say, “It鈥檚 the only skill I have, so I better be good at it.” No, I鈥檓 honored when people connect me and they hear my voice go, “Oh, 麻豆原创 and everything.” It鈥檚 a privilege to do what I do. So I鈥檓 honored when people come up and say, “Oh, I鈥檝e listened to you. Or, I went to school at 麻豆原创 and now my son or daughter goes to 麻豆原创.” I love that. It means a lot to me. So I鈥檓 grateful when people do that. And I love doing what I do.

Alex Cumming: You鈥檙e checking out at the Publix. Do you have people say, “Do I know you from somewhere?”

Marc Daniels: Yeah. You鈥檙e the voice of every conversation or lately what I get is, “Are you the guy on TV?”

And I go, 鈥淵eah, I鈥檓 麻豆原创.” They go, “No, the guy selling cars and stuff.” Again, I鈥檓 honored by that. I think it鈥檚 fantastic. And yeah, I love to meet people that say they appreciate your work.

Alex Cumming: I watch a lot of late night television, like talk shows, so you鈥檙e always the lead in into it. And I鈥檓 like, “There he is. That鈥檚 the guy.” Like SNL is about to be on and you show up before it.

Marc Daniels: It鈥檚 incredible. You work 30 years at a market and someone goes, “Yeah, they know you for a 15-second TV commercial.” But that鈥檚 okay. That鈥檚 good.

Alex Cumming: Hey, it鈥檚 better to be recognized for that for something else. So broadcasting, what got you into it?

What was the draw for you into the broadcasting world?

Marc Daniels: Well, like a lot of people my age growing up, I was supposed to play professional baseball or basketball or football. I was supposed to be one of those stars and I was really good at baseball and thought that would be the path for me, but I started working in radio when I was 14 and was fortunate to have that opportunity and enjoyed it a lot.

And then when I got injured playing baseball and realized that perhaps was not going to be an avenue, then I pursued that path. And when I went to college, continuef to advance in it and being involved in sports was great for me. And just thought that was a good path and was fortunate to get some great opportunities and some wonderful people that helped open some doors for me. And I made the most of it working in radio and TV.

Alex Cumming: It seems as though a lot of people, they maybe they have one idea, then they fall into another. One thing that we鈥檝e spoken a lot about on the podcast is the path can be uncertain, there are so many avenues that you can end at something that you find that speaks to me, sticks with me.

When did you realize that you were like, “Oh, I have this voice.”

Marc Daniels: I was working in a radio in high school and I had a few people in the business a long time that said, “That鈥檚 a pretty good voice that if you really want to make this a career, you got a chance to do that.”

So then when I went to college and started working in radio and television it felt like this could be something for me and the voice thing was going to work and it just grew from there. I had an incredible passion for sports and then when I got a chance to call games, which was always what I wanted to do. Once I felt like, okay, broadcasting is going to be a path and whether it was being a reporter or hosting a talk show, but then calling games and then just the rush of doing that became really something.

I said, “I want to see if I can make a career out of this.” And was fortunate to have some opportunities to develop.

Alex Cumming: It鈥檚 so interesting to see that, these things so young, these little things you dabble in and how they can just blossom.

Marc Daniels: Yeah. I grew up in a house where sports was so much a part of our life.

My dad played minor league baseball for a couple of years. And I was born in New York. Our family, big New York sports scene fans. So the Yankees and the Giants, the Rangers, the Knicks and everything, and grew up listening to baseball on a little A.M. Transistor radio. And I idolized my dad and my older brother, who unfortunately passed away years ago. In my house you had to know the starting lineup 鈥� not just of the Yankees, you had to know of the names and numbers of almost every player in Major League Baseball. My brother would quiz me and go, “Okay, here鈥檚 the box score. Give me the 1974 lineup for the Chicago Cubs.鈥� And I was 7 and I think I knew it.

So that鈥檚 where that passion came from. And then when you listen to games, cause now I鈥檓 going back to when ESPN didn鈥檛 exist. So there was like one baseball game a week on TV that I got to watch. So you grew up listening to people call games and those magical voices at a time that A.M. radio was the thing. And you could be in New York and possibly pick up WGN in Chicago and hear a Cubs game or KMOX in St. Louis and hear the Cardinals.

And I think that鈥檚 where it began to develop. And as I got older and our family moved to Florida, I still loved the concept of perhaps getting involved in broadcasting. So I, like a lot of kids, you do mock games. You pretend, you鈥檙e at the plate and you hit that game-winning home run. So I guess that鈥檚 the roots of it.

Alex Cumming: I bet that transferred over really well, memorizing all those cause then you have to memorize baseball, men鈥檚 soccer, women鈥檚 soccer, volleyball, football 鈥� of all the players here at 麻豆原创 and the major names within the conference NCAA sports as a whole to be familiar with the name that somebody throws out to you.

Marc Daniels: Yeah. Every sport is unique in the way you broadcast it. And there鈥檚 a certain I think presentation you strive for. Like football broadcasts for about six, six and a half hours. Basketball is different because it鈥檚 a faster pace. Baseball鈥檚 a storytelling sport because there鈥檚 so little action in the course of what could be a three, three and a half hour game. So you鈥檙e sharing stories, whether it鈥檚 about the players or about your life and things that you connect with eliciting audience.

So every sport鈥檚 unique and the way I prepare for broadcasts may be completely different than somebody else. And there鈥檚 no right or wrong way. It鈥檚 just diving into the event 鈥� it really is a production and everyone鈥檚 unique.

Alex Cumming: Yeah, definitely. So when you came to Orlando in 1989, which was a big year for Orlando sports. Orlando Magic right then, and then headed into that decade, 麻豆原创 football became larger and larger. The Magic, you know with Shaquille O鈥橬eal, Penny Hardaway, their playoff run in the mid 鈥�90s.

Marc Daniels: Didn鈥檛 the World Cup come here in 鈥�94?

Alex Cumming: That鈥檚 right. The World Cup. Wow. And the Olympics are right up in Atlanta right?

Marc Daniels: 鈥�96 in Atlanta. But we had Olympic soccer in Orlando.

Alex Cumming: That鈥檚 right. Wild. But during that, you鈥檙e here and you鈥檙e working to create one of Orlando鈥檚 first all sports stations. What can you tell me about those days? Remember going back to there, getting it off the ground.

Marc Daniels: I moved to Orlando in May of 鈥�89. Really taking a gamble. There was a job offer to me at a company called Florida Radio Network, which was just that. It was radio department that was distributing news and sports and features to affiliates around the state. And there was an opening to work in sports. But I came up here, I did some sports updates. I did news and a whole bunch of other things. And I took the job for $13,600 and it was just, okay, we鈥檙e going to go do something, let鈥檚 go do it. Came up here with very little and didn鈥檛 make a lot of money, but I had a blast and then was fortunate to have an opportunity to do the sports talk show that was on the local A.M. station.

And it was the summer before the Magic were going to start. And the guy that had been doing that show took a job in Washington and they gave me a one-month trial. And then when they said I was going forward they gave me $20 a show, and I thought an extra hundred bucks a week, I am living the big life.

And yeah, that was the year the Magic started, in that fall and Orlando, it was different today. Now that today鈥檚 worse. I鈥檓 just saying back then, when the Magic rolled out it was like, “Wow, there鈥檚 a pro sports team in this town.” There was a very unique connection with the fan base and the expansion team.

And then to be able to get Shaq, and then Penny, it was special cause it happened so quickly. But every home game was a big event. Going downtown if you went to the Magic game and then you went out afterward, or even before to get dinner, it was a big event 鈥� win or lose. Cause it was just, wow.

Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, they鈥檙e coming to Orlando. That was a really big deal. And that was a fun, fun time in Orlando. And there was 麻豆原创, that was that football program and that athletic program and that university, that was nice, but it was the commuter school.

When I came here to everybody said, “Oh, that鈥檚 a nice little commuter school.” I think when I came here, I think enrollment was like 16,000. And then when I started doing games in 鈥�95, I think it was like maybe 22, 23. And people are like, “Oh that鈥檚 really big.” And now look where we are 鈥� 聽over 70,000.

Alex Cumming: It鈥檚 beautiful to see the growth of it.

So when you鈥檙e here in Orlando, we have the Magic growing, 麻豆原创 growing, do you look down to Miami or to Tampa and you say, “They have scenes there that are established.” And you say, “I want to stick to Orlando to watch it grow and flourish and develop.” Which it has now 鈥� Orlando City, 麻豆原创 being this national brand here.

Marc Daniels: Yeah. Orlando was unique, as I said, because basketball was so new. And as somebody that moved to Florida, when I was 7 in 1974, you got to remember back then the Dolphins were new. That was it for pro sports. People didn鈥檛 follow pro sports, college sports was bigger.

The closest baseball team was the Braves in Atlanta. There was no NBA. And then things began to develop. Heck, when I grew up in South Florida the most popular baseball team was the University of Miami鈥檚 baseball team. When they won their first college world series, that was a major, not sports, that was a major news story. When they won their first national championship in football that was a big story. So I watched all these cities grow and as far as Orlando, the Magic kind of put it on the map. We became this international city that was known for more than just theme parks.

And all of a sudden you saw this sports explosion. I remember the bid process to get the World Cup here in 鈥�94. It was a really big deal. When Orlando landed that people were like, “Wait a minute. What?” And it was a vision by a lot of people, the mayor back then, and the kind of sports commission that was in place then.

So it was a really big deal to watch it grow over those years to where now you see the success of Orlando City and obviously what 麻豆原创 has become. And it still has a chance to grow. I know the pro sports landscape, the way Tampa is aligned makes it maybe difficult to envision another pro team, but who knows. We鈥檒l see what the future holds, but it鈥檚 been fun in the 30 plus years I鈥檝e been here to watch it change.

Alex Cumming: Back in those early days, late 鈥�80s headed into the early 鈥�90s, what do you think was the success that you got this thing up off the ground and now seeing it flourish?

Marc Daniels: As far as the radio station?

Alex Cumming: Yeah. When you were there, what did you think was the success for that?

Marc Daniels: Radio was changing and the sports radio format exploded. It used to be that major cities had sports radio stations, and then it began to grow as a few networks popped up along the way. And the timing was right. I was one of several people that helped formulate the first all-sports station. We put it on the air in fact, on New Year鈥檚 Day. And we had some success early, some bumps along the road, but I think that there was a passion because Orlando is still is relatively unique. It鈥檚 a melting pot still have a lot of people, people like yourself, that were born here were unique in the sense, cause a lot of people came from New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston and so forth that had moved here and it made it unique because if you were going to talk pro football, there are fans of the Steelers and Packers and Eagles and Giants and all sorts of things. And still today it鈥檚 the same way.

So I still think that was always unique about Orlando sports wise for college. The Gators were the dominant team, but again, when people moving from other places. You had Ohio State fans and Michigan fans and people like that. But now you fast forward with the growth of 麻豆原创. Now there鈥檚 a lot more black and gold around town.

Now there鈥檚 more Orlando City magnets on cars and things like that, which is great. It shows you how we鈥檝e evolved and how the market has grown. And you talk about TV market being a top 20 market, and probably the next decade, it will easily move inside the top 15. This is a major city.

Alex Cumming: Oh, yeah. Big time. A lot of it is very generational. You know like what I was saying with my parents and their experiences with the Magic. I have experiences with the Magic. When I was younger if you pass the FCAT you got a free ticket to the Dwight Howard era games. And I regret not going to more of those looking back then now, you know how it is.

I was just at the Amway the other night for the draft and it was fantastic.

You have yet to miss a 麻豆原创 game. Correct?

Marc Daniels: Are you jinxing me now? No, this will be year 27 and I鈥檝e done now over well, over 300 football games.

Alex Cumming: Respect for that. As I said, I have been, I remember the Citrus Bowl days headed on to, back at Bright House Stadium, headed onto what it is.

And I鈥檝e missed a game or two. As a student I鈥檝e been fortunate to go to a number. But in those, have you had any close calls where you鈥檙e like, “Maybe I won鈥檛 make it to this game?”

Marc Daniels: No. In football, I鈥檝e been fortunate from a schedule standpoint that nothing takes a priority over 麻豆原创 game day.

Travel wise, I don鈥檛 think we ever got to a point that it was like, “No we鈥檙e going to get there.” I do think over the years, I think there鈥檚 a couple of games that I did get to on a day of the game but it was never a race to get to the stadium for kickoff. So I鈥檝e been fortunate when it comes to football, and I broadcast again, I鈥檝e done two games in Hawaii. We鈥檝e played a regular season game in Hawaii and the bowl game in Hawaii. I went to Ireland for the game against Penn State. I鈥檓 fortunate between the football, basketball, baseball, and other events I鈥檝e done, I broadcasted over 250 campuses across the country. So I鈥檝e been in, some of the most iconic football stadiums at Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan and Alabama to some of the most scenic places.

Everybody should have BYU as a bucket list trip because it鈥檚 absolutely gorgeous to watch a game there. Stanford, New Mexico people may not think so, but the mountains are great. Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, is a beautiful stadium. So it鈥檚 not all the glitz and glamour of these major places. There鈥檚 some great campuses. There鈥檚 some that I don鈥檛 have a desire to get back to but for the most part, it鈥檚 great. I love the opportunity to go to a new place and broadcast.

Alex Cumming: And soon those people come to Orlando and they say you got a bucket list. Don鈥檛 just go to, Lake Buena Vista, go to Disney, and Sea World make sure you get out and see the city downtown.

Head out 鈥�

Marc Daniels: And it never fails when people come for the first time to experience a game day at 麻豆原创. I used to play for years. I still do. And I play this game when I travel. People see the 麻豆原创 logo that I鈥檓 wearing and some will still go, “Oh, UFC.” And you鈥檙e like, “No, it鈥檚 麻豆原创.” And they go, “Oh yeah, I think I know them.” And I always play the game is, ” Do you know how big our school is? The enrollment .” And they鈥檙e like, yeah, “I think it鈥檚 pretty big.” and I usually set them up and go, “Florida is like 53,000. So how many you think 麻豆原创 is?” ” Oh, then it鈥檚 probably like 30.” And then when you go, “No it鈥檚 60 or 65 or 70.” Then they don鈥檛 believe you. Then they Google it and they go, “Oh, wow. I didn鈥檛 know that.”

And the same thing happens when people come and visit our campus on a game day and they didn鈥檛 realize that, “Oh, wow. I didn鈥檛 think this was going on.” From all the pregame tailgating and Memory Mall and the fans outside the stadium. And then inside into experience, when the team comes out and, moments before kickoff and things like that.

It鈥檚 great because they become walking billboards. When they鈥檒l go tell people, 鈥測ou won鈥檛 believe what it was like at that place,鈥� because until you experience it it鈥檚 hard to understand. And that鈥檚 great. It鈥檚 part of the growth of our brand. That鈥檚 still is the message being sent out there.

Alex Cumming: It鈥檚 an Orlando event. A 麻豆原创 game day is an Orlando event. Summer 2019, I was fortunate enough to get to visit Toronto and cities in Alaska, had a 麻豆原创 hoodie on. People said “麻豆原创.” People in Alaska. I met a bus driver in Alaska. He said, “Hey 麻豆原创, I have a friend who goes there. I know.”

Marc Daniels: Yeah. It鈥檚 funny and it鈥檚 a credit, like Dr. Cartwright has even acknowledged it as well, the importance of an athletic program to this huge university and everything that we have going for it. So many wonderful things and the growth of our campus is incredible. But sports can help with that growth. I was fortunate, obviously to call every one of Tacko (Fall)鈥檚 basketball games and to have him walk through an airport and to see people respond, not just because of his height, but then by the time he was a senior, to people know his story and have him meet people at an airport and speak in different languages because they knew that he was multilingual. And to take a photo, not because he鈥檚 this 7-foot-5 guy, but because that鈥檚 Tacko Fall. Like when we were in New York for the NIT finals and you walk down Broadway, which is every type of person in the world. But it wasn鈥檛 like, “Look at this odd guy.” It was like, that鈥檚 Tacko Fall! So that鈥檚 a sign of not just him, but also for 麻豆原创. And obviously the football success the last few years has also been a huge part of that growth of the brand. And you can go anywhere and people go, “Oh yeah, it鈥檚 麻豆原创.” That鈥檚 great.

Alex Cumming: Well Tacko recently on Jimmy Kimmel, it was so fun to see. And when I was at 鈥� to bring it back just to the Magic for a second, Tacko鈥檚 first game for Boston, back in the Amway for a preseason game, I was there. Whole stadium, “We want Tacko. We want鈥�” It was truly something.

Marc Daniels: Yeah.

Alex Cumming: So as you said, 麻豆原创 has had a lot of success, they鈥檝e had continued success over the past years. Recently it鈥檚 been a lot of eyes on us. Going back to your many years here at the university, what games stick out to you? What moments from years ago, recently, what can you just not get out of your head?

Marc Daniels: Wow. I guess I鈥檓 most known for the Mike Hughes kickoff return against South Florida in 2017 and reservation for six of the cabanas.

Alex Cumming: Where did that come from? That鈥檚 just top of the head?

Marc Daniels: Here鈥檚 Hughes the 5, 10 15, 20 25, 30, 40 45 50. He鈥檚 got a reservation for six in the cabanas. He鈥檚 gone! Touch down, boom!

Yeah. People ask, did have that written down? And that鈥檚 not me.

There are some announcers that may do that, and that鈥檚 fine. But I tell people what happened and with that play is Mike鈥檚 back to return a kick and their kicker was really good at just kicking the ball in the end zone. And it was like, wait a minute, that ball is going to be returned.

So that kind of caught me at first. Then Mike made a couple moves. And then, to me I鈥檓 watching and I鈥檓 like, “Okay, he鈥檚 going to break free.” And then as he makes the last cut to get past the kicker, out of the corner of my eye, I鈥檓 watching Knight fans celebrate. And I鈥檓 just seeing him run towards the cabanas.

And that鈥檚 how that came about. It鈥檚 like, he鈥檚 got a reservation for six in the cabanas because I saw that group jumping up and down and that鈥檚 how it happened. There was nothing else. And Mike did all the work. I just sat there, and called it. And yet I guess to some degree we鈥檙e forever connected over that, but there鈥檝e been many great moments over the years.

My first football game at 麻豆原创 was Daunte Culpepper鈥檚 first game in 1995. And I鈥檝e said this for all the years I鈥檝e worked 鈥� that鈥檚 the greatest athlete I鈥檝e ever seen at 麻豆原创. Never seen an athlete like that. And we are blessed to have All Americans, Olympians and record holders, but Daunte was special. He was unique cause the time he came to 麻豆原创, as we were making that growth to become a Division I program, he was absolutely phenomenal. But there鈥檚 been so many great moments over the years. The winner in Alabama, because of what it meant, to so many close calls of going on the road and playing all these teams and being in the game. And then to finally get one of those.

Obviously the 2013 team going to the first Fiesta Bowl was memorable. That team, big games there. The win at Penn State. Beating Louisville, the way they had the season going and getting to that first Fiesta Bowl. And Baylor was such an overwhelming favorite. And 麻豆原创 just beat them in every part of the game.

Obviously the 2017 run. Look, the greatest eight quarters, the most exciting eight quarters of 麻豆原创 football was the South Florida game followed by the Memphis game, which is like more than four quarters. So there鈥檝e been so many wonderful memories, and even games that 麻豆原创 didn鈥檛 win to be able to go and broadcast from. You know were just a unique 鈥� a game that we did win, the first game at Navy. Just to go there and broadcast a game and have an appreciation for that campus and what it stands for.

So I鈥檝e been blessed to be part of some of those, in football, great moments. And the beauty about 麻豆原创 is there are still so many other firsts to happen. So many places that have 100+ years of history, you鈥檙e trying to accomplish something that鈥檚 been done. But we have so many wonderful firsts that are still out there. That鈥檚 why I鈥檓 blessed, I鈥檓 privileged to do what I do because I can鈥檛 wait for the next first to happen.

Alex Cumming: You see so many people still talk about the Alabama kick, and you鈥檙e on social media and all these times these social media pages that are sharing highlights. You鈥檒l always find a 麻豆原创 highlight in there. Blake Bortles amazing toss into the end zone. The Mike Hughes return. Oh my goodness. 2017, there鈥檚 one on YouTube. It鈥檚 like 麻豆原创, USF all-time thriller 2017. It was like 100,000 views. It鈥檚 incredible. Just the highlights of these games. I get chills thinking about it.

Marc Daniels: Yeah. We鈥檝e got a great fan base, so they love that.

Alex Cumming: I鈥檒l say, and then think about, like you said, what鈥檚 coming up, what鈥檚 ahead that a lot of these universities, they鈥檝e had their moments of, “Wow, look at these guys.” And 麻豆原创 hasn鈥檛 had that moment where this is the pinnacle.

Marc Daniels: Right.

Alex Cumming: 麻豆原创 is still climbing.

Marc Daniels: Yeah. I did an interview recently with somebody who asked me, “What makes 麻豆原创 such a unique place?” They鈥檙e asking about football. They, said, “What makes it such a unique place?”

And I said, “Imagine if you are able to go to work every day and they encourage you to be as creative as you can be. Just try stuff. Don鈥檛 worry about failing. If it doesn鈥檛 work, we鈥檒l try something else and just think out of the box as you can.” If you think about that鈥檚 what we become 鈥� different uniforms. We鈥檙e pretty active on social media. We鈥檒l get under the skin of our rivals and opponents. We don鈥檛 have a history that you have to act a certain way. We can go and be the life of the party where someone else goes, “I want to hang out with those guys cause they鈥檙e having the most fun.” I think that鈥檚 one of the biggest advantages that we have is that we鈥檙e still writing our history while others are upholding a history.

And that鈥檚 why I think this is the best time at 麻豆原创. There鈥檚 still so many amazing things that are out there.

Alex Cumming: Very much agree. Someone shared with me once that 麻豆原创 fans are so devout, as opposed to a lot of other teams in Florida, because most of the fans actually went there. The fans actually went there, the families that went there.

Marc Daniels: Yeah. And look, part of the enrollment growth at 麻豆原创 did come from the other brands in this state that either A, maxed out on enrollment, changed whatever they thought their enrollment policies were and a generation looked at 麻豆原创 鈥� and I have a nephew that I think was part of that, where my brother went to Florida State, my sister-in-law went to Florida and he was likely going to go to one or the other. And then something happened. He came to 麻豆原创 and he鈥檚 like, “All the buildings are new. All the dorms are new. What are these four-bedroom suites, as opposed to this aging double that I would live in a brick building that was built in the 1890s?” And other young people said, “Hold on, this campus is gorgeous. It鈥檚 40 minutes to the beach there. It鈥檚 theme parks.” And then that enrollment explosion took place. He鈥檚 got three kids that are going to grow up and likely become Knights. So you鈥檙e right. That鈥檚 how all that developed. And we鈥檙e at the infancy of that. So as those thousands and thousands of alums begin to have families just imagine what happens to our fan base and the generations down the line.

Alex Cumming: The marketing, they do it for us. People say, yeah, 麻豆原创 exists rent free because it is such a, beautiful school, like you said, it鈥檚 so creative. We have such an amazing social media team that works and gets the name out there. The faces out there, the people you recognize them.

Marc Daniels: But again, we can do things that other schools would be a little bit uncomfortable with. Again putting Twitter handles on the back of jerseys at a spring football game made people, “Go wait a minute. What?” And don鈥檛 think for a second, some major brands are like, “That鈥檚 really cool, but we probably can鈥檛 do that because that鈥檚 not our zone.

And that鈥檚 what鈥檚 really cool about us is that we can try things like that. And our space uniforms are so cool. And everybody these days has multiple uniforms. We鈥檙e among those that are like, “What are they wearing next?” When we rolled out our uniforms on game day that鈥檚 a really big deal to our fans and a lot of other places like, “Oh, that鈥檚 cool.”

Alex Cumming: You see there鈥檚 a picture where it says like all the different uniforms and everybody would say, “This is my favorite. I like this combination, this helmet, these pants, these shoes. I have my personal favorite and I鈥檓 certain, you could talk to people, they might have their personal favorites. They might not be for the same reason, you have a memory attached to it. Like you said, it鈥檚 a big deal when you see them coming out of the tunnel. I love it.

So speaking of the players, what about off the field? Players that you鈥檝e gotten to know personally, how have your experiences been, speaking with the people behind the jerseys?

Marc Daniels: Yeah. I tell people all the time the best promoters of 麻豆原创 are our students, our athletes, and the wonderful people in the campus. Their stories are amazing because there鈥檚 so many different stories of those that have traveled far and those that are here local, that grow up and want to be Knights. And I get it when I meet players that come back with their families and, say, “Wow Marc, I remember your calls or talking and listening to you or a conversation on a flight or something like that.” And some of those players were All-Americans have gone to play professionally and others were role players that hardly ever played. And it鈥檚 great to meet them because we have so many wonderful stories in all of our sports. And there鈥檚 some players that I鈥檝e really enjoyed getting to know over the years that have gone on to be successful.

One of the biggest hugs that I got recently 鈥� Latavius Murray, who starred here at 麻豆原创 and聽 is still having a great career in the National Football League. Every time, I get a chance to see and catch up with him to get a huge embrace and players that were part of those first teams. The first bowl team in 2005 and all those guys that went to the NFL. Brandon Marshall has gone to be one of the best receivers in the NFL. And any time I still see Brandon, it鈥檚 as if he鈥檚 a freshman again 鈥� and by the way that freshmen play defense. To remind people, we were so injured and thin at defensive back then that he and Mike Walker later, Mike Sims-Walker, played defense for us back then. But yeah, those are great to to meet people.

Like I said, I love meeting players who go, 鈥淚 want to introduce you to my children.鈥� It makes me feel old, but I鈥檓 honored when that happens. And those are great stories that you connect with those people and they鈥檒l be friends for life.

Alex Cumming: Do you have a moment or a memory that sticks out to you?

Marc Daniels: Yeah. The first thing that sticks out to me, the Griffin twins and Shaquem Griffin and to see the impact that he had on families of teams that we played on the road. I was able to witness families bring children that have some real difficulties in life 鈥� not able to walk or other issues that are gonna make their life a little bit more challenging. And to have him take the time, even though they may be wearing the colors of the team that he鈥檚 going to play in a few hours, and to sit down and look them in the eye and make them smile and make them feel like, you know what, you鈥檙e no different than me and if somebody else says you are different, understand that you can strive to be something.

And I got to watch both of those brothers realize the impact that they could have on people. And to see Shaquem sometimes bend down to talk to a child in a wheelchair or with braces and make them smile, that鈥檚 a lot more than the final score of a football game. And to see a mother in tears because they hadn鈥檛 seen their child鈥檚 smile, that鈥檚 powerful. That鈥檚 far more than, who won and what was the stat sheet today? And I鈥檒l never forget seeing that multiple times watching him do that. I remember at the Peach Bowl there was a media session that I was at that he was a part of and we came out of that and there was a family right there with a young daughter that she was in awe being able to meet him. So you don鈥檛 forget stuff like that.

Alex Cumming: It鈥檚 bigger than the game.

Marc Daniels: Yeah, Yeah, absolutely.

Alex Cumming: Yeah. That鈥檚 a beautiful story. You鈥檙e right that the students, student-athletes, they represent 麻豆原创 so well, they take it with them and they are the brand. They are the face.

Marc Daniels: And it doesn鈥檛 matter the sport. We鈥檙e in an era where I think people really, I hope they do understand, our student-athletes love to represent this university. I mean, they鈥檙e incredibly passionate about winning championships and engaging with fans and giving back. And that鈥檚 a testament to our coaches. You have incredible coaches and we鈥檝e been fortunate to have great athletic leadership, like we do now with Terry Mohajir and his staff and our players I think really feel that. And you see that.

In the field, no matter what the sport is I think our players like everything that we just talked about, like being a little bit different, we鈥檙e on the edge and maybe the opponent doesn鈥檛 really like us and things like that. I think they embrace that situation and environment.

Alex Cumming: Since we鈥檙e here recording this, the practices for the fall season have begun.

Marc Daniels: Yup.

Alex Cumming: What鈥檚 on your mind? What are your predictions for this coming fall? New leadership, same amazing players, and some amazing new faces coming in, too.

Marc Daniels: Yeah. It鈥檒l be very exciting. Coach Malzahn has come in and I think he鈥檚 been phenomenal at bringing his experience over the years as a head coach and setting up a culture and environment that he wants, accountability for the players and expectation of the players, competition, and things like that. But I think he鈥檚 also embraced everything we were talking about of what makes 麻豆原创 unique. He came from a place with a lot of tradition, did things a certain way, and people kind of wondered is he going to understand what is that 麻豆原创 image and that kind of attitude. And he鈥檚 actually really embraced it.

Listen, who doesn鈥檛 want to come and play here in the sun, the fun that we鈥檙e going to have, this great campus, the theme parks, the partnerships we have there, the beach over here? And he wrapped his arms around that, jumped on social media, started telling everybody what鈥檚 so great about this. Use it in recruiting and I kind of wonder where that would be. And he blew me away with how much he said, “Listen, I get it. And I know what our advantages are without even playing a game.” So I think he鈥檚 been great with that. He hired a really good staff.

Look, the expectations are high for 麻豆原创, and I think that鈥檚 good. The team has a chance to be really good. It brings back a number of key players from last year. We lost a lot of key players from last year鈥檚 team. But Coach Malzahn has brought in a group of transfers that I think could have an immediate impact. Some freshmen that I think we brought in this class are going to step in and help.

So I think we鈥檙e going to be a team that has a chance to win every game. Doesn鈥檛 mean you鈥檙e guaranteed to win every game, but I鈥檓 not quite sure there鈥檚 a game you鈥檙e like, “Hey, they鈥檙e just that much better than us.” I think that you want to get to a level that you feel that way about your program and believe me, I remember the days you were like, “We鈥檙e here to pick up a check and stick around.” But this team has the chance to win every game.

And I will say this, that over the years, because of our accomplishments and our reputation, when we go on the road, everybody wants to beat 麻豆原创. Everybody wants to beat 麻豆原创. And you know what, that鈥檚 what you want. You want that where you鈥檙e the big ticket in town. When you come to town, People are like, “Oh I don鈥檛 like them. I want to root against them.” And you play a brand of football that鈥檚 also exciting. So I think it鈥檚 got a chance to be a really great 2021 season, but understand you鈥檙e going to get everybody鈥檚 best game week in and week out.

Alex Cumming: That鈥檚 what the fans want. I鈥檓 certain for yourself to announce those are the most fun. The ones where maybe the nail biters, the one when you鈥檙e on your edge, you don鈥檛 know what to expect.

Marc Daniels: Yeah, exactly. And who鈥檚 going to make the big play? Who鈥檚 going to become the highlight for that day? And I think we got a chance to have a lot of those big plays this year. Obviously, Dillon Gabriel鈥檚 a special quarterback and he鈥檒l have a big year. The entire offensive line is back. And even though we did lose some players, the backfield and wide receiver. We have a ton of talent there. I think the defense is going to be a lot better with some of the additions the coaches brought in.

So the stage is set and it鈥檚 a huge first big game. Boise State鈥檚 a really good team, a heavy favorite to win their conference. Great. I mean they鈥檙e 20 years into this run of being a heavy favorite every time out, of double digit wins and things like that. So it鈥檚 a great matchup.

Alex Cumming: That home opener in September. I鈥檓 counting the days. The energy there is going to be like nothing else. Coming out of last season where limited capacity of fans to have the whole place back and bouncing.

Marc Daniels: Yeah. We think that there鈥檒l be a record demand for student tickets and everything, and you can feel that now. Obviously the stadium is selling out and it鈥檒l be a special place because we know when that place is packed the crowd can make a difference. It鈥檚 one of the reasons why it is hard for us to get home games. Everybody鈥檚 asking about schedules and it鈥檚 hard to get teams to come here and play because the reputation is it鈥檚 a tough place to go win.

Alex Cumming: They know. They鈥檙e aware of the energy that the students, that the fans bring.

Marc Daniels: Absolutely.

Alex Cumming: There鈥檚 no place like it.

In your perspective, we were talking about football here, so far what have your impressions been? Terry Mohajir and Coach Malzahn.

Marc Daniels: Terry is one of the most energetic people you鈥檒l ever come across.

It鈥檚 hard to spend 10 minutes and not leave excited with an adrenaline rush of, “Okay, what can I do?” So I can see why his personality is contagious. I鈥檝e been so impressed the way he鈥檚 come in, and also has embraced the culture of 麻豆原创, see what the vision is, add to it his own ideas on how to help the 麻豆原创 brand grow, and so he鈥檚 been great. He, I think was the right person, the right time for 麻豆原创. And I think loves what the 麻豆原创 opportunity is. So he鈥檚 brought in some great people that have worked with him before, as well as embracing some of the people that have been here.

One of the management things I love about Terry is that he encourages creativity. Give me some ideas, let鈥檚 go get some stuff done, let鈥檚 go have some fun, let鈥檚 be successful and let鈥檚 go do it. You know, let鈥檚 not procrastinate, let鈥檚 go do something. I love that about him.

And same when Dr. Cartwright came in with a vision and a challenging first year, obviously with COVID, and fortunate to get a little bit of time with him and to hear him talk about the vision for 麻豆原创, I mean as big as we are now, and where he wants to take it. So to have that type of leadership is great and not saying, “Hey, we鈥檒l live off the success of the past. We want to keep growing.” So it鈥檚 awesome.

And like I said, I think Gus has been great to come in and also welcome that personality. And then there are great coaches and athletics 鈥� and I hope people have had a chance if you haven鈥檛 to meet all of our coaches. We have an amazing group of people that is really special to have at 麻豆原创. And I know Terry recognized that quickly coming here. We do compete for championships all the time and it鈥檚 because the loyalty of a lot of these coaches that say, “Hey, this is a great place to be at.” So it鈥檚 a really good vibe right now.

Alex Cumming: From the interviews that you鈥檝e done with both of them, and from my speaking with President Cartwright, I鈥檝e seen this overarching theme of group think. That I鈥檓 not 100%. I want to hear from everybody. I wanna hear from all of y鈥檃ll what you have to say. Who can contribute? So it鈥檚 not just this one-track mind, cause you all know something that I don鈥檛, let鈥檚 work together and go forward with it.

Marc Daniels: Yeah. Oh, absolutely. Again, I鈥檝e had a chance to talk with Dr. Cartwright a couple of times. But the feedback I get from others is exactly that, that he is all ears. And absorbs that and then says, “Okay, what do we all think is best for us?” and then I鈥檒l take the leadership and then we鈥檒l go from there. I think Terry has been the same way.

Terry certainly has a vision of what he wants 麻豆原创 to be, but realizes he needs other people to come aboard for the ride. And that鈥檚 again, it鈥檚 part of the great thing about 麻豆原创 is that we鈥檙e paving the roads of our future. And both of those individuals in their leadership role realize if we lock arms and keep growing, we鈥檙e going to be unstoppable. Which is great because, you know, you always wonder, people coming from other places had their habits of doing things and do they get what we are, but yet they bring an expertise that says, “Here鈥檚 how we can get there even faster and be even bigger.”

Alex Cumming: One thing I appreciate about both of them, and I鈥檒l go back to this transition for the new coaching staff and the new athletics director, it happened very fast. There was some speakings of it, but it happened very fast. And from the moment that I saw that video of Terry Mohajir doing the pushups on the plank on top of the crowd, if you鈥檙e familiar, I said 鈥�

Marc Daniels: At Arkansas State.

Alex Cumming: At Arkansas State, yes. I said, “That鈥檚 麻豆原创.”

Marc Daniels: That or the TikTok videos with his kid. Yeah, because you鈥檙e like, “Okay, that guy, yeah with us and everything is going to fit and everything.” And like I said, his energy is fantastic. He just has a great passion that it鈥檚 hard to be around him and not feel the same type of passion, which is great.

Alex Cumming: What I love so much about 麻豆原创 through the brand, and the idea, and the coaching, and the student-athletes they have personality and a sense of humor about themselves.

Marc Daniels: Yeah.

Alex Cumming: They understand. They take their job seriously, but not themselves too seriously that they can understand that it鈥檚 OK to crack a joke every now and then, it鈥檚 OK to bring your personality to the table. And that鈥檚 what I love seeing every time with all these people. It makes the students feel more involved with it that they say, “They鈥檙e like us. They understand and they鈥檙e not stern in their ways, that they can let loose a bit.”

Marc Daniels: Yeah. And it stretches far beyond athletics. There are some historical sites on this campus, but it鈥檚 interesting. You could walk on some campuses in the state or across the country, and someone can tell you the story of that building from 1797. You can walk across some bodies of water and someone say, “I remember fighting to get a duck in that pond right there because that was so important. And that鈥檚, what鈥檚 unique about 麻豆原创.”

Alex Cumming: It鈥檚 I love it. So now, Marc, I鈥檓 going to turn the tables on you and I鈥檓 going to shoot you some lightning round questions.

Marc Daniels: I鈥檓 ready.

Alex Cumming: You ready?

Marc Daniels: Let鈥檚 do it.

Alex Cumming: Alright. Alright. Here we go. Football or basketball?

Marc Daniels: Neither, I can鈥檛 pick one or the other. You can鈥檛 do that. Football is unique because, again, the presentation from a broadcast standpoint, it鈥檚 six, six and a half hours. It鈥檚 an entire week really preparing for broadcast. Basketball it鈥檚 a two and a half hour broadcast. It鈥檚 fast pace and from one game you鈥檙e onto the next game. They鈥檙e each unique in their own way.

Alex Cumming: Good answer. Citronaut or Knugget?

Marc Daniels: Oh.

Alex Cumming: I know. I know. It鈥檚 almost blasphemy, but what鈥檚 your answer here, Marc?

Marc Daniels: Wow. I do like Citronaut a little bit more. Knugget鈥檚 adorable, but Citronaut is 鈥� so many people ask, “Why don鈥檛 we switch that?” I鈥檓 like, “No, that鈥檚 what makes Citronaut unique is that, it鈥檚 there, it comes once in a while and everything and it just kind of goes away.” But again, that鈥檚 also part of, what鈥檚 really cool about us. You can have all those things. I do love Knugget, but Citronaut is pretty cool.

Alex Cumming: How can you not love both? We鈥檙e simultaneously Knight Nation and 鈥楴aut Nation.

Marc Daniels: Yeah.

Alex Cumming: Ready?

Marc Daniels: Yup.

Alex Cumming: Vacation or staycation? We do live in Orlando.

Marc Daniels: Yeah. It鈥檚 probably staycation. Just because of my schedule, my wife and I don鈥檛 do many trips. So it鈥檚 more staycations, maybe a day trip somewhere and everything because I do travel a lot. If given some free time to relax and not do much it鈥檚 probably a staycation. There鈥檚 a lot of great places around here and I鈥檓 a theme park guy too.

Alex Cumming: During the athletic seasons, do you say, “Alright, nobody planned a wedding, nobody have a baby. Busy, Saturdays, game days.鈥�

Marc Daniels: I got married in June and my daughters were born in March in May. So you know 鈥�

Alex Cumming: Not a Saturday in October right? Not a Saturday in October. Alright, night or morning?

Marc Daniels: Wow, morning and I鈥檒l tell you why, because I love getting up and saying, “What is today going to be about?” And go tackling the day.

Alex Cumming: 聽Alright, I鈥檓 going to reality TV or dramas?

I鈥檒l answer reality TV because I think junk for the brain once in a while is healthy. And it is a little guilty pleasure with my wife sometimes watching some of the reality TV that she may watch. But I say this as someone that was in the audience at the first ever Survivor final.

Alex Cumming: Really?

Marc Daniels: So that鈥檚 where it started. Yeah, my wife and I went to Hollywood for the first one, when Survivor was Survivor and we were in the studio audience for the first ever final. So I guess that鈥檚 where the reality TV bug started. I never want to be on one of those shows, would never do any of those shows, but then I get a chuckle out of it. And scripted reality TV is hilarious and I just find it totally funny. It鈥檚 fantastically bad.

Alex Cumming: Big time. I totally agree. Are you a savory or sweet man?

Marc Daniels: Used to be, but sweets for the most part are gone. This is somebody that lost 70 pounds a few years ago, so now I鈥檓 a nutritious nut. Once in a while, I would treat myself. But sweets used to be one of the downfalls. Sweets are great, but I just don鈥檛 do it as much.

Alex Cumming: I hear that. Now you鈥檙e traveling a lot. Window or aisle seat?

Marc Daniels: Claustrophobic, so I have to sit in the aisle.

Alex Cumming: Oh.

Marc Daniels: Yeah. The aisle鈥檚 really big. You do not want to be on a flight with a window with me cause you likely wouldn鈥檛 get me on that flight. I鈥檇 wait until the next flight. Yeah. And it wasn鈥檛 always the case. It actually happened on a flight back from a 麻豆原创 basketball game. And I just had a moment where a panic attack and it was, “Whoa.” And since then I have to sit in the aisle. Yeah. Plus I want to be near the beverage cart. It鈥檚 just so much fun鈥�

Alex Cumming: Reaching over people that鈥檚 鈥�

Marc Daniels: Well there鈥檚 nothing like watching a group of individuals just respond to, “Wait a minute. Is that a bag of pretzels and a half a can of soda? Because I鈥檓 lined up for that.”

Alex Cumming: “For me?”

Marc Daniels: “I have a choice? Unbelievable.”

Alex Cumming: “Diet or regular?” Alright, here鈥檚 the last one. Best sporting event you鈥檝e ever witnessed in person?

Marc Daniels: Wow.

Alex Cumming: I鈥檓 here with the heavy hitters.

Marc Daniels: Is it 麻豆原创 or non-麻豆原创?

Alex Cumming: Let鈥檚 do both.

Marc Daniels: The Scott Norwood鈥檚 missed kick against the Giants when they won the Super Bowl, and as a Giants fan, it was incredible.

There鈥檚 an amazing story behind that. Between cousins and friends, there was about a dozen of us and when the week began, nobody had tickets and then we ended up all getting into the game, but that鈥檚 a story for another day. So that鈥檚 the best non-麻豆原创 sports moment that I was ever at because we celebrated a missed field goal and the Giants won.

It鈥檚 really hard to pick for 麻豆原创. So I鈥檒l give you two. Look football, the Mike Hughes return because to me it鈥檚 the it鈥檚 the greatest football game that I鈥檝e ever been a part of 鈥� until the next week against Memphis when that was the next greatest game. But I think the Hughes return was really special because of that game, everything going on. It鈥檚 not that the Peach Bowl victory wasn鈥檛 or the Fiesta Bowl victory wasn鈥檛.

But I鈥檒l give you a moment that was not a 麻豆原创 win and it was the Duke basketball game because of just how that story developed when the bracket came out. One, we鈥檙e excited to be in, playing VCU. And then you couldn鈥檛 help but go, “Wait a minute, that鈥檚 Duke in the next game. And if we win it鈥檚 Johnny Dawkins and Coach K and Zion and Tacko. And then that happened. It was one of these weird but incredible feelings after we won because we played the late game that opening night. Duke had already advanced it. There was this case of, we鈥檙e not just isn鈥檛 this cool we鈥檙e going to play Duke. There was like, “This is a game.” And it was supposed to be like, “No, this is Duke.” And I will never forget the buzz of that building. When that game was an hour before tip off, that place was packed. And the vibe when that ball went up, that game was absolutely incredible.

And I could go play by play with you and they should have called the foul on Zion, but they were never going to call the fifth foul. The hook by RJ Barrett that should have been called a foul, and the free throw, and the shove, and how Aubrey Dawkins鈥� shot did not go in. I still don鈥檛 know. Those are more recent ones. But those are two of the great moments.

Alex Cumming: Every year, March ESPN classics. Duke, 麻豆原创 basketball. Every year since then.

Marc Daniels: Yeah. Again, a magical game and all the parties involved with that and Coach K and Johnny Dawkins.

Alex Cumming: Just the storylines.

Marc Daniels: Absolutely unbelievable. The timing was a Sunday night, the CBS, the huge crowd watching across the country, it鈥檚 one of the most viewed 麻豆原创 events ever. So yeah.

Alex Cumming: I was in a rehearsal. I was sneak watching it. I鈥檓 watching it out here, sweating in my costume. It was wild.

Well, I鈥檒l move here into this final section. What advice would you give to somebody who wants to do what you do?

Marc Daniels: Have dreams, have goals, but have an open mind that you鈥檙e living in the most amazing time that you could try anything. And you鈥檒l never know where you鈥檙e going to end up because if you say, “I want to be a broadcaster today,” is so many things than when I said, “I think I want to get involved in broadcasting.” Between social media, the many platforms that you can broadcast. You hold your iPhone, you鈥檙e walking production company. There鈥檚 so many ways to send a message. So have an open mind don鈥檛 necessarily be obsessed with being in front of the camera, behind the camera is an amazing world of creativity. There鈥檚 so many different opportunities.

So I would tell somebody have dreams and goals, but have an open mind to go left, go right, go down the middle, take the road that looks like it鈥檚 a little bit more challenging. Embrace opportunities. Don鈥檛 be afraid to fail, and you never know where you鈥檙e going to land.

I went to college with somebody that only wanted to be involved in front of the camera. He wanted to be on sports and everything. And he went on to basically be one of the key people at Cartoon Network and would have been like, “What?” It鈥檚 like most of the cartoons you saw in the 鈥�90s he brought over to this. Just, you never know the point is he had no idea he wanted to do that, now obsessed with that. And it鈥檚 a great time to create. You could create a movie on your phone. The applications that are available, there鈥檚 nothing anybody can鈥檛 create today.

Alex Cumming: As somebody who loves broadcasting, I appreciate hearing that. It鈥檚 always good.

Marc Daniels: And learn how to write. Writing 鈥榮 priceless. Writing will pay you back. If you love to write stories, if you just loved to write anything, write because it will always give you back. It鈥檚 one of the greatest tools you can have. And a lot of people in broadcasting never do that, they never 鈥� I love writing columns. I write columns for the radio stations, website. I鈥檝e written columns for 麻豆原创 and everything, and I love it. It鈥檚 great. It鈥檚 the ultimate form of storytelling because you鈥檙e trying to put into words what someone鈥檚 going to visualize. And it鈥檚 incredibly powerful when that happens and it connects and someone can actually read what you wrote and visualize it. And if they do it the way you want it to, then you broke the formula and it works.

It鈥檚 one of the great things I love about radio. It鈥檚 my job to paint the picture for somebody. It鈥檚 my job to let them know, not just score, down, distance, how much time is left. Is it warm? Is it cold? Is it tense? Is it a gray day? Is it a physical day? What鈥檚 the game like? What鈥檚 happening? Who鈥檚 the start of nowhere? Give me this little bit of information to make me care more about that player that just made that play and the art of storytelling. It鈥檚 incredible. And when it works, it works. And it鈥檚 a beautiful thing.

Alex Cumming: When it works there鈥檚 nothing like that.

Marc Daniels: Yeah, it鈥檚 awesome.

Alex Cumming: And I鈥檒l close with this, what鈥檚 one thing that you鈥檙e still hoping to.do?

Marc Daniels: Call the first football national championship for 麻豆原创, what are you talking about? ,That鈥檚 it, man. That鈥檚 it. And hopefully many of them. I really look, again, I am blessed and privileged to do what I do at 麻豆原创. And as I鈥檝e said, I have been so fortunate to be able to broadcast many firsts at 麻豆原创, but there are so many more and I want to be a part of those. And there鈥檚 so many more great moments that I want to see. And if I can be a part of some way, that excites me.

I love the next game because you never know what鈥檚 going to happen. I love the next moment. I love going to a game I鈥檓 not even broadcasting because it may come down to the final seconds and someone may become a hero. I love to learn the stories of our student-athletes and our coaches.

I just want to keep on being there for those memorable moments. What鈥檚 going to be the next reservation for six? I don鈥檛 know. But man, I want to find out.

Alex Cumming: What鈥檚 the next line that people are going to come up to you.

Marc Daniels: Yeah. And I have no idea what it is, but man, I can not wait for that to happen.

Alex Cumming: The days where they come and say, “Hey, can you do the line?” And you鈥檙e like, “Oh, which one?”

Marc Daniels: I love it though. So I don鈥檛 know when it鈥檚 going to be, what sport, where I鈥檒l be, but man, I am looking forward to being there.

Alex Cumming: I look so forward to hearing you announce those games and the first 麻豆原创 national championship game that you鈥檙e announcing. That鈥檒l be something. I look forward to seeing you there. Marc, this conversation, I鈥檝e enjoyed it so much.

Marc Daniels: Thank you. I appreciate that.

Alex Cumming: I want to say thank you so much for coming on, it鈥檚 been such an honor and a pleasure to get to speak with you.

Marc Daniels: Thank you so much. It was great. Thanks for having me appreciate it.

Alex Cumming: Thanks again for listening. Be sure to stream and download on whatever platform you use to listen to podcasts. I hope you鈥檙e enjoying learning how Knights are making a positive impact in our community, our nation and the world. And hey, if you鈥檙e doing something cool, whether that鈥檚 at 麻豆原创 or somewhere you took 麻豆原创 that we should know about, send us an email at socialmedia@ucf.edu, and maybe we鈥檒l see you on an episode in the future. Go Knights, and Charge On!

It has been more than 20 years since Daunte played his last game at 麻豆原创, and these days most recruits who visit the campus and football facility don鈥檛 know much about him or just how special he was.

As 麻豆原创 embarks on a new era under Gus Malzahn, excitement for the football season is sky high. Coaches, players and fans can鈥檛 wait to fill the Bounce House once again. The buzz for the new year has brought back some of those former Knights to meet the new coach, and some have even committed or added to their financial support of the program.

But something remains distant. Someone who played such a significant role in putting 麻豆原创 on the map and elevating the 麻豆原创 brand is rarely found on campus.

Daunte Culpepper helped build the program, but on game days and throughout the season he rarely comes home.

There is no fallout or hidden story that divides him from the program. These days Daunte keeps a low profile. He rarely makes public appearances and has dealt with a number of challenges over the years away from football.

鈥淚f you never saw Daunte Culpepper play football at 麻豆原创, then you missed one of the game鈥檚 best players.鈥�

If you never saw Daunte Culpepper play football at 麻豆原创, then you missed one of the game鈥檚 best players. He chose 麻豆原创 over the Gators and honored a commitment he and his grandmother made when every big school in the country doubted he would make grades and be eligible. When he did, those schools all came back begging him to choose them. He chose to be a Knight.

In his first game at 麻豆原创 in 1995, Daunte completed his first 12 passes and the memorable moments never stopped. At 6-4 and 250 pounds, he played quarterback but ran faster than running backs and was tougher than linebackers. He had a rifle for an arm and was the most accurate passer in the country throughout his career.

He was the face of a 麻豆原创 team that was making its transition into the highest level of competition in college football and led the charge of so many Knights鈥� road games in big stadiums against more famous brands.

In 1997, Daunte led 麻豆原创 into Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, against legendary coach Tom Osborne and the Cornhuskers. Nebraska had won the national title in 1994 and 1995. They were ranked 6^th in country that Saturday afternoon. Daunte Culpepper was the best player on the field and every Nebraska player and fan knew it before the first quarter ended. His 10-yard touchdown run gave 麻豆原创 a 7-0 lead and the Knights led 17-14 at the half against a Nebraska team led by quarterback Scott Frost 鈥� yes, the same Scott Frost who would serve as 麻豆原创鈥檚 football head coach from 2015-17.

The Knights lost that game, 38-24, but a sold out stadium of almost 80,000 gave a standing ovation to Daunte and the Knights for their performance that day. It wasn鈥檛 the first time Daunte won over fans of the opposing team to cheer for him. He was that electrifying to watch.

Today, his name is still all over the 麻豆原创 record book. He remains the 麻豆原创 record holder for touchdown passes, passing yards, 300-yard games and completion percentage. He still sits in the top 10 of almost every other passing or running category.

While 麻豆原创 had numerous players drafted into the NFL before Daunte, his first-round selection of the Minnesota Vikings in 1999 became the biggest draft moment for the program. In total, Daunte played 11 seasons in the NFL.

He has come back for an occasional golf tournament or an alumni event. But as we have watched and cheered the growth of the 麻豆原创 program reach heights many thought was not possible years ago, it seems that Daunte Culpepper should be more visible.

All players eventually stop playing. They start a family and raise children and venture into things away from the football field. They sometimes come back to rekindle the memories and meet up with old teammates and share stories about the past. They remind us of what once was and what now has become.

Daunte Culpepper is the greatest athlete I have ever seen at 麻豆原创 in my 27 years. I have watched others come and play the quarterback position and play it well. Daunte was just different. He was special. He was one of those players who come along every 25 years 鈥� or at least you hope they do.

He gave us so many highlights and played such a big part as one of the pioneers of the 麻豆原创 football program. Part of what makes Knight Nation so special is how we treat our own. As a new season filled with so much excitement is about to begin, it鈥檚 time to for Daunte Culpepper to come home again to a place he helped build and be part of the celebration.

Marc Daniels is the radio play-by-play voice for 麻豆原创 Athletics and serves as director of broadcasting for the Knights. He can be reached at聽mdaniels@athletics.ucf.edu.

The聽麻豆原创 Forum聽is a weekly series of opinion columns from faculty, staff and students who serve on a panel for a year. A new column is posted each Wednesday on聽麻豆原创 Today聽and then broadcast on W麻豆原创-FM (89.9) between 7:50 and 8 a.m. Sunday. Opinions expressed are those of the columnists, and are not necessarily shared by the 麻豆原创.

I said, 鈥淥f course, you are Richie Grant.鈥�

He responded, 鈥淵ou read my backpack that has my name on it.鈥�

Grant was right. I did read the backpack and Grant knew it, as well. But his next comment I still remember today.

鈥淲hen I鈥檓 done playing at 麻豆原创, everyone will remember my name,鈥� said Grant. I told him that I will hold him to that.

Richie Grant鈥檚 journey is one to salute. Recruited out of Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton Beach, Grant was a two-star prospect who drew little attention from major football programs. He was listed as the 357^th best wide receiver in the country. At 6-feet and 165 pounds, Grant was offered a scholarship to play defensive back, and he jumped at the chance to come to Orlando.

Coming off a winless season in 2016, 麻豆原创 needed a fresh start and Grant arrived willing to do anything to get on the field. But the undersized freshman sat out that season and used the time to listen and learn and get better on the field and in the classroom, where he made the conference all-academic team.

Grant learned from the likes of Shaquill 鈥�16 and Shaquem 鈥�16 Griffin, who told Grant that players get what they earn. In 2017, Richie Grant earned playing time. He made big plays on special teams and played in all 13 games as a defensive back. In the Peach Bowl win over Auburn to secure an unbeaten season, Grant recorded five tackles.

In 2018, Grant started in all 13 games and led the team in tackles, interceptions and forced fumbles. He was an all-conference selection and drew national attention for being one of the best players at his position in the country.

Grant only knew the feeling of victory for his first two seasons at 麻豆原创. He was 25-0 to start his career before 麻豆原创 lost in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl to LSU.

By the time 2018 ended, Grant had become a leader on the defensive side. He was more vocal and became the older player teaching younger players what the 鈥溌槎乖� Way鈥� was about.

In 2019 and 2020 Grant got better and better. NFL scouts took notice and it was obvious that he was going to get a chance to play pro football. After earning more conference and national recognition in 2019, Grant鈥檚 final season would be challenging in many ways.

The summer of 2020 brought a worldwide pandemic as well as a national discussion on racial and social injustices. Grant was one of several 麻豆原创 players who openly addressed the need for change and encouraged teammates to speak up and use their platform to be heard.

But Grant had a decision to make himself about the 2020 season. With so many uncertainties about COVID, players across the country were deciding whether to opt out or play. Several 麻豆原创 players decided to sit out. Grant chose to play.

The season saw Grant take on a greater role as a leader on the field. Injuries and opt-outs left the 麻豆原创鈥檚 secondary with only Grant as someone with starting experience. Working with coaches and teaching freshmen how to play major college football was now part of Grant鈥檚 role at 麻豆原创.

While the defense struggled at times, Grant鈥檚 play did not. But still wanting to show NFL scouts his skill set, Grant asked coaches if he could return to special teams. Although he played and excelled on special teams during his freshman season in 2017, Grant wanted NFL teams to see him in 2020 running down on kickoffs making tackles. Why? That is who he is.

Grant earned his degree in sport and exercise science with a minor in medical sociology in 2020. But football was the focus for the now 200-pound draft prospect. He shined at the Senior Bowl, a showcase of college talent, where every NFL team saw Grant perform.

At 麻豆原创鈥檚 Pro Day, Grant solidified his resume with an impressive performance. It set the stage for the NFL Draft. Talent evaluators thought Grant could be a second-round pick. They were right.

On April 30, the Atlanta Falcons selected Grant in the second round of the NFL Draft with the 40^th overall selection. He was one of five 麻豆原创 players chosen in the draft. His contract will be four years and worth more than $7 million.

Grant went from the 357^th-ranked wide receiver coming out of high school to one of the top players taken in the NFL Draft. And he was right. When his playing days ended at 麻豆原创, every Knight fan knew his name.

There will be more players with hidden talent coming to 麻豆原创. One day I will come out of Coach Gus Malzahn鈥檚 office and someone else may be wearing a backpack. I may not know his name at the time.

But give him a few years and he will have a story to tell just like Richie Grant.

Marc Daniels is the radio play-by-play voice for 麻豆原创 Athletics and serves as director of broadcasting for the Knights. He can be reached at聽mdaniels@athletics.ucf.edu.

The聽麻豆原创 Forum聽is a weekly series of opinion columns from faculty, staff and students who serve on a panel for a year. A new column is posted each Wednesday on聽麻豆原创 Today聽and then broadcast on W麻豆原创-FM (89.9) between 7:50 and 8 a.m. Sunday. Opinions expressed are those of the columnists, and are not necessarily shared by the 麻豆原创.

Following the opener, the UKNIGHT Tour will move up to Seminole County and Orlando Sanford International Airport Tuesday evening.

After week one, the tour will make stops in Melbourne on May 1, downtown Orlando on May 7, Tampa on May 8, The Villages on May 9, West Palm Beach on May 23 and Fort Lauderdale on May 24.

For more information on the entire tour and to RSVP, call the Golden Knights Club at (407) 882-1289 or visit /athletics/.

Monday will mark the first time the annual tour will feature a stop on campus. New Vice President and Director of Athletics Todd Stansbury will be joined by Head Football Coach George O’Leary, Head Men’s Basketball Coach Donnie Jones, Head Women’s Basketball Coach , Head Baseball Coach , Head Men’s Soccer Coach , Head Women’s Soccer Coach Amanda Cromwell, Head Volleyball Coach , Head Rowing Coach and Assistant Women’s Tennis Coach 聽for the kickoff event. Meanwhile, Stansbury, Coach O’Leary and Dagenais will be on hand Tuesday as well.

Every event will run from 6-8 p.m. and feature giveaways and prize drawings. The programs begin with a meet-and-greet highlighted by free hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Marc Daniels, the Voice of the Knights, and former 麻豆原创 men’s basketball standout Mike O’Donnell聽will emcee the tour.

Representatives from other 麻豆原创 sports programs, the Golden Knights Club, the 麻豆原创 Alumni Association and 麻豆原创 Athletics also will be attending the events.

>2012 UKNIGHT Tour Week One – All Tour Stops Run From 6-8 p.m.
Monday, April 23 –
East Orlando (Kick-off Event)
J. Rolfe Davis Recruiting Lounge at Bright House Networks Stadium
Parking: Lots E6 & E7
Featured Guests: Director of Athletics Todd Stansbury, Head Football Coach George O’Leary, Head Women’s Basketball Coach , Head Baseball Coach , Head Volleyball Coach , Head Men’s Soccer Coach , Head Women’s Soccer Coach Amanda Cromwell, Head Rowing Coach , Assistant Women’s Tennis Coach

Tuesday, April 24 –
Seminole County
South East Ramp at Orlando Sanford International Airport
2150 Spinner Lane
Sanford, FL 32773
407-998-2059
Featured Guests: Todd Stansbury, George O’Leary,

So these days, when Haywood listens to the radio play-by-play call of a game, feels the roar of the crowd inside 麻豆原创 Arena and cranks up his imagination, the mental picture of the action on the court is crystal clear. And for ever so briefly it doesn’t matter to Haywood that his central vision is failing him and he can’t actually see very much of the sport that he loves so dearly.

“Playing basketball and watching basketball my whole life, it’s easy to imagine what’s going on out there. And then when they add the stats and the commentary to it (on the radio), it’s like I can actually see it,” Haywood said recently before 麻豆原创’s home defeat of Marshall. “The environment of the game is so much better when I’m actually there. I watch it on TV at home and it’s not the same as being here with the college crowd. The college crowd is so much different than the professional crowd, so it just adds a lot to the game when I’m here.”

Garrett, 16, is affected by Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, a genetic disorder that causes the optic nerve to atrophy. LHON, named after the German doctor who first diagnosed the disorder, usually results in sudden, painless loss of central vision in one or both eyes. Those with the disorder usually start experiencing vision loss in one eye and then it spreads to the other eye within eight weeks. Garrett, who still has some peripheral vision, has been considered legally blind in both eyes since January 2011.

The onset of LHON usually comes between the ages of 17-25, and that was the case with Garrett, who started having vision troubles in his right eye late last year when he was still a part of the freshman basketball team at Oviedo High School. He was able to finish out the year as a key part of the undefeated squad, but these days with his central vision gone, his relationship with basketball extends to watching games on television and at 麻豆原创 Arena.

Still active
Because the peripheral vision still exists, Garrett can offset his eyes and see some of the movement down on the court from his seats in the lower bowl of 麻豆原创 Arena. Faces and numbers are impossible to make out, but that’s where he relies on the radio voice of the Knights, Marc Daniels, the noise of the fans and his vivid imagination to paint a clear picture of what’s happening on the court.

Few, if any of those sitting around him, know that Garrett struggles to see considering the way he follows the action and reacts after big plays for the Knights. The Haywood’s seats are directly across from the 麻豆原创 bench, eight rows up off the court – close enough for Garrett to hear sneakers squeaking and sometimes the ball bouncing on the court.

“From our seats, the rim, backboard and part of the arm holding the backboard aren’t there (in Garrett’s vision). But he can still follow the action because his peripheral vision is fine, in focus and in color,” said Garrett’s father, Greg, a 1987 麻豆原创 graduate.

“If I didn’t tell you about Garrett’s condition, you probably wouldn’t pick up on it,” Greg continued. “There’s nothing wrong with the eyes, but it’s just a hereditary gene mutation. It’s one of those things that because he still functions at such a high level with the vision that he does have left you wouldn’t know the difference with him.”

Garrett still attends high school at Oviedo where he makes mostly As and Bs in AP Honors classes. He has a steady girlfriend and he rarely misses high school, college and NBA basketball games on television or in person.

Prior to losing his central vision, Garrett was a rising basketball player. He modeled his game after 麻豆原创 standout power forward Keith Clanton because of his love for doing the dirty work for his team. Clanton is easily his favorite player and he jokes that the 6-foot-9 forward at 麻豆原创 wears “my” No. 33 instead of it being the other way around.

“I was a power forward because I was kind of the clean-up player. I loved to play defense and rebound the basketball. I really enjoy watching Keith Clanton. He wears my number too, No. 33,” Garrett said with a laugh. “Basketball is my favorite sport by far. Keith is an all-around player, and he plays my position. I learned from him some last year. He seems like a great guy and he carries the team at some points in games.”

Garrett said the process of gradually losing his vision was tough to deal with, and initially he was in denial about it. Because his mother, Kendra (a 1994 麻豆原创 graduate), carries the genetic disorder, Garrett was predisposed to be affected by the optic troubles. That family wasn’t aware of the genetic disorder until Garrett started experiencing vision troubles in September of 2010.

Garrett’s sisters, Karli (13) and Kayla (10), are also carriers of LHON, but do not suffer from any vision difficulties. Garrett is the only one in the family who has suffered a loss of central vision.

Garrett struggled seeing out of his right eye as the 2009-10 basketball season progressed, but he was determined to finish out the year with the Lions. The freshman squad ultimately finished 19-0, and Garrett considers it to be one of his best memories in basketball. Garrett ultimately lost the central vision in his right eye in September 2010 and lost the central vision in the left eye by January 2011.

“It was pretty difficult, and I didn’t really accept it at first,” Garrett admitted. “I was dropping passes and saying it’s not because of my vision. But eventually it got to the point when it was so bad in one eye and one eye was good and my depth perception was a problem. My shots were way off. It was difficult, but I made it through the end of the season and got to finish with my team and we went undefeated. It was a really good season for me.”

Cooperation with 麻豆原创
In an attempt to stay connected with the sport that he loves so dearly, Garrett attended 麻豆原创 basketball games early this season. But because it was difficult to pick up the WYGM AM-740 radio signal inside 麻豆原创 Arena, Garrett couldn’t follow the action via the play-by-play call.

Greg, an electrical engineer who has four season tickets for basketball games, approached 麻豆原创 about the issue. His hope was that the radio signal could be broadcast on an FM station and without the seven-second delay so that Garrett could sit in the stands and know what was going on as the action unfolded down below on the court. As it turns out, adding the broadcast inside the arena has been a benefit several fans could enjoy, Greg said.

“When I contacted the staff here at 麻豆原创 and told them about it, I pointed out that it would be beneficial for the facility for a lot of reasons. I let them know the reason that I was interested, and they worked with their facilities and radio folks, purchased and installed everything to get it up and running,” Greg Haywood said. “Now, everybody has access to no-delay, play-by-play, which compensates for what Garrett can’t visually pick up. So with a basic FM receiver and some ear buds and he can hear the game in real time. It totally changes the experience for him.”

All fans attending games at 麻豆原创 Arena can listen to the radio call from Daniels and former 麻豆原创 guard Taylor Young on 97.1 FM. The feed is available only in the arena and primarily in the seating areas.

Hope for the future
According to LHON.org, about 100 people in the United States lose central vision each year due to LHON, joining the 4,000 or so Americans who are already vision-impaired due to LHON. Thousands more carry a LHON genetic mutation, and they could suddenly lose their vision at any time. It’s estimated that about 35,000 people worldwide are affected with vision problems related to LHON.

But there is hope for those such as Garrett affected by the disorder. Research being done at the University of Miami and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami has given hope that there will be a cure for the disorder in the coming months and years.

The hope is that the atrophy in the optic nerve can be reversed, restoring the central vision to people like Garrett.

“I want to work my way through this. In a year, they are supposed to have a cure, so I’m going to keep on pushing through with the vision that I have now,” he said. “I’m hoping I can go back later and pick up what I missed.”

Regardless of the timetable for the cure, Garrett said he refuses to play the role of a victim and wonder why he’s been affected by something no teenager should ever have to endure. He said most would be shocked to know he still attends public school, and his regular attendance at basketball games is shocking to some as well.

Eventually, he hopes to attend college and pursue his passion for math. And even though he doesn’t know yet what he wants to be when he grows up, Garrett has already picked out a school to attend.

“I still go to school every day and that might surprise some people. With me being in a public school and not being able to read my papers or the board that makes it tougher, but I’m doing OK,” he said. “麻豆原创 is my main option for college.”

John Denton’s Knights Insider appears on 麻豆原创Athletics.com several times a week. E-mail John at jdenton@athletics.ucf.edu.

“Opening Knight” – Everything You Need to Know

鈥� Matchup: No. 21 麻豆原创 vs. Long Island

鈥� When: Friday, Feb. 17 at the 麻豆原创 baseball complex

鈥� Tickets: FREE for ALL fans

鈥� Parking: FREE for ALL fans in the baseball lot and E 6-8 (Garage F will be paid parking due to an event in the 麻豆原创 Arena)

鈥� Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting: 5:30 p.m.

鈥� First Pitch: 6:30 p.m.

鈥� Twitter: Follow @麻豆原创_Baseball for updates throughout the day, as well as trivia contests and promotions

鈥� More pregame events: Batting Practice at 4:15 – Open to all fans “Open Mike” Radio Show – Live from 6-9 a.m. “The Beat of Sports” Radio Show – Live from 9-11 a.m.

鈥� Wednesday, Feb. 15 AlumKnight Live Radio Show, the 2012 麻豆原创 Baseball Preview Show – Live from The MOAT from 6-8 p.m.

麻豆原创 Athletics is inviting all friends, fans and supporters to come out to the newly expanded on-campus baseball stadium Friday, Feb. 17, to cheer on the No. 21 Knights as they take on Long Island at 6:30 p.m. in the 2012 season opener. It will be the first in a three-game series, with game two slated for Saturday at 4 p.m. and the finale scheduled for Sunday at 12 p.m.

There is no better way to celebrate Orlando’s only baseball team then to be amongst the first to sit in the newly expanded stadium and enjoy a FREE night of watching a nationally ranked college baseball team.

Prior to the game and starting at 5:30 p.m. on the concourse, fans are invited to attend the ceremonial ribbon cutting for the new stadium expansion, joining 麻豆原创 President John C. Hitt, interim director of athletics Al Harms and head baseball coach . Light refreshments and a presentation regarding future expansion will follow the ribbon cutting.

At 5 p.m., 麻豆原创 ticket representatives will be on-site to host exclusive tours of the stadium as well as providing opportunities for fans to select season tickets for seats in the brand-new upper-deck seats.

To purchase tickets prior to “Opening Knight,” call the 麻豆原创 Ticket Office at (407) 823-1000 or visit 麻豆原创Athletics.com.

Fans are encouraged to follow @麻豆原创_Baseball on Twitter all day on Friday and join in on several 麻豆原创 baseball-themed trivia contests, promotions and giveaways surrounding “Opening Knight” and the 2012 season.

Central Florida airwaves will be buzzing all week promoting “Opening Knight,” especially on Friday morning, when the critically acclaimed “Open Mike” morning show and the loved “Beat of Sports” broadcast live from the 麻豆原创 baseball complex.

From 6-9 a.m. on WYGM 740 AM, “Open Mike,” featuring Orlando Sentinel sports columnist Mike Bianchi and Brian Fritz will begin the day discussing 麻豆原创’s baseball rise in prominence. Coach Rooney is scheduled to appear on the show during the 8 a.m. hour.

The voice of the Knights, Marc Daniels, will follow live inside the park from 9-11 a.m. with “The Beat of Sports” on ESPN 1080 AM. Daniels, Jerry Greene and Scott Adams, along with Coach Rooney, will dissect the 2012 team and schedule.

Tune in Wednesday night, from 6-8 p.m., on 740 AM for the 2012 麻豆原创 Baseball Preview Show on AlumKnight Live featuring Tony Comas and coach Rooney. The show will be broadcasting live from The MOAT, and all fans are encouraged to attend.

Remember to follow @麻豆原创_Baseball on Twitter and www.麻豆原创Athletics.com for the latest information on 麻豆原创 baseball.

The 1998 Tulane Green Wave went 12-0. Led by quarterback Shaun King, whose head coach was Tommy Bowden and offensive coordinator was Rich Rodriguez, Tulane finished seventh in both major polls and was one of two unbeaten teams that season with national champion Tennessee as the other.

That season, Tulane did not post a single win over a ranked team yet moved up in the national polls with a high octane offense that scored over 30 points in 10 of 12 games.

But that’s the only time a C-USA team ran the table. In fact, only once has a league champion had just one loss. In 2004, Louisville went 11-1 and finished sixth in the polls.

The group of league champions that had only two losses includes only Louisville in 2001 and TCU in 2002.

麻豆原创’s two championship seasons saw the team post 10-4 and 11-3 records. So the numbers show that going through a season unbeaten as a member of C-USA is not easy.

Yet it may take perfection for the league to pick up the nationwide coverage it yearns for. But going undefeated is not easy and there are many reasons behind that.

Critics of C-USA point to the successes of Boise State in the WAC and TCU in the Mountain West. But one argument to be made is compared to the WAC and Mountain West, C-USA has been a more balanced league. Each year, since 麻豆原创 has been a member, C-USA has had 4-5 teams with a realistic shot at winning the league crown. Over the last decade, Boise State has been a heavy favorite in the WAC with an occasional challenge from Nevada or Hawaii. The Mountain West has been a three-team battle over the years with TCU, Utah and BYU, but few others.

Where C-USA has struggled over the last six seasons is non-conference games against BCS teams. The league has not been able to develop a consistent run of benchmark wins and teams that end up contending for the conference title have not been as strong against BCS schools as you would like.

Any 麻豆原创 fan can easily remember last year’s games with NC State and Kansas State. Both were games the Knights could have won, but did not.

George O’Leary has never hid his feelings about games against BCS teams and the importance of winning those games.

“We as a league need to start getting these games,” said O’Leary. “If you win those games, you get more exposure and that gets you more games on television and it makes it easier to get into and stay in the polls.”

For 麻豆原创, it’s no longer about playing money games. The arrival of Bright House Networks Stadium now provides a home where revenue can flow for games. Current and future schedules include contracts where BCS teams must come to Orlando. But there is not a game on a football schedule for years to come that anyone can say is not winnable.

麻豆原创’s program has advanced to where it can compete with anyone and opponents know that. This year’s two big non-conference games are against Boston College at home and at BYU. Both are quality foes and both are games that can be won.

A 4-0 麻豆原创 team headed into conference play would likely be ranked. From there, the Knights will certainly be challenged in the league but will face no team where victory is not feasible. But going undefeated is not that simple. You cannot predict weird bounces, costly turnovers, weather or a bad call.

The WAC and Mountain West have had unbeaten teams several times over the last decade. Both Boise State and TCU, a future Big East member, have had seasons that put them into contention to be among those battling for a spot in the BCS National Championship Game. C-USA has not had a team enjoy that ride yet. Perhaps that can change in 2011.

Knights notes and more: Seven 麻豆原创 baseball players were selected in the recent amateur draft. Catcher Beau Taylor was the highest Knight selected. Taylor was a fifth-round pick of the Oakland A’s. Taylor hit .325 this season and says the change to the bat used in college will be a big plus moving to the pro game. “There is no question it helped. Batting averages were more honest and it made me a better hitter,” said Taylor, who expects to go to Vermont for his short season of summer ball. Senior Jonathan Griffin went in the 21st-round to the Arizona Diamondbacks. With true power in his offensive arsenal, Griffin might have a chance to move up the farm system quickly…Joi Williams added veteran assistant Bob Starkey to her staff. Starkey comes to 麻豆原创 from LSU where he was part of five Final Four teams.

Source: Marc Daniels’ From the Press Box runs several times per month on 麻豆原创Athletics.com. Listen to Marc during 麻豆原创 football, men’s basketball and baseball radio broadcasts on the 麻豆原创 Sports Network. Each weekday, Marc hosts The Beat of Sports on ESPN Radio 1080 in Orlando.

That tradition was a good regular season and spot in the NCAA Tournament. And as the team boarded its bus back home late Sunday afternoon, there were dejected players who yearned to play on and yet this year’s team might be remembered for establishing the program among the nation’s best once again.

Terry Rooney has never hid the fact his goal is Omaha and the College World Series, every year. And what once was a nice sign on a team clubhouse door or a plaque on a the table in his office, Rooney’s team now believes that goal is possible and has his returning players anxious to take the next step in 2012.

This past season saw many highlights that included the incredible season of Jonathan Griffin, who belted out 19 home runs. Griffin hit .343 and played spectacular defense. His power mate, D.J. Hicks, finished the year with 14 homers and led the team in batting at .351. Catcher Beau Taylor rebounded from a mid-season bump in the road to finish strong at .325 and become one of the team’s hottest hitters in the postseason.

The season saw two big wins over highly ranked Florida and Rice, a season sweep of Stetson and victories over FSU and other NCAA Tournament teams. 麻豆原创 returned to the national polls during the season and had an RPI in the top 25 and a strength of schedule in the top 30 for the final six weeks of the season.

The 2012 version of the Knights will have a new look. Seniors will move on and the amateur draft will impact several juniors and some key members of Rooney’s incoming recruiting class. But there is a sense around Conference USA and in college baseball that 麻豆原创 has returned to the stage it enjoyed during the 1990s, where it was a regular in the postseason tournament and a team opponents did not want to face.

This offseason will find 麻豆原创 beginning the first phase of its stadium expansion. The cosmetic work at the ballpark is another sign of 麻豆原创’s commitment to baseball and its path of growth. The plan to expand the stadium has been part of Rooney’s pitch to recruits and fans that 麻豆原创’s baseball program is a growing power. An expanded ballpark will allow Rooney to schedule more top-notch opponents and host an NCAA Regional.

While this year’s ride ended short of Omaha, the Knights have a lot to build on and 2012 should be a strong season and don’t be surprised to see 麻豆原创 a regular in the national polls and back in the NCAAs, where Rooney believes his team should always be.

Knights notes and more: Kudos to the regional organizers at FSU who hosted a great regional. Tallahassee has hosted many times before and crowds were strong and the atmosphere was great. It also highlights the advantage of hosting. There is no doubt an expanded stadium makes 麻豆原创 an ideal location as a future site…Football season inches closer and before you know camp will open. BYU, 麻豆原创’s opponent in the fourth game this season, has invited me to their national media day (which I cannot attend) in July in Provo, Utah. The event includes interviews with players and coaches and former BYU Coach LaVelle Edwards. The media day is scheduled for eight hours. That’s a lot of time for a media day…ESPN appears to be fully on board with using “麻豆原创” in all of its scores and mentions as was the case this weekend for the baseball regional…Final thought: Ever forget your room number at a hotel and walk up and down a hallway trying several rooms with your key? Yup, that was me this past weekend.

Marc Daniels’ From the Press Box runs several times per month on 麻豆原创Athletics.com. Listen to Marc during 麻豆原创 football, men’s basketball and baseball radio broadcasts on the 麻豆原创 Sports Network. Each weekday, Marc hosts The Beat of Sports on ESPN Radio 1080 in Orlando.

The conference last added a team (Penn State) in 1990. It explored expansion in 1993, 1998 and in 2003. Notre Dame officially turned down an invite in 1999.

Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany said the research regarding expansion will happen over the next 12 to 18 months. It won’t take long. He knows it and the members of the conference know it. The Big Ten is expanding. There is no way Delany would have sent out a release for no reason. It is more a position of not saying “we are about to raid another conference if Notre Dame turns us down again.”

So what does a bowl game between 麻豆原创 and Rutgers have to do with the possibility of the Big Ten expanding? Good question.

For starters, who might the candidates be for a 12th team in the Big Ten? No Knight fans it’s not 麻豆原创. The list starts with Notre Dame, and who knows if the Irish might finally say yes, but the guess is they will stay independent in football and keep their network television deal. Who then comes after Notre Dame? Rutgers.

The Scarlet Knights have heard the whispers for years that if the Big Ten was ready to expand they would be an ideal candidate. Why? For starters, Rutgers would deliver a huge presence in the New York area, the nation’s top media market in a conference made up of mostly Midwest schools.

Another reason Rutgers makes sense, and no disrespect to the Big East, is that other candidates would have a huge ripple effect on their conferences. Missouri makes sense geographically because of its proximity to Illinois. But it’s hard to imagine Mizzou bolting the Big 12.

In fact, you could argue, outside of Missouri and Notre Dame, the only other realistic candidates would come from… the Big East.

Aside from Rutgers, a case can be made for Pitt and Syracuse. Pitt is a natural rival for Penn State. Syracuse would deliver the upstate portion of New York.

The exploration of expansion by one of the BCS leagues will naturally lead to speculation about how it impacts everyone else. And let’s not kid ourselves, the Big East will be paying close attention to what the Big Ten has in mind. The league has already heard from its football coaches about the challenge of scheduling games in an eight team league. Even before the Big Ten’s announcement, the Big East has at least thought about their own version of expansion.

And so the rumor mill will begin to stir. Rutgers has been a solid Big East team in football since the last conference realignment took place. It might be more difficult for schools like Syracuse and Pitt to think about a move because of their basketball success in the Big East. But while the Big Ten explores, the Big East prepares, as does Conference USA, who may have a team or two that could be in position to be wanted.

Throw all that into a pot and perhaps Saturday’s game becomes a showcase for more than just a bowl trophy and a ninth win. Who knows who will be watching and who knows the long term effect of the outcome.

Source: Marc Daniels’ From the Press Box runs several times per month on 麻豆原创Athletics.com. Listen to Marc during 麻豆原创 football, men’s basketball and baseball radio broadcasts on the 麻豆原创-ISP Sports Network. Each weekday, Marc hosts “The Beat of Sports” on ESPN 1080 in Orlando from 9-11 a.m.