Electrical engineering doctoral student Ganesh Marasini tests real-life grid control operations in 麻豆原创鈥檚 鈥� a training ground for rising engineers to collaborate, learn and help reimagine the energy grid of the future.

Hundreds of fans celebrated 麻豆原创 men’s basketball’s upset win over No. 3 Kansas at Addition Financial Arena.

麻豆原创 broke ground on the transformational Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion at Lake Nona, which is anticipated to open in 2025-26. The new 90,000 square-foot home of the College of Nursing will help 麻豆原创 graduate more highly qualified, compassionate nurses for the future.

A student practices with a manikin hand at 麻豆原创鈥檚 state-of-the-art in the College of Nursing, which is equipped with advanced medical devices and technology to train nursing students for clinical practice.

Since kicking off the outdoor season with a top 10 national ranking, the 麻豆原创 women鈥檚 track and field team has clocked some of the world鈥檚 fastest times this year.

During the 10th anniversary of 麻豆原创 Celebrates the Arts 鈥� a聽multi-day festival honoring creative expressions 鈥� artists competed in Creative Clash, a live art event where they raced against the clock to create large-format artwork with markers in front of spectators at Seneff Arts Plaza.

A graduate walks across the stage during a Spring 2024 commencement ceremony that took place in Addition Financial Arena.

Three students dove into their studies while hanging out in their dorm room at the .

A Summer 2024 graduate beams with pride, holding his diploma as he walks across the commencement stage.

Knightro shows off a 麻豆原创 specialty license plate while filming a new at Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy鈥檚 Studio 500. To Knight Your Ride, click here.

麻豆原创 students are conducting groundbreaking research at labs, paving the way for the future of space exploration and innovation.

Two fighter aircrafts flew over FBC Mortgage Stadium during the pregame ceremony for the Family Weekend football game, where the Knights defeated the Sam Houston State University Bearkats, 45-14.

Running back RJ Harvey crossed into the end zone for a touchdown during the Knight’s second home game of the season against Sam Houston.

A student guides TapeMeasure, 麻豆原创鈥檚 semiautonomous dog-like robot, up the steps of the John C. Hitt Library, demonstrating its advanced navigation capabilities for innovative research by students and faculty.

A member of 麻豆原创 Air Force ROTC Detachment 159 salutes while being filmed on campus for , showcasing 麻豆原创 as a place for those who dare to invent the future.

Annika Emmett, a health sciences student, and Limbitless Solutions intern and past bionic arm recipient, tries on a bionic arm, showcasing its advanced technology that empowers children with limb differences.

This year, 麻豆原创 Downtown, in partnership with Valencia College, celebrates five years of educational excellence. The campus has welcomed more than 7,000 students and awarded 10,300 degrees since opening in 2019.

Two space scientists operate a rover on the world鈥檚 largest simulated lunar surface, located in 麻豆原创鈥檚 Exolith Lab. The lab鈥檚 Lunar Highland Regolith Test Bin was developed in partnership with the Florida Space Institute to support space exploration research.

Before the 麻豆原创 Knights took on the Colorado Buffaloes, two cheerleaders interacted with a young 麻豆原创 fan during Knight Walk at IOA Plaza, the lively pregame tradition where fans, the marching band, and the cheer and dance teams rally together to welcome the football team before kickoff.

麻豆原创鈥檚 cheer team amped up the crowd as the Knights took on the University of Cincinnati Bearcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium.

Rapper NLE Choppa performed at Concert Knight presented by 麻豆原创 Homecoming at Addition Financial Arena.

The cheer team hyped up the crowd with a high-energy stunt routine before students charged into the Reflecting Pond to catch homecoming rubber ducks at Spirit Splash.

Knightro surfed over a crowd of students at Spirit Splash, 麻豆原创鈥檚 biggest homecoming tradition.

During Spirit Splash, Knightro even secured a cowboy-themed rubber duck, celebrating this year鈥檚 theme: Cowboys vs. Aliens.

Knightro posed with a constellation-themed SpaceU cape in front of a giant moon backdrop at 麻豆原创鈥檚 2024 SpaceU Luncheon, honoring the university鈥檚 ties to space exploration and innovation.

麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright stands next to rocket engines while touring facilities during a visit to NASA鈥檚 Kennedy Space Center.

Forward Anzhan茅 Hutton attempts a jump shot to score in the Addition Financial Arena. 麻豆原创 defeated Wichita State 59-56.

Kareem Ahmed, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, is the principal investigator of a new Naval Research Laboratory-funded project to create a morphing hypersonic engine for ultra-fast travel.

The 麻豆原创/Universal Creative Lab, which launched Spring 2023, brings immersive design learning experiences to students to cultivate the next generation of themed entertainment innovators. The class opened to graduate students in 麻豆原创鈥檚 , which is directed by Professor Peter Weishar.

Pushing the frontier of space research, Associate Professor of Physics Adrienne Dove is co-leading NASA鈥檚 $35 million science mission to the moon鈥檚 Gruithuisen Domes, which is expected to launch in 2026.

A participant in the 15th annual 麻豆原创 Iron Knight Challenge drags weights across a field in a race to complete eight physical fitness tasks along a military-style obstacle course.

Forward Taylor Hendricks is 麻豆原创 men鈥檚 basketball鈥檚 third NBA Draft selection in program history. Hendricks was selected by the Utah Jazz with the No. 9 overall pick of the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft.

Jane Gibson, from聽the College of Medicine, was selected as one of four聽2023 Pegasus Professors, the university鈥檚 highest faculty honor. Professors Stephen Fiore, Jennifer Kent-Walsh and Marianna Pensky were also selected.

Rapper and singer Doechii performed at 麻豆原创est Concert Knight presented by Campus Activities Board at the Addition Financial Arena.

During 麻豆原创 Celebrates the Arts 鈥� a multi-day showcase of creativity 鈥� student cellists and other 麻豆原创 musicians performed orchestral classics at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts.

Backstage during a 麻豆原创 Celebrates the Arts production at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts in downtown Orlando.

Ballet dancers captivated the stage during TECH-nique: A Dance Concert at 麻豆原创 Celebrates the Arts, which focused on the intersection of arts and technology this year.

Knights posed for photos in the Student Union during 麻豆原创 Day of Giving 2023; an impactful celebration that ended with Knight Nation raising over $6.8 million 鈥� the most in university history 鈥� to support our local community, fund life-changing scholarships, power championship athletics, build 21st century learning facilities, fuel innovative research and enhance the university鈥檚 global reputation.

A graduate from Spring 2023 commencement celebrates with loved ones.

麻豆原创 students spend a day outdoors in downtown Orlando, which ranks as the No. 1 Best College City in Florida, according to WalletHub.

Principal Investigator and Associate Professor of聽Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering聽Helen Huang works with student Jordan Grubb to understand how the brain and body work together 鈥� valuable research to assist those with impaired movement.

The Charging Knight statue 鈥� representative of 麻豆原创鈥檚 excellence in academics, its partnerships with the community and its athletics program 鈥� sits near the main entrance of FBC Mortgage Stadium.

College of Optics and Photonics Associate Professor Kyu Young Han works with doctoral student Katelyn Canedo聽鈥�16 in the , which focuses on optical nanoscopy. Han is an expert in designing new optical tools for biological applications, including ones that could aid in the understanding of human protein linked to diseases.

Student researchers gain hands-on experience with lasers in a lab in the College of Optics and Photonics.

Two students take a selfie with Knightro during the Welcome Back Popsicle Social event hosted by the Office of the President at the Reflecting Pond on the first day of the fall semester.

Political science student Sebastian Jimenez dives into a book outside of the John C. Hitt Library 鈥� carrying on the late president emeritus鈥� core belief that education transforms lives.

Jersey Shore star and DJ, Pauly D, gets the crowd pumped during his pregame set at Bounce House Live at IOA Plaza before 麻豆原创 football鈥檚 first Big 12 home game.

Fans filled FBC Mortgage Stadium for the first Big 12 home football game against Baylor.

The School of Modeling, Simulation and Training secured an advanced dog-like robot named TapeMeasure 鈥� allowing them to bring students, faculty and new technology together for聽innovative research聽and teaching.

麻豆原创 Creative School for Children held a foam splash event to provide its own Spirit Splash-like experience for preschoolers during Homecoming Week.

Knightro surfed over a crowd of students at Spirit Splash during Homecoming Week.

Knights charged into the Reflecting Pond to catch coveted homecoming rubber ducks at Spirit Splash.

During Spirit Splash, the dance team amped up the crowd before Knights rushed into the Reflecting Pond.

Knightro hyped up the crowd from the sidelines at the homecoming football game against West Virginia.

Assistant Professor of Theme Park and Attraction Management Carissa Baker (middle) works with students to understand theme park storytelling. Baker is a 2023 Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching awardee.

Track and field sprinters Latasha Smith (left) and I鈥橝sia Wilson (right) pose with their collection of championship rings at a tailgate event before 麻豆原创 football鈥檚 Space Game.

Football in tow, tight end Alec Holler moves up the field during 麻豆原创鈥檚 annual Space Game. The Knights defeated Oklahoma State, 45-3, marking their seventh consecutive win since the Space Game debuted in 2017.

Read more about 2021 Homecoming Week Events.

History of Homecoming

麻豆原创鈥檚 first Homecoming was held in 1971, three years after the first classes were held at Florida Technological University (FTU). Since football didn鈥檛 start at 麻豆原创 until 1979, Homecoming originally coincided with basketball season, which was the university鈥檚 first varsity sport.

The Knights won their inaugural Homecoming game, 101-75, on Feb. 13, 1971, over Florida Institute of Technology, which took place at Oviedo High School鈥檚 gymnasium.

The year 1980 saw two Homecomings for the first time: one during basketball season and the first for football, which has just put together a team the year before. Four decades later, we hosted Homecoming week in the fall and again in the spring 鈥� which for the first time included Spring Splash 鈥� as we accommodated for the uncertainty that the COVID-19 pandemic introduced to our daily lives.

On the Scene

Homecoming has witnessed themes ranging from Star Trek and Space (1975) to the Wild, Wild West (1982) to Tales from the Knightside (1991) to this year鈥檚 retro-inspired look.

Homecoming week has featured everything from exciting game day matchups to parades and fire-breathing circus performers to entertainers including LMFAO, Jay Leno, Lenny Kravitz, Jerry Seinfeld, the Beach Boys, Jim Gaffigan, Icona Pop, Snoop Dogg, T-Pain, Luke Bryan and many more.

A Salute to Royalty

Patty Gray Neff 鈥�74 wrote a retrospective story about her experience as the university鈥檚 first Homecoming queen in the Fall 2013 issue of Pegasus.

Perhaps the most memorable royalty was our 1977 Homecoming queen Rita Reutter, a 58-year-old widowed grandmother of 14. Her candidacy was covered by People Magazine, the Associated Press, NBC News and even Johnny Carson鈥檚 鈥淭onight Show.鈥� She died in 2012 at the age of 93.

The following year, the university saw its first Homecoming king crowned: Bob Baker 鈥�78 鈥� who transferred to 麻豆原创 from Daytona Beach Community College where he also reigned as Homecoming royalty. 鈥淚 ran for king mainly to show handicapped people that they can do the same thing a normal person can do. They (the handicapped) shouldn’t be excluded. I think now I proved, not only to myself, but to other people on campus and in the community, that the minority can be on top,鈥� Baker said in a Feb. 10, 1978, Central Florida Future article following his victory.

This year’s Homecoming court includes:

Aundrea Perez, integrated business major

Malik Bellamy, human communication major

Nehemie Francois, marketing major

Trinity McCall-Peaks, marketing major

Jaylen Brown, finance major

Jazmine Manriquez, industrial engineering major

Geela Ramos, computer science major and Burnett Honors Scholar

Anthony Moscol, biomedical sciences major and Burnett Honors Scholar

Diamond Battles, criminal justice major

Adri-Anna Harris, environmental studies major

School Spirit

Homecoming week wouldn’t be complete without the energy and passion of Knight Nation.

Spirit Splash

Spirit Splash, awarded Best Campus Tradition in 2011 by the National Association for Campus Activities, has been a staple of Homecoming Week since 1995. The annual pep rally celebrated its 25th anniversary at Spring Splash and will return to its true form this fall.

If you’re looking for more information about this year’s Homecoming week lineup, check out this complete guide.

Stay golden, 麻豆原创.

Thousands of students lined up for the event hours before the 1 p.m. rush in at the Reflecting Pond . (Photo by Nick Leyva ’15)

麻豆原创 women’s basketball players Masseny Kaba (left), Diamond Battles (center) and Kay Kay Wright (right) hyped up the crowd. (Photo by Nick Leyva ’15)

Head Football Coach Josh Heupel was also in attendance. (Photo by Nick Leyva ’15)

A group of students showed off their excitement. (Photo by Nick Leyva ’15)

Members of the football team, including Jake Brown (left), McKenzie Milton (center) and Kyle Benkel (right) checked out the crowd before tossing ducks. (Photo by聽Nick Leyva ’15)

麻豆原创’s 2019 Homecoming Court waved to everyone and wished them luck in catching a duck. (Photo by聽Nick Leyva ’15)

Students raced to the front of the Pond. (Photo by聽Nick Leyva ’15)

One attendee in particular took the spirit of the occasion to heart by wearing a duck mask. (Photo by Nick Leyva ’15)

Quarterback Dillon Gabriel poses with some ducks before tossing them to the crowd. (Photo by Nick聽Leyva ’15)

Offensive lineman Jordan Johnson had some fun with the crowd. (Photo by Nick Leyva ’15)

One lucky students secures a duck. (Photo by Nick Leyva ’15)

No Spirit Splash would be complete without Knightro. (Photo by聽Nick Leyva ’15)

Another student is amazed he made the catch. (Photo by Lauren Schoepfer ’17)

The cheerleading team helped keep the energy high during the event. (Photo by 聽Lauren Schoepfer ’17)

Knightro crowd surfs as more ducks are thrown. (Photo by Lauren Schoepfer ’17)

No feeling compares to catching a duck. (Photo by 聽Lauren Schoepfer ’17)

麻豆原创 Interim President Thad Seymour Jr. and Katie Seymour pose with the crowd in festive attire as the event came to an end. (Photo by Carly McCarthy ’14)

A good boy named Thor guards a few of the highly coveted ducks. (Photo by Rhiana Raymundo ’19)

Spirit Splash has been recognized as the best university tradition in the state by the National Association for Campus Activities and was featured in . It started in 1995 when the SGA president was pushed into the pond by some students at a pep rally at the fountain. The rest of the student body followed and a couple of years later, the tradition earned the name 鈥淪pirit Splash鈥� and has been going strong ever since.

Now for the tips:

1: Wear a bathing suit or other comfortable clothes that you don鈥檛 mind getting wet. As for shoes, stay away from flip flops because they鈥檒l slow you down or fall off.

2: It can get crowded in the pond, so be safe and cautious of your surroundings.

3: Wear sunscreen. Even though it鈥檚 October, the Florida sun is still hot and you鈥檒l regret it if you don鈥檛 lather up.

4: The best photo opportunity is with a giant inflatable duck.

5: At the event, you can expect a DJ, the 麻豆原创 spirit team, Knightro in his best swim suit, the 麻豆原创 Marching Knights and the football and basketball teams.

6: Students have been known to start gathering for the countdown by 6 a.m. It鈥檚 important to stay properly hydrated while you wait for the rush.

7: If you plan to wear sunglasses, pick a pair that you won鈥檛 mind if they fall off or Croakies that connect to the glasses and help keep them attached to your head.

8: Only bring things that can get wet. It鈥檚 advised to leave bags at home.

9: Pay it forward. If you catch more than one duck, share it with a fellow Knight.

If you鈥檙e an alumnus who is nostalgic for your Spirit Splash days, or you can鈥檛 make it to the big event this year, 麻豆原创 will provide a beginning at noon. The actual splash is scheduled for 1 p.m.

For more information on聽Spirit Splash and Homecoming events, visit check out our Homecoming 2019 guide. For more The Campus Knights content, and follow on Instagram @ucf.edu.

Monday, October 14 – Movie Knight

The 2019 live action Lion King movie will play in the Addition Financial Arena at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. The event is open to the public and families are encouraged to attend.

Tuesday, October 15 – Comedy Knight

SNL stars Alex Moffat and Mikey Day will perform stand-up shows in Addition Financial Arena. Beth Stelling, writer for HBO鈥檚 Crashing will also perform. Comedy Knight starts at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m. Students can find dates and times to pick up free tickets below. To purchase tickets for guest, faculty or staff, visit Ticketmaster.

Wednesday, October 16 – Alumni Charge On Panel, Knights Got Talent

With the theme 鈥淩ise Above,鈥� this year鈥檚 Charge On Panel features four experts, including:

• Deborah Beidel, Pegasus Professor and director of 麻豆原创 RESTORES Clinic
• Shainna Ali 鈥�10 鈥�12鈥橫A 鈥�16PhD, a mental health clinician, advocate and educator
• Albert Manero 鈥�12 鈥�14MSAE 鈥�16PhD, co-founder and president of Limbitless Solutions,
• Konya Plummer, 麻豆原创 student-athlete who made history as captain of the Jamaican Women鈥檚 National Team in the 2019 FIFA Women鈥檚 World Cup

The lineup of panelists will share how they are breaking barriers, overcoming adversity and rising above expectations through innovation in their industries. Eric DeSalvo ’09, assistant athletic director for #Content, will host the event, which runs from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Be sure to RSVP for the free event, which includes breakfast.

Featuring impressive acts from students across the university, 麻豆原创鈥檚 highly anticipated talent show 鈥� Knights Got Talent 鈥� is back. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. in Addition Financial Arena. The event is open to the public.

Thursday, October 17 – Concert Knight

Atlanta singer, rapper and songwriter 6LACK (pronounced 鈥渂lack鈥�) is the main act for Concert Knight. Miami singer and dancer DaniLeigh will open the show at 8 p.m. in Addition Financial Arena. Doors open at 7 p.m. Students can find dates and times to pick up free tickets below. To purchase tickets for guest, faculty or staff, visit Ticketmaster.

Friday, October 18 – Spirit Splash, Greek Step Show, Fireworks, Black and Gold Takeover

麻豆原创鈥檚 biggest homecoming tradition 鈥� Spirit Splash 鈥� is back at the Reflecting Pond starting at noon, but lines for the event start as early as 11 a.m.

Later in the day, fraternity and sorority members will perform at the Greek Extravaganza Step Show in the Addition Financial Arena. The show starts at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m. Students can find dates and times to pick up free tickets below.

Following the step show will be聽fireworks on Memory Mall at 9 p.m. This event is open to the public, with families especially welcomed.

The 麻豆原创 Young Alumni Council is hosting a Black and Gold Takeover on Wall Street Plaza in downtown Orlando from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. All graduatess who are at least 21 are encouraged and welcome to attend.聽Register online for $5, or on-site for $10. Registration fees include:

• Admission to all participating venues
• Three complimentary drinks at Hooch, Waitiki and Cantina
• Light appetizers
• 麻豆原创 swag

Saturday, October 19 鈥� Alumni Indoor Tailgate, Football Game

Before Saturday鈥檚 kickoff, 麻豆原创 graduates are welcome to an indoor tailgate at the 麻豆原创 FAIRWINDS Alumni Center. Starting at 4 p.m., enjoy free beverages (while supplies last), barbecue for purchase, a family-friendly game room and more. Be sure to register for the event online.

Orlando鈥檚 Hometown Team will take on the East Carolina Pirates at Spectrum Stadium for the homecoming game. Kickoff takes place at 7 p.m.聽Students may reserve free tickets聽here.聽Guests and other fans may purchase tickets here. Check out 麻豆原创 Football鈥檚 Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates and more information.

Ticketing

Students will need tickets to attend Concert Knight, Comedy Knight and the Greek Extravaganza Step Show. Take your 麻豆原创 ID to the following locations during these dates and times:

• Thursday, Oct. 3: Student Union Patio, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 4: Student Union Patio, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 5: Recreation and Wellness Center, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 8: Student Union Patio, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 9: Recreation and Wellness Center, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 10: Student Union Patio, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 11: Student Union Patio, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 13: Recreation and Wellness Center, 5:30 to 8 p.m.

For more information and details about Homecoming, follow 麻豆原创 Homecoming on Facebook, on Twitter and @麻豆原创HC on Instagram.

The week kicked off聽 Joel McHale as the headline act at Comedy Knight. He made a name for himself as the host of The Soup on E! and the star of NBC’s聽Community and later The Joel McHale Show With Joel McHale on Netflix. During his set, McHale commented on 麻豆原创 football’s winning streak and Spirit Splash.

Thanks to CFE Arena’s stage setup for Homecoming week, the men’s basketball team enjoyed a unique atmosphere for its highly anticipated season opener on Tuesday. Senior BJ Taylor led the way with 22 points as four Knights scored in double digits to lift 麻豆原创 to a 84-70 victory against Rider, the defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion and 2017 NIT participant.

The weekend continued with Knights Got Talent.聽Shivanie Sharma, who performed a traditional Indian dance, was one of 10 acts to compete in the show.

Kristen Ng’s聽rhythmic gymnastics earned runner-up honors at Knights Got Talent. She was edged by聽Brendan Pafford, who also won Rosen’s Got Talent, who was named champion after singing “I Want You Back” accompanied by his guitar skills.

Bellah stole the show when she sang her heart out to “How Far I’ll Go” from the 2016 Disney film Moana.聽She was there to represent the “Miracle Children” who benefit from Knight-Thon, a 20-hour dance marathon and year-long fundraising effort that is organized annually by 麻豆原创 students to support the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

In the middle of Homecoming week, 麻豆原创 also took time to remember our military ahead of Veterans Day with Nov. 8’s seventh annual Veterans Commemoration Ceremony. The Veterans Academic Resource Center planted more than 1,400聽American flags on Memory Mall in front of the Veterans Commemorative Site. Each flag represents one student veteran attending 麻豆原创 for the fall semester.

Known for her singles “Boo’d Up” and “Trip” from her recently released self-titled album, British singer Ella Mai had fun with the packed crowd at CFE Arena on Concert Knight.

The crowd lights up Concert Knight.

A$AP Mob member and Harlem, New York rapper A$AP Ferg headlined Concert Knight. “Work,” “New Level,” and “Plain Jane” were among some of the hits he performed.

A tradition that’s 23 years strong, Spirit Splash once again drew hundreds of students 鈥� and 麻豆原创 President Dale Whittaker 鈥� into the Reflecting Pond.

After more than 55,000 students packed Spectrum Stadium for the first five home football games this year, 麻豆原创 President Dale Whittaker held up his promise to jump in the pond. Earlier this semester, Whittaker and 麻豆原创 Athletics Director Danny White set a challenge for 50,000 students to attend 麻豆原创’s home games before Spirit Splash.

Apparently, Spirit Splash wasn’t just for humans this year.

These Spirit Splashers had the opportunity to get their hands on two ducks this year: the 2018-themed duck and a special edition President Whittaker duck.

Senior health science majors Alexus Williamson and Darrius McFadden were named Homecoming King and Queen.

Following the Knights’ 35-24 win over Navy, the football team and cheerleaders sang the alma mater.

The volleyball team capped the weekend聽by capturing its second American Athletic Conference Championship in five years with a sweep of East Carolina. It appears winning streaks are contagious around 麻豆原创 鈥� the volleyball squad’s win on Sunday extended its streak to 21 matches, the fifth-longest active unbeaten stretch in the nation.

Here鈥檚 the schedule:

麻豆原创 Day of Giving is all about supporting what you鈥檙e passionate about. We鈥檙e looking for 1,000 alumni, parents, friends and fans to think about what they love about 麻豆原创 and then make a donation during our 24-hour challenge. It doesn鈥檛 matter if you support science or soccer, photonics or the pantry, or anything in between — all donations make an impact.

24 hours + 1,000 donors = endless possibilities for the university. And during the 麻豆原创 Day of Giving on March 29, your gift can go even further. Thanks to Trustee Beverly J. Seay P鈥�06 鈥�11 and members of the 麻豆原创 Alumni Board, an additional $50,000 has been pledged if we reach our 1,000 donor goal.

Any amount to any fund counts! So join us and take the plunge! Support what you鈥檙e passionate about and then share the love on social media using #Giveto麻豆原创.

鈥淓ach and every year we strive to make Homecoming appeal to everyone,鈥� said Joey Wolf, Homecoming executive director. 鈥淲e鈥檙e so excited to offer so many different events. From Concert Knight featuring Big Sean, Comedy Knight featuring Damon Wayans Jr., and our annual traditions of Sprit Splash and fireworks, we can鈥檛 wait to get started.鈥�

Live streaming of Spirit Splash will begin at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.The tradition involves students celebrating what it means to be a 麻豆原创 Knight and concludes with thousands of students jumping into the Reflecting Pond in front of Millican Hall.

鈥淭his [live streaming] is such a great opportunity to involve students and alumni that may not be able to make it back to campus for Spirit Splash,鈥� said Wolf. 鈥淲e know how important this event is to people and we鈥檙e so thrilled to be able to bring it to them live.鈥�

To see the action beginning at 1 p.m. Playback will be available on demand after the conclusion of the event around 3 p.m.

Homecoming is 聽chock-full of fun activities aimed at students, faculty, alumni and their families. It鈥檚 a great time to head to campus and celebrate being a Knight.

Homecoming distributed all of its 6,000 student tickets for Concert Knight and Comedy Knight within two days. For more information, visit .

UPDATE:聽 麻豆原创 will host a Homecoming fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, on Memory Mall.

To accommodate the fireworks, Garage D and a few designated rows of Lot D2 will close at 11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22. Vehicles in those areas must be removed by that time, or they will be subject to towing.

Additional on-campus parking will be available Friday, Oct. 23, at the Softball Stadium, with a shuttle service provided from there to the Health and Public Affairs shuttle stop in lot C1.

Garage D will remain closed after the fireworks until 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, when campus parking areas will open for football game day activities. 麻豆原创 will host the University of Houston at noon Saturday.

Free parking for the fireworks display will be available Friday evening in garages C and H.

On game day, all vehicles without a valid game day permit in garages C, D, F and H and lots B4, B7, C1-C3, D1-D2 and E1-E8 are subject to towing beginning at 5 a.m. Saturday. Overnight parking is also prohibited on East Plaza Drive, and any unauthorized vehicles there are also subject to towing.

Overnight parking on Friday night is permitted in garages A, B and I, the Libra Garage and lots B5-6, B9, B12 and H4.

As a reminder, we will continue to offer $20 cash parking in Garage H on game days, which will be available to all fans. Since 2011, we have raised more than $200,000 for first-generation scholarships through Garage H proceeds.

If you have questions about the parking policies for the fireworks event, please call the Office of Student Involvement at 407-823-6471. More information about 麻豆原创’s game day policies is available at www.麻豆原创GameDay.com.

Schedule of Events:

Kidz Carnival 鈥� Sunday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 鈥� Lake Claire. Kid-friendly event featuring games and booths from various organizations across campus. Free admission.

Comedy Knight 鈥� Monday, Oct. 19, 9 p.m. 鈥� CFE Arena. Headlined by Damon Wayans Jr. and featuring Jimmy Tatro. Tickets are $25 and available through Ticketmaster and at the CFE Box Office.

Skit Knight 鈥� Tuesday, Oct. 20, 9 p.m. 鈥� CFE Arena. Various Greek organizations and student groups compete to create the most outstanding skits. Free admission.

Concert Knight 鈥� Wednesday, Oct. 21, 9 p.m. 鈥� CFE Arena. Big Sean headlines the show with country duo Dan + Shay in support. Tickets are $25 and available through Ticketmaster and at the CFE Box Office.

Coin Wars 鈥� Thursday, Oct. 22, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Student Union patio. Homecoming teams compete to raise the most amount of money through the collection of 鈥渟ilver鈥� coins 鈥� nickels, dimes and quarters. Dollar bills count negatively toward teams and pennies are neutral. All proceeds benefit Knight-Thon, 麻豆原创鈥檚 dance marathon, which supports the Greater Orlando Children鈥檚 Miracle Network Hospitals.

Movie Knight 鈥� Thursday, Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m., Memory Mall. Come out and enjoy some popcorn under the stars as Homecoming screens 鈥淢inions.鈥� Free admission.

Spirit Splash 鈥� Friday, Oct. 23, 1 p.m., Reflecting Pond. Join 15,000 of your closest friends and jump into the Reflecting Pond to snag one of Homecoming鈥檚 prized rubber ducks. Free admission.

Fireworks 鈥� Friday, Oct. 23, 9:30 p.m., Memory Mall. After the successful inaugural event last year, fireworks will again be featured at Homecoming. Free admission.

Football Game 鈥� Saturday, Oct. 24, noon, Bright House Networks Stadium. Come out and cheer on the Knights to victory against Houston. Homecoming King and Queen will be announced at halftime. (Homecoming Court voting opens Monday, Oct. 19, at 9 a.m.)