***1979 UCF Football Game Program 🏈 📷

Brandon · Jul 10, 2023

For years, I was on the lookout for an inaugural season game program from 1979. I was able to get one a couple years ago on eBay and last year I bought another one in better condition. The guy was local and was a ball boy for UCF during the early seasons. He said he had boxes of programs. So I bought a bunch from the early 1980s as well.

I thought I'd go ahead and take photos of all the pages if anybody was interested to take a look. I posted to both Imgur and Google Photos, whichever one you like best to use.

1979 UCF Football Game Program

46 new items added to shared album

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This program is from the first home game against Fort Benning, played on Sept. 29, 1979. The first page outlines the birth of the football program at UCF:

When Dr. Trevor Colburn arrived on the UCF (then FTU) campus in June, 1978, he began talking about his plans to lead Central Florida's State University. He announced his hopes for a name change to more accurately reflect the purpose of the institution. He talked about some academic reorganization to better serve the students. And he voiced interest in beginning a football program at the University.

Football?

Probably no single plan received such enthusiastic support from the people of Central Florida as did Dr. Colburn's interest in beginning football. UCF had already distinguished itself in several sports, bringing national championships, All-American athletes and top competition to the area. But could the University also offer a football program?

The support of the community indicated that they did, indeed, want to support football. Dr. Colburn and athletic director Dr. Jack O'Leary worked on the plans, and soon announced that UCF wished to field a Division III team if the community wanted it. Reaction was so enthusiastic that plans were made to begin a team this Fall, and you have the opportunity tonight to see UCF's first football squad in action.

Exciting plans took place during the months of planning for football. Don Jonas offered to coach and he brought along a number of outstanding athletes to assist him. Arrangements were made with the Tangerine Bowl to play Saturday night games. A number of colleges indicated their interest in adding UCF to their schedules. And more than 200 UCF students signed up for try-outs. The community responded with contributions and offers of help, and the football program was underway.

As the football program grows in the coming years, we know that this year will stand as a milestone in the organization, support and performance of the many individuals helping to assemble a football program at UCF.

I especially liked the welcome message from UCF's first O'Leary - Athletic Director John T. O'Leary:

Dear Knight sports fans:

Welcome to the sports world of the UCF Fighting Knights. This first edition of UCF football is the beginning of many exciting games Knight fans will view in the years ahead.

Welcome all of you to the Tangerine Bowl and we sincerely hope you will enjoy Coach Don Jonas' brand of UCF Fighting Knight football.

So join the "UCF team". Be at the games. We need your support!

This is the beginning of a new and exciting era in UCF Athletics.

The only detailed bios were of the coaching staff, led by head coach Don Jonas.

They list bio of photos of "UCF's Althetic Staff" (misspelling, lol). It was also misspelled again later in the program.

Here's the recap of the first game vs. St. Leo:

The University of Central Florida's football team makes history again tonight as it play's its first home game. The Knights, dubbed "Saturday Knights Live," opened the season last Saturday in St. Leo with a 21-0 victory.

Last week's game was played in an intermittent rainstorm that made field conditions deplorable. Still, the Knights were able to put 21 points on the board scoring a touchdown and an extra point in each of the first three quarters.

The Knights scored first when Bobby Joe Plain gathered in a Mike Cullison pass of 13 yards to cap the opening drive of 80 yards. Tom Hungerford added his first of three successful PATS and the Knights led 7-0.

UCF struck again in the second quarter on a Mike Cullison run of two yards and at the half, UCF led 14-0. Cullison added his second touchdown pass of the day in the third quarter when he found Bob Ross from six yards out to round out the scoring.

While the Knight offense was scoring the points, the Knight defense was keeping St. Leo at bay. Though the Monarchs' finished the afternoon with 11 first downs to UCF's 14, four came on penalties. Even with 11 first downs, through, the Monarchs' managed only 83 yards in total offense. The Knights, led by Mike Stapp's 101 yards on 17 carries, finished with 257 total yards. Both teams ran 54 offensive plays.

Cullison finished the day with 11 completions in 18 attempts. He had one pass poicked off. His longest completion of his 85 yards was of 20 yards to Plain.

One sour note from last week's game was the number of penalties charged against the Knights--10 flags worth 110 yards.

Members of UCF's first booster organization - the Gridiron Club - were recognized. I recognize a few names.

Here were the levels and benefits.

Gold - $500 (all benefits)
Lancer - $250 (3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
Century - $100 (4, 5, 6, 7)
Coaches - $50 (5, 6, 7)
Knight - $25 (6, 7)

Check out these benefits:

BENEFITS TO GRIDIRON CLUB MEMBERS

1. Membership entitles you to two "All Event Tickets" to all UCF Athletic events. This ticket allows the bearer to view any Knight sponsored athletic event held on campus for the year.

2. Special (Reserved) Parking Area at the Football Stadium for all Home Games.

3. Fifty Yard Line (Reserved) seats at the stadium. Special seating area for Club Members.

4. Gridiron Club Room for Gridiron Club Members for Pre-Game & Halftime relaxing.

5. Social Functions of Black & Gold Club. This has included in the past, Barbeques and Receptions, special participation in facility dedications, and bus and field trips to out of town sporting events.

6. A quarterly Sports Newsletter which keeps you informed of all aspects of UCF athletic program.

7. Automatic membership in the UCF Foundation. This membership offers you the privilege of:
a. Receiving the Emphasis quarterly magazine.
b. Free use of the Library facilities.
c. Free use of Recreation facilities which includes the swimming pool, tennis courts and gymnasium.
d. Receiving a UCF Foundation decal.

Ron Dowdy (name is on ECU's stadium) was a Gold donor as was Manny Garcia (local restaurant owner) and Wayne Densch. At the Lancer level, Allen Trovillion (former Winter Park mayor). At the Knight level, the first name listed was Les Harding aka "Big Les"/FTUCF who died at the Bounce House in 2021 (thread here).

Tickets for the first season were $4 for adults and $3 for students/children. Bethune-Cookman played a couple games at the Tangerine Bowl in 1979 and their tickets prices were $6.

Tangerine Bowl tickets (the bowl game itself) ranged from $6, $8 and $10.

The first UCF band was borrowed from Orlando's Naval Training Center.

I made a point to include all the advertisements. That's sometimes just as interesting. Among the ads:

Belk Lindsey. That Belk in Pine Hills held on for a while in spite of the neighborhood. I think it finally closed in the late 1990s.

Sam's Woodshed Pub in Casselberry.

Point After Bar.

Nichol's Alley Disco in downtown Orlando. One of the largest lighted dance floors in the Southeast!

Malcolms Hungry Bear Unlimited Buffet on West Colonial Drive.

Y106 radio station.

Church Street Station.

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