During a short recruiting cycle in his first season, following three as the lead man at Marshall, six signees were added to an already youthful roster which finished 15-17 overall and 6-10 in Conference USA this past year.

Knowing that the essential pieces from that squad were returning for the 2010-11 season, the plan going in for Jones and his assistants was quite simple.

Donnie Jones

“Not many times do you walk into a program where everybody’s back,” said Jones. “That’s an unusual situation. Being able to add some depth is really what our focus was.”

And that’s what they did by signing a young point guard for the future, some true size in the middle, and shooters to help shore up the wing.

Joining a core made up of senior forward A.J. Tyler, guards A.J. Rompza (junior) and Marcus Jordan (sophomore), and forward Keith Clanton (sophomore) are three Division I transfers, a junior college transfer and two prep players.

Just two of those transfers must sit out this season as per NCAA rules.

“Sometimes when you need instant help and you have a short period of time, it’s better to get veterans,” said Jones. “It gives you a little time to focus on the underclassmen, and we bring in instant help that can come in and compete (right) now.”

Winning and competing is precisely what fans will expect later this year as they tip-toe into a season for the first time in 17 years without beloved coach Kirk Speraw, who was not retained after one of several subpar campaigns.

How long it takes for fans to warm up to the new regime is anybody’s guess.

Jones doesn’t know if there’s any certain remedy for winning fans over, other than to “come in and try to build on the great things that Kirk’s done here.”

“I’ve got a lot of respect for him and what he’s done for this program, it’s been incredible,” he said. “We’ll just try to build on what he’s done and earn our respect with how we play and what we do on a day-to-day basis.

“Hopefully people will come out and support this program based on UCF and not necessarily who the coach is.”

More wins than losses are likely to help heal old wounds. And if that’s the case, based on the track record of this guy it shouldn’t take long to turn the Knights into conference contenders.

Jones led the Thundering Herd to an 11-5 C-USA mark and 24-10 overall record last season with one of the top offenses in the country, leading the conference in scoring at 79.9 points per game. Before arriving in West Virginia, Jones spent 11 years as an assistant at Florida under head coach Billy Donovan, helping the program win back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007.

Joining Jones at UCF are assistant coaches Shawn Finney, Brett Nelson, Darren Tillis, and director of basketball operations Tim Thomas. All four worked with Jones at Marshall, where Hassan Whiteside led the nation in blocks with 182, good for the fourth-most in NCAA single-season history.

––– DONNIE JONES ON HIS NEW RECRUITS AT UCF –––

– Jarvis Davis (FR; 6-1, 175) – out of Hargrove Military Academy in Virginia; River View High School in Columbia, S.C.

Jones calls Davis a tough, competitive kid and “a pass-first point guard who makes others better around him.”

“He’ a good defender and I think his ability to score will get better with time,” said Jones.

Davis, who was the first signing at UCF for Jones, spent last year at Hargrove Military and has been on campus since May.

– Isaiah Sykes (FR; 6-5, 200) – out of Denby High School in Detroit, Mich.

Sykes is a tough and athletic left-handed shooter who Jones says is versatile enough to play at a number of different positions, “which I like in our system,” Jones said.

The coach says Sykes is skilled enough to contribute immediately for the Knights. He scored 17 points in the Michigan High School All-Star Game and was rated No. 39 at small forward by Scout.

– Dwight McCombs (JR; 6-8, 240) – out of Moraine Valley Community College; Miami (Ohio); Whitney Young High School in Chicago Ill.

Jones said McCombs, the second of his recruits, has been dropping weight and getting into better shape ever since arriving on campus in May. Coaches are impressed with the transfer’s rebounding, scoring, and the way he runs the floor.

“He fits with what we want to do,” said Jones.

McCombs averaged 22.5 points (No. 12 in nation), 13.3 rebounds (No. 3) and led the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II in blocks at five per game last season. He was also a high school teammate of A.J. Rompza.

– Tom Herzog (SR; 7-0, 250) – out of Michigan State; Powers High School in Flint, Mich.

A bit player at Michigan State, Herzog has been given one last chance to live up to the billing. After being hailed as a top prep-player out of high school (rated the No. 7 center in the nation by Rivals) he contributed lightly for two NCAA Final Four teams under Tom Izzo.

With his arrival to Orlando this past weekend, the Knights have a true center entering the year. Herzog is not required to sit out this season after transferring since he has already earned his bachelor’s degree at MSU and redshirted during the 2006-07 season.

“I think the timing is right (and) we needed a center,” said Jones. “He has the ability to come in and help us and impact us immediately. He’s got an edge about himself to get out and play and I liked that when I was recruiting him.”

As a freshman in 2003-04, he blocked a Michigan high school single-season state record 182 shots and later finished second in the Michigan Hal Schram Mr. Basketball Award voting as a senior.

– Josh Crittle (JR; 6-8, 250) – out of Oregon; Hales Franciscan High School in Bellwood, Ill.

Jones says the addition of Crittle gives the Knights some size that’s hard to come by.

Crittle will have a chance to get acclimated to a new system as a redshirt over the next year after coming in as a reserve out of Oregon.

“He’s a guy who can come in and physically compete each and every day,” said Jones. “He’s got a whole year to get himself ready and get better.”

As a senior in high school he was rated the No. 29 center in the nation by ESPN and The No. 30 post player in the country by Scout.

– Jeff Jordan (SR; 6-1, 185) – out of Illinois; Loyola Academy in Chicago, Ill.

The eldest son of NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan joins brother Marcus at UCF after transferring in from Illinois, where he spent the past three seasons as a reserve. He becomes the second player from the 2010-11 recruiting class to sit out following a transfer.

“Anytime you’ve got family members or guys who played at the same high school together, which we have on this team, that brings back a little pride,” said Jones.

“He understands the mentality of work and team and he played for a great coach and played at a great program at Illinois. To bring that kind of leadership and experience to the program right now gives us three really good points guards here from a depth standpoint.”

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –

– Gold for Williams –

Serving as an assistant coach in her first appearance working with USA Basketball, Williams helped lead the USA Women’s U-18 National Team to a 5-0 record at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

On Sunday, the U.S. team scored a huge 81-38 win over Brazil in the gold-medal game of the FIBA America U-18 Championship. Six players scored at least nine points in the game en route to the title.

Williams, the 2009 Conference USA Coach of the Year, coached alongside Florida State’s Sue Semrau and head coach Jennifer Rizzoti out of Hartford. Williams enters her fourth season with the Knights later this year when UCF opens the 2010-11 season at the Women’s National Invitational Tournament for the first time in program history.

– Sixth for James –

After recently wrapping up her track and field career as a UCF Knight this past season, James posted a time of 13.25 seconds on Saturday in the 100-meter hurdles finals of the USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.

That effort was good for sixth place behind professionals Lolo Jones (12.69), Kellie Wells (12.84), Damu Cherry (12.86) Ginnie Powell (12.90) and Tiffany Ofili (13.04) despite running into a stiff wind of 2.1 meters per second. James, who holds the UCF school record in the event, qualified sixth for the finals in 13.24 seconds.

Former college teammate Jackie Coward competed against James in the same semifinal heat and missed qualifying for the finals with a time of 13.50. Two weeks ago Coward finished her sophomore season as an outdoor All-American at the NCAA Track & Field Championships.

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –

Welcome to this edition of Orlando Sports Central Highlights…

– Orlando Magic Get New Look –

Fans will either grow to love it or hate it. Either way, the Orlando Magic will sport at bit of a new look this fall when they open the new Amway Center.

From the Magic: The new logo incorporates the Magic’s current jersey wordmark, giving a more integrated look.  It also continues the team’s colors with the Magic blue, Magic black and Magic silver.  The updated look includes the team’s current secondary logo with the iconic star ball for a smooth transition from old to new, building on the heritage and history of the Magic from its birth in 1989.

“This new logo signifies the beginning of a new era of excellence for the Orlando Magic and our fans,” said Magic Chief Operating Officer Alex Martins. “We are excited about where our team is and the direction we are headed as we build on the legend already created and look forward to what the future holds.”

– UCF’s Culpepper Back In Action –

If all goes well between now and then, former UCF quarterback Daunte Culpepper will be back in the Florida Citrus Bowl on Thursday, Oct. 21 with his new football team, the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. The Mountain Lions will be in Orlando as visitors of the Florida Tuskers.

The 1998 All-American and Sammy Baugh Trophy recipient has reunited with two of his former coaches. Culpepper’s first NFL head coach, Dennis Green, is entering his second season, as is offensive coordinator Mike Kruczek, who coached him as a Golden Knight.

Green selected Culpepper with the 11th pick in the 1999 NFL Draft. After three trips to the Pro Bowl while with the Minnesota Vikings, he later wound up floating between the Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders and Detroit Lions.

Following 95 career NFL starts with 23,208 passing yards, 146 touchdowns and 101 interceptions, his desire to continue playing the game of football prompted the reunion.

“When the opportunity came for me to sign with the UFL and play for coach Green in Sacramento I could not resist,” said Culpepper.

He’s also looking forward to teaming back up with Kruczek, whose offense helped Culpepper become just the third player in NCAA history to pass for more than 10,000 yards and rush for more than 1,000 in a career. As a Knight, Culpepper passed for 11,412 career yards with 84 touchdowns.

After being named the starter in Minnesota in 2000, he led the Vikings to a 7-0 mark during a season that ended in an NFC Championship Game loss to the New York Giants, who were coached by Las Vegas Locos Head Coach Jim Fassel.

– UCF’s Coward An Outdoor All-American –

Of the three UCF track and field athletes competing at nationals this past weekend, it was sophomore Jackie Coward who came away with the program’s best-ever showing.

Coward became the first Knight to earn NCAA Outdoor All-American honors when she qualified fourth for the 100-meter hurdles at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. After clocking in at 13.04 seconds to qualify, she ran that same time in the finals for fifth place overall. Virginia Tech’s Queen Quedith Harrison won the title at 12.67.

By advancing to the championship stage, Coward became a two-time All-American. She previously advanced to the finals of the 60-meter hurdles at the 2009 NCAA Indoor Championships.

Sophomore Sheila Paul (100-meter dash) and freshman Sonnisha Williams (long jump) also competed on the campus of the University of Oregon but did not advance to championship contention.

– Winter Park FHSAA All-Sports Champs –

Continuing its tradition of winning, the boys and girls athletic programs at Winter Park High School swept the Class 6A Florida High School Athletic Association Floyd E. Lay Sunshine Cup All-Sports Awards for the 2009-10 school year.

The Wildcats, with 1,173 total points, turned in an impressive margin of victory over Dr. Phillips (836.5) in the overall standings.

More details on standings for all classifications are available at the FHSAA site.

– Orlando Magic Youth Basketball Camps –

The Orlando Magic is hosting youth basketball camps throughout Central Florida this summer designed for boys and girls of all skill levels ages 7-16. While many camp dates are already sold out, limited space is still available for a number of others.

Each camp session offers instruction provided by the National Basketball Academy and other top area coaches offering personalized attention, drills, skill development, live games and an individual player evaluation.

All participants receive an official camp T-shirt and headband, a full-size Magic basketball, a ticket to a 2010-11 Orlando Magic home game in the new Amway Center, daily giveaways, prizes, awards and other trivia, contests and games. Guest appearances by Magic players are subject to availability.

–– Remaining Dates/Locations –

– June 21-25 at Lake Mary Preparatory School – 650 Rantoul Lane, Lake Mary 32746

– June 21-25 at 24 Hour Fitness – 15 West Crystal Lake Dr., Orlando 32806

– June 28-July 2 at Orlando Sports Center (Vince Carter’s Orlando Magic Basketball Camp) – 6700 Kingspointe Parkway, Orlando 32819

– July 5-9 at The First Academy – 2667 Bruton Blvd., Orlando 32805

– July 5-9 at Celebration School K-8 – 1809 Celebration Blvd., Celebration 34747

– July 5-9 at Warner University (Jason Williams’ 2010 Overnight Basketball Camp) – 13895 Highway 27, Lake Wales 33859

– July 12-16 at Willow Creek Church – 4725 East Lake Drive, Winter Springs 32708

– July 12-16 at Lake Mary Preparatory School – 650 Rantoul Lane, Lake Mary 32746

– July 19-23 at Pro-Health and Fitness Center – 8705 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne 32940

– August 2-6 at Orlando Christian Prep – 500 South Semoran Blvd., Orlando 32807

– August 2-6 at Lyman High School – 865 S. Ronald Regan Blvd., Longwood 32750

– August 9-13 at Magic Practice Court – RDV Sportsplex at 8701 Maitland Summit Blvd, Orlando 32810

– August 9-13 at Bolles Middle School – 7400 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville 32217

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –

In the second day of the MLB First-Year Player Draft, local baseball players began to be selected by big league clubs. Below is a look at who they were, where they were picked, and what team made the call.

– 2010 MLB Draft Top-10 Local Picks –

– LHP Justin Nicolino (University) selected No. 80 overall by Toronto in 2nd round. WESH Video

– RHP A.J. Cole (Oviedo) selected No. 116 overall by Washington in 4th round.

– CF Mason Williams (West Orange) selected No. 145 overall by NY Yankees in 4th round.

– LHP Alex Burgos (Osceola/State College of Florida) selected No. 163 overall by Detroit in 5th round.

– LHP John Gast (Lake Brantley/Florida State) selected No. 199 overall by St. Louis in 6th round.

– RF Jose Dore (The First Academy) selected No. 244 overall by San Diego in 8th round.

– SS Mike Freeman (Edgewater/Clemson) selected No. 331 overall by Arizona in 11th round.

– RHP Cody Allen (Boone/UCF/St. Petersburg JC) selected No. 480 overall by Cleveland in 16th round.

– RHP Owen Dew (UCF) selected No. 630 overall by Cleveland in 21st round.

– C Shane Brown (Winter Park/UCF) selected No. 715 overall by NY Yankees in 23rd round.

– More Local MLB Draft Picks –

LF Chris Duffy (Cypress Creek/UCF) at No. 801 overall to Philadelphia (26th round); CF Jay Gonzalez (Freedom) No. 833 overall to Boston (27th round); RHP Tim Griffin (Rollins College) No. 852 overall to Seattle (28th round); LHP Ronald Schreurs (Freedom) No. 1,296 overall to Toronto (43rd round); LHP Jimmy Hodgskin (Bishop Moore) No. 1,311 overall to Philadelphia (43rd round); OF Tyler Marincov (Timber Creek) No. 1,453 overall to Detroit (48th round).

– Draft Notes –

– The UCF Knights have had nine different players selected in the MLB Draft over the last three years, including Brown, who has now been drafted twice by the Yankees. Last season he was picked in the 47th round. In all, UCF has had its baseball players drafted by MLB organizations 73 times since 1979. Dew was taken in the 33rd round in 2009 by the Los Angeles Angels. Duffy, who was selected in the 9th round out of high school, completed his four-year career as a finalist for the 2010 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award as one of the top amateur players in the nation.

– The Florida Collegiate Summer League had the highest number of current or former baseball players drafted over the three-day MLB selection process as 25 FCSL players were taken, including five in the first eight rounds. A complete list of draftees is available at Florida League.

– NCAA Track and Field Championships –

UCF sent a school-record 11 student-athletes to the NCAA East Championships and came away with three who qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, beginning Wednesday in Eugene, Ore.

Sophomores Jackie Coward and Sheila Paul, and freshman Sonnisha Williams will be competing at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon from June 9-12.

Jackie Coward

Paul is scheduled to run in one of three semifinal heats of the 100-meter dash on Wednesday at 6 p.m., with the finals scheduled for Friday at 5:32 p.m. Coward competes in one of three semifinal heats of the 100-meter hurdles on Thursday night at 5:55 p.m., with the finals scheduled for Saturday at 11:09 a.m. Williams competes in the trials and finals of the long jump on Saturday starting at 9:30 a.m.

At stake are All-American accolades (finishing among the top-eight in each respective event), which would be the first for UCF in outdoor competition. The Knights have previously had four NCAA Indoor All-Americans, including Coward in 2009.

Coward is ranked seventh nationally in the 100mH with a season-best time of 12.99. She is seeded No. 11 after clocking in at 13.11 at the east championships. Paul recently ran a personal-best 11.36 and is ranked No. 16 overall entering the 100m. She is seeded No. 22 based on her time of 11.54 in the east championship finals. Williams is ranked No. 20 nationally in the long jump, No. 2 among freshman, after measuring in at a school-record jump of 20-6.25/6.25m at the east championships. She is seeded No. 18 at the event.

– Former Goalkeeper Makes Pro Soccer Debut –

Last month former UCF men’s soccer goalkeeper Sean Johnson made his professional debut for Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire, playing all 90 minutes in a 1-0 exhibition loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the opener of the Chicago Sister Cities International Cup at Toyota Park in Chicago.

Johnson, the 51st pick of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, made three saves in the game as Clement Chantome got a shot by him in the 14th minute. A two-year starter for UCF in 2007 and 2008, Johnson became the first UCF player to be drafted by an MLS team.

“I take full responsibility,” said Johnson of the goal against. “I was in good position, the ball hit a little divot and I should’ve gotten a little bit of a better push forward and parried it away to be safe. At the end of the day, my defense knows I’ll take the goal on me.”

In 2009, Johnson passed on playing for UCF after he was selected to play with the United States U-20 National Team. He participated in the U-20 World Cup this past fall.

Aside from the outcome of his professional debut, he was just happy to get some playing time.

“It was a good opportunity,” Johnson said. “I think you learn from playing and this being my first game I think I did alright.”

– Baseball Team Nabs Five C-USA Honors –

Among the five Conference USA award winners on UCF’s baseball team, Olympia alum Chris Taladay came away with perhaps the top honor.

The third baseman was recently voted as the 2010 C-USA Freshman of the Year, becoming the first Knight to claim a C-USA individual postseason award since the Knights joined the league in 2006.

Other award winners included senior outfielders Chris Duffy and Shane Brown, who were both first team selections. Taladay joined shortstop Darnell Sweeney and relief pitcher Joe Rogers on the All-Freshman Team. All three were also named Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-Americans by Collegiate Baseball.

Taladay is UCF’s first conference freshman of the year since Dee Brown was tabbed the top frosh in 2002, when the Knights competed in the Atlantic Sun.

In 2010, he ranked in the top-five of all C-USA freshmen in batting average (.352), at-bats (210), runs (49), hits (74), doubles (19), homers (eight), RBI (47), total bases (117), slugging (.557), OPS (.960) and HBP (10) while leading all freshmen in doubles, total bases, slugging and OPS.

Duffy finished with a .447 batting average, the highest in both UCF and C-USA history. He also led the league with an .850 slugging percentage, 81 RBI and 175 total bases. His 21 home runs set a UCF single-season record and his 43 all-time homers, the last of which came on a grand slam in his last at-bat, ties Bobby Kiser for the school’s career mark.

Brown ranked third in the league with a .428 batting average, which also was the fourth highest in C-USA history. His .541 on-base percentage and 22 HBP topped the conference. He sits in the top-10 in slugging (.692), runs (58), hits (89), doubles (25), total bases (144) and walks (34). In four seasons, Brown hit .363 in his career, which stands as the sixth-best batting average in UCF history.

Duffy and Brown were also named Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball All-Americans as Duffy was awarded a spot on the second team and Brown got a spot on the third team.

The last time a Knight was selected as an All-American was in 2004 when pitchers Matt Fox and Kyle Bono received the accolade. UCF has now had nine All-Americans since it turned Division I in 1985. That list includes Tim Barker in 1985, Chad Mottola in 1992 and Justin Pope, Jason Arnold and Jeremy Kurella in 2001.

Sweeney was the only Knight to start all 55 games this season, finishing 2010 with a .358 batting average, the highest of all freshmen in the league. The shortstop also collected 51 runs, 38 RBI, 14 doubles, a triple, two triples and a UCF-high 17 stolen bases.

Rogers posted a 4-2 record with a 4.50 ERA, appearing in 23 games with three starts. He converted eight save opportunities, which are tied for the third-most saves ever by a Knight. His 43 strikeouts ranked third on the UCF pitching staff.

UCF closed out its season with a 33-22 overall record and a 10-14 mark in Conference USA, which goes down as the most C-USA victories by a UCF squad since joining the league in 2006.

– Softball Team Comes Away With Six C-USA Picks –

A program-record six student-athletes earned All-Conference USA softball honors, including three selections to the league’s first team.

Tiffany Lane, Natalie Land and Ashleigh Cole were the first team picks while Hillary Barrow and Abby McClain made the second team. Marissa Menendez was named to the all-freshman team.

Lane earned a spot on the first team for the second-consecutive year after setting the C-USA record with 21 career triples. She ranked sixth nationally in 2010 with six triples and led the Knights during the regular season in triples, total bases (68) and slugging percentage (.479), while ranking second in batting average (.310), runs scored (25), hits (44), doubles (9), RBI (18) and stolen bases (12).

Land, who was named to the all-freshman team in 2009, put together an impressive sophomore season. The second baseman paced the Knights in batting average (.317), runs scored (29), hits (46), sacrifice hits (15) and stolen bases (17), and sits among the top-10 in C-USA in five different categories.

Cole put together the best season of her career in the circle in 2010. She ended the regular season with a 21-12 record, making her only the fourth pitcher in program history to tally 20 or more wins in a season. She also had a 1.53 ERA, five shutouts and 149 strikeouts in 224.2 innings pitched. Cole ranks in the league’s top-10 in eight different pitching categories.

Cole also earned a spot on the Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Mideast Region Second Team, becoming the seventh player in program history to be named to an all-region squad.

McClain repeated as a second team selection after being voted to the squad last season. The junior started all 53 games behind the plate for UCF, catching 14 runners stealing and picking off one on the base paths. Offensively, she led UCF in on-base percentage (.399), walks (22) and times hit by pitch (6), while ranking third in batting average (.291), runs (25), hits (43), doubles (7) and home runs (2).

Barrow, one of the Knights’ five seniors, averaged a team-best 0.69 RBI per game as UCF’s No. 3 batter. The third baseman posted a team-high 36 RBI while also leading the squad in runs scored (29), doubles (10), home runs (5) and assists (122). Barrow hit her first career grand slam against Cornell at the UCF Softball Complex, while pacing UCF with eight multiple-RBI games.

Menendez batted .252 on the season with 38 hits, four doubles, three triples and one home run. She was the only freshman on the Knights’ roster to start all 53 regular-season contests, including 24 at first base, 15 as the designated player and 14 at second base. The rookie posted three-game winning RBI, including game-winners against both No. 16 Tennessee and No. 9 Alabama.

The Knights finished the regular season with a 33-20 overall record and a 16-7 league mark.

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –

UFL Cheerleading Tryouts – JUNE 5

The United Football League’s Florida Tuskers are seeking qualified dancers and cheerleaders to take part in auditions for the team’s 2010 cheerleading squad. The dance team will perform at all four Tuskers home games at the Florida Citrus Bowl this fall and serve as goodwill ambassadors for the organization throughout the season.

The preliminary auditions will be held on Saturday, June 5 at Vibe Dance Studio (5100 Hanging Moss Road, Suite 570, Orlando, FL 32807). Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. with auditions beginning at 10:30 a.m. Participants should come dressed in dance top and shorts and performing or athletic shoes.

The finals are scheduled for Saturday, June 19 at Orlando Fashion Square Mall (3201 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL  32803).

A $25 fee for the tryout is required, along with a head shot and resume. UFL Cheer and Dance Development Director Billie O’Hara will lead the sessions.

“We are looking for cheerleaders and dancers with a passion for football,” said O’Hara. “This is a great opportunity for young women to be part of a professional football cheer team and perform before thousands of fans at the Citrus Bowl and in front of nationwide television audiences.”

Participants will be asked to learn a short, across-the-floor routine that may include high kicks, jazz technique, choreography and free style. Depending on the turnout, participants should plan on spending a good portion of the day at the preliminaries, which are closed to the public.

For additional information and frequently asked questions about the tryouts, visit UFL Football – Florida. For further info, email Tuskerscheer@gmail.com.

Youth Lacrosse Camps – JUNE 14-18

Casey Powell Lacrosse Camps are among the most highly attended and respected camps in the Northeast United States and now the Orlando Titans team captain is bringing sessions to Central Florida this summer.

Powell Lacrosse, in conjunction with the Orlando Titans Academy of Lacrosse, presents the Casey Powell Lacrosse Camps from June 14-18.

The day camps will be held June 14-15 at Sylvan Lake Park and June 16-18 at RD Keene Park with a special box lacrosse training camp slated for June 15-17 at Barber Park.

The registration fee for the two-day Sylvan Lake camp is $150, while the three-day Keene Park Camp is $200. Both camps will run from 8:45 a.m.-1 p.m. daily. Campers interested in attending both camps can do so for $300.

The camps are open to boys and girls ages 7-18 and will be directed by Casey Powell and other top professionals from the National Lacrosse League and Major League Lacrosse, including two-time MLL champion Brett Queener. Campers will be divided into gender, skill and age groups by ability to allow for optimal training conditions.

Camp participants will receive individualized instruction (8:1 camper to counselor ratio) from the top pros in the game, take part in position seminars, participate in speed and footwork drills, participate in scrimmages and games, and will receive a Casey Powell camp jersey.  There will also be special training sessions for goalies.

The Box Lacrosse Training Camp at Barber Park is open to high school boys and is limited to the first 80 players signing up. The cost for the three-day Box Lacrosse Training Camp is $100.

For more information or to register for any of the Casey Powell Lacrosse Camps, visit Titans Academy of Lacrosse or Casey Powell Lacrosse.

Girls Soccer Summer Camps – JUNE 14-JULY 31

Amanda Cromwell’s Central Florida Soccer Academy is holding five girls soccer camps this summer on the campus of UCF.

Players from 4-14 years old can register for the day camp June 14-18 or the mini-day camp from July 19-21. Both camps run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and are designed for the emerging soccer player who needs repetitive technical skill work and thorough instruction on the tactical side of the game. Field players and goalkeepers are encouraged to attend.

The Elite Week 1 Camp is for girls from 10-18 years of age and will run from June 27-July 1. The Elite Week 2 Camp is for players 13-18 years old and goes from July 18-22. These overnight camps are designed for the advanced field player and goalkeeper. Olympic Development Program and/or premier club experience is recommended. Campers who would rather not stay on campus overnight can be day campers instead and should arrive at 8:30 a.m. and arrange to be picked up at 8:30 p.m.

The Super Elite Camp is scheduled for July 28-31 and is for players from 16-18 years old. This four-day overnight camp is designed for high-level field players and goalkeepers. Super Elite Camp is limited to 50 players. Those interested in attending are encouraged to send an email to info@centralfloridasocceracademy.com with Super Elite in the subject line. For more information and to register for these camps, visit Central Florida Soccer Academy.

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –

The formula to win a conference championship in any sport includes peaking at the right time and an entire team effort. In track and field, it is not necessarily the type of teamwork needed in basketball and football, which require execution of plays, screens and passes. In track and field, every member of a team needs to do their part as an individual, perform at their best, and, to win a team championship, maximize every opportunity to score points. It is the sum of these parts – the throwers, jumpers, runners and hurdlers – that lead to championship titles.

Smith Gilbert

For head coach Caryl Smith Gilbert and the UCF track and field team, the way those parts came together at the UCF Track and Field Complex was a beautiful thing to watch unfold as the Knights won the program’s first Conference USA title with a furious comeback.

Those athletes with great expectations were even better than advertised. Sophomore Jackie Coward dominated the 100-meter hurdles as expected and scored over 20 points alone, second to only Olympic bronze medalist Blessing Okagbare of UTEP as the event’s top scorer. Senior LaKendra Thames, out of Winter Garden, was seeded second in both the shot put and discus, and delivered just that with school-record performances in both events.

Coward

While Coward and Thames deserve the stardom and praise for their efforts, it was the effort of the remainder of the Knights’ roster that was the difference between UCF holding the championship trophy or finishing as the runner-up for the second-straight season.

During the four-day event, UCF had 32 separate season-best performances and 22 personal-best efforts. In a championship with 21 events, those numbers are staggering and certainly indicate that the UCF coaching staff had its team peaking at the right time.

In a championship as close as it was on Sunday, with UCF defeating UTEP by a mere five points, the additional point here and point there are the difference between winning and losing. For the Knights, the additional points were coming from everywhere.

The Knights scored more points than they were expected to, based on seed, in 10 of the 21 events, with the team seeing a net loss in only two events. All told, UCF had an increase of 28.5 points over their expected seed-based point total. Take those points away, and instead of holding the trophy, the Knights would have finished the competition in a distant third-place.

The most impressive of those performances came from sophomore Aisha-Maree Frazier, who as the eighth-seed came from lane one to shock Coward and win the 400-meter hurdles. Frazier’s performance gave UCF seven more points than expected based on seeding alone, the difference between winning and losing the team title.

Then there was freshman Sonnisha Williams, out of Jacksonville, who scored 7.5 more points than she was expected to by finishing in second and tied for fifth in the long jump and high jump, respectively. Her long jump mark of 20-6.25/6.25m would have shattered the school record had it not been wind-aided.

Add junior newcomer Tomika Story, out of Orange Park, to the list. Story was seeded eighth in the triple jump, but used a personal-best mark of 40-9.0/12.42m to finish fourth in the event and score five crucial points.

And Tallahassee’s Jacquelyn Gilchrist to the list, who was not expected to score a single point in the long jump, but her personal-best jump of 19-9.75/6.04m notched a sixth-place finish and three points.

Add it all up and UCF had won its first C-USA Track and Field Championship by late Sunday night, a testament to the talented and deep team that head coach Smith Gilbert has put together in just three years on the job.

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –

Weech

UCF senior baseball players Shane Brown, Chris Duffy, Matt Goodyear, Matt Manning and Cory Weech will make their final home appearances as Knights on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. against Florida Atlantic (31-19) at Jay Bergman Field.

Shane Brown (Photo by J.C. Carnahan)

Following that outing – with a 31-21 overall record and currently sitting at No. 9 in the Conference USA standings at 8-13 – UCF will be looking to sneak into the conference tournament’s field of six as they go on the road for a three-game series against Tulane later this week (Thursday-Saturday).

The Knights are currently looking up at Tulane (9-12 in C-USA), Houston (9-12), UAB (10-11) and East Carolina (10-11) in the conference standings.

UCF last won 31 games in a season in 2008 and are on pace to finish with its best overall record since going 42-18 in 2005 as members of the Atlantic Sun.

Not bad for the only program in the country (as of May 17) to have five true freshmen make at least 35 starts in 2010.

On Sunday, Duffy tied the UCF single-season record for home runs in a season when he connected on his 18th of the year against East Carolina. That matches the 18 long-balls hit by Dee Brown in 2005 and puts him in a tie at No. 3 all-time with Vince Zawaski (1985-88) with 40 career homers to his credit.

Bobby Kiser hit 43 home runs from 1987-90 while Dustin Brisson hit 41 from 1997-00.

Chris Duffy (Photo by J.C. Carnahan)

Seems to be just another day at the office for Duffy.

“That was awesome. I try not to think about it, but I’m hoping to get one or two more. Every time I go up to the plate I just try to hit it hard,” said Duffy. “I talk to (Dee Brown) all of the time, and sometimes he’s up in the cages. He was a draft pick and played in the minors so we talk about that a lot. But we’ve never really talked about hitting home runs. He did tell me he hit 18 once but I never really thought about it.”

Those dingers from Duffy this year have also helped the Knights set a new single-season home run record as a team with 70 in all. Last season the Knights went yard 68 times.

– Chris Duffy –

The Cypress Creek High School alum leads the team with a .436 batting average on 85 hits and a .805 slugging percentage with 71 RBI, 50 runs scored, 18 home runs and 16 doubles in 52 games played. Duffy ranks first in C-USA in batting average, on-base percentage, and RBI, and is second in slugging percentage, hits and total bases.

– Shane Brown –

The Winter Park High school alum has been nearly just as impressive with a .423 batting average on 82 hits and a .660 slugging percentage with 49 runs scored, 42 RBI, 19 doubles and nine home runs in 49 games. The senior owns a lifetime batting average of .360 with 24 home runs and 57 doubles. Brown leads C-USA in hit-by-pitches, is second in on-base percentage and doubles, and third in batting average.

Manning

– Matt Manning –

The Melbourne native out of Brevard Community College made 20 appearances on the mound and went 1-0, struck out 19 over 23 innings of work, and gave up 24 hits and 15 earned runs this season while completing four save opportunities.

Goodyear

– Matt Goodyear –

The Melbourne native made two starts on the mound and four appearances in all this year. Through 8.1 innings of work he allowed 11 hits and eight earned runs while striking out four batters. Considered a vocal leader, in four seasons he appeared in 23 games.

– Cory Weech –

The Southwest Ranches native out of Broward College made eight appearances on the mound and struck out six over 5.2 innings while giving up five hits and four earned runs this year. As a junior in 2009 he led the team with 27 pitching appearances, which ranks fifth most in a single season in program history.

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –

The UCF softball team earned an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament. (Photo by J.C. Carnahan)

UCF (35-21) meets up with Florida International (35-21) in the opening round of the Gainesville Regional at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 21. The No. 4 overall seed Florida Gators (43-8) take on Bethune-Cookman (32-22) afterwards at 6 p.m. in the four-team bracket, which follows a double-elimination format.

The two winners play on Saturday at 1 p.m. followed by the losers at 3:30 p.m. The loser of Saturday’s first game and the winner of the second game will battle for the last spot at 6 p.m. with the final two teams remaining returning to the field on Sunday at 1 p.m. and at 3:30 p.m., if necessary.

The Knights join the ECU Pirates and UAB as C-USA representatives in this year’s tournament.

“In eighteen years of coaching, this is the first time I have had a team earn an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament,” head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie said.  “It is so great to see C-USA being recognized as a strong Division I conference by having three teams make the tournament.”

It’s the first time in UCF’s nine-year history that they’ve earned an at-large bid and the third time in their past three tournament appearances that the Knights will be playing at Katie Seashole Pressley Stadium in Gainesville. Overall, UCF is 4-4 all-time in the NCAA Tournament and have faced Florida four times in the postseason.

The 2008 Knights C-USA Championship team, which defeated Houston in Texas to advance to the field of 64, went 3-2 in regional play that year by defeating USF, Georgia Tech and then-No. 1 Florida, but were eventually eliminated by the Gators in the regional final.

UCF has faced 12 teams this year who have qualified for the postseason and managed to come away with wins on six different occasions. Among the teams in this year’s tournament who the Knights have squared off against are No. 1 Alabama, No. 6 Georgia, No. 8 Georgia Tech and No. 15 Tennessee.

The regional winners will advance to super regional competition for a best-of-three series May 28-29 at eight different campus sites.

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –

On Thursday the Conference USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships begin at UCF as the Knights look to improve on a runners-up finish to Rice in 2009.

Twenty teams and over 600 student-athletes will meet at the UCF Track & Field Complex for the event, which takes place May 13-16 as is being held in Orlando for the first time since UCF joined C-USA.

The event will get underway Thursday at 2 p.m. with the women’s heptathlon and men’s decathlon. Those two events will conclude on Friday, when champions will also be crowned in the men’s and women’s hammer throw and men’s and women’s 10,000-meter runs.

A full slate of track and field events will be on the docket for both Saturday and Sunday. Field events will begin each day at 1 p.m. while track events commence at 6 p.m.

In 2009, Houston claimed the title of the men’s championship, finishing nearly 50 points ahead of second-place UTEP. On the women’s side, UCF gave Rice a strong challenge and finished second, but the Knights could not prevent the Owls from winning their third-straight outdoor title.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for youth each day while all-session tickets cost $25 for adults and $10 for youths.

Many Knights have their eyes set on claiming individual event titles at this year’s meet after UCF garnered two last season.

–– All Eyes On Me ––

– Sophomore Jackie Coward enters the C-USA Championship as the top-seeded athlete in both the 100- and 400-meter hurdles. She won the 400mH in 2009 and is nearly three seconds faster than any of her competition this weekend with a mark of 59.11. In the 100mH, Coward’s time of 13.49 at seeding is nearly a half-second ahead of the next competitor.

– Joining Coward in the 100-meter hurdles will be teammate Tiki James, who has not competed in the event this season due to injury, but is the school record holder (13.03) and is slated to compete in Saturday’s preliminaries at 6:45 p.m.

– Junior Micaela Wimberly, who is seeded fourth, will also be in the 100-meter hurdles mix after finishing third a season ago. Aisha-Maree Frazier is seeded fifth (1:02.59) in the 400mH, with those prelims slated for Saturday at 8:35 p.m.

– Senior LaKendra Thames, out of Winter Garden, will look for an upset win in two events – the shot put and discus. Thames enters as the second seed behind SMU’s Simone du Toit, the top seed and defending champion in both events. Thames has improved throughout the season though, posting a personal best in the discus (166-6/50.75m) last Thursday. The finals of the women’s discus are set for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. while the shot put finals will take place Sunday at 6:30 p.m.

– Juniors Carley Dart and Sarasota’s Ocean Cohen will both be among the top seeds in their respective running events. Dart, one of the most improved Knights in 2010, enters the 800-meter competition as the third seed (2:08.92) while Cohen is seeded fourth (36:20.88) in the 10,000-meter run. The 10,000-meter run is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on Friday while the prelims of the 800-meter run are slated for 8:05 p.m. Saturday.

– Lauderdale Lakes native Sheila Paul is in the mix in both the 100- and 200-meter dash, as the sophomore is seeded fifth and seventh respectively in the events. The 100m prelims are Saturday at 7:40 p.m. with the 200m prelims beginning at 9 p.m.

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –