Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
AD asks fans for patience amid uncertainty
UCF athletics director Danny White has asked fans for patience while the Knights try to determine whether they can safely play football during the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement released on the school’s Twitter account, White updated fans on the upcoming football season.
“Like everyone else in college athletics, we are following the national conversation. Any major decisions about athletics will be made in concert with the AAC. Our league officials, including medical experts, remain optimistic in the ability to play sports this fall,” the statement read.
White went on to write that while the athletic department continues to update the fall football schedule, it appears unlikely the Knights will play a home game until Oct. 3.
UCF lost its Sept. 4 home opener against North Carolina after the ACC went to a modified conference schedule that included one home nonconference opponent. The Tar Heels chose Charlotte as its out-of-conference foe.
The Knights lost another early-season matchup when FIU announced it was pushing back the start to its fall season to at least Sept. 19. That’s one week after FIU was scheduled to travel to Orlando for an in-state showdown with UCF.
The Knights have not announced whether they will reschedule the game later in the season or seek a replacement opponent.
That leaves UCF opening the season Sept. 19 at Georgia Tech followed by another road contest at East Carolina on Sept. 24. The first home game would be on Oct. 3 against Tulsa.
“If a fall sports season happens, we will communicate details to you — including ticket availability — as quickly as possible,” White wrote. “Our hope is to give every season ticket holder an opportunity to see your Knights in the Bounce House.”
White also indicated there is always the possibility of football being moved to the spring.
“That would bring about another set of circumstances, but it potentially could allow for a greater stadium capacity than would be permitted this fall,” White wrote. “Decisions are being made daily — if not hourly — that impact those conversations.”
The Big Ten and Pac-12 made the decision to postpone their football seasons until the spring, with Power Five brethren ACC, SEC and Big 12 proceeding with the hope they can play in the fall. The AAC is choosing to remain committed to playing this fall unless new information comes to light.
White asked fans to hold off on contacting the athletic department with questions about this upcoming season, including ticket packages. He said the school will email season-ticket holders with more information when it becomes available.