UCF KNIGHTS ENJOY LIGHT UP THE HOLIDAYS

SARAH GREEN: After a long hard week of practice and games, some of us had an opportunity to attend Light Up The Holidays at Cranes Roost Park. Although it was chilly outside, the festive holiday atmosphere gave us that warm holiday season feeling.One thing that interested Erika Jones and I was the kettle popcorn and the smell of hot dogs cooking on the grill. There was so many things to enjoy with the kids. There were lots of great performances by dance groups and up and coming artist in the amphitheater. Kayli Keough got a chance to see the penguins and she was excited because they reminded her of the penguins from Madagascar. Bryeasha Blair especially loved the fireworks show. We all felt like little kids again watching the fireworks in awe because it was so beautiful how the sky lit up. The best thing from that night was the fans that came and supported us. That  was a huge deal to us and it always puts a smile on our face. 

Check out the photo album: http://on.fb.me/sHqW9D

TEACHING AND LEARNING AT THE YMCA

LEONELLA MONTALVO: On Saturday, December 3, 2011 your UCF Knights Women's Basketball team had the oppurtunity to be involved at a local YMCA basketball league. The kids in the league were as young as three years old. While participating I had the oppurtunity to speak with the kids and realize how much they enjoyed coming every Saturday. These young children were so eager to learn from me and my other teammates; while asking us so many questions they didn't realize they were teaching me and my teammates a lesson as well. I realized why I started playing basketball at the age of 6, because I loved it and because basketball was a way for me to escape and have fun. Somewhere a long the years, the many sprints and preparation I lost sight of how much I really loved this sport. Thankfully these children cleared my mind and allowed me to see  again, reminding me why I wake up every morning to practice; simply because I love it.

MEGHAN LOOKS BACK ON THE KOMEN RACE FOR THE CURE

MEGHAN KEOUGH: Over the last few months, our team has had some amazing opportunities to outreach to the community. By far, the most rewarding community service event was last Sunday when we volunteered at the Komen Race For the Cure. It was right here on campus and a few thousands of students, professors, and adults in the area ran the race.

The 5k run proved to be no match for Coach Brown, who prides himself in 26 mile marathons......FOR FUN.

Haha!  We all think he's crazy, but it was inspiring to see so many people united in a cause. 

Our team was able to interact with the kids there. We had a tent set up with prizes, face painting, and games. I definitely got so much out of seeing our team together at an event like this. Coach Starkey's wife, a breast cancer survivor, was there with us all morning. We are so blessed to have that kind of strength and perseverance in our UCF family. Last Sunday was such an eye-opening experience and I'm looking forward to doing more events like that with our team! :) 

UCF KNIGHTS GIVE AN ASSIST IN THE FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER

By Jenna Marina UCFAthletics.com

ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The women's basketball team awoke early on Sunday morning to volunteer for a cause near and dear to their hearts, the 2011 Komen Central Florida Race for the Cure, on UCF's campus.

The Knights led the children's tent, keeping them entertained with games like bean bag toss and golf putting. They also interacted through arts and crafts and foot races.

Associate Head Coach Greg Brown ran the 5K, which "since its inception in 1983, has grown from one local race with 800 participants to a global series of more than 140 races with more than 1.6 million people expected to participate in 2011 in four continents," according to www.komencentralflorida.org.

The team viewed it as a way to do their part in helping bring awareness to a disease that has affected the Knight family. Assistant coach Bob Starkey's wife, Sherie, is a breast cancer survivor and was in attendance at the event.

"For the UCF women's basketball family to accept my wife and I on that personal level this quickly, it just speaks volumes," Starkey said.

Starkey also spoke of the cause's impact on a national level.

"I think the thing that has really pushed breast cancer awareness to the forefront in the sport of women's college basketball was the fight of Kay Yow. I think because she was such a special person and to watch how hard she battled three times against breast cancer has made it very important. ... I think it's very important not just for the funds that are being raised, but for awareness. My wife is still around today because of early detection. When my wife and I go around and speak, that is the one thing that we really promote: early detection. You just can't start too soon."

KNIGHTS TO WALK IN ORLANDO WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S IN HONOR OF COACH SUMMITT

The following comes from UCF Coach Greg Brown who once served as an assistant on the staff at the University of Tennessee under Coach Pat Summitt.  Greg has been spearheading the effort at UCF to support Coach Summitt and her battle with Alzheimer's.  The following comes from Coach Brown's blog:

http://ucfwbbthoughts.blogspot.com/

One of the greatest learning experiences for me each year while on the staff at the University of Tennessee was the first team meeting when we discussed the Definite Dozen. We discussed each element as a group. We talked about what each meant to us and Pat would share what each meant to her.

After receiving the news about Pat's diagnosis, I went through a notebook that I have with all of my notes from our Definite Dozen meetings. Number 11 from the Definite Dozen jumped out at me--"Change Is A Must".

Recently, George Diaz, of the Orlando Sentinel called me about the Orlando Walk to End Alzheimer's  and our team participating. Our staff and team are excited to be a part of this event. George and I spoke about his mother suffering through disease, my first hand knowledge of the disease and the effects on a family.  My wife lost grandparents from both sides of her family over the last few years from the disease. 

My first year at Tennessee was Kara Lawson's senior season. Then, as now, Kara is very proactive.  After learning of Coach Summitt's diagnosis, Kara nad her husband made plans to raise funds and honor Coach Summitt. To learn more about Kara and her plans click here--Kara's Plan To Honor, Kara's Fundraiser

The UCF Women's Basketball Team is uniting with Kara and so many others to honor Coach Summitt and raise awareness of Alzheimer's. We ask that you participate. Find a local walk, or any event. Pledge to support Kara or our UCF Team or a group in your local community.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at gbrown@athletics.ucf.edu.

Our team is participating in the Walk To End Alzheimer's on October 22nd at Lake Eola in Orlando.

I'm sure Coach Summitt will approach this "Change" in her life as she does every part of her life by using her Definite Dozen Philosophy to guide her.

 I chose a "dozen" thoughts from "Change Is A Must " from my notebook.

1. Everything in life changes, transitions.
2. You do your best and we are here to help you.
3. There is always change, but something special brought you here.
4. Keep your confidence through change.
5. Change can equal self-improvement.
6. Push yourself to places you haven't been before.
7. There must be change before there's growth.
8. Change is the opposite of security and familiarity.
9. Overcoming fear is the most broadening thing in the world, if you make yourself do it.
10. Success in any field is about who is best able to change fluidly.
11. In any line of work, you have to be able to adust to emergencies. THings rarely go as planned, no matter how meticulously you keep your appointment book or how organized your planner is.
12. Think about all the reasons we resist change. Change can make you feel out of control. But, in fact, if you learn to be comfortable with it, the opposite will be true: You will find yourself in charge of every situation.

KNIGHTS TOUR WITH A SPECIAL GROUP

Roughly 100 students from Camelot Elementary were guided around campus by members of the women’s basketball, track and rowing teams as part of Destination College on Thursday afternoon. The program is meant to prepare elementary-level students for college/work readiness.

The tour started and ended at the women’s basketball practice gym. The students covered a lot of ground, walking by many buildings including the Engineering, Business Administration, Health Sciences colleges, the student union, the library and the recreation center. They also learned facts pertinent to the university and were encouraged to ask questions along the way.

“Do you get lost?” 10-year-old Genesis asked.

Senior Ashia Kelly replied, “Actually, I’m going to take you to a place to show you how we don’t get lost,” and promptly took her group to a map of UCF’s campus.

The Knights were happy to welcome Camelot Elementary to their campus.

“The kids were all really talkative, asking a lot of questions,” redshirt junior Kayli Keough said. “It was fun to just hang out with them, go around campus. They were really excited to see everything.”