Orlando – With a new sponsorship agreement, Walt Disney World Resort hopes to spread some extra magic to Orlando’s hometown college football team, the UCF Knights. Beginning this season, Knight fans will see a little extra pixie dust as Disney becomes the official Theme Park, Water Park, Resort and Cruise Line Destination of the university’s football team.
The joint announcement was made Friday–as the 16th-ranked Knights football team prepares for its second home game on Saturday versus Stanford at Spectrum Stadium (3:30 p.m. [ET] kickoff on ESPN).
“Walt Disney World Resort and UCF share a commitment to making Central Florida a key destination for sports,” said Faron Kelley, vice president of Disney Sports. “With this agreement we hope to reach even more of Knight Nation.”
The new multiyear agreement includes shared marketing opportunities, in-game promotions at UCF home football games and Disney signage inside Spectrum Stadium. It also extends the existing relationship between UCF and Disney which have joined together as part of the Disney Aspire education investment program. In May, UCF was added to the Disney Aspire network of schools. This groundbreaking program offers 100 percent free tuition to eligible hourly Disney employees and Cast Members, making it easier for them to pursue their dreams and fulfill their career ambitions.
“As Orlando’s hometown college football team, we are thrilled to be teaming up with Disney to add a touch of magic for fans at Spectrum Stadium,” said UCF vice president and director of athletics, Danny White. “Additionally, this agreement enables UCF to have the most unique student-athlete experience in the country as every year all of our student-athletes will have the opportunity to visit Walt Disney World Resort.”
The collaboration is a natural fit between UCF and Disney since both institutions are powerful economic engines in Orlando and across Florida. It also strengthens UCF’s already recognized position as one of the nation’s most affordable and best-value universities.
Thankful for any support, but will always wonder where Disney was in 1979 when we started the UCF football program!
IMHO UCF has expanded into cliques of internal corrupt state bureaucracies, although not all is bad. The reconstruction of Colbourne Hall and misuse of allocated money was a recent example. WDW won’t change that.