The UCF community celebrated Homecoming 2020 with some of events anticipated annually — like the Friday night fireworks show and Knights’ football game —and reinvented other traditions for the health and well-being of others during the pandemic.
Twin Day encouraged students to dress alike and share their photos on social media. Christina and Alexandra Adams, advertising/public relations and medical laboratory sciences majors, respectively, got creative by putting their own spin on a popular Spider-Man meme.
Dance group Ruckus performed during the Fireworks Festival on Memory Mall.
President Alexander N. Cartwright and First Lady Melinda Cartwright enjoyed their first Homecoming on campus and greeted attendees of the Fireworks Festival Friday night.
Students reserved their physically distanced spots on Memory Mall for optimal viewing of the show. Additional drive-in style viewing allowed alumni and community members to join the fun.
UCF Alumni organized a virtual panel featuring an inspiring group of alums who talked about their journeys to success.
“We loved having @UCF_Knightro, @UCFCartwright and so many of our @UCFALUMNI and friends join us to toast our 2020 class of 30 Under 30 recipients. Congratulations to an inspiring group of young alumni!” tweeted Heather Junod ’98, UCF Alumni’s associate vice president.
UCF Alumni recognized its Shining Knights — recipients of its highest distinctions: Distinguished Alumni, Honorary Alumni, Young Alumni and Distinguished Student — during a special virtual ceremony. Read more about this year’s honorees.
The UCF football team, which boasts the nation’s leading offense, squared off against the Tulane Green Wave.
This year’s Homecoming game also marked Mission IV (the fourth-straight year) of the fan favorite Space Game. The Knights wore special uniforms that gave a nod to the university’s past and current connection to space exploration.
More than 9,100 fans (limited stadium capacity due to COVID-19) watched the Knights roll to a 51-34 win Saturday afternoon.
The U Can Finish 5 Mile and 2 Mile race went virtual this year, and those who completed the race still walked away with their special finisher medal.
Although Spirit Splash has been postponed for the time being, UCF supporters snagged coveted ducks by donating to the Keep Charging On Fund. More than 300 donors contributed more than $16,000 during the limited-time fundraiser that featured the ducks as a token of appreciation.
