Fun and Games

While UCF’s main campus is often the hub for game day activities, a recent gathering near UCF Downtown provided a unique game day experience for some of Knight Nation’s youngest fans. UCF Downtown, UCF’s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, Electronic Arts (EA), the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Orlando and Creative Village businesses partnered to provide a tailgating event for students in the Orlando Kidz Zone program, which promotes the well-being of children in the city’s highest poverty neighborhoods. At the event hosted at Luminary Green Park, attendees enjoyed games and food trucks, and played EA SPORTS video games. The students also received free transportation and admission to FBC Mortgage Stadium, where they cheered the Knights football team on to victory against Villanova University (48-14).

“By working with Orlando Kidz Zone … we can help demystify the college experience, making higher education feel more accessible and inspiring students to pursue a college education.”

— Ross Wolf, professor and associate provost for UCF Downtown

$2.5 million
In annual city funding is invested in the Orlando Kidz Zone program, including efforts supporting academic success among K-12 students and helping them go on to graduate from college

100+
Organizations and nonprofits regularly partner with UCF Downtown and Valencia College Downtown to support community events, safety initiatives and more

100
Approximate number of Orlando Kidz Zone students who attended the event and football game

Children from the Orlando Kidz Zone program try a vertical jump test.

Children from the Orlando Kidz Zone program playing cornhole at Luminary Green Park.

Children from the Orlando Kidz Zone program playing video games at the EA SPORTS trailer.