FREE! THURSDAY AUG. 4, 2016 CENTRALFLORIDAFUTURE.COM GOODBYET HE STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT UCF — PUBLISHED SINCE 1968 FROM THE FUTURE It was the people who made it great.

BERNARD WILCHUSKY / CENTRAL FLORIDA FUTURE Forty-three former and current staffers gathered at the Reflecting Pond for one final photoshoot. They only represent a fraction of the generations that have worked at the Future. Weekend forecast THU: Thunderstorms, High: 92°, Low: 75° SAT: Thunderstorms, High: 92°, Low: 76° NEWS FRI: Thunderstorms, High: 92°, Low: 76° SUN: Thunderstorms, High: 92°, Low: 76°

THE LAST STAFF

The Student Newspaper at UCF since 1968

T hursday, August 4, 2016 Vol 49, Issue 27 • 1 Pages

The Central Florida Future is the independent, student- written newspaper at the University of Central Florida. Opinions in the Future are those of the individual columnist and not necessarily those of the editorial staff or the University administration. All content is property of the Central Florida Future and may not be reprinted in part or in whole without permission from the publisher. Newsroom 407-447-4555 Editor-in-Chief: Bernard Wilchusky [email protected] News editor: Alissa Smith [email protected] Sports editor: B ERNARD WILCHUSKY / CENTRAL FLORIDA FUTURE Matthew Saunders Back row (left to right): Jean Racine, Bernard Wilchusky, Alissa Smith, Matthew Saunders and Alex Storer. Front row: Caroline Glenn, Paige [email protected] Wilson, Jillian James, Shana Medel and Gabby Baquero. Not pictured: Christopher Davis. Entertainment editor: Alex Storer [email protected] Digital Producers: Jillian James, Shana CFF legacy lives on in all of us Medel, Christopher Davis, Jean Racine BERNARD WILCHUSKY of publication. Senior staff photographer: Central Florida Future The cynical reader might look with Paige Wilson an incredulous eye on all that I’ve writ- I joined the Future in October 2013 ten so far, might identify this meagre Business as a staff photographer. At the time, I essay as a last gasp of superficial plat- 407-447-4555 (phone) didn’t know what I wanted to do with itudes shared at death’s door. To the 407-447-4556 (fax) my life. But I liked to read, and I liked cynic I say: I am one of you. I am angry, to hear people’s stories, and I knew my and I am sad. I am kept awake at night Content Manager: Caroline Glenn way around a camera. It’s surprising to by the thought that I have failed in the x210, caglenn@gannett.com look back all these years later and con- most tremendous way possible, failed Sales: sider how something that began as a to tend a legacy nearly half a century in Jerry Patterson way to pay for lunch each week became the making. [email protected] one of the major shaping forces of my What kept me from succumbing to Published by Knight Newspapers, a subsidiary of life. these dark imaginings is the joy that Florida Today and Gannett Co., Inc. Our paper was an institution. I this paper has given me. It is the joy of 3361 Rouse Road Suite 130, Orlando, Fl 32817 watched as each semester brought new a job well done. It is the joy of feeling a faces into the fold as the paper’s old connection with strangers; a joy in the guard moved to other cities, other pub- knowledge that your voice is being lications or other careers. Even though heard, that what you say has meaning. each staff was different, we were all helped to bring us together. What each It is a joy born of laughter, hard work friends, and each of us brought some- staff shared, regardless of race, gen- and the knowledge that, even in the thing special to our team. der, age or interest, was an unfaltering best of times, all things must come to One free copy of the Central Florida Future permitted per I won’t pretend that it was always desire to get the work done. From the an end. issue. If available, additional copies may be purchased from our office with prior approval for $1 each. Newspaper theft fun, happy or easy: Journalism, as beginning, each of us knew that there We did our best. I am so proud to is a crime. Violators may be subject to civil and criminal many of you know, is an unforgiving was never going to be a safety net — no have worked with the dozens of staff prosecution and/or University discipline. lady, prone to fits of pique, flaring tem- one was ever going to step in and write members I have had the privilege to pers and the constant stress of looming the paper for us, and no one wanted to call my friends. Though the Future is at deadlines. But even those dark periods be the person to break a 48-year legacy its end, its legacy lives on in all of us.

F2 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com August 4, 2016 • Central Florida Future The people who made it happen

Shana Medel Alissa Smith Paige Wilson Matthew Saunders Jillian James

Digital Producer News Editor Staff Photographer Sports Editor Opinions Editor Joined Summer 2016 Joined Spring 2016 Joined 2014 Joined Fall 2015 Joined Summer 2016 Under the guidance of talented The Future was the training ground Journalism is best learned by doing, The Future got me in the habit of It was truly such an honor to be able journalists, I had the opportunity to for journalists who wanted to learn and there was no place better for stepping out of my comfort zone. to contribute to such an esteemed strengthen my writing capabilities, how to ask hard questions, write me to put to practice what I was From nervously accepting my first publication. I will never forget the hone my editing skills and sharpen hard articles and command a hard- taught than at the Central Florida beat job covering women’s soccer to people who made working at the my reporting techniques. It’s heart- hitting section. It's now gone, but Future. This newspaper gave me the covering the sports I love in base- CFF such a joy, and I will take all breaking to know that this is our last we're not. I hope to see something platform, opportunities and friend- ball, basketball and football, the that I have learned and apply it in issue, but it wasn’t all for naught. even better rise out of the Future's ships for me to become the journal- people I worked with always en- my schoolwork and future jobs. The CFF has not only served our ashes. Don't count us out just yet. ist and person that I am today. couraged me to strive for more. Thank you CFF. Thanks for every- collegiate population for almost 50 thing. years, but it has served the throng of aspiring journalists who were look- ing to grow and perfect their craft.

Christopher Davis Jean Racine Caroline Glenn Gabby Baquero Alex Storer

Sports Digital Producer Sports Digital Producer Content Manager News Editor Entertainment Editor Joined Summer 2015 Joined Spring 2016 Joined Summer 2013 Joined Spring 2016 Joined Fall 2015 I thank fellow Central Florida Future I wanted to work for the Future The Central Florida Future defined The CFF undoubtedly enhanced my I wanted to work at the Future alumnus Jarrod Heil for pushing me because of the professionalism of my college experience. It was the personal and professional devel- because it was by far the most re- to join the paper. While at the Fu- the website, its respected name and guidepost of my life. But it was the opment. It gave me the chance to spected and professional news ture, I found my passion, and it for an opportunity to grow as a people who I’ll never forget. dig through public records, live-blog outlet serving UCF, and I thought I revealed my purpose. Thank you. journalist. I can’t pinpoint a single a NASA launch, cover political rallies could get some very relevant experi- favorite memory because I cherish and SGA meetings, and even chal- ence. My favorite memory was all of them. I thoroughly enjoyed lenged me to tackle a leadership when Chris Davis and I reenacted a my time with the CFF. role. I would've been woefully scene from The Dark Knight Rises. unprepared for the industry without my experience there.

Central Florida Future • August 4, 2016 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com F3 48 YEARS OF HISTORY A peek into the Future’s past

BERNARD WILCHUSKY lancers and a business department, Central Florida Future which included ad and sales staff. Though the staff size would vary When the University of Central Flori- throughout the publication’s lifespan, da first opened its doors to students on ranging from two people at its start to Oct. 7, 1968 — five years after it was es- around two dozen at its height, the paper tablished in 1963 — the Central Florida remained a profitable venture for many Future was there to greet them. years. During the tenure of alumna Lisa At the time, both institutions went by Lochridge, who was editor-in-chief of the different names: UCF was called Florida paper from 1977-78, the paper acquired Technical University, and the Future ran its own cold typesetting machine, which under the masthead “ FTU ???” for five allowed its staff to change layouts and issues before settling on the name the experiment with design in a way that FuTUre on Nov. 15, 1968. wasn’t possible when sending copy off to It was the brainchild of journalism a local printer for finalization. The paper majors and alumni Jonathan Gholdston also published its first color photograph and Linda Mettle, who learned early on on June 2, 1978. that the new university did not have “The good news was we had a great plans for a student newspaper. Together, business staff, and we made money, and they set out to meet with UCF’s first we were able to buy a cold typesetting president, Charles Millican, in order to C OURTESY LISA LOCHRIDGE machine — you’d just input the stories garner support for a student-run, inde- Lisa Lochridge served as editor in 1977 at age 19. During that time, the Future covered some and they’d come out, you’d wax the type pendent news publication. incredible stories: the search for a president to replace retiring Charles Millican, a — but it allowed us a lot more flexibility “We made a couple of phone calls and 50-something-year-old woman being chosen homecoming queen and the name change from to change layouts and just be a little found out there was no paper,” Ghold- FTU to UCF. more nimble,” Lochridge said. ston said. “We got an appointment to go Rick Brunson, who was a member of down and talk to Charles Millican, who the Future’s staff from 1983-84 and is was at that time the president of the uni- currently an associate instructor of jour- versity. He thought it was a fantastic nalism at UCF, described the production idea.” process during the newspaper’s typeset- Millican, who Gholdston described as ting days as considerably time intensive a “prince among men,” gave the pair two compared to modern, computer-assisted IBM Selectric typewriters, a few cam- design. eras, a small office space in the school’s “We literally pasted the paper up on first student union and a supply of paper these big paper boards,” Brunson said. to help jumpstart the newspaper. “The stories would come out on photo- “Everybody was anxious to help us, graphic paper, and you would cut them but you have to imagine, the university and put them through a waxer and liter- was much more anxious to spend their ally paste them up on a board. And then a resources on attracting new students,” big camera would take a picture of the Gholdston said. “We were pretty much page, and the negative would be turned on our own.” into a plate, and then the plate would be For its first year, the paper worked loaded on a press and out would come the closely with the school’s public relations paper.” department, which provided the use of Shortly before Lochridge graduated, its typeset printer for the paper’s first is- C OURTESY JAMIE FLOER FTU experienced several major sues. Despite the university’s support, Back in 1991, when they used to literally cut and paste the Future together. changes: Millican retired, paving the however, the future of the FuTUre re- way for the university’s second presi- mained in doubt. dent, Trevor Colbourn, and the school of- “I honestly believe at that time we ficially changed its name to the Univer- were such an afterthought that the ex- Mettle were not deterred. They struck As the university grew in size, office sity of Central Florida. pectation was that we would abandon it, out to rally support among the local com- space came into high demand; eventual- “The first president retiring was big because we really weren’t getting any fi- munity, who responded with great enthu- ly, the paper was moved to a pair of por- news, and then of course the name nancial help anywhere,” Gholdston said. siasm. tables — first near the water tower, then change was a big deal, completely “We were trying to sell ads, but that was “Orlando rose to that occasion: The near a pair of art domes that were demol- changing the vision and direction of the us selling ads — we were printing the pa- idea of having a first-class university in ished in the ‘90s — where it would stay university,” Lochridge said. per on campus, which at the time was a Orlando was very, very exciting to the until it was moved off campus in 1993. The name change was Colbourn’s tabloid-sized paper, but we could only community at large,” Gholdston said. Despite this reduction in office space, “first major goal as president,” and was print one side of the paper at a time … “So, when we went out to sell ads, it was the publication grew in other ways: Its approved by the state legislature on Dec. The first issues were literally stapled at more like taking orders than selling. Peo- staff expanded to accommodate a man- 6, 1978, according to the Dec. 8, 1978 edi- the corner.” ple were just very interested to do what aging editor, news, entertainment, tion of the Future. Colbourn was sworn in But despite the uphill battle for the they could to help us and help the univer- sports and photo editors, a production paper to find its footing, Gholdston and sity.” manager, a stable of staff writers, free- See CFF HISTORY, Page F6

F4 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com August 4, 2016 • Central Florida Future Central Florida Future • August 4, 2016 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com F5 “Hitt had just come on; it was maybe sore and a source of ridicule.” shifted back to the space along Univer- CFF history his first or second semester there,” Mark Schlueb, a reporter for the pa- sity and Dean, where it resides now. Cushing said. “What happened was, he per from 1992-93 and a current senior The Future launched its first website, Continued from Page F4 was walking toward us and some kid communication coordinator for UCF, re- ucffuture.com, in February 1998. It was nearly clipped him on a skateboard. We called that the trailer was in such poor hosted by College Publisher in 1999, and turned to each other and said, ‘Aha, by repair that a tree had begun to grow its domain was changed to ucfnews.com as president on Jan. 15, 1979. next week, skateboards would be forbid- through the floor of its restroom. in October 2002, Jebaily said. The paper’s masthead changed short- den on campus.’ Sure enough, about two “It was pretty beat up,” Schlueb said. Jebailey was first brought onto staff ly thereafter. On Oct. 9, 1981, University weeks later, we get this handout coming “The toilet leaked in the restroom, and as the paper’s publisher, tasked by Hall of Central Florida was added to the top of down saying, ‘No more skateboards,’ you that water soaked down into the floor and with overseeing general business opera- the masthead. On Aug. 31, 1984, the paper know, and all this other stuff. into the ground underneath the trailer, tions. became The Future, and on Aug. 28, 1985, So we put a story out about that. To us, which fed a tree that grew up through the “At the time, it was a once-a-week the paper was finally known as The Cen- the only reason it occurred was because floor and then behind the toilet in the newspaper, you know,” Jebailey said. “It tral Florida Future. he almost got hit by this kid screaming restroom. And that was pretty much in- was out every Wednesday; it was a black- In 1989, Colbourn was succeeded as through campus.” dicative of the overall condition of the and-white publication. My goal was to president by Steven Altman, who would Cushing described the incidents — trailer at the time.” make it bigger and better than it was at become the subject of the Future’s larg- the publishing of the cartoon and the pa- Cushing’s request for space was de- the time, and we ended up doing that.” est story. Reporters for the paper discov- per losing its campus offices — as a coin- nied. John Bolte, the former vice presi- In 2001, Hall placed the paper up for ered that Altman’s name appeared in a cidence. dent of administration and finance, was sale; Jebailey and his partner, Brian Lin- list of clients for a chain of massage par- “A lot of people went, ‘Well, that’s paraphrased in an interview with the Or- den, purchased the paper for an undis- lors that served as fronts for an inter- what got the paper taken off campus,’” lando Sentinel that “it is not the school’s closed sum. Under Jebailey and Linden’s state prostitution ring. In the wake of the Cushing said. “Well, no, we knew we responsibility to provide a home for the ownership, the paper went from being public outcry, Altman resigned as presi- were getting kicked off — in fact, we financially and editorially independent published once per week to three times dent on June 8, 1991, according to the went into that year knowing that we newspaper. UCF does not recognize The per week. Additionally, the paper under- June 12, 1991 issue of the Future. weren’t going to be on campus much Future as a student organization.” went a redesign that turned it from a That story was covered by Bill Cush- longer. We’re in this portable, they’re do- The portables were later bulldozed to semi-tabloid format into a proper broad- ing, who worked at the Future from 1991 ing this building — they’re going to be make space for a parking lot, according sheet, featuring a new typeface and its to 1993. Cushing would later be involved bouncing us out.” to the Orlando Sentinel. current black-and-gold coloring. in a scandal that wedged itself in the in- On Oct. 20, 1992, Cushing submitted a Shortly thereafter, the paper was ac- “We saw the potential, at the time, to stitutional memory of the paper and letter to Hitt’s office requesting that the quired by local businessman Windsor make this paper bigger and better than it earned him the moniker of “the cursed Future be granted office space in the Vi- “Windy” Hall, who was unavailable for was at the time, you know, and we defi- editor,” since many people believed that sual Arts building, citing an “unwritten comment. nitely did that,” Jebailey said. “We al- it was his decision to run a vulgar car- agreement” with Altman that the paper Heissam Jebailey, a UCF alumnus and ways bragged that, within four-and-a- toon of the school’s newly appointed would be given “primary consideration” the paper’s former publisher and co- half years, we weren’t even ranked as a president, John Hitt, that led to the paper for space in what was then a new build- owner after Hall sold the publication, school newspaper, then in four years we being removed from campus. ing. said the Future moved offices several were ranked No. 1 in the country.” The cartoon in question featured Additional documentation in the re- times during this period, starting in a lo- In 2007, the partners sold the paper Hitt’s head superimposed on a black- quest painted a bleak picture regarding cation north of campus along Alafaya for an undisclosed sum to Gannett, and-white image of Adolf Hitler at a Nazi conditions in the Future’s portables. In Trail before relocating to an office space which also publishes USA TODAY. rally; a fabricated quote below the im- the “Justification for Request” adden- on the corner of University Boulevard On Aug. 14, 2014, the paper underwent age, which we have chosen not to repu- dum, the trailers are described as “con- and Dean Road. It later moved to an of- another series of major design changes: blish, featured Hitt railing against the demned… a potential fire hazard … un- fice space he owned on High Tech Boul- use of skateboards on campus. stable … infested with insects … an eye- vard near the Plaza at UCF before being See CFF HISTORY, Page F9

CFF THROUGH THE YEARS

The first color photo. Printed June 2, 1978. On Aug. 14, 2014, the paper underwent another redesign, this time reverting back to a Five issues later, the weekly tab. The first issue of what paper was dubbed the The design had changed On Aug. 31, 1984, the would become the FuTUre. Printed Nov. 15, a bit by the time the paper became The In 2001, the paper Future. Printed Oct. 7, 1968. school was renamed to Future, and on Aug. 28, underwent a redesign 1968. UCF. Printed Dec. 8, 1978. 1985, the paper was that turned it from a finally known as The semi-tabloid format into Central Florida Future. a proper broadsheet, featuring a new typeface and its current black-and-gold coloring .

F6 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com August 4, 2016 • Central Florida Future Central Florida Future • August 4, 2016 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com F7 UNIVERSITY HISTORY UCF sure has changed over the past 48 years

SHANA MEDEL, ALISSA SMITH & PAIGE WILSON CENTRAL FLORIDA FUTURE

To serve the growing collegiate pop- ulation, UCF students established the Central Florida Future in 1968, just five years after the university was founded. A great deal has changed in the 48 years the two have shared their patch the of Central Florida region. Considered one of the major universi- ties near the Space Coast, UCF is home to more than 63,000 Knights — but it wasn’t always that way. Back in 1968, classrooms only held 1,948 students, 90 instructors and 150 staff members. The school, originally named Florida Technical University, of- fered 55 degree programs from five col- leges, including Business Administra- tion, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Engi- neering and Technology. Now, it offers more than 100 academic programs and is the second-largest university in the na- tion, according to the UCF website. FTU originally consisted of only two buildings, a science building and a li- brary. The library, the first structure to open its doors, was home to more than bookshelves: It housed classrooms, the administration and offices. In order to get to their classes, stu- dents would drive up a dirt entrance road, which led directly to the library. C OURTESY UCF Upon arrival, they would have to call uni- An official UCF sign is hung after the school changed names in 1978. versity staff to frighten away the slew of rattlesnakes that loitered in the sand parking lot, as reported in a previous Fu- Central Florida Future. In the early 2000s, the university built The rise of Knightro ture article. Throughout the next 20 years, con- hundreds of dorms and created Knight’s Knightro, the UCF mascot, was not al- On October 7,1968, FTU held its first struction took the ever-growing univer- Plaza, which is currently home to Dun- ways the face of the university. Even day of classes and the student newspa- sity by storm. The Student Union, the kin’ Donuts, the Towers residence halls, though Knightro’s suit of armor has al- per, playfully titled the “FTU ???,” also heart of campus, began construction in Barnes and Noble and more. Also nota- ways been black and gold, many mascots hit the stands. The Orlando Sentinel her- 1980 and was completed in 1981. It is a ble was the addition of the $14.5 million of different faces served the university’s alded the event, stating “Monday, Oct. 7. four-story, 26,000-square-foot facility Recreation and Wellness Center. Its new history during the 48 years of the Fu- Write it down. Remember it as the day that houses the Pegasus Ballroom, the indoor track and 41-foot climbing wall ture’s publication. that changed Orlando and Central Flori- Pegasus Seal and a food court offering a beckoned throngs of students to the fa- The school originally embraced its da forever.” The paper soon became wide array of choices. cility and still do to this day. Florida heritage while preserving its known as the FuTUre after the sixth is- Exactly 15 years later, the Robinson The year 2007 marked the grand space roots when the Citronaut, toting a sue on Nov. 15, 1968 — note the capital- Observatory was dedicated to Herbert opening of the CFE Arena. Originally laser gun, a space helmet and the body of ized FTU. and Susan Robinson. The couple donated built to seat 10,000 people, the center fea- an orange, became the first unofficial Eleven days after students listened to a large portion of the funds needed to tures luxury suites, lounge boxes and mascot in the late ‘60s. It debuted on the their first college lecture, a theater was build the observatory after learning the club seating. The multipurpose live en- 1968-69 student handbook, according to constructed out of a large bubble struc- university was working to restore the 26- tertainment arena routinely hosts a le- the Spring 2013 issue of Pegasus maga- ture and placed next to the science audi- inch Tinsley telescope. The observatory gion of talented singers and comedians zine, and was met with some disapprov- torium. FTU erected its first functioning is located down Ara Drive, past the UCF as well as keynote speakers. As of right al, but was recently resurrected as an of- theater venue on April 30, 1969. The Police Department. The Tinsley tele- now, the university plans to continue its ficial UCF bobble-head. flameproof tent could easily seat 200 au- scope was originally built for South Flor- trend of expansion with the addition of a Next to join the unofficial mascot dience members. ida University, and UCF began assisting downtown campus. First proposed to ranks was Vincent the Vulture, which Flash forward to the year 1978. When with the telescope’s restoration in the Florida Gov. Rick Scott in 2014, the $60 was inspired by the large number of Florida Gov. Reubin Askew signed Leg- early 1990s. The Tinsley telescope was million campus is expected to open fall scavenging birds circling overhead on islative Bill 125, and FTU became the removed from the observatory in 2007 2018 and will host a number of academic University of Central Florida. The Fu- and replaced with a new a 20-inch tele- programs, including social work, legal TUre echoed the change, becoming the scope from RC Optical Systems Inc. studies, communications and more. Continued on Next Page

F8 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com August 4, 2016 • Central Florida Future Continued from Previous Page embodies school pride, spirit and the fun-loving nature of college.” campus. Students would often flock to In 1996, a local Disney character de- one friendly vulture on campus to feed it. veloper dreamt up a newer version of When the beloved vulture was found Knightro and even a female version, dead on campus, it was taxidermied and Glycerin, who was discontinued after stored in the President's Office until it two years. More recently, Knightro’s was transferred to the University Ar- presence on social media has made him chives at a later time, according to a pre- even more necessary to UCF’s growing vious Future article. Athletics Department. When the university’s second presi- Last August, the Future learned that dent, Trevor Colbourn, changed FTU’s another man was behind the mascot: Ed name to the University of Central Flori- Knight Jr., known as “Sir Knight” by stu- da, another change was needed — this dents. Ed, who died Aug. 16 at the age of time with the Athletics Department. 93, was instrumental in helping students Through votes in suggestion boxes maintain their deferments and, in turn, around campus, the school finally had keeping them out of Vietnam during his decided on a nickname: the Knights. 20-year career as UCF’s director of rec- With that name came a slew of different ords and registration. knight-themed mascots. “The student body ended up voting In 1980, Sir Wins-A-Lot served as the for ‘the Knights,’ and not everyone knew Knights’ mascot to amp up support for why, but it was because of Ed Knight and the up-and-coming football team. The what he did for us,” said John Voelpel, a optimistic mascot was knighted by Col- UCF and Kappa Sigma alumnus. In fact, born himself and even had his own drag- the entire fraternity backed the idea. N ICK LEYVA / CENTRAL FLORIDA FUTURE on mascot to slay named Puff. Through “I think UCF has found their place, Knightro the ‘90s, Sir Wins-A-Lot became a more and it was with Knightro there, so I think realistic-looking Knight who still Knightro is here to stay,” said Kyle charges onto the football field atop a Gheen, a 2015 construction engineering white horse before games today. Mack alumnus who was Knightro for three the Knight made his debut for the years. “People know the name of Knight- school’s 25th anniversary, a time when ro, people know what Knightro looks the pregame show included lavish per- like, so I think that no matter how much formances by the Medieval Times & Din- UCF changes and grows, Knightro is go- ner Tournament cast, according to a pre- ing to be Knightro.” vious Future article. Today, eight spirited students don While these Knights all served their Knightro’s 25-pound costume at count- time with honor, they paved the way for less campus events, such as Homecom- the greatest Knight in all the land: ing’s royal crowning, Spirit Splash and Knightro. While he wasn’t officially football games, boasting wardrobe addi- named until fall 1995, the knight in shin- tions that include a tux and top hat, swim ing, golden armor started making cam- trunks and camouflage cape for military pus appearances in November 1994. appreciation events. Trey Gordon, a UCF 1996 alumnus and “The reason why I went to UCF was to cheerleader, helped create the mascot be part of seeing the school grow and be- and filled the role himself. come something new,” Gordon said. “We “We didn’t have an animated charac- were a small school so that meant we ter that would interact with the crowd as were going places.” A DAM RHODES / CENTRAL FLORIDA FUTURE A DAM RHODES / CENTRAL FLORIDA FUTURE much,” Gordon said. “I think [Knightro] That we are. The Citronaut Vincent the Vulture

Florida Today’s executive editor at the we now had these new tools available to Future would cease publication on Aug. CFF history time, which was Bob Stover, who has us that enabled us to be that way. So that 4, 2016. “The recent investments Gan- since left,” Saggio said. “He viewed it as was maybe the best gift Gannett ever nett has been making to build out the Continued from Page F6 a way to kind of update the newspaper, to gave us. USA Today Network nationally and in make it more trendy, to make it more ap- “We did a heck of a lot more breaking the state of Florida have created new de- The broadsheet was turned into a weekly pealing, to give it a better look. If you news after our website shifted to [Pres- mands for our time and attention,” Kiel tabloid and the website, which was for- look at the broadsheet, it was very tradi- to]. I’m not gonna say we weren’t doing said. merly hosted on College Publisher, was tional; I mean, the lettering, everything breaking news before, because we abso- The Future’s current staff is now ex- moved onto Gannett’s in-house online at the top was very old-school … but they lutely were, but when we changed to the ploring options to ensure that UCF re- publishing system, Presto, bringing its wanted to capture that [university] audi- tabloid and when we changed to Presto tains a source of independent, student- digital footprint in line with the other ence and get new people in.” — all that happened at once — we be- run news in a push led by Alissa Smith, digital properties in the USA TODAY She cited the biggest change being the came a seven-day-a-week operation. We Christopher Davis, Jillian James and Network. shift to Gannett’s web platform Presto, were no longer just students coming in Shana Medel. Jessica Saggio, an alumna and the pa- which enabled the paper to be much nim- two days a week and turning the paper “Being part of the Future absolutely per’s managing editor from 2012-15, bler in covering breaking news. out: We became an everyday digital oper- shaped my career as a journalist,” Brun- helmed the Future during its print and “Presto changed everything for us,” ation.” son said. “It was just a fun place … we did digital transitions. Saggio said. “It made us more digital-fo- On July 21, 2016, Gannett’s regional it because we loved it, and it was a great “It was pretty much the brainchild of cused than we have ever been, because president Jeff Kiel announced that the thing to be a part of.”

Central Florida Future • August 4, 2016 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com F9 CFF IMAGES THROUGH THE YEARS

F10 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com August 4, 2016 • Central Florida Future Central Florida Future • August 4, 2016 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com F11 F12 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com August 4, 2016 • Central Florida Future Central Florida Future • August 4, 2016 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com F13 F14 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com August 4, 2016 • Central Florida Future Central Florida Future • August 4, 2016 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com F15 SPORTS UKNIGHTSCF SPORTS CONFERENCE HISTORY

CHRISTOPHER DAVIS, fanbase’s excitement over its first win in JEAN RACINE & 18 games, the Knights remarkably went MATTHEW SAUNDERS on to win eight out of their last nine Central Florida Future games and finished with a conference record of 7-1 in its first season in C-USA. UCF came onto the college football They secured the C-USA East division ti- scene in 1979, with the help of second tle and earned the right to host the first- president Trevor Colbourn. To lead the ever C-USA Championship game, which newly formed athletics department was they unfortunately dropped to Tulsa. Dr. John T. “Jack” O’Leary, the univer- Though they did not win the confer- sity’s inaugural full-time director of ath- ence and lost their first-ever bowl ap- letics. pearance due to a missed extra point, the After 24 seasons as a Division I Foot- season was pivotal in establishing the ball Independent, the Knights joined the Knights’ presence in the conference. Mid-American Conference as a football- In 2007, two big installments and a only school starting in the fall of 2002. name change brought new culture and The excitement was beyond imagina- tradition to Central Florida. That year, ble, as the Knights joined teams from UCF unveiled a new football stadium, seven states: Ohio, New York, Michigan, Bright House Networks Stadium, and a Indiana, West Virginia and Illinois. new basketball arena, now the CFE Are- The rise to the MAC was highlighted na. They also dropped the “Golden” from by the impressive play of quarterback their name and moved into the year as Daunte Culpepper, who brought excite- the Knights. ment and helped put UCF football on the The inaugural season of Bright House map. Culpepper led the 1998 Golden Networks Stadium saw the Knights go Knights to a 9-2 record, falling to only N ELSON CHENAULT / US PRESSWIRE 5-1 at home, with their only loss coming Auburn and Purdue. Culpepper not only Knights head coach George O'Leary looks on during the game against the Memphis Tigers at by just three points to No. 6 Texas in their headed the best football season to date, Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on Oct. 20, 2012. UCF defeated Memphis 35-17. home opener. To go along with the stellar but also finished sixth in the Heisman home record, the Knights went 9-3 in the Trophy voting that season. He also set a ence,” said Akron’s head coach Lee Ow- In the Knights last football season in regular season, earning them another NCAA record with a completion percent- ens in a Future article from 2001. “We the MAC before UCF transitioned to chance to host the C-USA Championship age of 73.4 percent for the year. want to set a precedent.” Conference USA for all sports, the game and another chance to defeat Tul- After his stellar junior season, Cul- The Knights used that statement as school made a controversial hire of Min- sa. This time around, the Knights would pepper was drafted with the 11th pick in added motivation going into the much nesota Vikings defensive coordinator prevail over the Golden Hurricane by a the first round by the Minnesota Vikings anticipated contest. Tempers flared George O’Leary as their new head coach score of 44-25, earning them their first in the 1999 NFL draft, making him the even more when the Zips gathered at in 2004. conference title and their first 10-win Knights’ highest draft pick at that point midfield on the UCF logo before the The hire was more scrutinized as the season in program history. in time. game. Golden Knights would go 0-11 in They would go on to win two football “In football, UCF was just kind of “The kids were already lit, but the O’Leary’s first season. The losing streak titles in C-USA, with their second coming finding a way to get a name out there, and flame went as soon as [Akron] went to was extended to 17 games over the in 2010, giving them a berth in the Liber- Daunte Culpepper certainly helped the middle of the field,” said UCF’s head course of three seasons as they entered ty Bowl against the Georgia Bulldogs. A that,” said Marc Daniels, UCF’s radio coach at the time, Mike Kruczek. the 2005 season, dropping the first two low scoring 10-6 game against Georgia play-by-play announcer. “Daunte was a UCF would go on to score a school rec- games of the season. would land the Knights in the spotlight as tremendous football player, and UCF put ord 50 points in the first half and defeat- Not expected to progress a whole lot they defeated an SEC team for the first together a string of games against some ed Akron by 57-17. The Knights proved from 2004, the Knights blasted onto the time ever. The win, along with their stel- of the biggest brands in college football.” that they were more than deserving to be C-USA scene by winning their first con- lar season, would give UCF a final rank- UCF’s first home contest against a in MAC and rudely kicked the door ference game of 2005 against Marshall ing of No. 20 in the coaches poll. MAC opponent would come against the down, announcing their arrival. by a score of 23-13. The victory was ma- In 2012, UCF’s last year in C-USA, the University of Akron on Oct. 26, 2001, a The Knights, the lone Florida team, jor for the program, and fans celebrated programs major sports flourished. The season before they entered the confer- was ready for a “MAC Attack!” at the Citrus Bowl by storming the field football team finished 10-4 (7-1 C-USA) ence. The Zips wanted to give the The Knights went 6-2 in their first and tearing down the goal posts. The cel- with its second bowl victory in the pro- Knights a rude welcoming into their re- year in the MAC and finished the season ebration continued on campus as stu- gram’s history in a 38-17 win versus Ball spected conference. 7-5 overall, proving they belonged in the dents returned from the game to party in State in the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl. The “We’re going to give them a brass conference and that they could compete the Reflecting Pond. knuckle welcome to the MAC confer- against most teams. As if the team was propelled by the Continued on Next Page

F16 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com August 4, 2016 • Central Florida Future Knights’ basketball team finished 22-11 ketball was playing at a pretty good lev- cess that the football endured prior to time being aggressive with recruiting, (10-6 C-USA), and the baseball team fin- el, the same thing with baseball. As UCF joining the AAC. In the 2010-11 season, and Helwig believes that some of the ished its season 45-17 (16-8 C-USA), mak- prepared then for what they thought was former head coach Donnie Jones led the struggles with the program stem from ing the NCAA tournament for the second the Big East, it certainly was the right team to victories over No. 18 ranked Flor- the dark cloud that hovered over them time in the club’s history. moment to have your biggest teams ida and Miami, leading to a 14-0 start and following the sanctions. As the Knights’ football season ap- playing at a peak level.” the team’s first-ever national ranking. “You got a post-season ban for a cou- proaches, high expectations loom with Daniels has seen the program move But after UCF tried to reel in a commit ple years, scholarship losses, and they new football head coach Scott Frost at from an independent trying to make a illegally, it struggled to recruit players just were never able to recruit at the lev- the helm, the chatter of the athletics pro- name for itself to AAC to Fiesta Bowl who would help them compete at a high- el that I know he had hoped to or wanted gram leaving the American Athletic champions its first year in the league. He level in the AAC. to,” Helwig explained. “Ever since that Conference for Big 12 expansion leaves a has also seen a football team go winless, “Around New Year’s Eve 2010 going happened it hasn’t been the same — the feeling of déjà vu, reminding avid UCF the baseball team underachieve and a into 2011, UCF got a verbal commitment fan support has gone down [and] the followers of their leap from Conference- basketball team struggle to recover on from Michael Chandler, and at that point overall seasons haven’t been that great.” USA to the AAC just three-and-a-half the court from recruiting sanctions in a he was rated as a four-star — he commit- Trouble also loomed in football this years ago. conference that he believes is more com- ted to UCF basically coinciding with the past season, one that saw a 0-12 record UCF’s radio play-by-play announcer petitive than advertised. 14-0 start,” said Brandon Helwig, pub- and the retirement of head coach George Marc Daniels has been the voice for UCF “When the American was formed, lisher of UCFSports.com. “Later on in O’Leary, who had previously stepped in sports since 1995, and he’s witnessed the UCF came in as one of the anchor sports the spring, UCF was going after another as interim athletics director after the de- program’s growth over the years. Fol- brands in the American,” Daniels said. “I highly rated, top-50 player, Kevin Ware.” parture of Todd Stansbury. He would lat- lowing the Knights’ athletic prosperity think the American certainly benefited Ware would eventually commit to er step down from the role, before ulti- toward the end of the program’s time in from that while the media was focusing play for the Knights, but it was short mately retiring from coaching altogeth- C-USA, he believed they played well on the collapse of the Big East. I think lived, as reports would surface of er. enough at the right time, which resulted those that were going into the American recruiting violations not long after. The new athletics director and new in a conference upgrade. felt that UCF was one of if not the bell “It didn’t take long at all, and a month wave of coaches, however, have brought “There was so much discussion on the cow athletic program of the conference. or two later after Kevin Ware committed anticipation back for many UCF sports. national scale about conference realign- Although the UCF football program to UCF the New York Times and ESPN- Coming into this fall, there are new ment and what would be happening,” saw some consistent success after join- .com, working together on the reporting, men’s and women’s basketball coaches, a Daniels said. “UCF originally thought ing the AAC, the basketball team did not. released a story about UCF’s improper new football coach, a new baseball coach they were headed to the Big East … foot- Since joining the American, the Knights’ recruiting, dealing with a runner named and new men’s and women’s tennis ball played very well — reached that basketball team has disappointed many Kenneth Caldwell and how they were us- coaches. championship game against Tulsa and with a record of 37-54 (15-39 AAC). ing him and his influence to help them Now, UCF is looked toward another then went to the bowl game … we know The basketball team seemed on the recruit players,” Helwig said. conference change: a leap to the Big 12. what happened that following year. Bas- verge of reaching the same general suc- The basketball program had a hard

Central Florida Future • August 4, 2016 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com F17 Future alumni: Where are they now?

Laura Newberry Eric Alas Gutierrez writer from 2007-10. Now web editor at Nicole Bleier Former CFF news editor and photo editor. Now Former digital producer. Today, I'm a reporter WKMG News 6 in Orlando. Former copy editor. Now works at the Sun a multimedia reporter at MassLive in Spring- and photographer for the Fernandina Beach Juan David Romero Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale as a copy editor. field, Massachusetts and soon to be a gradu- News-Leader, Florida's oldest weekly newspa- "I always thought of the CFF as a place for ate student of journalism at the University of per. Former senior staff multimedia reporter in great journalism students to make mistakes, California, Berkeley. "I truly believe that I wouldn't have this job 2015 and on-and-off contributor from 2012-14. push themselves and then go on to do some- today if it wasn't for the Central Florida Fu- Today, I'm Communications Officer at the thing impressive." Rick Brunson ture." American Association for the Advancement of Former news editor and columnist from 1983- Science (AAAS) in Washington D.C. where I Amanda Moore 84. Today, I teach the next generation of Shanna Fortier report and communicate about the world's Former photo editor and contributing writer journalists at UCF to be better, stronger and Award-winning photographer and writer largest general scientific society through multi- from 2006-10. Now, I'm a Naval Officer sta- more talented than I was. currently working as a Community Editor with media news packages and video production tioned in San Diego, California. Colorado Community Media, which prints 18 projects. Drexler B. James weekly papers in the Denver metro. "I am deeply, deeply saddened by the news Justine Brooke and I owe the CFF so much." Contributing writer from 2010-13. I am an Jessica J. Forgino Former news editor from 2009-10. Now a award-winning project writer for The Villages Sean Lavin business reporter with the Tampa Bay Times by Daily Sun newspaper in The Villages Florida. Former news editor and opinions editor from the way of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Sun 2007-08. Managing editor from 2012-15. Now Former news editor in 2005. Now at WKMG as Sentinel and the St. Augustine Record. Jessica Gillespie Ormiston a columnist and reporter for FLORIDA TODAY an investigative producer. Also volunteer as an "Once referred to as the ‘reign of terror’ [in a Former sports writer and copy editor from and the USA TODAY Network. adviser for Knight News. good way]." 2009-12. Now working as a social media pro- "The CFF let me test out the whole journalism ducer at the Orlando Sentinel. Anna-Michelle Lavandier thing when I was too afraid to major in it." Robyn Sidersky "My CFF coworkers are some of my closest Former online digital producer/social media Bianca Fortis Former staff writer for from 2006-10. Now a friends still, and some of my best college marketer during the spring 2014 semester. reporter at The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Vir- memories happened in the newsroom or with Now I am a graduate student in the Social Former news editor in 2010. Now an indepen- ginia), prior to that, The Free Lance-Star (Fred- my CFF friends." Journalism program at the CUNY Graduate dent journalist and social media editor in NYC. ericksburg, Virginia) and The Patriot-News Adam Rhodes School of Journalism. Jake Lamb (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.) Former opinions, variety and entertainment Kaitlyn Fusco Former UCF basketball beat writer from 2013- Rachel Stuart editor. Today, I work at legal news publication Former senior staff writer from 2010-12. Now 14 and contributing writer from 2013-2014. Former contributing writer, senior staff writer, Law360 in New York City. the public relations manager of Mote Marine Now I'm the Managing Editor at Yachting digital producer and news editor from 2013-15. Magazine. Erika Esola-Imburgio Laboratory & Aquarium. Today, I am the religion reporter at The Vil- "The loss of the CFF is heartbreaking and feels Ryan Gillespie lages Daily Sun in Lady Lake, Florida. Former sports editor from 2010-11. I now man- like an end of an era." "I dedicate my knowledge and experience to age live content updates at EA Sports in their Former sports editor from 2013-14 and editor- my time with the Central Florida Future." Maitland HQ. Currently work as a producer on Elizabeth Fernandez in-chief from 2014-15. Now covers Lake County the Madden NFL and NBA Live franchises. Former photo editor from 2003-04. Now a for the Orlando Sentinel. Kyle Warnke statewide communications director for SEIU Randy Noles Former staff writer in the summer of 2012. I'm Danielle Hendrix Florida. now teaching English in South Korea. Former managing editor from 1975-76. Former senior staff writer, copy editor, digital "I got my very first editing job because of a Jenny Andreasson Babcock producer and news editor from January 2014 clip I wrote for CFF about the history of pro- Bryan Levine to December 2015. Now a staff writer at the tests at UCF. I remember spending hours at the Former news editor, variety editor, copy editor West Orange Times & Observer and the Win- school library going through their archive of Former men's soccer and baseball beat writer and staff writer from 2006-07. Now at 90.7 dermere Observer in Winter Garden. issues from decades past. I felt such pride at in 2012-13. I now cover local and high school WMFE public radio in Orlando as marketing "I'm absolutely positive I would not be where I thinking of myself as another link in this long sports for the Charlotte Sun. and communications specialist. am today career-wise without two things: the chain of student journalists." "Very sad to see CFF go. It gave students like instruction and guidance of Rick Brunson, and me, who didn't major in journalism, an oppor- Andrew Sagona my experience at the Central Florida Future Rachel Williams tunity to contribute as a journalist." Former contributing writer and photographer and all the opportunities it presented me." Former senior staff writer from January to Amanda Morales from 2011-14. I'm now attending the FIU Col- August 2013. Now a full-time reporter at lege of Law. Kayla Lokeinsky Orlando Business Journal, covering commercial Former photo editor and editor-in-chief. Now "None of this would be possible without the Former sports beat writer (softball and volley- real estate and restaurant news. the community reporter contributing features Future. You could say that the Future made my ball) from 2012-14. Now a news reporter and and multimedia content in the communities of future possible." photographer for the Lake City Reporter in Rebecca Males Sarasota and Siesta Key for the Sarasota Ob- Lake City, FL. Former photo editor for spring and summer of server. Nikki Stephens 2012. Now a photographer for The Tico Times Tori Walker Now a content marketing manager where I'm Angele Maraj in Costa Rica. responsible for setting the editorial calendar, Former variety editor from 2012-13. Now Former contributing writer in 2014. Now I am managing writers and editing all of our com- working as an employment assistant and social Marina Guerges a breaking news/crime reporter for The Ledger pany's content prior to publishing. media coordinator for a workforce devel- Former senior staff writer, digital producer and in Lakeland, Florida. opment nonprofit called Career Collaborative; editor-in-chief. I am now a production editor "Without CFF, I would have never accumulated also in the process of completing a graduate at Daily Press. the clips or experience I needed to land this Continued on Next Page degree in International Relations and Global job, which I was offered the same day I gradu- Studies at Northeastern University in Boston, Michelle Dendy ated from UCF." MA. Former copy editor from 2010-11 and staff

F18 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com August 4, 2016 • Central Florida Future Lindsay Holmes "The Future taught me some tough lessons Ashley White for website application design/development Former contributing writer and news editor and allowed me to meet some amazing peo- Former senior staff writer, online editor and and support at Onepath (1path.com). from 2011-12. Now at The Huffington Post in ple and have unforgettable experiences." digital producer in 2014. I now work at the Padrick Brewer NYC where I'm the deputy healthy living Ryan Bass Tallahassee Democrat as a digital producer. editor. Former copy editor, sports editor and editor-in- Former sports editor from 2009-10. Now a Brandon Hardin chief from 2005-11. Now works for a sports Kaitlyn Pleasants sports anchor at CBS Sports. Former reporter, copy editor and chief copy website based in South Florida. Former contributing writer and music blogger "I would not have the writing skills, or the job, editor from 2002-05. I am now at Facebook. "A professor once said I put out the worst I have now without the CFF." issue of the Future ever." from 2013-14. Now works as a marketing and Steven Ryzewski communications coordinator and social media Sarah Wilson Jason Clary strategist in Austin, Texas. Former sports editor in 2011. Now I'm the Former contributing writer from 2010-11. Now senior sports editor for Orange Observer, Former senior sports writer in 2013 covering Adrienne Cutway I'm an associate editor with Turnstile Media overseeing sports for the West Orange Times & UCF football during the greatest season in UCF Former contributing writer in 2009, opinions Group in Orlando, publishing the Winter Observer, Windermere Observer and Observer history. Just accepted an offer to be the web editor from 2010-11, online editor from 2011-12 Park/Maitland Observer newspaper and Bald- Preps. editor at Boca Raton Magazine. win Park Living magazine. and editor-in-chief from 2012-13. I'm currently Katie Kustura Heissam Jebailey a digital producer at the Orlando Sentinel. Shanae Hardy Former news editor from 2010-11 and editor- Former co-owner of the from 2001 to 2007. Ana Cuello Former contributing writer, digital producer in-chief from 2011-12. Following graduation, I Today, I own I'm in. Events., which hosts the Former contributing writer from 2011-14. I'm and opinions editor from 2013 to 2015. Now took a job as a crime and breaking news re- Largest Black and White Weekend for Charity currently a student at FIU College of Law. work as a digital content writer/editor, over- porter at the Daytona Beach News-Journal. in the World for BASE Camp Children's Cancer "I'm eternally thankful not only for the friend- seeing the websites for more than six treat- Foundation, among other networking events ships I made through the Future, but for the ment centers. Grace Howard and real estate investments. Future's sensitive and empathetic coverage of "Without the CFF, I wouldn't have learned the Former staff photographer and photo editor Ken Jackson some extremely difficult events on campus." art of hustle and empathy while writing about in 2013. Contributor for my entire college such sensitive topics. I have the chance to career from 2011-15. Now a digital editor for Former sports writer, columnist and opinion Whitney Celestin teach people about an overlooked community Yachting Magazine at Bonnier. writer from 1992-98. Now in my second stint as Former contributing writer for summer and that is no different than anyone else. An op- a reporter for the Osceola News-Gazette in fall 2013. I'm pursuing my master's now and portunity I was able to take advantage of Emily Blackwood Kissimmee. married to the military. plenty of times working at the CFF." Former staff writer from 2012-13. Currently the "CFF was my springboard. When I got a job as Allen Levin community editor for the Ormond Beach an agate clerk at the Sentinel, my Future clips Lurvin Fernandez Observer and an editorial fellow for Your- proved to them I could write, and they tossed Former contributing writer and editor from Former sports writer from 2007-09, covering Tango. me crumb stories. Those clips made it possible 2012-14. Now the health reporter at The Vil- women's tennis and men's and women's "So sad to see this paper go. It really fueled my to get a full time job at the ONG." lages Daily Sun. basketball. love for journalism, and I wouldn't be where I Emre Kelly am today without it." Jeff Riley Nada Hassanein Former photo editor and editor-in-chief in Former staff writer, opinions editor, first online Former contributing writer from 2012-13, Tim Freed 2009. Currently a digital producer at Florida editor and editor-in-chief. Now an assistant senior staff writer in 2014 and digital producer Former variety Editor and senior staff writer Today and USA Today's Florida network. professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, in 2015. Now associate editor of Professional from 2011-12. Today I'm an associate editor "I can safely say some of the best people I've where I teach news literacy, news reporting, Artist Magazine and a freelance writer. with Turnstile Media Group in Orlando. worked with walked through those doors at and writing for a mass audience, among other Michael Balducci "I can't thank the Future enough for giving 11825 High Tech Ave. Beyond sad to see it go." things. me newsroom experience and making me a Tyler Vazquez "I was the first online editor the CFF had, and Former entertainment and sports editor from better journalist." figuring out how people used news in an 2009-11. I ended up going to law school and I Former senior staff writer in summer 2013. increasingly social media-heavy world helped now work for a firm in Tampa. Alexander Babcock Now a breaking news and sports reporter at lead me astray into academia. That question "UCF not having a newspaper is a sad thing, I joined the Future as a writer in February Florida Today. still guides my research." but I'm glad I got to be a big part of it for a 2003, jumped into the news editor's job in time." Dave Carriere Ashley Carnifax May and by the end of that summer found Justin Sanak myself replacing graduating Managing Editor Former copy editor, news editor and editor-in- Former copy editor from 2008-09 and online Krista Zilizi. When I graduated in May 2004, chief from 2012-13. Now a digital editor at news editor from 2009-10. I currently teach Former news editor in spring 2012. I'm running then-owners of Knight Newspapers Brian Flying Magazine with Bonnier Corp. high school and am an adjunct professor for the copy editing and design desk for the busi- Linden and Heissam Jebailey offered me an Ashley Annin college English and communications courses. ness section at The National, a daily in Abu ambitious project — to build a community "There is no single stretch of time in my life Dhabi. weekly newspaper from scratch. That became Former copy editor, variety editor and news that taught me as much about myself and Austin Castle the Seminole Chronicle. I managed that paper editor. Now managing editor of Scuba Maga- about working with a team to make some- for three years, the last of which (2007) I also zine with Bonnier Corp. thing great." Former staff writer and opinions editor from served as the adviser to the Future staff. I left 2011-12. I'm now a freelance copywriter. Caroline Glenn Jenna Rickless shortly after Gannett purchased the company Jessica Inman to rehab a trio of nearby newspapers, in- Former opinions editor, variety editor and Former content contributor from 2007-10. cluding the Winter Park-Maitland Observer managing news editor from 2013 to 2015. Now a high school English teacher in St. Louis, Today I'm a communities reporter at the Or- and Seminole Voice. After being laid off in Full-time content manager in 2016. I'll move Missouri. lando Sentinel, covering Winter Park, Mait- 2009, I joined the U.S. Army. I'm now in San- on as the watchdog education reporter at land, Eatonville and Osceola County. Florida Today. Megan Van Waus ford, formally removed from the profession. Isaac Benjamin Babcock Former staff writer and photographer from Virginia Kiddy 2009-10, with a short stint as news editor the Former reporter and news editor from 2003- Former slot editor for spring semesters in 2009 summer of 2010. Now the director of member- 04. Now the managing editor at Turnstile and 2010 and news editor in summer 2009. And this is just a fraction of the folks ship services at the REALTOR Association of Media Group's Community Media Division in Currently a digital producer (project manager) who have come through the Future. Southwestern Illinois. Orlando.

Central Florida Future • August 4, 2016 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com F19 FROM THE MOMS To work at the Future was to love the Future CAROLINE GLENN CENTRAL FLORIDA FUTURE

When I was rejected phrase, “I guess you had to be there.” I for my first job at the could never explain to you what the Central Florida Future, Future means to me, or what it has back in the summer of meant to this university and these stu- 2013, I picked up the dents and this city. phone and cried to my The Future’s closing will undoubted- mommy. After we hung ly present setbacks for journalism up, little did I know, she students and professors, for athletics went out and bought me and administration, for local news out- one of those cheesy inspirational quote lets and readers. But it presents some- knickknacks as a pick-me-up. A little thing else: opportunity. green sign with happy grasshoppers, it To the journalism students, jump at read, “Jump at every opportunity.” By every opportunity to write, edit, take the time I received it in the mail, I’d photos and shoot video. If you don’t like gotten a second call, this time offering the void that’s been left by the Future’s me the job. exit, fill it. Jump at the opportunity to I knew the Future would be unlike learn about this industry, and don’t be any other job I’d had the night I naive, but don’t be bitter either. watched the departing news editor To the journalism professors, jump climb on top of a car to rip a hula-hoop at every opportunity to more effective- out of a tree. It was the same night I ly teach your students how to work in watched my fellow opinions editor fall this time. Teach them to write with a asleep in his sandwich. And the same voice, teach them to develop relation- night I wrangled it out of his hands and ships, teach them to take feedback. ate it. Jump at every opportunity to promote Those are the kind of people we have collaboration instead of malicious com- at the Future. People who draw their petition, to give every student a fight- boss’ face on a banana, people who ing chance. R ICHARD BRUNSON / FOR CENTRAL FLORIDA FUTURE smear lipstick on the incoming chief’s To athletics and administration, Eleven of the 23 kids I’ve mentored at the Future. forehead, people who sing opera for jump at every opportunity to foster their staff in a parking lot. student journalism. There are some Over the past three years — time people on this campus, one that pays spent as opinions editor, variety editor, good money to offer a journalism de- managing news editor and content gree, who haven’t spoken to the Future manager — there have been countless in more than 20 years. To those leaders, birthday cakes (some too frozen to cut), jump at every opportunity to forgive. heaps of printouts (for humans, not Student journalists are going to make ants), myriad hair colors (you learn to mistakes — that’s the point. use myriad correctly at CFF), millions To the local news outlets, jump at of GroupMe messages, a running list of every opportunity to pick up where we “words we hate” and a few failed East- left off. Bring to campus the kind of er egg hunts. reporting you admired in the Future’s The Future is where we ask the pages. For the students of UCF, give tough questions, like, “Do you make them a voice. For the leaders who get in your doughnuts fresh daily?” Where your way, give them hell. lunch is as soon as you walk into the And to the readers, jump at every office. Where an Edgar Allen Poe mask opportunity to inform yourselves. Be is our prized possession. Where you’re picky. Hold your options to a higher afraid to use the bathroom because standard, the same standard you set for homeless people live in the stalls (not the Future. really). Where Wi-Fi is a luxury (we’ve This past year, I’ve mentored 23 literally put together the paper in a “kids” — some who are older than me Knights Circle apartment). — during my time as CFF Mom, or as It’s where you make friends who last recent staffs have dubbed me, bosslady. a lifetime. You’ll go to their weddings, They’ve snuck dogs into the office, their kids’ first birthdays, their loved tried to weasel cuss words into the ones’ funerals. You’ll help them move, paper and left so many unwashed dish- build them coffee tables, lend moral es littered throughout the office. support when a cockroach scuttles into They have the unfortunate honor of their apartment. Sometimes, it’s even being the last Future staff. But I’m where you’ll fall in love. certain their careers won’t end here. C OURTESY CAROLINE GLENN The more I try to tell you about what That is, if they do one thing: Jump at My first published piece in the Future. Yes, this was taken inside my Apollo dorm room. the Future is like, the more I hear the every opportunity.

F20 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com August 4, 2016 • Central Florida Future Future’s closing a loss to UCF J-school

JESSICA SAGGIO FLORIDA TODAY REPORTER I drove them home, I protected them and I talked them through life’s many As the Central Florida fun and inviting place to learn. That crises. We resolved conflicts; we Future closes its doors, I was the goal, at least. Did I achieve it? I learned how to work with a diverse want you all to know think so, but you’d have to ask a staffer. staff. And maybe most important, we something. I want this to During the time I was at the CFF, we had fun while doing what we loved. You sink in. I want admini- picked up where the journalism depart- have to love journalism to be part of stration at UCF to un- ment left off in most cases. I can list this, and if you don’t love it, this is derstand this. I want many examples of students who walked where you find out. professors to understand in the door not knowing how to organize The CFF was a place of refuge for this. I want readers to a story — that’s basic journalism 101. many. Students would come in even understand this. Several of those students would im- when they weren’t scheduled to work. The Central Florida Future is so prove leaps and bounds and even be- They cared. They cared so much that I much more than a news organization. come editors. In some cases, editors-in- think it’s safe to say many cared more It’s more than a club, more than the chief. about the CFF than the news organiza- journalism department’s red-headed You know that Drake song “Started tions they’d work for post graduation. step child, more than a business. from the bottom”? That’s how we oper- This place had a heartbeat. It was It is an institution. ated. You started from the bottom, at alive — alive with creativity, alive with And guess what — it will be a loss to any skill level, and could work your enthusiasm. You can’t teach that, but the journalism program and to UCF as way up. And once you made it into an it’s contagious. a whole. editor position, the likelihood of scoring As the CFF closes up shop, remem- I had the honor and privilege of man- a job after college increased tremen- ber that when journalism dies, we lose aging the CFF for several years. It was dously. Very, very few CFF staffers are a little bit of our freedom. A journalist’s a gig I got with a little bit of luck and a unemployed. Look at the list of success- mission is to speak truth, to educate lot of faith. The faith part being that the ful alumni. C OURTESY JESSICA SAGGIO and to inform his or her readership. general manager at the time, Ray Bush, As for the newsroom, each staff Yeah, we used to have a van. It smelled of Journalists challenge wrongdoing. CFF took a risk hiring a recent college grad. became almost like a family. Hence rotting food and was infested with wasps. did just that for decades. But I took this role very seriously. I why they called me “mom.” They really And that — that is what I hope UCF wasn’t going to come in and babysit. did call me mom. I can show you Moth- most of them — but I embraced the understands as we say farewell. The These were adults. I came to the CFF er’s Day cards. It was weird — mind title. CFF cannot easily be replaced. with a mission in mind — to make it a you, I was only a few years older than And they really were like my babies. This is where you learned if you had ‘it’

MICHELLE ERTEL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT

A journalist reports on concerned about a journalist touting an graduated from UCF and has continued them and that led to a standoff in the a variety of stories. Some unobjective form of journalism. Then I to grown in her career. Most recently, newsroom. It was during that show- are exciting and some, got to know Abe Aboraya, quite pos- I’ve been keeping up with her work by down that I knew Jessica had the grit frankly, are terribly bor- sibly the least Gonzo-esque reporter reading the official VFW magazine. and guts to make a name for herself in ing. A good journalist is and editor I have had the pleasure of As the adviser, I wasn’t supposed to the business. Now a married woman excited about even the knowing. Now working for WMFE, Abe show favoritism, but one student stands with a toddler and another baby on the most mundane stories. A continues his quest to find the truth and out as, well, my favorite. Jessica Forgi- way, Jessica is not only an accom- journalist for the ages to inform the public. no — then Jessica Saggio — came to me plished journalist at FLORIDA TODAY, takes the mundane and While all student staffers came to as a student who was eager to write she is an amazing friend to many and finds a nugget of excitement in the the newsroom after spending time in about things she thought a wide variety kindhearted human being. story. There were many of these types the classrooms of some very apt pro- of students on campus wanted to read As for me, I left the Central Florida of journalists honing their skills during fessors, there were a few who had “it.” about. Some of her fellow student staff- Future and its sister publications in my time as the “grown-up” in the news- By “it,” I mean they had an intuition ers weren’t thrilled that she wanted to 2010 to open up my own government room of the Central Florida Future. about people and situations that can’t find out why so many young women relations and communications firm, There are three that stand out. be taught in a classroom. Stephanie were carrying Vera Bradley bags on Florida Strategic Advisors. I am a also The first is a fellow whom I noticed Wilken was one of those rare students campus. But Jessica knew fashion was a political analyst for Central Florida scurrying around the newsroom be- who had a built-in B.S. detector. Be- important to some students. Some of News 13 and a contributor to the Ed cause he had a Gonzo fist tattoo on his cause she did much of the political her peers, though, thought it was a Dean radio show and WMFE’s political arm. While I was and remain a Hunter reporting that came along, she got to shallow topic and wanted nothing to do commentary. S. Thompson devotee, I was a little use that skill frequently. Stephanie with it. Jessica and I disagreed with

Central Florida Future • August 4, 2016 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com F21 A PRICELESS EDUCATION Future fostered the ‘camaraderie that is journalism’

RICHARD BRUNSON UCF PROFESSOR OF JOURNALISM

In August 1983, I gave up a good, respectable minimum-wage job to work at the Future for 38 cents an hour. Minimum wage was $3.35. What I gained was a priceless journalism education. It was at the Future working as a reporter, columnist and news edi- tor that I learned to be fearless but not reckless, to question authority and to never accept at face value what an administrator told me without adequate documentation. That’s called “critical thinking,’’ and it’s the primary purpose of a university education. It also baptized me into the cam- araderie that is journalism. It’s a fitting irony that John Quinn, the founding editor of USA TODAY and a former president of Gannett, once famously quipped that making a newspaper is the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Making the Central Florida Future sure was fun for the 48 years it lasted. I have asked some of my friends who shared in that fun to share some of their experiences. » Julie Anderson, senior vice presi- dent of digital publishing at Orlando Sentinel Media Group and former copy editor, news editor, managing editor, editor-in-chief of the Future: “Working at the Future was the most important experience I had at UCF. In that office trailer, about a dozen of us figured out how to uncover stories, write on dead- line and get the paper to press every week. We were student-led and man- aged, which was exhilarating and at times contentious. Many of us in the Future family have had successful C OURTESY RICHARD BRUNSON journalism careers, and it all started “My last issue of the Future before I graduated, last week’s issue of the CFF and my proudest achievement as an undergrad: being named there. Future’s editor of the year, which literally launched my journalism career. I landed my first job based on this award.” » José R. Rodriguez, circuit judge, Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida: “It was 1972 when I started at what was power — the administration. the Future: “When I walked into a dilap- with love and loyalty to UCF. We did it then Florida Technological University. “As a circuit judge, my FuTUre ex- idated trailer that was the Future office in the unshakable belief that our calling Later, in 1973, I started writing, then perience showed me the importance of in 1980, I walked into a certified mad- was to hold up a mirror and force the editing, finally was acting editor-in- openness and transparency for all house. A wild creativity and wonderful administration and student government chief of the Future before moving on to branches of government. Similarly, I weirdness enveloped the place. We to confront the reflection. The tenacity law school. learned that trust in government only were idealistic misfits who wanted to I honed in those days served me “My tenure at the FuTUre, as it was comes from adherence and faithful change the world, starting with a rela- throughout my journalism career and called then, taught me several lessons. observance of the First Amendment’s tively obscure commuter school in East serves me today. First, I learned to have confidence in guaranteed freedom of the press.’’ Orange County. “We played hard. We worked even my writing. Next, I experienced the » Michael Griffin, vice president of “A skinny, naive freshman, I learned harder. And we learned a lot about re- power of censorship and learned the public affairs for Florida Hospital, 2015 to question authority. Hardly a day sponsibility, ethics and ourselves. I ways to fight it peacefully by persis- inductee to the Nicholson School Hall went by when we weren’t making some- cannot imagine a UCF without a Fu- tence and passive resistance to those in of Fame and former editor-in-chief of one angry about something. We did it ture.’’

F22 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com August 4, 2016 • Central Florida Future THINGS TO DO

Thursday, Aug. 4 and work with a weekly run around the pe- rimeter of Artegon Marketplace. Participants must register at Guest Services by 6 p.m. on POKEMON: THE FIRST MOVIE the day of the run. When: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Where: UCF Arboretum NAVARRO PERFORMS PRESENTS: Cost: Free “THE INTRODUCTION” The Buzz: Do you want to be the very best like no one ever was? Pokemon lovers are invited When: 8 p.m. to relive the late 1990s with a screening of the Where: The Venue, 511 Virginia Drive, Orlan- first ever Pokemon movie. Refreshments will do be provided. Cost: $10 The Buzz: Violinist and cellist Jose Navarro will perform an eclectic array of pieces at his first URBAN NIGHTS WOODSTOCK official electric violin and cello concert. When: 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Where: The Full Moon Lounge at Woodstock, Tuesday, Aug. 9 500 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando Cost: Free The Buzz: Notable indie bands and artists, GEEK TRIVIA TUESDAY including Solar Ellipsis and Nate McManus, will When: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. showcase their musical talent at the Orlando Where: The Geek Easy, 114 S. Semoran Blvd., nightclub. Winter Park Cost: $15 Friday, Aug. 5 The Buzz: Put your Poke-knowledge to the test with this trivia-based competition. First place winners will receive up to $50 toward TAX FREE SHOPPING AT WATERFORD their bar tab and second place winners will LAKES TOWN CENTER receive up to $20 toward their bar tab. When: Starts midnight Aug. 5, runs through Aug. 7 TWISTED TUESDAY WITH SWEET Where: Waterford Lakes, 413 N. Alafaya Trail, CAMBODIA Orlando J ILLIAN JAMES / CENTRAL FLORIDA FUTURE When: 9 p.m. Cost: Free A UCF student deploys his Flareon at a Pokemon Go gym on campus on July 11. The Buzz: Take advantage of Florida’s tax-free Where: Red Lion Pub, 3784 Howell Branch weekend before classes begin at UCF. Road, Winter Park Cost: $3 The Buzz: The soul-funk band Sweet Cambo- “THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: stage for a historic face-off. Fans will have the BITTER COFFEE COMEDY dia will end its southeast tour with a final SYMPHONY OF THE GODDESSES opportunity to vote for the winner via a spe- SHOWCASE concert at Red Lion Pub. MASTER QUEST” cially designed app. When: 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Where: Natura Coffee and Tea, 12078 Col- When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10 legiate Way, Orlando Where: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing TASTE OF ITALY: WINE AND CHEESE Cost: Free Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando, FESTIVAL TO KNIGHTS, WITH LOVE The Buzz: The monthly showcase will feature Cost: $47.68 When: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. a slew of local comedians, including Ian Van- The Buzz: One of the most beloved game Where: The Wine Room on Park Avenue, 270 When: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. leer, Joey Balzac, Sean Beagan and Joe McKe- franchises comes to life in this beautifully S. Park Ave., Winter Park Where: The Hub, located on the first floor of vitt. orchestrated performance. The symphonic Cost: $55 the Student Union work chronicles the 30-year video game series The Buzz: Celebrate Italy’s vibrant culture Cost: Free Saturday, Aug. 6 with instrumentation and gameplay imagery. with an assortment of savory wines and delec- The Buzz: Students will have the opportunity table cheeses that have been defining the to write uplifting messages and hand them region for centuries. out to fellow Knights. ORLANDO PREDATORS VS. Sunday, Aug. 7 JACKSONVILLE SHARKS THE KINGDOM: DADDY YANKEE VS. Monday, Aug. 8 “THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM When: 7 p.m. DON OMAR COUNTY SPELLING BEE” Where: Amway Center, 400 W. Church St., #200, Orlando When: 8 p.m. MOTION MONDAY When: 8 p.m., runs through Aug. 14 Where: Disney’s Contemporary Resort, 4600 N. Cost: Starts at $10 Where: Amway Center, 400 W. Church St., When: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. World Drive, Lake Buena Vista The Buzz: Cheer on the Orlando Predators as #200, Orlando Where: Artegon Marketplace, 5250 Interna- Cost: Starts at $15 they take on the Jacksonville Sharks. Cost: Starts at $20 tional Drive, Orlando The Buzz: The one-act musical comedy follows The Buzz: Daddy Yankee and Don Omar, the Cost: Free six quirky adolescents as they vie for first place kings of the urban genre, will take to the The Buzz: Unwind from the stress of classes at a local spelling bee.

Central Florida Future • August 4, 2016 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com F23 F24 www.CentralFloridaFuture.com August 4, 2016 • Central Florida Future