History of the UCF Mascot

UCF Mascot Timeline

A historic timeline about the many faces of the FTU/UCF mascot



April 5, 1968

The schools colors, black and gold, were chosen



1969

The first unofficial FTU mascot, Citronaut

First featured on the student handbook

Created by Norman Van Meter, designer of the university's official seal



November 3, 1969

Vincent the Vulture

Inspired by the ever-present vultures that circled campus

Proposed by Judy Hines, a night nurse at the campus health center

Did not make final list of mascots voted on by SGA



Summer 1970

Students petition Student Government to establish an "official" mascot

"Operation Mascot" begins



December 4, 1970

"Knights of Pegasus" or "Knights" received 824 of 1,313 student votes

Entry designed by Charles Woodling

Profile of knight's head with a helmet was designed by FTU employee and graphic artist Dorthy Cannon



1978

State Legislature changes the school's name to the University of Central Florida

First horse and rider appear

Kathi McCutheon was the knight and "Romeo" was the gallant steed



1980

Sir Wins-A-Lot debuts at 1980 football game



Mid-80s

Burt Reynolds donates a new black stallion



1987

"Puff" or "Pete the Dragon"

Named after Director of Athletics Bill "Coach Pete" Peterson

Eric Young came up with the "Dragon" concept

Custom donated by Disney

The dragon and knight would duel on the field



1988

The Future chronicled that a student proposed that UCF change its mascot to the "Sharks"

UCF Marketing Task Force - "Research shows little equity in or enthusiasm for the Knight mascot" and "It also raised unnecessary gender issues"



1989

"Mack the Knight" introduced

Designed by former football letterman Derron Stultz



August 25, 1993

Argument for the change to "Sharks" reappears



October 20, 1993

Student poll conducted. Of the 914 votes received, 75% were opposed to "Sharks" and 67% were opposed to any change



November 19, 1994

A new, yet unnamed, towering knight mascot clad in gold armor was unveiled at the school's first Spirit Splash



The costume was made by Costume World of Pompano Beach



August 24, 1995

The knight mascot was officially named "Knightro"

The female version, "Glycerin" first appears



1998

Dave Minichello of Wizzards Production creates the mold for the updated Knightro



2000

Glycerin was retired

Golden glitter coat was added to the exterior of the costume



2001

Creation of the Pegasus Mascot Program

All horses used required to be white



2005-2006

Engineering students create a motorized car for Knightro, called "Chariot II"



2007

The athletic department drops "Golden" from the team name

Knightro's look is updated to resemble the new logo

Some students refer to the new character as "Train Face"

Knightro's name is added to the back of his cape



2009

"World Famous" Lipizzaner Stallions tour agrees to provide their horses for the program UCF MASCOT TIMELINE A HISTORIC TIMELINE ABOUT THE MANY FACES OF THE FTU/UCF MASCOT April 5, 1968 The schools colors, black and gold, were chosen 1969 The first unofficial FTU mascot, Citronaut First featured on the November 3, 1969 student handbook Created by Norman Van Meter, designer of the university's official seal Vincent the Vulture Inspired by the ever-present vultures that circled campus Proposed by Judy Hines, a night nurse at the campus health center Did not make final list of mascots voted on by SGA Summer 1970 Students petition Student Government to establish an "official" mascot December 4, 1970 "Operation Mascot" begins "Knights of Pegasus" or "Knights" received 824 of 1,313 student votes wOw! Entry designed by Charles Woodling Profile of knight's head with a helmet was designed by FTU employee and graphic artist Dorthy Cannon mind MASCOT 1978 ENIGHTS State Legislature changes the school's name to the University of Central Florida FTU First horse and rider appear Kathi McCutheon was the knight and "Romeo" was the gallant steed 1980 Sir Wins-A-Lot debuts at a 1980 football game Mid-80s Burt Reynolds donates a new black stallion 1987 "Puff" or "Pete the Dragon" Named after Director of Athletics Bill "Coach Pete" Peterson Eric Young came up with the "Dragon" concept Custom donated by Disney The dragon and knight would duel on the field 1988 The Future chronicled that a student proposed that UCF change its mascot to the "Sharks" IS BO UCF Marketing Task Force - "Research shows little equity in or enthusiasm for the Knight mascot" and "It also raised unnecessary gender issues" 1989 "Mack the Knight" introduced August 25, 1993 Designed by former football letterman Derron Stultz Argument for the change to "Sharks" reappears October 20, 1993 Student poll conducted. Of the 914 votes received, 75% were opposed to "Sharks" and 67% were opposed to any change November 19, 1994 A new, yet unnamed, towering knight mascot clad in gold August 24,1995 armor was unveiled at the school's first Spirit Splash The knight mascot was officially named "Knightro" The costume was made by Costume World of Pompano Beach 1996 A new "knightro" was created by a local Disney character developer The female version, "Glycerin" first appears 1998 Dave Minichello of Wizzards Production creates the mold for the updated Knightro 2000 Glycerin was retired Golden glitter coat was added to the exterior of the costume 2001 Creation of the Pegasus Mascot Program All horses used required to be white 2005-2006 Engineering students create a motorized car for Knightro, called "Chariot II" 2007 The athletic department drops "Golden" from the team name Knightro's look is updated to resemble the new logo e UCF Some students refer to the new character as "Train Face" 2009 Knightro's name is added to the back of his cape "World Famous" Lipizzaner Stallions tour agrees to provide their horses for the program The Black & Gold shop SOURCES: www.UCFATHLETICS.COM/TRADS/NAME-LOGO.HTML LIBRARY.UCF.EDU/SPECIAL/EXHIBITS/UNIVERSITYARCHIVES/MASCOTS.HTM EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/PEGASUS_(MASCOT) OB www.blackgoldshon.com