Picture this: It's minutes before game time in The Swamp. The Florida Gators are about to take on the Georgia Bulldogs on home turf. All you can see for yards upon yards are swatches of orange and blue, blurs of orange and blue.
The noise is deafening, and it reaches an inconceivable peak as Tim Tebow and his team run out of the cheerleader-fashioned tunnel.
It's mayhem.
Bright House Networks, home of the UCF Knights, is nothing like this. Watching a game there is the perfect family event. But that's not a bad thing. Not at all.
In fact, the loud-but-not-too-loud sounds of cheering Knights fans' voices, coupled with the sight of toddlers in mini-UCF cheerleading uniforms being carried by their dads is the essence of the Bright House.
The stadium and university, is the heart of many surrounding suburban areas, like Oviedo, Winter Springs, and Waterford Lakes, which house big, bouncing families with jobs of all kinds and children of all ages.
That's the beauty of Orlando; it's not just a college town, but a town of all ages, and it's an all ages event at every Knights' game. While the UCF student section is rowdy, loud, and full of profanities, the other sections in the stadium permit a relaxing yet exciting atmosphere in which one can watch the game and also have a conversation.
Most of the time, there is ample space to move around in inside the stadium, making access to stairs (and snacks) quite simple.
Might I add that the lemonade is amazing.
The stadium seems to be of a perfect size for the current fanbase, holding just over 45,000 seats. It would be easy to expand on the structure if the program should reach new heights and require more seating. It was the first NCAA Division I FBS stadium to be built in the 21st century and features a clean, modern, and easy amenity access style.
Walking around the entire stadium is a pleasant walk, and you're sure to experience student culture without having to go near the student section.
Despite the uproar during the first game in September 2007 about the lack of water fountains in the stadium, the university installed water fountains around the entire main concourse and everything has gone without a hitch since.
Game days at UCF are a big deal in the Orlando area, with fans entering the campus parking areas to tailgate as soon as they possibly can. There's a plethora of fan events around the stadium before the game begins, and a day at Bright House Networks Stadium is worth every penny.
Other facts about the Bright House:
Surface: Natural grass (Bermuda grass)
Architect: 360 Architecture
Stadium Design: Planned for an expansion to 65,000. In the next 5-10 years, expansion will begin.
The Sponsor: On Aug. 8, 2006, UCF announced a 15-year, $15 million stadium naming rights deal with cable company Bright House Networks
The Cure Bowl: in 2010, a new bowl event will begin at Bright House Networks Stadium. Named the Cure Bowl, it benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the American Cancer Society. Teams featured will be from C-USA and the Sun Belt Conference. The inaugural game will be on Dec. 18, 2010.
For more Better Know a Stadium articles, visit Jessica's column at Examiner.com Orlando.
Picture taken and edited by Jessica Reuter
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