Electrical engineering doctoral student Ganesh Marasini tests real-life grid control operations in 91�Թ���’s — a training ground for rising engineers to collaborate, learn and help reimagine the energy grid of the future.

Hundreds of fans celebrated 91�Թ��� men’s basketball’s upset win over No. 3 Kansas at Addition Financial Arena.

91�Թ��� broke ground on the transformational Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion at Lake Nona, which is anticipated to open in 2025-26. The new 90,000 square-foot home of the College of Nursing will help 91�Թ��� graduate more highly qualified, compassionate nurses for the future.

A student practices with a manikin hand at 91�Թ���’s state-of-the-art in the College of Nursing, which is equipped with advanced medical devices and technology to train nursing students for clinical practice.

Since kicking off the outdoor season with a top 10 national ranking, the 91�Թ��� women’s track and field team has clocked some of the world’s fastest times this year.

During the 10th anniversary of 91�Թ��� Celebrates the Arts — a multi-day festival honoring creative expressions — artists competed in Creative Clash, a live art event where they raced against the clock to create large-format artwork with markers in front of spectators at Seneff Arts Plaza.

A graduate walks across the stage during a Spring 2024 commencement ceremony that took place in Addition Financial Arena.

Three students dove into their studies while hanging out in their dorm room at the .

A Summer 2024 graduate beams with pride, holding his diploma as he walks across the commencement stage.

Knightro shows off a 91�Թ��� specialty license plate while filming a new at Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy’s Studio 500. To Knight Your Ride, click here.

91�Թ��� students are conducting groundbreaking research at labs, paving the way for the future of space exploration and innovation.

Two fighter aircrafts flew over FBC Mortgage Stadium during the pregame ceremony for the Family Weekend football game, where the Knights defeated the Sam Houston State University Bearkats, 45-14.

Running back RJ Harvey crossed into the end zone for a touchdown during the Knight’s second home game of the season against Sam Houston.

A student guides TapeMeasure, 91�Թ���’s semiautonomous dog-like robot, up the steps of the John C. Hitt Library, demonstrating its advanced navigation capabilities for innovative research by students and faculty.

A member of 91�Թ��� Air Force ROTC Detachment 159 salutes while being filmed on campus for , showcasing 91�Թ��� as a place for those who dare to invent the future.

Annika Emmert, a health sciences student, and Limbitless Solutions intern and past bionic arm recipient, tries on a bionic arm, showcasing its advanced technology that empowers children with limb differences.

This year, 91�Թ��� Downtown, in partnership with Valencia College, celebrates five years of educational excellence. The campus has welcomed more than 7,000 students and awarded 10,300 degrees since opening in 2019.

Two space scientists operate a rover on the world’s largest simulated lunar surface, located in 91�Թ���’s Exolith Lab. The lab’s Lunar Highland Regolith Test Bin was developed in partnership with the Florida Space Institute to support space exploration research.

Before the 91�Թ��� Knights took on the Colorado Buffaloes, two cheerleaders interacted with a young 91�Թ��� fan during Knight Walk at IOA Plaza, the lively pregame tradition where fans, the marching band, and the cheer and dance teams rally together to welcome the football team before kickoff.

91�Թ���’s cheer team amped up the crowd as the Knights took on the University of Cincinnati Bearcats at FBC Mortgage Stadium.

Rapper NLE Choppa performed at Concert Knight presented by 91�Թ��� Homecoming at Addition Financial Arena.

The cheer team hyped up the crowd with a high-energy stunt routine before students charged into the Reflecting Pond to catch homecoming rubber ducks at Spirit Splash.

Knightro surfed over a crowd of students at Spirit Splash, 91�Թ���’s biggest homecoming tradition.

During Spirit Splash, Knightro even secured a cowboy-themed rubber duck, celebrating this year’s theme: Cowboys vs. Aliens.

Knightro posed with a constellation-themed SpaceU cape in front of a giant moon backdrop at 91�Թ���’s 2024 SpaceU Luncheon, honoring the university’s ties to space exploration and innovation.

91�Թ��� President Alexander N. Cartwright stands next to rocket engines while touring facilities during a visit to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

Pop quiz: Name the five youngest universities among the current Power 5 conferences.

All before the invention of bubble gum, you’ve got UCLA in 1919, Texas Tech in 1923, Miami in 1925 and Houston in 1927.

By far and away the youngest is 91�Թ���, founded in 1963. Initially named Florida Technological University, it was established to provide a pipeline of talent for the United States space program at nearby Cape Canaveral.

It’s impossible to appreciate the journey of 91�Թ��� Athletics without a timeline that exhibits the youth of the institution and the manner in which the athletics program has skyrocketed to success.

• In 1963 91�Թ��� was founded.
• In 1968 the first classes were held.
• In 1969 the first varsity athletic event was held — a men’s basketball game at Massey Institute in Jacksonville. And several other sports began competition in the 1970s.
• Ten years later, in 1979, 91�Թ��� played football for the first time at the Division III level with no scholarships in its first three years. Its first game was held in a muddy cow pasture.
• In 1984-85, the majority of 91�Թ���’s sports programs were playing at the Division I level.
• Four decades of a rollercoaster ride — including the football team’s first FBS game (the current highest Division I level) in 1996 — led to national notoriety
• On July 1, 2023, 91�Թ��� begins an exciting new chapter as one of four schools to join the Big 12 Conference.

“A lot of the national powers right now were playing (football) at the turn of the 20th century. … And to understand what you’ve got to make up in that time, it’s generations of donors, it’s generations of parents taking their kids to games, it’s generations of players growing up watching the team play and say, ‘I would give anything to play for that team,” says Andy Staples, senior writer for The Athletic

“91�Թ���, without the advantage of decades and generations of all this, has put itself in position to be very competitive in its new league,” Staples says.

Sunshine State Conference (1975-84)

91�Թ���’s first conference affiliation was with the Sunshine State Conference, starting in 1975. The Knights were a charter member of the Division II league which included Biscayne College (now St. Thomas University), Eckerd, Florida Southern, Rollins and Saint Leo.

Following the 1983-84 season, 91�Թ��� withdrew from the Sunshine State Conference and moved to the NCAA Division I level in the majority of its programs. The Knights competed as an independent until 1990.

Highlight of the Sunshine State Era: 91�Թ��� won six Sunshine State championships in men’s basketball, three in men’s tennis, two in men’s golf and one in baseball.

New South Women’s Athletic Conference (1986-90, Women’s Only)

91�Թ��� was a charter member of the New South Women’s Athletic Conference, the forerunner of the Atlantic Sun. The women’s cross country, basketball, golf, tennis and volleyball teams competed in the conference. During 91�Թ���’s stint in the league, Florida A&M, FIU, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Mercer and Stetson were members.

Highlight of the NSWAC Era: 91�Թ��� women’s soccer’s Michelle Akers ’89 helped lead the Knights to the 1987 NCAA Final Four and was honored with collegiate soccer’s top honor, the Hermann Trophy, a year later. Akers went on to be recognized as the FIFA Women’s Player of the Century after a longstanding and decorated career with the U.S. Women’s National Team.

American South Conference (1990-91)

In 1990, the Knights joined the American South Conference, its first Division I league affiliation for all sports except football. 91�Թ��� spent one campaign in the league which also featured Arkansas State, Lamar, Louisiana Tech, New Orleans, Texas-Pan American and Southwestern Louisiana.

Highlight of the American South era: The American South Conference provided a home for the first time for both the men’s and women’s programs at 91�Թ���.

Sun Belt Conference (1991-92)

Following the 1990-91 academic year, the American South merged with the Sun Belt (which retained its name), forming an 11-institution league. 91�Թ��� competed in the league for just one year against the likes of Arkansas-Little Rock, Arkansas State, Jacksonville, Lamar, Louisiana Tech, New Orleans, South Alabama, Louisiana, Texas Rio Grande Valley and Western Kentucky.

Highlight of Sun Belt era: 91�Թ��� was crowned with the women’s golf title thanks in part to individual champion Liz Earley ’92, who won the individual title in a sudden-death playoff. Jannet and Mike Shumaker were recognized with the Coach of the Year award.

Atlantic Sun Conference (1992-05)

91�Թ��� joined the Atlantic Sun (then known as the Trans America Athletic Conference) in 1992. During 91�Թ���’s tenure in the league, membership changes occurred frequently. Including 91�Թ���, 16 institutions were part of the conference since 1992 — including 91�Թ���’s biggest rival at the time, Stetson, located just up the road in DeLand.

91�Թ��� was extremely successful in the ASUN — winning nine league titles in women’s soccer, eight each in baseball and women’s outdoor track and field, seven in volleyball, five in women’s tennis, four in men’s basketball, three each in men’s soccer, men’s golf, women’s golf and men’s tennis, two in women’s basketball, one in softball (who fielded its first team in 2002).

Highlight of the ASUN era: The 2001 baseball team (pictured below) that climbed to its highest national ranking in program history (No. 7, Baseball America) and earned the top seed in the NCAA Columbia Regional. From 2000-02, the Knights dominated the league with a combined record of 67-17 against ASUN opponents.

Milestone: Knights Head to FBS (1996)

Although the football team remained independent from conference affiliation until 2002, quite likely the biggest move in 91�Թ��� Athletics history came in 1996 when the football team first began competing at the NCAA FBS level. Below are excerpts from the April 1993 press release announcing that jump (at that time 91�Թ��� had only been playing football for 14 seasons). Many of the same sentiments still ring true for 91�Թ���’s transition to the Big 12:

The 91�Թ��� will upgrade its football program to the NCAA Division I-A level beginning with the 1996 season, President John C. Hitt announced today.

“Just as a great city needs a great university, a big-league city like Orlando should have a big-league college football program,” Hitt said in making the announcement at the Florida Citrus Bowl, 91�Թ���’s home field. …

“We expect to reap a number of benefits by making the move to major college football,” Hitt said. “Historically, many elements of the community first become involved with a university through quality intercollegiate athletic programs and then expand that involvement into other areas of the university.”

“In addition to increased revenues, the elevation of the football program is expected to result in greater national visibility for the university and Central Florida, increased alumni and donor activity, increased interest and camaraderie among the student body, and easier recruitment of student-athletes and students in general, the president said. Local merchants should also benefit financially through increased fan support at 91�Թ��� athletic events and therefore the support of the business community, including the major attractions, should increase dramatically,” he said.

“This change isn’t something that will just happen; we will have to earn it,” Hitt said. “One of key requirements in moving up to Division I-A is for us to reach an average attendance of 17,000 per game prior to 1996. For this to happen, we will need support from all of 91�Թ���’s friends, from the student body and the campus community to alumni, community leaders and business leaders throughout Central Florida.”

This was also the era of Daunte Culpepper, a Central Florida standout out of Ocala Vanguard High School, who put 91�Թ��� on the map nationally (literally — in 1998, the Knights made their first national television appearance on ESPN against Purdue). Culpepper finished his career as the Knights’ first NFL first-round draft pick.

“Daunte Culpepper helped 91�Թ��� become a bigger thing than it had been because it was just getting into the FBS at the time, coming out of I-AA,” Staples says. “It made people sit up and take notice and then Daunte goes to the NFL and has this long, productive pro career as well. Now you’re thinking, ‘OK this is a program that can produce that kind of player, that can nurture that kind of player, get them to the NFL and then they can be successful in the NFL.’ ”

Mid-American Conference (2002-04, Football Only)

After 24 seasons as a football independent, 91�Թ��� joined the Mid-American Conference in 2002 as a football-only member. While it may not have made sense geographically to be playing teams like Kent State, Toledo and Western Michigan as conference opponents, options for joining a league were slim and it provided 91�Թ��� stability and reliability in its scheduling.

Conference USA (2005-12)

91�Թ��� became an all-sports member of Conference USA in 2005 and advanced to the inaugural football championship that same year. It was a period of transition for CUSA, with Marshall, Rice, SMU, Tulsa and UTEP also joining the league in 2005.

The 91�Թ��� men’s basketball team made immediate strides on the court in a competitive league, finishing second during the 2006-07 regular season and saw Kirk Speraw named conference coach of the year. 91�Թ���’s Jermaine Taylor was also a bright spot for the Knights from 2005-09. He was chosen as the conference’s Player of the Year his senior season and selected in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft.

91�Թ��� won five CUSA titles in women’s soccer, four in women’s outdoor track and field, three in men’s golf, two each in football, women’s basketball and women’s indoor track and field, and one in softball.

Highlight of the CUSA era: The excellence of 91�Թ���’s women’s teams. Women’s soccer advanced to NCAA Sweet 16 in 2011 for first time in nearly three decades and was ranked among the top 10 nationally the following year in its final year as a member. The track and field team’s dynasty of six indoor and outdoor championships in three years resulted in the first NCAA individual champion in school history and a top-five finish at the 2013 NCAA Indoor Championship. Women’s basketball returned to the NCAA Tournament twice thanks to two tournament titles and softball earned a bid to the NCAA regional with its second conference championship in program history in 2008.

American Athletic Conference (2013-23)

In 2013 91�Թ��� joined Houston, Memphis and SMU in leaving Conference USA for the American Athletic Conference — featuring members of the BIG EAST who played football. It also kickstarted the War on I-4 rivalry with nearby conference foe South Florida. 91�Թ��� went a perfect 7-for-7 in the annual all-sports standings before exiting The American in 2023.

91�Թ��� concluded its 10-year tenure in the AAC with more league titles during that decade than any other conference member. 91�Թ��� teams won 52 AAC titles from 2013-14 through 2022-23 — 21 regular-season crowns and 31 more via conference postseason tournaments, league title games or other conference champion designations.

“Without question that level of success (in the AAC) played a major role in our opportunity to join the Big 12 Conference.” — Terry Mohajir, vice president and director of Athletics

“We take great pride in the tremendous accomplishments of our teams during their 10 years in the American Athletic Conference,” says 91�Թ��� Vice President and Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir. “Without question that level of success played a major role in our opportunity to join the Big 12 Conference.”

“Every time some more stuff happened (with conference realignment), 91�Թ��� happened to be playing very good football and people noticed,” Staples says. “That’s why when the Big 12 lost Texas and Oklahoma, 91�Թ��� is coming off its most successful period in its history. And it was an easy choice. It was obvious where the Big 12 should go.”

Highlight of the AAC era: The football team’s historical 25-0 run over a span of 745 days from 2017-19. The accomplishment is listed in the NCAA record book among the longest win streaks ever recorded and marks the fourth-longest win streak this millennium (Miami, 34 – 2000-03; Florida State, 29 – 2012-14; Alabama, 26 – 2015-16).

Big 12 Conference (2023-present)

The Big 12 announced in September 2021 that 91�Թ��� would join BYU, Houston and Cincinnati as future members. The Big 12 does not sponsor men’s soccer, so the Knights will compete in the Sun Belt Conference (which features fellow Power 5 programs West Virginia, Kentucky and South Carolina) in that sport.

Below are excerpts from the Sept. 10, 2021, announcement when the 91�Թ��� Board of Trustees voted unanimously to accept an invitation for 91�Թ��� to join the Big 12. Mohajir was quoted:

“This is a landmark day for anyone ever associated with 91�Թ��� or 91�Թ��� Athletics. As we anticipate a future move to the Big 12 Conference, we first owe a vote of thanks to all those at 91�Թ��� who have gone before us. There’s a long list of student-athletes, coaches, athletic directors, university presidents and support staff, fans and donors and, of course, our student body, plus so many others whose hard work and successes have helped pave the way for today’s announcement. The bases were already loaded, and I feel very blessed and honored to get to step up to the plate on behalf of 91�Թ���.

“I speak for all of us at 91�Թ��� in expressing our excitement for the opportunities that lie ahead. I’m confident our Knight teams will rise to the challenges to come.

“Here at 91�Թ��� we are in the business of providing the best possible opportunities for our student-athletes to thrive while they are here and to have post-collegiate career success. We are convinced that competing as a member of the Big 12 Conference absolutely will help us accomplish those goals.

“In addition, Orlando is one of the most vibrant cities in the world — and the NIL (name, image, likeness) opportunities for our student-athletes here are endless compared to many college towns.”

“91�Թ��� has always kind of looked at the next step. If these programs are thinking that 91�Թ��� is going to come in and just try to fit in, that’s not going to be how it goes.” — Andy Staples,  The Athletic senior writer

“91�Թ��� has always kind of looked at the next step. If these programs are thinking that 91�Թ��� is going to come in and just try to fit in, that’s not going to be how it goes,” Staples says. “91�Թ��� is going to come in and try to take over. I think Cincinnati, Houston, BYU probably feel the same way, but you’ve seen it with 91�Թ���. When 91�Թ��� went into the American, it was a step up in competition — but it didn’t take long before 91�Թ��� was one of the best programs in the league. It’s got everything it needs to be successful. It has all the ingredients.”

“Just because Oklahoma and Texas are gone (in 2024 to the sec), no one is going to be able to walk through this league,” says Nicole Auerbach, The Athletic. “We’ve seen Kansas State and Baylor and different teams make Big 12 title games recently, but I would not be surprised if 91�Թ��� is competing to win this league pretty soon after getting there.”

Head women’s soccer coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak won an Olympic gold medal in women’s soccer in 1996. Head women’s track and field coach Jeanette Bolden was a member of the gold-medal winning 4×100-meter relay team in 1984. Assistant track and field/cross country coach Johnny Gray won a bronze medal in the 800 meters in 1992. Bolden was also the U.S. Olympic team’s head women’s track and field coach in 2008.

They are looking forward to watching the competition over the next few weeks. There’s a good chance that seeing the competition in Rio de Janeiro, the medal presentations and the opening and closing ceremonies will bring a flood of great memories back for each of these Olympic Knights.

“It’s an experience that is so hard to put into words,” Bolden said. “It’s a feeling of ultimate accomplishment because you’ve dreamed about it, you’ve sacrificed for it. It finally came true. You’re in the opening ceremonies and you’re just in awe. That’s all you can do is say ‘Wow!’ and be in awe of walking with the USA [gear] on.”

After winning her gold medal, Sahaydak and her teammates were sent back to the locker room to change into their medal presentation uniforms. She said returning into the stadium was surreal.

“I remember coming back out on to the field, I will never forget that moment,” she said. “With all the fans in the stadium and all the cameras flickering, it looked like stars shining in the night. It’s something you dream of. It was pretty intense.”

Gray had a rather pragmatic view on the experience.

“You see all of these other countries and you’re actually representing the U.S. of A,” he said. “We go out and we have friendly competition with other parts of the country in a sport that is giving to the world. We’re sharing with the world that we don’t have to fight like we see on television. It’s about just trying to perform at the best of your abilities, and then afterwards, everybody shakes hands…at the end, we’re still human. We’re still one as a people, and we can still love and exist together. Love one another and exist together. That is the feeling that I got from the Olympics.”

While Bolden, Gray and Sahaydak all competed in the Olympics more than 20 years ago, those experiences certainly help their respective 91�Թ��� programs in a number of ways.

“The culture that we have here at 91�Թ���, a lot of that has been developed through my experiences with the national team,” Sahaydak said. “We had unbelievable leadership, not just from the coaches but also from my teammates. That is where I learned my leadership skills. I rely on those experiences every day in order to be the best coach I can be.”

Gray doesn’t bring up his Olympic experience, but focuses his recruiting pitch on what 91�Թ��� offers a prospective student-athlete. But that’s not to say it doesn’t come up in conversation. Gray has also coached Olympians, which can resonate with recruits.

“These kids weren’t born when I was running,” he said. “Once they find out that I’m from the Olympics, it definitely helps. That’s definitely something good to have on your resume. I say ‘Not only am I a coach, but I’ve been where you are as an athlete. I know what you’re feeling; I know what you’re going through. I know what it takes to try to win.’”

Bolden said when she talks to a student-athlete who has the ability to be an Olympian, her experience competing and coaching in the Games makes an impact.

“When I talk to them, I tell them ‘I didn’t read about the Olympics; I experienced it firsthand. That’s something that I can tell you that some of the other coaches can’t tell you,’” she said. “Being a coach in the 2008 Olympics, I can tell them what goes on from the coaching side. So yes, I definitely use that.”

“This is the best finish ever by 91�Թ���. This is the best they’ve ever done and we’ve very happy. We just go out and do our best, and that’s all I can ask for as a coach. Just give me your best and we’re happy and they’ve all done that,” said Knights’ head coach Johnny Gray.

Five Knights contributed points in 91�Թ���’s top-five finish as they set new personal records. Sophomore Heather Classe was the Knight’s second top finisher with her time of 21:42.45 for 21st place.

Amelia Williams (37th) and Senior Erica Winston (38th) emerged as 91�Թ���’s third and fourth finishers with times of 22:41.51 and 22:46.86, respectively, while sophomore Jocelyn Adona rounded out the Knights’ top-five with a time of 23:11.59 to place 45th overall.

“Everyone set personal records from our fifth place finisher on up,” said Gray. “All of our top runners set personal records by huge margins. Anne-Marie finished 24th last year in the (C-USA) championship, and placed first this year. Heather (Classe) took 21st, which is a huge improvement, too. I would have love to have Amy, but she is injured. If we had her we probably would have finished in the top three.”

Next up, the Knights will prepare for the NCAA South Region Championships, which will take place on Nov. 15 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

91�Թ���’s overall GSR was 89 percent, up four points from last year’s report. The Knights’ percentage was also seven points above the NCAA average of 82 percent.

The Knights rank No. 1 among public institutions in the State of Florida, second overall in the state and tied with Ohio State for 15th in the country among Football Bowl Subdivision institutions. 91�Թ���’s GSR also ranks highest among current American Athletic Conference institutions.

Eleven of 91�Թ���’s 14 programs (women’s cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field are combined) improved their GSR from the previous year’s report or maintained a 100 percent mark. Eleven of 91�Թ���’s programs also came in above the national average for their sport.

Three Knights squads – women’s tennis, women’s basketball and men’s golf – were at a perfect 100 percent. It was the eighth consecutive season for women’s tennis to record a 100-percent score. Women’s soccer recorded the biggest improvement among Knights programs, jumping nine percentage points. Eight 91�Թ��� programs were at 90 percent or better.

“We have a group of high-achieving, hard-working student-athletes,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Todd Stansbury. “Our coaches and academic staff promote a culture of academic performance on a daily basis. Our graduation success rate is indicative of the emphasis our student-athletes put on academics.”

The football program finished 12 points above the national average, with an 83-percent mark, compared to 71 percent nationally. It was the seventh consecutive year the football program improved its GSR. Football’s 83 percent was a program-best score. In football, 91�Թ��� ranks No. 2 among American Athletic Conference schools.

“These numbers are proof that our student-athletes, coaches and academic advisors are doing a great job promoting the goal of graduation,” said Kimya Massey, Associate Athletic Director for Academic Services. “It’s very satisfying to work with a group that puts so much effort toward success in competition and in the classroom.”

The GSR data in this most recent report is for student-athletes who first enrolled in 2006.

Sprinter Octavious Freeman is featured in the long-running segment “Faces in the Crowd,” which highlights standout amateur athletes.

Freeman was chosen for her world-leading performances earlier this month at both the Florida Relays and the Miami Hurricane Invitational.

The No. 12 91�Թ��� track and field team is back in action this weekend at the Arkansas Invitational in Fayetteville.

Scott measured up against world-class competition last weekend at the Tom Jones Memorial Classic in Gainesville. She led the Knights in the 100 meters with a first-place finish and season-best time of 11.27 (+0.9), ascending to No. 8 among the NCAA this season. The Greenbelt, Md., native shined against a field that included 2011 USA champion Shalonda Solomon and 2008 World Championships bronze medalist and two-time Olympian Tahesia Harrigan-Scott.

She later blazed to a wind-aided 22.73 (+2.6) for her fastest season-opening 200-meter race. With the fourth-best time in the NCAA this year, she finished runner-up to seven-time Olympic medalist and nine-time World Championships medalist Veronica Campbell-Brown, who clocked the new all-conditions world-best time of 2013 (22.18).

This award marks Scott’s fourth-career conference athlete of the week distinction (indoor and outdoor) and her third of 2013. 91�Թ��� has won four of the five weekly awards handed out so far in the outdoor season.

The Knights are the only Conference USA team present in the national team rankings and are second only to Florida (No. 6) among programs in the state. Texas A&M edged Kansas for the No. 1 spot and is followed by Arizona, LSU and Arkansas in the top five.

Coupled with the outdoor season, 91�Թ��� has not fallen out of the top 25 dating to April 26, 2011. Moreover, 91�Թ��� currently boasts eight marks that stand among the NCAA’s top 20 in their respective categories this year.

91�Թ��� travels next to the Arkansas Invitational on April 26-27. The trip marks the Knights’ return to Fayetteville for the first time since Scott became the NCAA 60-meter champion and 200-meter runner-up and Freeman earned two bronze medals at the 2013 Indoor Championships.

91�Թ��� in the NCAA Rankings

Athlete, Event, Mark, Rank

The junior track and field star became 91�Թ���’s first NCAA champion of any sport by claiming first place in the 60 meters at the NCAA Indoor Championships. She joins an elite group of Knights who have won national championships: cheerleading (UCA; 2003, 2007) and volleyball (AIAW; 1978).

“What a historic night for 91�Թ��� track and field,” 91�Թ��� head coach Caryl Smith Gilbert said. “We had two unbelievable performances. Aurieyall Scott is an NCAA champion and Octavious Freeman was third in the 60 meters. As a team, we finished fifth with only two athletes scoring. I am very proud and excited for the great weekend they had, and this is just an indication of things to come for the outdoor season. Both of these young women have sacrificed a lot and worked very hard to get to this point, so it is exciting to watch them reap the benefits of their work.”

Scott matched her personal record 7.13, which is fifth-fastest time in collegiate history and makes her the fourth-best performer in the event all-time. She edged Oregon’s reigning champion English Gardner (7.15) and was joined on the medalist stand by her teammate and roommate Freeman, who earned her second bronze medal with a season-best time of 7.16.

Coupled with their silver and bronze finishes in Friday’s 200 meters, 91�Թ���’s dynamic duo were responsible for scoring the most points in program history (30) at the NCAA Championships for the Knights’ best finish ever at fifth place.

After their performances this weekend, Scott is now an 11-time All-American and Freeman is a six-time All-American.

91�Թ��� opens the outdoor season Saturday in Orlando with the first of its two home meets. The Black and Gold Challenge will start at 9 a.m. with the javelin at the 91�Թ��� Track and Field Complex.

91�Թ��� signed Smith Gilbert to a deal that keeps the four-time Conference USA Coach of the Year through June 2016.

“The track and field program’s continued success both in the classroom and on the track is a testament to the hard-working student-athletes who represent 91�Թ���, but it starts first and foremost with its leader,” said Todd Stansbury, vice president and director of athletics. “ is a tremendous coach and more importantly, an even better person. She conducts herself and the team with integrity and character. We are happy that she will continue to be a Knight in the years to come.”

Under Smith Gilbert’s guidance in 2012, the track and field team earned its best finish (eighth place) at the NCAA Indoor Championships in school history. 91�Թ��� won its fourth C-USA title, produced six All-Americans with 13 distinctions throughout the year and capped the season by sending four Knights to compete at the USA Olympic Trials.

Among those Olympic Trial competitors,  was one of two collegiate athletes who advanced to the finals of the 200 meters and finished with a school-record performance in the primetime nationally televised race.

She expects the same results off the track and constantly preaches to her student-athletes about the importance of earning their degrees. Since taking over the program, Smith Gilbert has witnessed 61 Knights merit recognition on the C-USA Academic Honor Roll for earning a grade point average of 3.0 or better. In 2012 alone, 18 members of the team earned this praise.

“I am thankful to Todd Stansbury and 91�Թ��� for the opportunity to continue to lead this program,” Smith Gilbert said. “I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish so far, but our work is not finished. I am excited about this season and the many years to come as a 91�Թ��� Knight.”

For complete coverage of 91�Թ��� Athletics, visit the Knights’ website – .

“Every time I raced (this year), I had them in the back of my mind saying, `I’ve got to do good so I don’t let the girls down.’ I think that’s been a driving force behind me,” Trotter said. “It means so much to me to have had to opportunity to be an inspiration to these girls. They have been an inspiration to me.

Trotter, who trained with head coach Caryl Smith Gilbert for the last eight months at 91�Թ���, will compete in the 400 meters Friday. She is not the only athlete Smith Gilbert has helped earn an appearance at this year’s Summer Games.

Current Knight Afia Charles became 91�Թ���’s first track and field Olympian when she was invited to compete as a member of Antigua’s national team. Charles’ mother, Ruperta, ran for the country in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, so her daughter has dual citizenship.

Charles and Trotter run in round one of the 400 meters at 7 a.m. EDT hoping to advance to Saturday’s semifinals (3:05 p.m.) and finals (4:10 p.m.). NBC will begin airing coverage of track and field events Friday at 10 a.m.

Trotter earned a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens with the 4×400 relay team. She spent much of 2009 and 2010 still battling effects from a knee injury but finally broke through this past year after moving to Orlando to train with Smith Gilbert. She credits much of her success to the 91�Թ��� track and field team.

“I was trying to transition myself into a new level of motivation because I was down. When I got here, they worked so hard and their level of work ethic and being out here with young ladies that are extremely talented, they just lifted me up,” Trotter said. “They looked up to me in a way that I felt a sense of responsibility to them. When I’m running, they are part of the motivation that keeps me wanting to do better.

“They have made this journey even better because watching them grow, sharing my knowledge, being able to work with them on a day-to-day basis, it was definitely destiny that we came together.”

The Knights have been equally as inspired by their mentor. This year, four student-athletes competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials capped by Aurieyall Scott’s appearance as one of two collegiate athletes who advanced to the nationally televised 200-meter finals.

Trotter has high expectations for the track and field team and believes that soon, the Knights will be adding a national championship to their many conference titles.

“The real potential of this team – I’m a professional track runner, I run on championship teams, Tennessee was a championship team when I was there, I know what champions look like and this team has it. And I’m not just saying that because I train with them every day,” Trotter said. “I’m saying that because they have the talent, they have the work ethic and they have the coach.”