Charge On!: The Story of UCF's Unofficial Anthem
"Charge On!" is more than just a phrase at the University of Central Florida (UCF); it's an embodiment of school spirit, a rallying cry, and an attitude. While officially part of the UCF lexicon for over two decades, specifically since 1998, when it was introduced in the lyrics to the UCF fight song, its significance has grown exponentially. This article delves into the origin, evolution, and pervasive impact of "Charge On!" within the UCF community.
The Genesis of "Charge On!"
The familiar refrain of "Charge On!" is heard during sporting events, especially each time the Knights score a touchdown. The phrase has become a battle cry, and the words can be read in a tweet about yet another UCF achievement, often condensed to simply #GKCO for “Go Knights!”
The story of how the UCF Fight Song acquired the moniker "Charge On!" is quite spontaneous. In 2009, during a Marching Knights rehearsal, Jason Millhouse, then a graduate assistant alongside Dave Schreier, and Ron Ellis, the director of athletic bands at the time, were discussing the fight song. Millhouse, who had taken over announcing duties for the band that year, suggested that the fight song should have a name, drawing inspiration from its lyrics. As Ellis sang the fight song, he paused and proposed "Charge On!" Millhouse and Schreier immediately approved, and the name was announced during the pregame performance at the very next game.
Jason Millhouse has served as the Voice for the Marching Knights since 2009, when he worked for the MKs as a teaching assistant under Ron Ellis. During that year, Dave Schreier, Ron Ellis, and Jason made a spontaneous sideline decision to provide the previously unlabeled UCF Fight Song the new moniker of “Charge On”, applying lyrics from the song in a new and improved script that would be read just a few moments later in the press box.
"Charge On!" as a Catalyst for Action
But “Charge On!” is more than a rallying cry. It’s an attitude. And when we considered what to do for this year’s brand campaign and our most recent commercial, we thought what better than the phrase that unites us all. “When we say Charge On, we commit to do extraordinary things. It’s a catalyst for action. To put in the work. It drives us to be more. To be our best.
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The Marching Knights and the Fight Song
The Marching Knights play a vital role in perpetuating the spirit of "Charge On!" For football season, we play it during the March to Victory, the pregame performance, whenever we score and at the end of the game. It is one of the first songs we’ll rehearse and everyone learns because we play it so much and it’s important.
The lyrics have always been the same, but the arrangement was changed in 1999.
UCF Fight Song in Popular Culture
In 2007, the song was included in the film Sydney White, which starred Amanda Bynes and was filmed partially at UCF.
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tags: #marching #knights #ucf #fight #song #lyrics
