UCF Spirit Splash: A Tradition of Knightly Spirit
At UCF, being a Knight means more than just attending classes; it's about being part of a vibrant community and participating in events and activities that foster unity and school spirit. From the formal induction at The Knighting to the artistic displays of UCF Celebrates the Arts, UCF offers a diverse range of traditions that enrich the college experience. Among these traditions, Spirit Splash stands out as one of the most popular and eagerly anticipated events on campus. Voted as one of the best college traditions in the nation, Spirit Splash is a wet and wild pep rally that embodies the energetic spirit of UCF.
The Origins of a Splash
UCF's self-proclaimed "biggest campus tradition" hasn’t always been around. While UCF itself was established in 1963, and the Reflecting Pond was constructed in 1967, Spirit Splash didn’t make its debut until 1995. As the tradition gets ready to celebrate its anniversary, pinpointing the reasoning behind its exact origin is no easy feat. There are two different stories floating around as to how Spirit Splash got its start, and not much documented history of either, making its origin unclear.
One story has it that Spirit Splash began in 1995 at a Homecoming pep rally in front of Millican Hall, when the student body president at the time, Miguel Torregrossa, was thrown into the Reflecting Pond, said Mary Rubin, senior archivist at the University Archives. Wolf echoed this story.
“In 1995, the student body president’s cabinet members threw him into the Reflecting Pond, and everyone jumped in after him, and on that day, the tradition started. They were shaking their milk jugs trying to get attention. “Other students wanting to beat the heat wandered in, too. Event coordinators then spent a great deal of the time chasing folks out of the Pond.“To appease the interest of students who wanted to get into the Pond and allow for better planning of the event, the Student Government & Homecoming Committee worked with various campus constituencies to get all the necessary approval to have the first Spirit Splash at Homecoming 1995.”
According to the article, UCF Senior Archivist Mary Rubin offered two theories. “They were shaking their milk jugs trying to get attention. To get even more attention, they wandered into what was then the most open area of the Pep Rally - the Pond.
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Another account suggests that the event was a spontaneous act of school spirit. According to this version, during the 1995 Homecoming Pep Rally, Miguel Torregrossa, then-Student Government Association President, was playfully nudged into the Reflecting Pond by a member of his Cabinet. This prompted the rest of the Student Government to follow suit, and within minutes, almost everyone at the pep rally was in the pond, laughing, splashing, and having a great time.
Regardless of its exact origin, the event quickly gained popularity and became an annual tradition.
Evolution and Growth
Since its inception, Spirit Splash has evolved into a larger and more sophisticated tradition. While there are no attendance numbers for the very first Splash, UCF Homecoming’s 2015 Executive Director Joey Wolf said there were a projected 15,000 to 17,000 students in attendance that year.
Over the years, Spirit Splash has introduced new elements and features to enhance the experience. In one instance a Spirit Splash live stream, was announced to watch the live stream.
The Ducks: A Quacking Mystery
Another Spirit Splash mystery that remains is the reasoning behind the ducks. It is unclear as to when the ducks were introduced, or where the idea came from. The University Archives’ duck collection starts in 2002, and Rubin said she was unsure of whether this was the year the ducks were first introduced.
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“Apparently, one year [the foam figures] weren’t ordered in time and they were looking for a substitute to give out that was small enough, not too hard to throw into a crowd, quick to arrive, and cost effective, and they came up with the rubber ducks,” Eric Smith, the current Homecoming coordinator, said.
A Homecoming Staple
Spirit Splash is a highlight of Homecoming Week each year. Students, and even members of the surrounding community, line up hours in advance of the stampede into the Pond to get their hands on a Spirit Splash T-shirt, dance to upbeat music and claim their spots for the rush up to the edge of the Pond. The pond fills with people as the band, cheerleaders, dancers, football players and Knightro get the crowd excited from the stage.
The event features music, dancing, and high-energy performances by the UCF cheer team, dance team, and the Marching Knights. The highlight of Spirit Splash is the moment when thousands of students charge into the Reflecting Pond to grab one of the coveted rubber ducks.
Reflecting Pond
Our most recognizable landmark, the Reflecting Pond has a unique place in UCF history. It’s been around since the first year of classes and even served as a commencement ceremony location for several years. Editor’s Note: In the early years of Florida Technological University, the pond was sometimes drained for seating at graduations. Perhaps the most famous event was on June 8, 1973, when Richard Nixon spoke at the graduation. My husband and I attended the graduation as guests of a family friend who was graduating. The stage was set up outside the Administration building facing the building that house the WFTU radio station and library. Today, it’s a great spot to relax in between classes and is hands-down one of the most popular backdrops for graduating Knights.
Knightro and Knugget
Even Knightro may have had his beginnings at Spirit Splash. According to a previous Central Florida Future article, information from the University Archives showed that Knightro did not officially appear until the 1994 Spirit Splash, although he was not named Knightro until 1995. Knightro debuted at the first Spirit Splash in 1994 as a knight in golden armor without a name. Over the next year, the golden mascot made appearances at events, sporting events and other student gatherings before being officially named Knightro. You’ll see Knightro - and maybe some of our other mascots - around campus, making appearances at athletics events, pep rallies and so much more. “It me.” The newest addition to athletics and campus events is a mini horse who goes by Knugget. This four-legged, fluffy and absolutely adorable member of Knight Nation hypes up students and spreads cheer everywhere. If you ever run into Knugget around campus, be sure to give him some well-deserved pets.
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Other Traditions
As a Knight, you’re invited to participate in fun traditions throughout the entire year. Start off your time at UCF right with Pegasus Palooza! The Knighting is your formal convocation, marking your induction as an official student at UCF while welcoming new Knights to campus, inspiring your journey as a Knight and offering more insight about UCF. Spend quality time with family, showing them around campus and giving them a taste of what Knight life is all about. Grab your comfy shoes for this one. Cultivate your creativity during UCF Celebrates the Arts. Grab a blanket and pack a picnic to enjoy Symphony Under the Stars. If you like roller coasters, you’ll love Universal Knights. Each spring, join thousands of Knights with exclusive, late-night access to Universal’s Islands of Adventure. It’s the greatest study break of the year. Those who eat together stay together. The Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence is part of Student Research Week. At UCF, we bleed black and gold. The color combination is both dignified and works well through many uses - just a couple of the reasons as to why it was chosen. Since our beginnings in 1963 as one of America’s first “space universities,” our mission has been to make a difference in our community and around the world. Ever notice how the street names on campus represent constellations, galaxies and spacecraft? Gemini Boulevard, Andromeda Loop and Apollo Circle aren’t just happy coincidences. They reflect UCF’s beginnings as a space university. Knights go above and beyond - literally. Our seal, Pegasus, dates back to 1968 when we were known as Florida Technological University. “Pegasus was the mythological winged horse of the muses. He carried their hopes, their inspirations and their poetry into the skies,” explained Dr. Millican, the university’s president at the time. Over the last 50+ years, Pegasus remains a symbol of our students reaching for the stars and achieving their dreams. Don’t step on the seal! Legend says that you won’t graduate if you walk across the Pegasus seal in the Student Union. But once you have your diploma in hand? Go ahead and walk across it to celebrate your momentous achievement. Outdoor events. Tailgate activities. College GameDay backdrop. Memory Mall is packed throughout the year with students, alumni and visitors looking to enjoy some fun in the sun. As one of the focal points around campus, it’s quickly become an area for Knights to gather. You’d never guess that this open green space used to be a parking lot in our early years. Looking for peaceful scenery? Take in all nature has to offer at the Lake Claire Recreation Area. Find a quiet spot by the lake or take a study break with friends. There’s lots to see and do, from kayaking and paddleboarding to sand volleyball and cookouts. Plus, you won’t want to miss out on the free events here each semester.
tags: #ucf #spirit #splash #history
