Celebrating Excellence: The UCF Athletics Hall of Fame and the College of Business Hall of Fame

The University of Central Florida (UCF) has a rich tradition of recognizing outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the university's athletic and academic reputation. The UCF Athletics Hall of Fame and the UCF College of Business Hall of Fame stand as testaments to the excellence achieved by former student-athletes and business graduates. These halls of fame honor those who have elevated UCF's prominence in collegiate sports and beyond, as well as those who have demonstrated exceptional professional success in their respective fields.

UCF Athletics Hall of Fame: Honoring Athletic Prowess

Since its founding in 1998, the UCF Athletics Hall of Fame has honored athletes, coaches, teams, and special contributors who have elevated UCF’s prominence in collegiate sports and beyond. Each year, a new class of inductees is celebrated during a formal induction banquet. The inductees are also honored during the following day's football game, when the Knights host West Virginia for Homecoming weekend.

Notable Inductees

The 2025 UCF Athletics Hall of Fame class includes six former Knights student-athletes, three of whom are football players: wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker, running back Alex Haynes and offensive lineman Cornell Green, and one former basketball player Dexter Lyons.

Mike Sims-Walker: A Dynamic Wide Receiver

Mike Sims-Walker, a local product from Edgewater High School, played at UCF from 2003 to 2006. A dynamic and productive wide receiver, Mike Sims-Walker was instrumental in UCF’s rise in Division I football. Over 46 games, he amassed 184 receptions (then 4th all-time) for 2,561 yards (also 4th) and 17 touchdowns, earning Second Team All-Conference USA honors in 2005 and First Team in 2006. That senior season, he set the program’s single-season receptions record with 90, a mark that still stands as #1 all-time at UCF. Known for his size, body control, and ability to make contested catches, Sims-Walker became a reliable go-to target and even led the team with three interceptions in the 2004 season, displaying his defensive versatility. Sims-Walker spent most of his UCF career (2003-2006) alongside another future NFL receiver and UCF Hall-of-Fame inductee, Brandon Marshall. The duo recorded a combined 2,050 receiving yards in 2005, the third-most by a tandem of receivers in program history.

Once Marshall left for the NFL in the 2006 Draft, however, Sims-Walker got his time to shine. His 90 receptions in 2006 remain a program record, and he led the team with 1,178 receiving yards.

Read also: Interning at the Hall of Fame

Sims-Walker finished his time in Orlando with 2,561 career receiving yards, the fourth-most in program history. He was named All-CUSA First Team in 2006 and All-CUSA Second Team in 2005. He also recorded three interceptions, two of which were in one game, during his sophomore season in 2004.

Selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft (79th overall), he overcame early-career injuries to deliver a breakout 2009 campaign with 63 receptions, 869 yards, and 7 touchdowns. He finished his NFL career with 134 catches, 1,798 yards, and 14 touchdowns over four seasons, also spending time with the St. Louis Rams and briefly playing in the CFL with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Off the field, Sims-Walker has maintained close ties to UCF, mentoring student-athletes and establishing a scholarship fund.

Alex Haynes: A Workhorse Running Back

Alex Haynes was the definition of a workhorse for UCF, leaving as the program’s all-time leading rusher (with 3,356 yards on 742 carries at graduation, now 2nd all-time), along with 662 receiving yards on 88 catches and 28 total touchdowns. He was also the first Knight to record four rushing touchdowns in a single game (vs. Tulane in 2001). Haynes became the first running back in school history to surpass 4,000 all-purpose yards, averaging 98.1 per game, ranking 6th in career all-purpose yards (4,021) and 7th in average all-purpose yards. His 27 career rushing touchdowns are good for 5th in program history and his 15 100-yard rushing games still tie for 2nd all-time. A physical, downhill runner with breakaway speed, Haynes shined in pivotal matchups with multiple 1,000-yard seasons and earned All-Conference recognition. It would only be surpassed by two other Knights since, Kevin Smith (2005-2007) and RJ Harvey (2020-2024), both future NFL Draft picks. He also ranks sixth in program history in rushing touchdowns (27) and seventh in all-purpose yards (4,021 yards).

Despite going undrafted in 2005, he earned NFL opportunities with the Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, and Denver Broncos, and later played with the UFL’s Florida Tuskers. Known for his work ethic and durability, he was a dependable offensive force who kept drives alive and wore down opposing defenses. Haynes had a brief appearance in the NFL, playing just 10 games for the Carolina Panthers in 2007.

Cornell Green: A Linchpin on the Offensive Line

Cornell Green anchored UCF’s offensive line during some of the most important years in program history. Playing at UCF from 1995-98, he started all 33 games in his final three years, including being part of the standout 9-2 team in 1998. A four-year starting tackle, Green played a critical role protecting quarterback Daunte Culpepper during UCF’s early FBS years and powered record-setting offensive performances. His dominance garnered a place on UCF’s All-FBS Era Team. Traveling up I-4 from St. Petersburg, Green was one of several offensive linemen who protected future NFL quarterback Daunte Culpepper. He was a starter for the majority of his UCF career, which spanned 1995-1998.

Despite going undrafted in 1999, Green’s perseverance led to a nine-year NFL career spanning seven teams (Jets, Dolphins, Broncos, Buccaneers, Bills, Raiders) and 94 career games (51 starts). His crowning achievement came as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Super Bowl XXXVII championship squad. Green signed as an undrafted free agent with the Atlanta Falcons in 1999. He played a season in NFL Europe with the Scottish Claymores in 2000 and spent a couple of seasons with the New York Jets (2000-2001), but he ended up not seeing the field in the NFL until he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002. He played in 19 games, three of them starts, for the Super Bowl Champions that season, becoming the second UCF alum in program history to receive a Super Bowl ring. Green was valued throughout his pro career for his adaptability across multiple spots on the line and for his toughness and durability. He even reunited with Culpepper on the 2007 Raiders.

Green logged 51 starts out of 94 games played across his career, which wrapped following the 2010 season. Most of his starts came during his three-season stint with the Oakland Raiders, where he signed in 2007, reuniting with Culpepper.

Dexter Lyons: A Two-Way Basketball Star

Dexter Lyons made an immediate impact after transferring from Daytona Beach Community College, becoming UCF’s premier scoring threat. Lyons played a pivotal role on both ends of the floor, helping UCF to two consecutive ASUN Championship Game appearances, including the 2004 conference title and an NCAA Tournament berth. Renowned for his two-way game, he posted 18.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game as a senior, shooting 54% from the field and 44% from three-point range while his 567 points rank as the fourth-highest single season in UCF’s Division I era. That same year, Lyons swept Atlantic Sun honors (Defensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-Conference, Tournament MVP) and became the first player in school history to record a triple-double (14 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists vs. Troy on Jan. 11, 2003). After college, Lyons built a successful pro career overseas, competing in Holland, Turkey, Luxembourg, Spain (winning two titles), France, Japan, and the Dominican Republic. His international stints highlighted his adaptability and skill, and he’s continued to impact the sport as a coach and mentor, working with student-athletes in Atlanta. He was also named All-ASUN First Team and the 2004 ASUN Tournament MVP.

Aurieyall Scott: A Track and Field Pioneer

Aurieyall Scott redefined UCF Track & Field by achieving milestones never before seen in the program. In 2013, she became the first Knight to win an NCAA title, taking gold in the 60-meter dash at the NCAA Indoor Championships in 7.13 seconds, which was both a school record and the fifth-fastest time in collegiate history, as well as the seventh fastest in the world that year. Additionally, she earned a silver medal in the 200-meter dash at the same championship meet. Scott received Conference USA Indoor and Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year honors for 2012 and 2013, while setting school records in the 100m (11.12) and 200m (22.83). She earned five medals in NCAA Championships over her three-year career and 14 All-American honors across six NCAA Championship meets, spanning several events including the 60, 100, and 200, as well as relays. Scott led UCF to five CUSA titles (two indoor, three outdoor), was named Freshman of the Meet in 2011, and tied for the highest individual scorer in the 2013 outdoor championships. Internationally, Scott captured double gold in the 100m and 4x100m relay at the 2012 NACAC U23 Championships and claimed the 100m crown at the 2013 Summer Universiade in Kazan, Russia. Her leadership helped UCF secure multiple top-five national team finishes and elevated the program into the national conversation. Known for her explosive starts and technical precision, Scott’s impact went beyond records.

Miriam Metzcus-Ochoa: A Volleyball Cornerstone

Miriam Metzcus-Ochoa was the cornerstone of one of UCF Volleyball’s golden eras, leading the Knights through unprecedented success. Playing from 1991-94, she was a three-time All-ASUN First Team honoree and powered UCF to three straight conference championships from 1992-94. In 1994, she steered the Knights to their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth, a milestone that elevated the program’s national profile. Under her leadership, UCF also made a run in the 1993 NIVC Tournament. By career’s end, she held program records for kills (1,811) and digs (1,644), ranking fourth all-time for both. She still holds the record for career service aces (235) and aces per set (0.46) and sits in the top five all-time for multiple statistical categories. Metzcus-Ochoa also coached at UCF, contributing to five straight ASUN championships between 1993-97 as either player, graduate assistant, assistant coach, or interim head coach. Known for her versatility and consistent play, she excelled both offensively and defensively, mentoring younger teammates and thriving in high-pressure moments. Beyond statistics, she was the anchor during a period that proved UCF could not only dominate its conference, but compete with the nation’s top programs.

Read also: Engage, Teach, and Inspire

UCF College of Business Hall of Fame: Recognizing Business Acumen

This year, the UCF College of Business celebrates 25 years of its Hall of Fame, honoring outstanding inductees past and present. The UCF College of Business Hall of Fame recognizes alumni who have demonstrated exceptional professional success in their field. This is the highest honor given to business graduates.

Celebrating the 2025 Inductees

Jim Combs ’86 ’90MBA, Michael Okaty ’96 ’97, and Charece Williams ’05MBA are among those who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Jim Combs: A Renowned Scholar

Jim Combs ’86 ’90MBA is the Della Phillips Martha Schenck Chair of American Private Enterprise at UCF. His research on family business, franchising, research synthesis and corporate governance is featured in top management journals, including the Academy of Management Journal and the Journal of Management. The two-time Knight earned both a bachelor’s in hospitality management and a master’s in business administration at UCF before completing a doctoral degree at Louisiana State University. Combs, who returned to UCF in 2015, ranks among the top 2% of all management scholars for scholarly citations. He also was the 2020 recipient of the Southern Management Association’s Hunt Sustained Outstanding Service Award and 2021 Rosenberg Center International Society of Franchising Eminent Franchising Scholar Award.

Michael Okaty: A Leader in Law and Philanthropy

Michael Okaty ’96 ’97 is a former vice chair of UCF’s Board of Trustees and a business lawyer and former managing partner of Foley & Lardner LLP’s Orlando office. Okay served as a UCF Board of Trustees member 2019-25. His practice spans a wide variety of corporate transactions, governance and counseling, and he also serves as an advisor and trustee to high-net-worth individuals and families. He’s been recognized by a variety of publications including The Best Lawyers in America and Orlando Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. Okaty remains engaged on campus through the UCF Alumni Association, Golden Knights Club and Foundation, and WMFE. Working on the initial financing for the on-campus stadium and serving as a trustee, including selecting current President Alexander N. Cartwright and making the board motion to move UCF into the Big 12 Conference, were a few of his proudest moments as an alumnus, he says. The two-time Knight holds bachelor’s degrees in accounting and finance from UCF, where he graduated magna cum laude.

Charece Williams: A Marketing Innovator

Charece Williams ’05MBA is a sports and entertainment marketing executive who most recently served as vice president of Sports, Entertainment & Influencer Marketing for The Coca-Cola Company. A graduate of UCF’s DeVos sport business management program, she has held senior leadership positions at Disney, PepsiCo and Under Armour. Her work has helped reshape how brands engage with talent, creating new opportunities in sports marketing. She transformed the NBA/WNBA competition through the creation of the MTN Dew (now Starry) zone, a shot worth three points, image and likeness (NIL) partnerships, and secured high-profile endorsements for WNBA stars A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum, track star Sha’Carri Richardson and others. Her efforts have earned her recognition by Sports Illustrated and as an ACC Unite honoree as a former student-athlete and Division I volleyball player at North Carolina State University.

Additional Awards

The College of Business also presents several other awards to recognize outstanding contributions and achievements.

The Partnership Award

The Partnership Award recognizes organizations that have initiated a successful partnership with, or on behalf of, the UCF College of Business, resulting in the achievement of the college’s academic offerings or public outreach. Headquartered in Orlando, Darden Restaurants is a premier full-service dining company employing 195,000 team members across more than 2,100 restaurants. A longtime partner of the College of Business and UCF, Darden is led by Hall of Fame business alum Rick Cardenas ’92, who became president and CEO of the restaurant giant in 2022. Cardenas has been a keynote speaker at UCF commencement and Welcome to the Majors, an orientation event for more than 1,000 incoming Business Knights. Darden employs many Business Knights, including Willis Mui ’05, director of human resources, who holds accounting and finance degrees from UCF. The company recruits within the college each semester, and during Darden Day, students can hear from their marketing, finance and accounting teams about internship and career opportunities.

The Legendary Knight Award

The Legendary Knight Award recognizes outstanding contributions that will transform teaching, research and learning through extraordinary philanthropy and commitment to the College of Business. Board of Directors. A graduate of the Kenneth G. Dixon School of Accounting, Blume was inducted into the UCF Business Hall of Fame in 2019. She is a dedicated philanthropist with a history of outstanding board service at UCF. In 2016, she joined the Integrated Business Advisory Board and began making significant contributions to the Integrated Business program, which is one of the fastest growing programs at UCF. She now serves on the UCF Foundation Board and chairs the Audit Committee. In 2021, Blume and her husband, Ken, established a scholarship program for business students who are the first in their families to attend college.

The Entrepreneurial Alumni Awards

The Entrepreneurial Alumni Awards honor UCF business alumni from any discipline who exemplify commitment, vision, calculated risk-taking and growth potential. Sam Baker ’23 is the founder and CEO of WriggleBrew, an environmentally friendly and organic worm tea fertilizer he launched with a group of friends while studying at UCF. As an economics student, he had a passion for science, gardening and sustainability. He helped lead WriggleBrew to the top prize at the Joust New Venture Competition, UCF’s version of the TV show Shark Tank, taking home $15,000 along with over $50,000 in essential business services. National Science Foundation to help keep Florida clean and green. WriggleBrew is now sold to major farms throughout the Midwest. Mills Bender ’17 is a Fractional CFO, providing executive-level leadership to companies on a part-time basis, and CEO of Mills Knows Bills, a company dedicated to helping business owners thrive financially. An accomplished speaker and author, she earned her bachelor’s in finance at UCF, and drew inspiration from her own financial struggles as a student to launch her company. As an alumna, she returns to campus to share her insights with business students through The Exchange speaker sessions hosted by the College of Business. Since founding Mills Knows Bills, Bender has published a book, appeared on NBC6 and provided more than 20,000 households with essential financial literacy tools and resources. Tim O’Reilly ’10 ’14MBA is the CEO at Guild Garage Group, the largest, non-franchise, garage door service company in America, with companies in more than 20 states. A certified public accountant and a chartered global management accountant, O’Reilly was the founding CEO of Frontier Service Partners, an HVAC, plumbing and electrical home services platform in the Midwest. During his tenure, he led the investment through a successful exit in early 2024. He also was the CFO for one of the leading privately held HVAC businesses in the state of Florida, Del-Air Heating & Air Conditioning. The second-generation Knight earned his bachelor’s in accounting and a master’s in business administration at UCF. He met his wife, Andrea, on campus during move-in day freshman year.

Recognizing Human Resources and Community Impact

Marissa Caravelis ’02 is founder and human resources director at PACT Love. Before going out on her own, she spent seven years in various human resource roles at A. While at Lockheed Martin, she earned the Excellence Award for Innovation in both 2013 and 2015. Her passion for developing people extends to her volunteer work. She also is secretary of the board of directors for Innovation Montessori Ocoee. Micah Mackubin ’10 ’11 CPA is a partner at Strombeck Consulting, one of Orlando’s top certified public accountant firms, where he focuses on building scalable systems and empowering business owners to make informed decisions. Previously, he served as the controller for uBreakiFix, the largest electronics repair franchising company, which was founded by fellow UCF accounting alum and College of Business Hall of Famer Justin Wetherill ’07. Mackubin also was controller for one of Subway’s top franchisees. Maritza Martinez-Guerrero ’11EMBA is vice president of external affairs and philanthropy for the NBA’s Orlando Magic. She joined the Magic after serving in various roles at UCF for 22 years, most recently as associate vice president for the division of government and community relations, and director at the office of community relations and economic development. She is extremely active in the Central Florida community and serves on a number of boards, including Heart of Florida United Way, United Arts and Winter Park Health Foundation. Martinez-Guerrero has been recognized for her community work and impact with honors from Orange Appeal, Onyx Magazine, Vision Magazine and Orlando Business Journal’s. The three-time Knight has a bachelor’s degree in general studies, a master’s in both higher education and business administration all from UCF.

Celebrating Expertise in Visual Analytics and Entertainment

Ryan Sleeper ’07 ’09MBA is the founder of Playfair Data, a consulting agency specializing in visual analytics. After earning bachelor’s degrees in psychology and marketing from UCF, Sleeper earned his MBA and MSBM from UCF’s DeVos Sport Business Management program. He gained recognition as a Tableau Zen Master, Global Iron Viz Champion and earned the Tableau Public Visualization of the Year award. In 2017, he launched Playfair Data, which has worked on high-profile projects such as tackling the drug overdose epidemic. Isabel Power ’21PMSM is the founder and director of Power Entertainment Productions, which delivers high-quality entertainment to Florida events. After completing her undergraduate studies at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, where she graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s in dance performance, Power pursued a career in performance, including roles at Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Universal Studios Orlando.

Recognizing Excellence in Banking

Anthony Surico ’15 is a commercial middle market banker at KeyBank, specializing in acquisition financing, asset-based loans and working capital lines of credit for companies with annual revenue sizes from $50 million to $1 billion. Prior to KeyBank, Surico spent six years at Citibank working on large public syndicated credit relationships and had international assignments in Costa Rica, Ireland and Mexico. He earned degrees in accounting and finance and served as a student ambassador for the College of Business. He also held officer positions in the Financial Management Association and Alpha Kappa Psi.

The Women's Club Hall of Fame at UCF

The Women’s Club at UCF also recognizes outstanding contributions through its Hall of Fame, established to honor individuals who have significantly impacted the club and its members. The Women's Club at UCF is the oldest organization of its kind that has been meeting continuously for over fifty years without interruption.

Establishment and Purpose

On November 13, 2020, the Board of the Women’s Club at UCF approved the establishment of an exploratory committee to discuss the creation of a Hall of Fame and to draft what would be the criteria for such an honor. Kathleen Hagerty, Teresa Riedel, Zalpha Hashem, Linda Hennig, and Kathy Littlefield volunteered to serve on the initial committee. Two Board members, Maggie LeClair and Dell Shadgett, served as Advisors to this committee. On December 31, the committee members met on Zoom and forwarded their written recommendations to the Board. On January 8, 2021, the Hall of Fame was approved. By February, an inaugural slate of twelve nominated members was presented to the Board; and in April 2021, the Board of Directors removed the ad hoc status and recognized it as a standing committee.

Inaugural Induction and Award

Due to the COVID 19 lockdown in 2021, the first Hall of Fame induction was “virtual,” taking place over ZOOM at the Spring luncheon. An award was created to present each inductee with an artistic, symbolic artifact known as “The Pegasus Plate.” In collaboration with the HOF committee members, porcelain artist and Women’s Club member, Carol Pickler, created this exquisite keepsake.

Nomination Process

Nominations to the Women’s Club Hall of Fame can be submitted any time during the year. The criteria for nomination include a description of how the nominee has impacted the Women’s Club at UCF and its members. The purpose of the Women’s Club is to support the advancement of the University’s ideals and goals; to provide scholarships for non-traditional, academically sound students at UCF; to welcome members from the community as well as the University; and to provide opportunities for sharing interests and developing friendships among members. Additional relevant information about the nominee can also be shared with the Hall of Fame Committee.

tags: #ucf #hall #of #fame #inductees