UCF Marching Knights: A Legacy of Sound and Spirit

The UCF Marching Knights stand as the largest and most visible student organization at the University of Central Florida. Known for their high-energy performances and unique drill designs, the Marching Knights have been boosting spirit in the UCF community since 1980.

Founding and Early Years

In 1979, the University of Central Florida fielded its first football team. The next logical step for the university was to create a marching band to support it. On July 1, 1980, Jerry Gardner was hired as the first director of what would become the UCF Marching Knights. With the help of a young man by the name of Troy Driggers, who would become one of the first drum majors (along with Ken DeBord), Gardner poured through the file of every UCF student looking for those who had marching/band experience and invited them to join. All of their work paid off, as the first year, the Marching Knights fielded 125 members. On November 8, 1980, UCF’s Homecoming, the Marching Knights performed their first halftime show. The show featured the selections: Triumph of the Titans, Sweet Georgia Brown, Crown Imperial, You are the Sunshine of My Life, and Love will Keep us Together.

A Tribute to Troy Driggers

In August 1982, the Marching Knights were jolted by the sudden death of their founding drum major, Troy Driggers, killed in a tragic car accident. The 1983 season was dedicated to him, with the entire band wearing a pin on their uniform. To this day, the “Driggers’ Pin” is a part of the Marching Knights uniform. In 2014, the pin was changed from a black and gold ribbon to an actual pin, featuring the letters “MK” inside a Pegasus star for “Marching Knights” and is stamped with the letters “TD” for “Troy Driggers” on the back.

Directors Through the Years

In 1985, Gardner retired from directing the Marching Knights to focus on his health, and in 1986, Roger Newburn became the second Director. Since then, eight additional directors have led the Marching Knights:

1980-1986: Jerry Gardner
1986-1988: Roger Newburn
1988-2004: Richard Greenwood
1996-2010: Ron Ellis
2010-2013: Donny Allen
2013-2014: Scott Tobias
2014-2015: Ryan Kelly
2015-2016: Jason Cumberledge
2010-Present: Dave Schreier
2016-Present: Tremon Kizer

Currently, Tremon Kizer serves as the Associate Director of Bands, Director of Athletic Bands, and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Central Florida. In addition to serving as the lead administrator for the UCF athletic band program, he conducts the Symphonic Band, teaches courses in music education, conducting, and observes music education student interns. Concurrently, he serves as the principal conductor of the Youth Band of Orlando, a high school honor wind ensemble based in Central Florida. Under his direction, the UCF Marching Knights has the largest membership in university history with over 375 students. In addition to his work at UCF, Tremon serves on several national, regional, and state committees and boards.

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Summer Knights and Alumni Association

From 1991 to 1996, Richard Greenwood and Ron Ellis formed the Summer Knights. This was an “Ultra-hip, high-energy show band” consisting of 23 members of the Marching Knights that would tour high schools in Florida. This group of students were ambassadors of UCF and the music department. Also in 1991, the Marching Knights Alumni Band Association was formed. Today, over 150 alumni return every year to perform with the Marching Knights during homecoming.

Landmark Performances and Events

In 1996, the band was invited to perform for the 25th Anniversary of Walt Disney World. After spending all night at the Magic Kingdom, the band performed in the “Remember the Magic” Parade. The Marching Knights would travel internationally for the first time in 2003. The band, under the direction of Richard Greenwood and Ron Ellis, traveled to Sweden for the Eksjö International Tattoo Marching Band Festival, performing several times throughout their trip, as well as visiting many sites along the way.

In 2005, the 25th Anniversary of the Marching Knights, the directors gathered around 40 members from 1986-2005 to record the first-ever CD of the band: “UCF Marching Knights: Celebrating Twenty-Five Years of Music”. The album featured music from pre-game and UCF traditional cheers, like Go Knights Funk, the Chant, and the Fight Song. Three more albums have followed: Charge On (2013: Tobias/Schreier), Sounds of Gold (2015: Cumberledge/Schreier), and Live From Driggers Field (2018: Kizer/Schreier).

In 2007, the Marching Knights made their “Hollywood Debut” by performing in the move “Sydney White”. They were in two scenes in the movie and performed our fight song.

"Charge On": The Birth of a Fight Song

In 2009, at a Marching Knights rehearsal, Ron Ellis and then graduate assistants Dave Schreier and Jason Millhouse had a conversation on the field about naming the fight song. It only took two minutes before “Charge On” was born. The title was announced for the first time during pregame performances that year and now has become a staple in UCF vernacular.

Bowl Game Performances and National Recognition

The Marching Knights have performed in several bowl games over the years but gained much notoriety after performances at New Years Six Bowl Games: 2014 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, 2017 Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl, and 2018 Playstation Fiesta Bowl.

In 2013 and 2014, the Marching Knights would be invited to perform as the house band for the ESPN College Football Awards Show, filmed live at Disney’s Boardwalk. In 2014, the band would return to perform at the Magic Kingdom for the first time since 1996 for a special parade for the Fiesta Bowl Champions. This performance at the Magic Kingdom created a new partnership between Disney and the Marching Knights. This partnership began with an invitation to perform at an awards presentation for the 10th anniversary of Festival Disney, at the Lights, Motors, Action theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in April 2014. UCF would again be honored with a special parade following an undefeated football season, capped off with a Peach Bowl win in 2017.

A Permanent Home

In addition to an incredible undefeated season, a major bowl game, and parade at Disney World, perhaps most importantly in 2017, the Marching Knights cut the ribbon on their very own permanent building, cementing a permanent home on campus and providing a safe location for our students. The UCF Marching Knights have a new home on the south side of campus following the opening of a 3,500-square-foot building for offices and instrument storage. The building is the first phase in a planned complex that eventually will include covered and outdoor practice fields.

ESPN College Game Day and Pandemic Perseverance

In 2018, for the first time ever, ESPN College Game Day broadcast live from UCF on Memory Mall, and the Marching Knights were featured prominently throughout the broadcast. Following the Game Day broadcast was UCF’s first National ABC Primetime game, where the #11 Knights beat #24 Cincinnati, with plenty of opportunity for the Marching Knights to receive recognition on TV and Social Media as well.

In a challenging 2020, dealing with a global pandemic, the Marching Knights have persevered. With many precautions and mitigations, they were able to still have a season and be together to perform in person. While nothing looked the same, and the band did not move on the field, the spirit of the Marching Knights grew stronger as they found unique ways to share music and school spirit during a very unique period in history, while still celebrating their 40th Anniversary - including a very special online roundtable featuring former drum majors, directors, Driggers’ award winners, and other prominent alumni members.

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Representing UCF in Ireland

The UCF Marching Knights made history in Dublin, Ireland by representing UCF and the entire nation in the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Under the direction of Tremon Kizer and David Schreier, the band performed at historic landmarks across Ireland in the days leading up to the grand event.

Traditions and Game Day Experience

Tradition is in full force on game days at Bright House Networks Stadium. The UCF Marching Knights enter the stadium, followed by the cheerleaders, who lead fans through the War Chant. But, before the team arrives and the crowd starts jumping to “Zombie Nation,” there’s one more tradition to cheer, as Pegasus and the UCF Knight charge onto the field, rearing as Knightro draws the sword from the ground.

Pregame Rituals

"Memory Mall Flagpole Warm-up": Every home game the UCF Drumline warms up and performs at one of the most popular spots to tailgate on campus, Memory Mall.
"Circles": Before the full band warm-up, each section circles up on their own in different spots in front of the Student Union to warm up as a section. Every section has its own traditions during their warm-ups.
"Union Warm-up": The Marching Knights perform outside the Student Union right before they go and march to the Stadium. They will play a selection of warm-ups, halftime show music, and stands tunes.
"March to Victory": After the Marching Knights march their way through the tailgating at Memory Mall, they stop at Addition Financial Arena where they perform some school tunes for the tailgaters at Memory Mall.
"Pregame": Twenty minutes before kick-off, the UCF Drum line and a Drum Major will take the field. Following the sword plant, the UCF Drum line will play the "Tunnel Cadence" as the rest of the band, led by the other two drum majors, run onto the field from the tunnels on opposite corners of the field. Once the band is on the field in a massive block formation, they will play the "Pregame Fanfare" to the west and east stands. Following this, the band plays the piece "Carmina Burana" which ends with the band forming the knight head shape and going in the UCF Fight Song "Charge On". The Marching Knights then play the UCF Alma Mater and the National Anthem. After that, the Marching Knights perform a series of different songs and forms including, UCF Spell out, The Chant, and the Knights Spell out.

The Marching Knights' pregame and halftime routines form a structured sequence of warm-ups, parades, and performances designed to energize fans and support UCF Knights football games at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Warm-ups commence approximately 2.5 hours before kickoff at the Student Union, where band sections form circles for individual practice before combining into arcs for full ensemble tuning and stands tunes. The drumline contributes cadences during this phase, often near the Student Union, to build momentum. This is followed by a brief rehearsal of halftime music. About 1 hour and 45 minutes before kickoff, the band lines up in parade formation and marches down Memory Mall, performing school tunes and engaging tailgaters. A key stop occurs in front of Addition Financial Arena, where the ensemble plays popular selections such as Charge On, Go Knights Funk, and the Black and Gold trumpet cheer to rally the crowd.

The pregame sequence unfolds over 20 minutes prior to kickoff, beginning in the stadium tunnels with the drumline and drum major leading the entrance via a run-on cadence. The full band then emerges to form a block on the field for the Pregame Sequence Medley, incorporating a fanfare, Carmina Burana (featuring a knight head formation), and other staples. This transitions into Charge On, the Alma Mater, the National Anthem, spell-out formations for "UCF" and "Knights," and The Chant in coordination with cheerleaders.

Halftime shows, lasting about 12-15 minutes, showcase high-energy marching drills set to genre-spanning musical arrangements, often tailored to themes like pop icons or university milestones. Examples include tributes to Queen or homecoming medleys, with dynamic formations that highlight precision and visual impact.

Organization and Structure

Recruitment for the Marching Knights is open to all enrolled UCF students, regardless of prior experience, through a structured process that begins with the submission of an Intent to March form by early summer. Prospective members, particularly first-year winds, drumline participants, and color guard applicants, must complete auditions-either via video for winds or in-person for percussion and guard-which assess musical proficiency, marching fundamentals, and section-specific skills.

Organizationally, the Marching Knights are structured into distinct sections, including woodwinds (e.g., piccolo, clarinet, saxophone), brass (e.g., trumpet, mellophone, trombone, baritone, sousaphone), drumline, and Starlet Knights, each overseen by dedicated student leaders. Leadership roles encompass three drum majors who direct rehearsals and performances, a band president and vice president handling administrative duties, media coordinators for promotional activities, and section leaders and coordinators who manage daily sectionals, provide instructional guidance, and facilitate peer mentorship to support skill development and group cohesion.

Tours and Special Events

The Marching Knights have participated in numerous high-profile tours and special events beyond their regular season performances, showcasing their precision and energy at national and international venues. Disney collaborations continued as a hallmark of their special appearances. at Magic Kingdom on January 12, joined by cheerleaders, dancers, and the football team. Similarly, after the 2017 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl win, they featured prominently in a celebratory parade at Magic Kingdom on January 7, 2018, honoring the team's undefeated season. That same year, the band performed at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl halftime show. In 2014, they also took part in an awards presentation for the 10th anniversary of Festival Disney at Disney's Hollywood Studios' Lights, Motors, Action! Internationally, the band ventured to Sweden in 2003 for the Eksjö International Tattoo Marching Band Festival, directed by Richard Greenwood and Ron Ellis.

Rituals, Traditions, and Culture

The Marching Knights feature prominent symbols that honor their history and leadership. Rituals within the Marching Knights emphasize legacy and community, including dedication seasons and annual alumni gatherings. The 1983 season's dedication to Driggers set a precedent for honoring influential figures through themed performances and uniform tributes. A key ongoing ritual is the Homecoming alumni performance, where over 150 former members join current students on the field, facilitated by the Marching Knights Alumni Band Association established in 1991. These reunions reinforce bonds and traditions, with alumni marching alongside active members to perform classic routines and cheers. Alumni play a vital role in sustaining the band's culture through active participation and programs. The broader culture of the Marching Knights centers on esprit de corps, mentorship, and UCF pride, embodied in traditions that unite the community.

Mission Statement

Students working together in a positive, self-reflective manner to produce a comfortable social setting, esprit de corps, a non-critical and educational playing environment, a humble and cooperative work area, a love for our university, and one of the best bands in the country.

tags: #ucf #marching #knights #history