Bounce House

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Bounce House
"The Bounce House"
Spectrum Stadium - 2017 AAC Championship Game.jpg
The stadium during the 2017 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game
Bounce House is located in Florida
Bounce House
Bounce House
Location in Florida
Former names
  • Bright House Networks Stadium (2007–2017)[1]
  • Spectrum Stadium (2017–2020)[2]
Location4465 Knights Victory Way
Orlando, Florida 32816
Coordinates28°36′33″N 81°11′33″W / 28.6091°N 81.1924°W / 28.6091; -81.1924Coordinates: 28°36′33″N 81°11′33″W / 28.6091°N 81.1924°W / 28.6091; -81.1924
Public transitUCF Transit Center, Lynx
OwnerUniversity of Central Florida
OperatorN/A
Executive suites24[3]
Capacity
  • 45,323 (2007–2014)[4]
  • 44,206 (2015–present)[5]
Record attendance48,453 (2009)[6]
SurfaceTifway 419 Bermuda[7]
Scoreboard114 feet (35 m) x 36 feet (11 m)[3]
Construction
Broke groundMarch 22, 2006; 15 years ago (2006-03-22)[8][9]
OpenedSeptember 15, 2007; 14 years ago (2007-09-15)[11]
Renovated2014–15, 2017
Construction cost$55 million[7]
($70.6 million in 2020 dollars[10])
Architect360 Architecture[3]
General contractorWharton-Smith[3]
Tenants
UCF Knights (NCAA) (2007–present)
Florida Cup (2017–2018)
Orlando Apollos (AAF) (2019)[12]

Bounce House (formerly known as Bright House Networks Stadium and Spectrum Stadium) is an American football stadium located in Orlando, Florida, United States, on the main campus of the University of Central Florida. It is the home field of the UCF Knights of NCAA Division I FBS college football.

The stadium opened in 2007 as a replacement for Camping World Stadium (then known as the Citrus Bowl) in Downtown Orlando, where the Knights had played since their inaugural season in 1979.[3] The steel and brick-clad stadium was designed by 360 Architecture and constructed in 18 months. The stadium underwent an $8 million renovation following the 2014 season. The Wayne Densch Center for Student-Athlete Leadership was built on the east facade of the stadium, and a party deck was added to the east stands.[13][14] Since the renovations, its seating capacity is 44,206.[5] The attendance record as of the 2019 season was 48,453 for an October 18, 2009 match-up against the Miami Hurricanes.[6] Bounce House was the home of the Orlando Apollos during the first and only 2019 season of the Alliance of American Football.

Bounce House's current name comes from the facility's longtime nickname The Bounce House, as it was found to be susceptible to considerable shaking when its crowd jumps in unison. Although it was stated that the stadium was structurally sound and that this effect would not cause long-term damage to the facility, measures were undertaken following the stadium's inaugural season to reduce these effects.

Location[]

Bounce House is located on the northeastern edge of UCF's 1,415-acre (573 ha) main campus, which is approximately 13 miles (21 km) northeast of Downtown Orlando, 55 miles (89 km) southwest of Daytona Beach, and 35 miles (56km) west of the Kennedy Space Center.[15] The stadium's 50-yard-line is lined up with Launch Pad 39A, to symbolize UCF's longstanding partnership with NASA and other space agencies.[16] The stadium is also a part of the Kenneth G. Dixon Athletics Village and is bordered by McCulloch Road on the north side, Knights Plaza on the west side, and Orion Boulevard on the southern and eastern sides.

To the west in Knights Plaza is the Addition Financial Arena, The Venue, John Euliano Park, and the UCF Track and Soccer Complex. Also located in Knights Plaza are The Towers residence halls, housing 2,000 UCF students, including student-athletes.[17]

History[]

From 1979 to 2006, the Knights played their home games at the Citrus Bowl in downtown Orlando. Located about 15 miles (24 km) from UCF's main campus, the stadium is also the home of the Citrus Bowl game, and numerous neutral site games. By the 2000s, the stadium had fallen into a dilapidated state. School officials were dissatisfied with the condition of the facility and lack of revenue generated from games. The stadium's capacity (65,000) was considered too large for the Knights, and the location off-campus was considered a significant factor in the inability to sustain a sizeable student section. When the university approached the city about renovations and new revenue-sharing measures, they were met with resistance.[18][19][20] While the city had expressed interest in renovating the Citrus Bowl with or without UCF's support, funding was seriously in doubt. The city was in the planning stages for a new arena, new performing arts center, and "creative village", with stadium renovations seemingly taking less priority.[21][22]

In early 2005, the university abandoned the efforts to renovate the Citrus Bowl, and conducted a feasibility study to construct an on-campus stadium.[23] Along with playing in a modern facility, and generating revenue, additional motivations included drawing more students to the games, a more intimate setting, and establishing game-day traditions on campus. With UCF's main campus one of the largest in the nation, building an on-campus stadium was also seen as a way to grow the university. In December 2005, the UCF Board of Trustees approved the construction of the new on-campus stadium.[24] The facility, initially known as UCF Stadium, was hoped to be ready for the 2006 season. However, construction was delayed due to concerns from local residents regarding potentially falling property values and noise levels from the stadium.

Construction broke ground on March 22, 2006. Two months later, it was announced that the Texas Longhorns would be the first opponent for the UCF Knights in the new stadium. The game, the first of three scheduled meetings between the schools,[25] was held September 15, 2007. A sellout crowd of 45,622 saw the Knights put a scare into the Longhorns before falling, 35–32.[26][27]

Panoramic view of Bright House Networks Stadium during its inaugural game in September 2007

Nickname[]

"Bounce House" became the stadium's nickname[28][29][30][31] because the stadium vibrates and shakes when fans jump in unison, most notably when the song "Kernkraft 400" by Zombie Nation is played.[32] While many fans like this feature, some are uneasy with the bouncing. Stadium officials claimed the stadium was structurally sound, and an independent contractor confirmed that the bouncing will not damage the stadium and shorten its expected 50–year useful life. Still, a project was begun prior to the 2008 season to reinforce the stadium superstructure and mitigate the bouncing effect.[33]

While the bouncing has been greatly reduced by the stadium reinforcements, it is still noticeable—sometimes enough to shake TV cameras during televised games. For the 2010 Conference USA Football Championship Game, ESPN set up a camera position outside of the stadium to eliminate camera bounce caused by fans.[34]

On January 28, 2020, witnesses at the stadium reported minor shaking and swaying from the 2020 Caribbean earthquake.[35]

Official naming[]

Exterior of the stadium on its opening day with Bright House Networks logo on the center (white) structure

During construction, the stadium's naming rights were sold to cable provider Bright House Networks, naming the facility Bright House Networks Stadium. In 2016, Bright House Networks was acquired by Charter Communications; in accordance with the company's use of Spectrum as a trade name for its cable services, the facility was renamed Spectrum Stadium in April 2017.[36] This naming rights deal ended in 2020.

UCF next attempted to secure a new naming rights deal with RoofClaim.com, a roofing services company. In early 2020, a proposed 15-year, $35-million naming rights deal did not get finalized, as the Florida Legislature put itself in position to hold approval authority for such sponsorships valued at over $1 million.[37][38] Political pressure had previously ended a similar naming rights deal the company had briefly secured with Florida Atlantic University for that school's basketball arena.[39]

Anticipating being unable to secure a stadium naming rights deal, UCF Athletics announced on August 5, 2020, that the stadium would officially be named the "Bounce House" for the 2020 football season.[40] Entering the 2021 football season, the stadium was still officially known by that name,[41] while a potential naming rights deal with 3MG Roofing seemingly fell through.[42]

Drinking fountain controversy[]

The stadium was originally built without drinking fountains. The university argued that the building code used when the stadium was designed and approved did not require the installation of drinking fountains. However, this claim turned out to be incorrect because the 2004 Florida building code (in effect in 2005, when the UCF Board of Trustees approved the stadium design) mandated that stadiums and other public arenas must have one water fountain for every 1,000 seats, or half that number of fountains if water was also available for sale.[43]

During the inaugural game against Texas, vendors ran out of water at halftime, leading to the hospitalization of 18 people for heat exhaustion. In order to correct the issue, UCF provided a free bottle of water to each person at the next game and immediately began work to install at least 50 drinking fountains throughout the stadium in order to comply with the 2004 building code requirement.[44]

Renovations[]

The post-renovation stadium in February 2020

The stadium was designed for a planned expansion to 65,000 seats. UCF planned to begin this effort by expanding the Roth Tower with more suites and club seating, and also adding an additional 10,000 seats in a third level on the east side of the stadium, increasing the stadium's capacity to 56,000.[45]

The capacity for the 2015 season dropped by 1,117 seats when UCF removed seats on the east sidelines to construct the "Carl Black and Gold Cabana," which includes a bar, catered barbecue, and padded seats above the bar.[46][47] In 2017, private field-level cabanas were erected in the south endzone, adjacent to the new J. & J. Rosengren Lounge.[48] In 2018, additional field-level cabanas were added to the north endzone, as well as Loge cabana tables along the top rim of the grandstands.

In 2016, UCF removed its original scoreboard, located at the north end of the stadium, and replaced it with a full LED scoreboard measuring 114 by 36 feet (35 m × 11 m).[49] One year later, UCF replaced the stadium's original auxiliary scoreboard, located at the south end of the stadium, and replaced it with a ribbon board that measures approximately 7 by 199 feet (2.1 m × 60.7 m).[50]

In 2017, the university sued the architects and contractors that designed and constructed the stadium. Cited in the lawsuit were claims of "defects and deficiencies" which ostensibly led to "premature wear of the steel," as well as visible rust issues.[51]

2018–present[]

The then-Spectrum Stadium press box with "2017 National Champions" signage

At their spring game in 2018, UCF unveiled signage on Roth Tower to commemorate the football program's conference championships, New Year's Six/BCS bowl wins, and their National Championship for the 2017 season.[52][a]

The short-lived Alliance of American Football (AAF) included the Orlando Apollos as one of its franchises with the Apollos playing at Spectrum Stadium during its inaugural 2019 season.[53] The AAF folded in April 2019 with its first season incomplete; the University of Central Florida had failed to invoice the AAF for the lease of its stadium facilities or expenses for staff, leading media to speculate that UCF had lost more than $1 million of revenue from the deal.[54]

Just over two weeks before the 2019 UCF football season opener, the UCF athletic department announced that the entire season-ticket allotment was sold out for the first time in school history.[55] In addition, they created a formal waiting list for season tickets, also for the first time. In the press release, UCF athletic director Danny White teased a possible expansion of the stadium in the near future if ticket demand remains high.

The stadium hosted the January 2022 edition of the Hula Bowl, due to Aloha Stadium near Honolulu being closed for renovations.[56]

Attendance records[]

Knights Plaza, part of the Kenneth G. Dixon Athletics Village.

The highest attendance for games played at Bounce House against the Knights have included the South Florida Bulls, the Miami Hurricanes, and the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Rank Attendance Date Game result Notes
1 48,543 October 17, 2009 9 Miami 27, UCF 7
2 47,795 November 17, 2018 24 Cincinnati 13, 11 UCF 38 College GameDay
3 47,605 September 28, 2013 12 South Carolina 28, UCF 25
4 47,129 November 24, 2017 South Florida 42, 15 UCF 49 War on I-4
5 46,805 September 6, 2008 17 South Florida 31, UCF 24 War on I-4
6 46,103 November 3, 2007 Marshall 13, UCF 47 Homecoming
7 45,952 November 29, 2013 South Florida 20, 17 UCF 23 War on I-4
8 45,671 September 10, 2011 Boston College 3, UCF 30
9 45,622 September 15, 2007 6 Texas 35, UCF 32 Inaugural game
10 45,510 October 20, 2007 Tulsa 23, UCF 44
10 45,510 September 14, 2019 Stanford 27, UCF 45
12 45,216 November 29, 2019 South Florida 7, UCF 34 War on I-4
13 44,904 September 29, 2018 Pittsburgh 14, 13 UCF 45
14 44,738 November 10, 2018 Navy 24, 11 UCF 35 Homecoming
15 44,665 November 9, 2013 Houston 14, 19 UCF 19 Homecoming
16 44,510 September 20, 2014 Bethune–Cookman 7, UCF 41
17 44,257 September 21, 2018 Florida Atlantic 36, 16 UCF 56
18 44,164 September 28, 2019 UConn 21, 22 UCF 56
19 44,073 August 29, 2019 Florida A&M 0, 17 UCF 62
20 43,928 September 2, 2021 Boise State 31, UCF 36

Postseason games[]

Rank Attendance Date Game result Notes
1 45,176 December 1, 2018 Memphis 41, 8 UCF 56 AAC Championship Game
2 44,128 December 1, 2007 Tulsa 25, UCF 44 C-USA Championship Game
3 41,433 December 2, 2017 16 Memphis 55, 12 UCF 62 (2OT) AAC Championship Game
4 41,045 December 4, 2010 SMU 7, UCF 17 C-USA Championship Game

See also[]

  • Greater Orlando
  • History of the University of Central Florida
  • List of NCAA Division I FBS football stadiums

Notes[]

  1. ^ Colley Matrix, a selector recognized by the NCAA, ranked UCF first for the 2017 FBS season; other recognized selectors ranked Alabama first.

References[]

  1. ^ "Football Facility Now Known as Spectrum Stadium". University of Central Florida. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  2. ^ Murphy, Brian (August 5, 2020). "UCF's Football Stadium Has a New Name". Black and Gold Banneret. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Bright House Stadium Bio". Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  4. ^ "Bright House Networks Stadium". UCF Athletics Association. Retrieved July 26, 2009.
  5. ^ a b "2015 UCF Football Media Guide". UCF Athletics Association. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  6. ^ a b "UCF blown away 27-7 vs. Miami Hurricanes". Central Florida Future. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  7. ^ a b "Bright House Networks Stadium Featured in SportsTurf Magazine". UCF Athletics Association. Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2009.
  8. ^ "Tons of steel, 427 toilets in UCF's new home". Central Florida Future. July 26, 2007. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved July 26, 2009.
  9. ^ "UCF Trustees Approve Financing Plan, Groundbreaking for On-Campus Football Stadium". UCF Athletics Association. December 14, 2005. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  10. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  11. ^ "Student support for UCF remains abysmal". Central Florida Future. September 13, 2007. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved July 26, 2009.
  12. ^ Steimle, Kevin; Breech, John (April 7, 2018). "Steve Spurrier announced as first coach and Orlando first host city for Alliance of American Football". CBSSports.com. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  13. ^ Tenorio, Paul (April 2, 2012). "UCF exploring open-air bar in Bright House Networks Stadium". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  14. ^ "UCF President John Hitt eager to open Wayne Densch Student Athlete Leadership Center". Orlando Sentinel. November 21, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  15. ^ "Facts About UCF". UCF Office of Institutional Research. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  16. ^ "'Reach for the Stars' More Than a Motto for UCF and its Work -". mae.ucf.edu. September 29, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  17. ^ "UCF Men's 2009-2010 Golf Yearbook". University of Central Florida. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  18. ^ "UCF president John Hitt: On-campus stadium a 'godsend'". Orlando Sentinel. January 15, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2012.
  19. ^ Badger, Emily (April 28, 2004). "Stadium upgrades key to Orlando's BCS bid (Part 1)". The Orlando Sentinel. p. D1. Retrieved September 17, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.open access
  20. ^ Badger, Emily (April 28, 2004). "Stadium upgrades key to Orlando's BCS bid (Part 2)". The Orlando Sentinel. p. D5. Retrieved September 17, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.open access
  21. ^ Garcia, Jason; Schmadtke, Alan (January 9, 2005). "UCF Stadium could doom Citrus Bowl (Part 1)". The Orlando Sentinel. p. A1. Retrieved September 17, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.open access
  22. ^ Garcia, Jason; Schmadtke, Alan (January 9, 2005). "UCF Stadium could doom Citrus Bowl (Part 2)". The Orlando Sentinel. p. A15. Retrieved September 17, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.open access
  23. ^ "UCF gets stadium feasibility study". Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  24. ^ "UCF Trustees Approve Financing Plan, Groundbreaking for On-Campus Football Stadium". University of Central Florida Athletics Association. December 14, 2005. Retrieved December 2, 2012.
  25. ^ "UCF Football to Face Texas in New On-Campus Stadium in 2007 - 2005 national champs will be first opponent in new stadium". UCF Athletic Association. May 9, 2006. Archived from the original on March 18, 2008. Retrieved May 9, 2006.
  26. ^ Hightower, Kyle (September 15, 2007). "Full Up: UCF Sells Out 1st On-Campus Game". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 15, 2007.
  27. ^ "Horns' McCoy, Charles team up to end UCF's upset bid". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 15, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2007.
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  32. ^ "Jumpy Fans Worry UCF". Orlando Sentinel. November 30, 2007. Retrieved November 30, 2007.
  33. ^ Zaragoza, Luis (August 2, 2009). "UCF to Take Bounce Out of Stadium". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved August 25, 2008.
  34. ^ "C-USA Football Championship Blog". Conference USA. December 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2011.
  35. ^ Rice, Katie (January 28, 2020). "UCF's 'Bounce House' stadium shakes after earthquake near Jamaica". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  36. ^ "Frost: Offense had their 'best day' in Wednesday scrimmage". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  37. ^ Martin, Annie (February 8, 2020). "State may get veto on venue contracts". Orlando Sentinel. p. A1. Retrieved September 5, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  38. ^ Martin, Annie (February 8, 2020). "Naming (cont'd)". Orlando Sentinel. p. A7. Retrieved September 5, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  39. ^ Bianchi, Mike. "After UCF scrutiny, state politicians kill FAU naming rights deal with Roofclaim.com". Orlando Sentinel. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  40. ^ Murphy, Brian (August 5, 2020). "UCF's Football Stadium Has a New Name". Black & Gold Banneret. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  41. ^ Marrero, Nathaniel (September 2, 2021). "UCF Athletics still finalizing new stadium rights deal". nicholsonstudentmedia.com. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  42. ^ "UCF finalizing stadium naming rights deal with 3MG Roofing". Knights247. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  43. ^ Zequeira, Claudia; Zaragoza, Luis (September 22, 2007). "Code group: UCF didn't adhere to water rules". The Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  44. ^ "UCF To Install Water Fountains in New Stadium". WESH. Archived from the original on January 14, 2009. Retrieved September 18, 2007.
  45. ^ "Staying on Offense: $70M Sports Projects". UCF. May 4, 2010. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
  46. ^ Rovell, Darren (January 26, 2015). "Football, with touch of beach, at UCF". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  47. ^ "UCF's East Side Club gets a new name, new six-figure title sponsor". Orlando Sentinel. August 10, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  48. ^ "Rosengren Lounge, Field Cabanas Open". UCFKnights.com. August 31, 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  49. ^ "UCF Athletics bringing in larger, brighter LED screens for fall". May 18, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  50. ^ "Bigger Boards". ucfknights.com. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  51. ^ Sanklin, Mary (September 29, 2017). "UCF sues over defects to football stadium". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  52. ^ Adelson, Andrea. "UCF AD sees promise fulfilled as Knights unveil championship banner". Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  53. ^ Kevin Steimle, John Breech and. "Steve Spurrier announced as first coach and Orlando first host city for Alliance of American Football". cbssports.com. CBS Sports. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  54. ^ UCF loses over $1 million in stadium agreement with Apollos, AAF April 3, 2019.
  55. ^ "UCF Sells Out 2019 Season Ticket Allotment". UCF Athletics. August 12, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  56. ^ "Hula Bowl 2022 Coaches Announced". hulabowl.com. Retrieved November 18, 2021.

External links[]

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