The LEAD Scholars Program’s flag flew high during the UCF football tailgating activities on September 5 and 19. LEAD Scholars invited fellow tailgaters to their area to participate in fun, safe and healthy activities and entertainment including: cornhole, face painting, football toss, video games and music. Student leaders served burgers, hot dogs, vegetarian food options, soda, water, chips and watermelon. Alcohol was not offered nor provided for the students during these LEAD Scholar events.
LEAD Scholars students are dedicated to providing safe and fun communal activities prior to UCF home games for their 1st and 2nd year students. “LEAD Scholars’ tailgates provide a great opportunity for LEAD Scholars to build relationships with their peers in an invigorating and exciting football atmosphere,” said Steven Natale, second-year LEAD Student’s Association director. “We feel alcohol is not necessary to get pumped up and excited for the home win. Go Knights.” LEAD Student’s Association Athletic Committee Chair, Nathanial Torrech, said, “LEAD Scholars exemplifies the popular UCF mantra ‘Do the Knight Thing’ by exhibiting role model behavior for other Knights attending tailgating activities.”
At the UCF vs. Samford game tailgate, 126 LEAD Scholars attended (20 percent of students in the program) and 87 LEAD Scholars participated at the UCF vs. Buffalo tailgate. Look for the LEAD Scholars flag at the next UCF tailgating home game.
The LEAD Scholars Program is an office in the Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services.