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2017 Central Florida 85 Nos. 1-17: The Best of the Best

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - AUGUST 31: UCF mascot Knightro takes the field before the football game between the visiting FIU Panthers and the UCF Knights on August 31, 2017 at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - AUGUST 31: UCF mascot Knightro takes the field before the football game between the visiting FIU Panthers and the UCF Knights on August 31, 2017 at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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1. Danny White, UCF Athletics

All the efforts from Scott Frost and Johnny Dawkins and the whole of UCF athletics comes from one man’s office. That is Danny White.

White has the opportunity to change UCF athletics and the shape of Orlando sports. In just a little more than a year, he has shifted the football program from winless program to one with a ton of optimism and hype for the future. He has done the same for basketball. Baseball is feeling optimistic about its future. Women’s soccer is going strong.

There is just an undeniable excitement for the whole athletic program. And now that he has his feet firmly planted and has established these marquee programs, he is eyeing even more.

The role of athletic director is both a managerial role, to put teams in the best position to win through support and staff hiring, and a marketing role. White spent his first year getting his programs in a good place. Now he is going to spend his time marketing it to all of Central Florida.

White is already upping UCF’s marketing and stylizing the Knights as Orlando’s hometown program. He too senses the growth happening all around the city. And he knows it is UCF’s time to take advantage of it.

Ultimately, success on the court and field will draw fans to UCF to watch. But with UCF’s large alumni base only growing, it is hard not to notice UCF around town. This whole athletic program is seemingly building momentum.

It seems like White was the perfect choice to lead it and help it grow. So it seems he controls a lot of levers in the Central Florida sports market as the leader of this awakening giant.

Next: Crowded trade market may force Orlando Magic to stand pat

Thanks for following along in our series ranking the top 85 figures in Central Florida sports. Be sure to put in your thoughts and who you think should make the list in the comments below!