Justice Covert

Journalism student at the University of Central Florida

Featured Articles

My favorite published articles. Coverage ranging from space to softball.

The Charge •

Former quarterback honors UCF with custom helmet at Senior Bowl

MOBILE, Ala. — While at the Senior Bowl, former UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel went viral on social media when he honored his time as a Knight by wearing a helmet that featured a tribute to the university. Leading up to the final game of his six-year college career, Gabriel decided to wear a custom-made VICIS helmet that featured the logo of every college he played for. It had a dark gray matte finish with a silver feathered Oregon Ducks logo on one side, a glossy red Oklahoma Sooners logo on th...
NSM Today •

Leading with a loud style: Sarah Willis' journey to UCF

Sarah Willis traveled 3,000 miles to get more opportunities to pitch; in the process, she got the chance to grow into herself."Some people might mistaken her for somebody who is just all about the flash," head coach Cindy Ball-Malone said. "But she's one of the hardest workers on the team."
When watching a UCF softball game, it isn't hard to find Sarah Willis. Pitchers usually walk to the center circle before an appearance; Willis dances. Batters typically take their time getting to firs...
The Charge •

Mr. 1,000: Darius Johnson reaches milestone in UCF's win over Tennessee Tech

From early mornings in his high school gym in Virginia years ago to etching his name in UCF men's basketball history on Tuesday, senior guard Darius Johnson has arrived.With the Knights up nine points with a little over 12 minutes left in UCF's 80-69 win over Tennessee Tech, Johnson shot an open-look three in front of the home bench. The bucket was his sixth point of the night and 1,000th of his career, a feat only 20 Knights have accomplished before him.
"It means a lot," Johnson said....
The Charge •

Does NASA care about the Earth's new mini moon?

A space rock about the size of a bus will be orbiting Earth for the next two months, but does NASA consider it a priority?Starting last Sunday until Nov. 25, an asteroid called 2024 PT5, classed as a mini moon, has been temporarily captured in Earth's orbit in a "horseshoe" path before it will break loose and hang around in Earth's neighborhood until Jan. 9, only to return in 2055, according to a recent study published by the American Astronomical Society.
Dr. Joshua Colwell, pegasus pro...
The Charge •

Students fend off zombies in new game on UCF's campus

Zombies take over the UCF campus Thursday nights and the only defense is humans equipped with Nerf guns.A relatively new game has begun to take hold at UCF. Coming to the university last spring, "Humans vs Zombies" is an activity that combines strategy, fun and exercise all in one, David Lessman, the game's moderator, said.
"It's a fun way of getting people to work as a group, which is fantastic for just life in general," Lessman said. "But also learning how to change a strategy or learn...
The Charge •

NASA postpones Artemis again; what keeps us grounded?

NASA wants to land on the moon for the first time in over five decades, but delays have pushed back liftoff once again.During a news conference Dec. 5, NASA postponed Artemis II, a mission to send four astronauts around the moon and back to Earth, until April 2026 – the second setback to the project in the past year.
An ensuing mission, Artemis III, which would land astronauts on the moon for the first time in more than 50 years, was also pushed back. It will be delayed until mid-2027, B...
NSM Today •

UCF's chemistry building set to undergo $40 million renovation in May

UCF's 55-year-old chemistry building is set to begin an extensive $40 million periodic renovation in May, its first renovation in over two decades, to address mold, broken furniture, an inconsistent HVAC system and more, Chemistry Department Chair Michael Hampton said via email.The chemistry building underwent a Facilities Condition Assessment report in October 2020 to analyze the state of the building's infrastructure and systems, said a communications manager familiar with the project via emai...

My Latest Work

The Charge •

Former quarterback honors UCF with custom helmet at Senior Bowl

MOBILE, Ala. — While at the Senior Bowl, former UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel went viral on social media when he honored his time as a Knight by wearing a helmet that featured a tribute to the university. Leading up to the final game of his six-year college career, Gabriel decided to wear a custom-made VICIS helmet that featured the logo of every college he played for. It had a dark gray matte finish with a silver feathered Oregon Ducks logo on one side, a glossy red Oklahoma Sooners logo on th...
The Charge •

UCF hires Steve Cooper to be offensive coordinator

Head coach Scott Frost has brought in a former assistant from his time in Nebraska to be UCF's new offensive coordinator.UCF announced the hiring of Boise State offensive analyst Steve Cooper to be the team's offensive coordinator Wednesday.
Cooper served under Frost in Nebraska for five seasons in various roles from 2018-22, including senior offensive analyst in 2022, interim quarterbacks coach in 2021 and offensive quality control coach from 2018-21.“I’m beyond excited to contribute to...
The Charge •

UCF hires McKenzie Milton as quarterbacks coach

Head coach Scott Frost is getting the band back together, hiring former UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton to coach the same position on his staff.UCF football announced Tuesday the addition of Milton to the coaching staff as quarterbacks coach, a move that Frost alluded to in his introductory news conference Sunday.
In the conference, Vice President and Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir gifted a number 10 jersey to Frost, a gesture that signified Frost as the 10th head coach hired in pro...
The Charge •

NASA postpones Artemis again; what keeps us grounded?

NASA wants to land on the moon for the first time in over five decades, but delays have pushed back liftoff once again.During a news conference Dec. 5, NASA postponed Artemis II, a mission to send four astronauts around the moon and back to Earth, until April 2026 – the second setback to the project in the past year.
An ensuing mission, Artemis III, which would land astronauts on the moon for the first time in more than 50 years, was also pushed back. It will be delayed until mid-2027, B...
The Charge •

UCF introduces Scott Frost as head coach

UCF football's introductory news conference for the program's new head coach Sunday was more of a reintroduction, welcoming back a familiar face.Scott Frost, UCF's newest head coach, didn't need directions when he came to the campus for the conference— he pulled into the same parking spot from when he served as the team's head coach seven years ago.
"It feels like 100 years ago and yesterday at the same time," Frost said in the conference. "I didn't think this would come. Like I said, I...
The Charge •

Students fend off zombies in new game on UCF's campus

Zombies take over the UCF campus Thursday nights and the only defense is humans equipped with Nerf guns.A relatively new game has begun to take hold at UCF. Coming to the university last spring, "Humans vs Zombies" is an activity that combines strategy, fun and exercise all in one, David Lessman, the game's moderator, said.
"It's a fun way of getting people to work as a group, which is fantastic for just life in general," Lessman said. "But also learning how to change a strategy or learn...
The Charge •

Gus Malzahn steps down as UCF's head coach, heads to FSU

Gus Malzahn is no longer UCF's head coach; he's resigning to take a job in Tallahassee. Malzahn, who served as UCF's head football coach since 2021, stepped down Saturday, according to a social media post by ESPN's Pete Thamel, one day after UCF's 28-14 loss to Utah.Malzahn is departing the Knights to become the new offensive coordinator for Florida State, the first time he won't serve as a head coach since 2011. 
The loss to Utah was the final game in the worst-performing season by UCF...
The Charge •

Black Caucus wants to make Juneteenth a university holiday - again

For the third consecutive year, UCF Student Government's Black Caucus drafted and submitted a resolution that, if passed Nov. 28, would urge the provost and president to add Juneteenth to the university's academic calendar. UCF's 55th Student Senate unanimously approved a resolution in June 2023 to urge the provost to recognize the holiday, but they never got a response, Autumn Johnson, student senator, said.
"There was a no, I just don't know whose no it was," Johnson said. Johnson, sen...
The Charge •

Mr. 1,000: Darius Johnson reaches milestone in UCF's win over Tennessee Tech

From early mornings in his high school gym in Virginia years ago to etching his name in UCF men's basketball history on Tuesday, senior guard Darius Johnson has arrived.With the Knights up nine points with a little over 12 minutes left in UCF's 80-69 win over Tennessee Tech, Johnson shot an open-look three in front of the home bench. The bucket was his sixth point of the night and 1,000th of his career, a feat only 20 Knights have accomplished before him.
"It means a lot," Johnson said....
The Charge •

UCF drops 100 on FAU in 3rd straight win

For the first time in the Johnny Dawkins era, UCF scored 100 points in regulation, outlasting FAU 100-94 Tuesday at Addition Financial Arena.Those 94 points allowed, however, could come at a price.
"Man, we're going to have a long practice, I'm going to tell you that," junior guard Keyshawn Hall said. "We've got to improve a lot, man. Coach Dawkins, his goals is not 94 points. It's definitely like 50 or 40, so just pray for us in practice."Hall led the team in scoring against the Owls wi...
The Charge •

Resolution to upgrade business school lockers in the works, needs more than loose change

UCF Student Government is drafting a resolution that would urge the provost and university to renovate the locker room in the College of Business - with a price tag in the six figures.Student Sens. Chris Corelli and Jaci Lim attended a meeting with Paul Jarley, dean of the College of Business, Darrell Johnson, assistant dean of the college, and Sean Robb, associate dean of the college, Sept. 20 to discuss issues business students have expressed, including problems with the lockers in the Thomas...
The Charge •

UCF runs over Arizona for 8th straight space game win

A freshman's first career start at quarterback and an effective ground game made the difference in UCF's eighth straight space game victory.UCF (4-5, 2-4 Big 12) bounced back in a big way Saturday at FBC Mortgage Stadium, routing Arizona (3-6, 1-5 Big 12) by a score of 56-12, ending the Knights five-game losing streak.
It was a star-turn performance from redshirt freshman quarterback Dylan Rizk, who played out of this world in his first career start, throwing for 294 yards and three touc...
The Charge •

Meet Student Government's three new caucuses

UCF Student Government's three new caucuses are tackling more issues facing students — and they're doing it in a brand-new system. 
This semester kicks off the 56th Senate session for SG, according to the organization's website, which began meeting in April and lasts for a year. With it comes the inclusion of three new ad hoc caucuses: Inter-Campus & Transfer, Arab and Sustainability.  The three additions bring the total number of caucuses up to ten, according to the UCF SG website. "I t...
The Charge •

Does NASA care about the Earth's new mini moon?

A space rock about the size of a bus will be orbiting Earth for the next two months, but does NASA consider it a priority?Starting last Sunday until Nov. 25, an asteroid called 2024 PT5, classed as a mini moon, has been temporarily captured in Earth's orbit in a "horseshoe" path before it will break loose and hang around in Earth's neighborhood until Jan. 9, only to return in 2055, according to a recent study published by the American Astronomical Society.
Dr. Joshua Colwell, pegasus pro...
The Charge •

UCF students prepare for Hurricane Helene with Knights Pantry

Knights Pantry didn't amend its item limit for UCF students gathering supplies, even with Hurricane Helene expected to hit Florida's Big Bend region late Thursday evening, according to the National Weather Service. Knights Pantry, located at Ferrell Commons, is a resource that offers UCF students with a valid UCF ID a five-item limit for food received through donations, according to the Knights Pantry website. It's open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for the fall semester and offers oth...
NSM Today •

Leading with a loud style: Sarah Willis' journey to UCF

Sarah Willis traveled 3,000 miles to get more opportunities to pitch; in the process, she got the chance to grow into herself."Some people might mistaken her for somebody who is just all about the flash," head coach Cindy Ball-Malone said. "But she's one of the hardest workers on the team."
When watching a UCF softball game, it isn't hard to find Sarah Willis. Pitchers usually walk to the center circle before an appearance; Willis dances. Batters typically take their time getting to firs...
NSM Today •

UCF softball no-hits Bethune-Cookman in doubleheader sweep

A finish to a game that started over a month ago and a no-hitter punctuated UCF softball's two-game sweep of the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on Wednesday. The UCF Knights (28-18) took two from the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (15-28) in their doubleheader at the UCF Softball Complex, winning game one 9-1 and game two 8-0. 
"Really good to just play free like we did today," head coach Cindy Ball-Malone said. "Our pitchers have been really throwing well, all of them, the last, I would say, two or...
NSM Today •

UCF softball earns tenth straight win with shutout victory over FAU

A 19-year-old broken record and a near no-hitter extended UCF softball's winning streak to 10 against the FAU Owls on Wednesday.The UCF Knights (26-15) allowed just one hit in their 1-0 victory against the FAU Owls (33-12) at the UCF Softball Complex, which featured both starting pitchers going the distance.
"I like these games as a pitcher," head coach Cindy Ball-Malone said. "But then, on the offensive side, I wanted to see us hit the ball a little bit more."The Knights only got four h...
NSM Today •

UCF softball take Ospreys down in doubleheader

A sophomore's gem and a walk-off slam helped UCF softball finish off the UNF Ospreys in a doubleheader on Tuesday.UCF (18-15) won both games in its doubleheader against the UNF Ospreys (23-12) at the UCF Softball Complex on Tuesday. The Knights took game one 11-4, and the Ospreys laid an egg in game two, losing 9-0.
"One is one, that's kind of been our motto these last couple of days," head coach Cindy Ball-Malone said. "One pitch, one game, one out, one at-bat, whatever it is and just l...
NSM Today •

UCF softball snaps winless streak in series win over Texas Tech

UCF softball head coach Cindy Ball-Malone captured her 200th program win, and 300th career win over the weekend as the Knights took two from Texas Tech in three games.UCF (16-15) entered Thursday on a seven-game losing streak but turned things around against the Texas Tech Red Raiders (22-10), winning two across their three-game slate from March 28 through March 30.
Thursday's 8-5 UCF win and Ball-Malone's 200th victory at UCF saw the Knights come back from a 4-0 deficit after the first...
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Orlando Sentinel Live Election Blog Coverage

Obviously, I hope it leans one way. I don’t want to make any headlines regarding which way. No predictions from me.

John Rhys Plumlee

I was fortunate enough to be granted the opportunity by my professor, Rick Brunson, to help with the Orlando Sentinel's live election blog coverage on Nov. 5. My shift ran from 12 p.m. to the polls closing at 7 p.m. I stood outside a voting precinct and interviewed voters as they exited, asking them what brought them out and what issues they found most important.

One of the highlights was speaking with former UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee, who drove down from Jacksonville that morning to vote in Orange County, his listed area of residency.

Read the article here

I am concerned if Trump loses, he will contest everything if he doesn’t win. Hopefully, there will be no acts of violence or retribution.

Alan Sims

2025 Reese's Senior Bowl

I covered the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl and live-posted news updates to my X account throughout the week while interviewing players invited to the event in Mobile, Alabama. 

My main focus was the four UCF players competing in the Senior Bowl and former UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel's customized helmet, which honored all the teams he played for over his six-year career. 

My X Account

Centric Magazine Editor-In-Chief

I served as the editor-in-chief for the Fall 2024 issue of Centric, the UCF student-run magazine. My responsibilities included approving pitches, setting deadlines and coordinating with the design team regarding the overall look of the final product.

Most Recent Episodes

Knight Time

Knight Time is weekly college sports show on the Hitting The Field Network, a student-run sports programming network at the University of Central Florida.

Serving as the producer for "Knight Time," my responsibilities include planning rundowns, directing the shows and creating graphics for the show. 

Working on the show's production this semester has given me an appreciation for broadcast journalism, creating filmed content and has me eager to learn more. 

Graphic Design

Coupled with my passion for storytelling, I'm also a fan of graphic design. Below is some of the stuff I've created in Photoshop as a hobby.

Justice's Photography