McCain, a former women’s soccer player, served as lead producer for the sportswear company’s Dream Crazy ad, which features Serena Williams,ÌęColin Kaepernick and fellow alum Shaquem Griffin ’16.

She became enamored with filmmaking after attending a summer video production camp in between her soccer camp schedule. Soon after, she borrowed her father’s video camera and began to create her own videos centered around her friends and soccer teammates with the goal of making them all laugh and cry.

After graduating from UCF and spending a decade working for various production and advertising companies in Orlando and Los Angeles, she moved to Portland, Oregon, in 2017 to join Wieden+Kennedy advertising agency for her dream job — producing commercials for Nike.

McCain, who was a decorated four-year letter winner and defender on the Knights’ soccer team from 2003 to 2006, has been involved in some of Nike’s most popular ads as of late, including the Dream Further commercial that captured hearts worldwide ahead of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She describes her role as a bit like being a captain, nurturing and facilitating the visuals and script through her work with the film’s director, editor, visual-effects personnel, musicians and crew.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOVkEHADCg4

“I try to put the best players on the field in regards to the creative team to execute the idea, and then make sure everyone gets the support they need to play their best and work well together,” she says. “The best productions are the ones where it doesn’t feel like work and where everyone is proud of what we’re creating.”

Which was certainly the case for Dream Crazy commercial, which beat out Apple’s “Behind the Mac” and “Shot on iPhone” campaigns as well as Netflix’s “A Great Day in Hollywood” campaign.

Here McCain discusses Dream Crazy, Dream Further and what it’s like working for Nike.

Why do you think the Dream Crazy and the World Cup ads are striking a chord like they are?

I like this quote from the co-president and chief creative officer of W+K, Colleen DeCourcy: “Sometimes, when everything’s right, something or someone can come along with a thing that is so simple, that taps into the bottomless reservoir of want in humanity, and the world goes crazy. We love that feeling. We believe in that feeling. THAT is lightning in a bottle.”

What do you think you’ll always remember about your experience with these campaigns?

When you are in it and working so hard on production, you lose track of how awesome it is to get to make very creative, high-level work that people actually care about, talk about, watch and share — work that inspires people. What I’ll always remember is how we made something with “Dream Crazy” that shook the world for a few days. With Nike, we helped create a conversation beyond advertising. We opened hearts and minds all over the world for a minute, in an era where you’re served content all day long, and it’s hard to catch someone’s attention at all.

What is a typical day like for you in your job?

Every day is a bit different. In between projects, things are usually a bit more mellow. Usually I’m in meetings talking about creative ideas with my team, or budgeting and researching, and meeting new directors and partners I want to team up with on future projects. When I’m on a production it’s a bit like wrangling chaos — figuring out how to do the impossible, negotiating, scheduling, managing people, making sure the creative team and the client are happy, and the work is getting the support it needs. This year, I was traveling between Los Angeles and Barcelona to shoot and edit for the World Cup film.

What’s the one thing you need to survive in your profession?

It’s actually a couple of things. An aptitude for organization and the necessity to compartmentalize and prioritize tasks. A sensitivity to everyone’s strengths and weaknesses, and the ability to optimize their value in order to bring everyone together to accomplish a goal, deliver a film. Jobs of this scale can be daunting, so you have to prioritize the work that needs to be accomplished each day and keep the team focused on getting through key milestones to keep the project on track. I work in a high-pressure, creative industry where everyone has an opinion, an idea or an approach. My job is to harness everyone’s strengths, combine greatness, to make one thing, together. Personally, you must know your limits, and when to take a break in order to recharge your mind and body to be able to have the strength to produce the next project.

How does it feel to have played a part in the Dream Further ad’s creation?

My blood, sweat and tears definitely went into my work. To me, it feels like a bit of a love letter to all aspiring 10-year-old girls. I was a kid with really big dreams — a confident, cocky kid that thought she could do anything. So, it’s been a bit surreal to help make a film that inspires and motivates people as this one does. I feel so fortunate to be given this opportunity, to be able to produce a film with such a powerful message.

What do you think about the response the Dream Further film has received?

It’s been awesome! We set out to make an epic soccer film for Nike that was as good, if not better, than the previous Nike soccer films. Nike has a legacy of long-form viral advertisements that have incredible production value, super star athletes, and inspiring narrative. The fact that Nike saw the value in creating something of this caliber for women’s soccer blows my mind. I’ve had former teammates from my youth soccer team, my club team and my UCF teammates and coaches message me about how inspired they are by the film. It’s like a time capsule has been opened from my youth soccer-playing days.

How did the Dream Further ad make you feel as a viewer the first time you saw it?

I cried when I saw the first rough cut. I also cried at the casting when we met the young girl who played the lead in the spot. The film is personal and emotional to me; I feel connected to the narrative, the characters and the athletes. I’m able to see a bit of my own story in it. I was 14 when the U.S. women’s national team won the 1999 World Cup. I have followed the team since I was a little kid. Soccer gave me so much. It taught me how to work hard, embrace adversity, be a leader, to persevere, work together, and that you’re only as good as your teammates. As a producer, I use all those tools almost every day. Soccer seriously set me up for success in my career.

What was the most challenging aspect of the Dream Further shoot?

Production is always challenging, no matter the client or the film. There are no easy jobs. If the job is easy, it isn’t being pushed to be the best film it can be. Due to the scale of this, it was a marathon project. We all had to dig in and put our heads down. The machine had to keep moving or we weren’t going to stay on schedule and make the launch date on the Champions League Final.

What was the most rewarding moment during the Dream Further shoot?

The moment I met the lead girl in the spot, I knew she was the right selection for the role. Seeing her perform on set, and being a part of her experience was amazing. She lit us all up every day with her spirit, smile, work ethic and love for the game. I can’t wait to see where she goes in life and what becomes of her dreams.

How did your experience at UCF prepare you for your career now?

Before deciding to pursue an advertising degree at UCF, I had no experience working on commercials. I had only worked on broadcast production. My dad was worried I was never going to be able to support myself making films, so he encouraged me to consider an advertising degree and study marketing so I could take my production background and make commercials. I decided to pick up a double major in advertising, and also minored in marketing and business to accompany my broadcast radio/TV production degree, which I was already pursuing through the Nicholson School of Communication and Media.

I grew up really connected to the ads and the message that Nike was putting out in the world and identified with the brand. I feel very grateful to have landed at Wieden+Kennedy, which is considered to be one of the best advertising agencies in the world. To be given the honor to work on Nike at W+K is a bit unreal to me, especially during a time where the brand is telling amazing stories and really affecting culture with their marketing.

What is your best memory as a Knight?

In 2004 we had a great soccer season. We beat Florida State, Florida, FAU, Miami, won our conference, and went to the NCAA Tournament. We were one of the top teams on the East Coast. I enjoyed being a part of the team, sharing many moments with my teammates that I will never forget. I cherish my amazing friends from my UCF soccer days. I still enjoy reading about the advancements UCF is making in many fields. And who doesn’t love to watch their football team crush it?!

Jan. 1 –  After UCF completed their first perfect football season and a 34-27 defeat over Auburn at the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, former UCF linebacker Shaquem Griffin ’16 admires the championship trophy. Shaquem made history in April when he became the first one-handed player to be drafted in the NFL, joining his brother Shaquill Griffin ’16 on the Seattle Seahawks’ team.

Jan. 21 – A student takes some time between classes to stretch out on Memory Mall.

Feb. 23 – Engineering graduate student Estefania Bohorquez ’17 shows off her aerial acrobatic skills.

March 14 – Studio art major John Currie ’18 works on a special portrait of John C. Hitt to honor his 26 years of service as UCF’s fourth president.

April 5 – Singer Jesse McCartney performs at CFE Arena during UCFestival’s concert night.

April 7 – This year, UCF raised more than $1.5 million for Knight-Thon, an annual dance marathon that benefits Children’s Miracle Network.

April 13 – Director of jazz studies and Pegasus Professor Jeff Rupert conducts a performance during UCF Celebrates the Arts.

May 1 – After a six-month closure, a cute pup takes a dip in the newly renovated Reflecting Pond, which now has a new foundation and color-changing LED lights. *Note: Dogs are not allowed in the water, so don’t try this on your own.

May 3 – During his final commencement ceremonies, former UCF President John C. Hitt conferred degrees to more than 8,100 students. In October of last year,ÌęHitt announced he would be stepping down from the presidency on June 30, 2018. Former UCF provost Dale Whittaker became the university’s fifth president on July 1.

June 5 – Senior studio art major Jenna Chastain works with clay during an art class in the Visual Arts building.

June 5 –  While in a lab, a student works on a project involving display screens and motorcycle helmets.

June 20 – Two students raced to the top of the Climbing Tower located in the .

June 29 – Construction on the new UCF Downtown campus is underway and on schedule to open Fall 2019.

Aug. 2 – After partnering with two other institutions to manage the Arecibo Observatory earlier this year, UCF President Dale Whittaker traveled to Puerto Rico for a visit to the facility.

July 27 – An instructor at the demonstrates how to put out a fire during a cooking class.

Aug. 21 – Afternoon Florida storm clouds cover campus as students make their return during the first week of fall classes.

Sept. 5 – The sun rises over the Charging Knight statue outside of Spectrum Stadium.

Sept. 5 – Campus on a quiet morning.

Sept. 19 – After more than a year of waiting, popular local taco spot Gringos Locos opened its UCF location in Knights Plaza.

Sept. 21 – The get ready to perform on the football field during half-time at the game against Florida Atlantic șŁœÇֱȄ.

Sept. 29 – Knightro and the cheer team entertain a packed stadium during UCF’s game against Pittsburg, which ended in a 45 – 14 win for the Knights.

Oct. 2 – During the evening, the Pegasus on the lights up the building.

Oct. 3 – After serving as UCF’s interim provost since April, Elizabeth A. Dooley has become the university’s provost and vice president for .

Oct. 30 – In August, UCF partnered with the Nemours Children Hospital to create PEDS Academy, a program that provides specialized STEM education to children hospitalized at the facility.

Nov. 8 – Students light up CFE Arena during Homecoming 2018‘s Concert Knight, which featured performances from rapper A$AP Ferg and singer Ella Mai.

Nov. 9 – Students show off their excitement as they prepare to take part in UCF’s biggest Homecoming tradition – .

Nov. 9 – During this year’s Spirit Splash, UCF President Dale Whittaker jumped into the Reflecting Pond alongside students. He promised take part in the tradition if 50,000 students would attend the first five home football games of the 2018 season – more than 55,000 students took on the challenge.

Dec. 1 –  After joining Knight Nation this football season, makes an appearance at the American Athletic Conference Championship game, during which fans wore leis to show their support for injured quarterback McKenzie Milton. UCF Athletics gave out 40,000 leis to fans in the spirit of #10hana, a movement that started in the local community and on social media.

Dec. 1 – During the American Athletic Conference title game against Memphis,Ìę45,176 fans packed the stands as UCF secured a 56 -41 victory, extending their undefeated streak to 25 games and advancing them to the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1, 2019.

Shaquem made history in April when he became the first one-handed player to be drafted in the NFL. He didn’t settle for  just making the roster and worked his way into the starting lineup for the Sept. 9 season opener against the Denver Broncos.

Although he didn’t start against the Bears, he did play and his story has inspired countless individuals, most notably children — like the recipients of 3D-printed prosthetic arms from Limbitless Solutions — who see themselves in him.

So when a 90-second segment about Shaquem’s story aired across the nation just before kickoff,ÌęLimbitless Solutions CEO and co-founder Albert Manero ’12 ’14MS ’16PhD couldn’t help but beam not only for Shaquem, but also for several of the children who were part of the message to keep dreaming big.

“It’s amazing to see the impact of Shaquem’s platform and how he continues to inspire and encourage children around the country,” Manero says. “For our bionic kids to play a role in changing that conversation — that having a limb difference can be no different than needing a pair of glasses or braces — is something really special for them to be a part of. They’re going out there and living their lives and pursuing their dreams and goals, just like their hero, Shaquem.”

Watch the feature below.

Griffin’s twin brother, Shaquill, who was drafted by the Seahawks in 2017, also had his moment to shine. Shaquill recorded four tackles during the game and added two impressive interceptions in the second quarter.

Meanwhile, Marshall, who is featured in the Fall issue of Pegasus, emerged as the team’s second-leading receiver for the evening with four catches for 44 yards.

The Griffin twins and Marshall join 12 other former Knights who are currently listed on NFL rosters.

The No. 16 UCF football team returns to action this Friday against FAU at Spectrum Stadium at 7 p.m. on ESPN.

Currently, there are 23 former UCF student-athletes on 15 different NFL rosters all vying to make their respective team’s final 53-man squad for the 2018 season.

Akins, who started in Aug. 9’s game against Kansas City, needed just two plays to make his splash. The Houston tight end hauled in two catches for 20 yards and two touchdowns as the Texans defeated the Chiefs, 17-10.

Griffin, a fifth-round pick who captured the nation’s attention at the 2018 NFL Draft, subbed in at linebacker, and to no surprise of any UCF fan, led Seattle in tackles. The former American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year finished with nine total tackles, six solo tackles and one tackle-for-loss in a 19-17 loss to the Colts.

Smith, also starting in his first NFL game, led the Saints in receiving going up against a couple of former Knights on the Jaguars. Smith finished with four catches for 48 yards, as New Orleans won 24-20 over Jacksonville.

Another big-time receiver for the Knights had an impressive outing, as Breshad Perriman led the Ravens in receiving as Baltimore routed the Rams, 33-7. Perriman caught three passes for 71 yards, including a 32-yard score.

Finally, Blake Bortles had an efficient night in Week 1 of the preseason. Bortles completed 6-of-9 for 53 yards through the air and rushed once for a two-yard touchdown.

Knights in Preseason Week 1 (Results/Schedule)

Kamar Aiken’11 (Philadelphia Eagles) – Started vs. Steelers
Jordan Akins ’17 (Houston Texans) – Started, 2 catches for 20 yards and 2 TDs vs. Chiefs
Blake Bortles (Jacksonville Jaguars) – 6-of-9 for 53 yards, 1 rush for 2 yards and 1 TD vs. Saints
A.J. Bouye ’14 (Jacksonville Jaguars) – Started vs. Saints
Aaron Evans ’16 (Philadelphia Eagles) – Played vs. Steelers
Jordan Franks (Cincinnati Bengals) – 1 catch for 12 yards vs. Bears
Clayton Geathers ’14 (Indianapolis Colts) – Did not play vs. Seahawks
Shaquill Griffin’16 (Seattle Seahawks) – Started, 1 pass break-up vs. Colts
Shaquem Griffin ’16 (Seattle Seahawks) – 9 tackles, 6 solo, 1 TFL vs. Colts
Mike Hughes (Minnesota Vikings) – 2 tackles vs. Broncos
Charley Hughlett ’12 (Cleveland Browns) – Played vs. Giants
Kemal Ishmael ’13 (Atlanta Falcons) – Did not play vs. Jets
D.J. Killings ’16 (Philadelphia Eagles) – 2 tackles vs. Steelers
Brandon Marshall ’06 (Seattle Seahawks) – Started vs. Colts
Justin McCray ’14 (Green Bay Packers) – Started vs. Titans
Latavius Murray ’12 (Minnesota Vikings) – 4 rushes for 43 yards vs. Broncos
T.J. Mutcherson ’17 (Seattle Seahawks) – Played vs. Colts
Breshad Perriman (Baltimore Ravens) – 3 catches for 71 yards and 1 TD vs. Rams
Jamiyus Pittman (Miami Dolphins) – 3 tackles vs. Bucs
Matt Prater (Detroit Lions) – 1 extra point vs. Raiders
Josh Robinson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – Played vs. Dolphins
Josh Sitton (Miami Dolphins) – Started vs. Bucs
Tre’Quan Smith ’17 (New Orleans Saints) – Started, 4 catches for 48 yards vs. Jaguars

Griffin’s time — identical to that of his identical twin brother Shaquill at last year’s Combine — was the fastest by a linebacker since the NFL started recording 40-yard dash times in 2003. According to Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis, Griffin is the first defensive player to weigh more than 225 and run a sub 4.4-second 40-yard dash.

Griffin said a little brotherly challenge may have been the needed fuel to push him to his record-breaking time.

“My brother was telling me the whole time, ‘I don’t think you can run 4.3. You put on weight. I’m giving you a 4.4. That would be good for you,'” he told ESPN afterward.

“I said ‘So, you’re telling me what I can’t do, huh?’ It was only right that I prove him wrong and that’s what I did. He called me…after I got done with the 40 and he was like ‘You did it. I’m proud of you.’ I didn’t know my time at first and he was like ‘You just made history. You’re the fastest linebacker to ever do it since the Combine started.'”

After his performance with the 40-yard dash and earlier with his bench pressing on Saturday, Griffin may have emerged as one of the biggest stars of the Combine.

Griffin’s own goal was to press the 225-pound weight six times. His personal best in training sessions in Texas leading up to the Combine was 11. With the crowd in attendance cheering him on and adrenaline coursing through him, Griffin busted out 20 reps with a prosthesis on his left arm.

“It was amazing,” Griffin said. “Hearing the crowd, having the juices flowing, I felt it
I didn’t even know I had it in me, but it came out today.”

Griffin’s mark in the bench press was tied for 11^th among the 25 linebackers who participated. Then, the ever-inspirational Griffin stepped up to the microphone.

“People are going to have doubt over the things I can do and obviously it started at the bench press. Some people didn’t think I could do three or five, some people didn’t think I could do the bench press,” Griffin said. “I went and did the bench press and competed with everybody else and did 20. That’s just one step closer toward everything I need to accomplish. There’s going to be a lot more doubters saying what I can’t do and I think I’m ready to prove them wrong.”

Today the NFL coaches and scouts check out defensive back skills.

“I came here and remembered what my brother told me last year: ‘What you put in is what you get out of it.’ One thing I can say is I’m not going to look back and say I didn’t put in enough. I’m putting everything I’ve got into it,” he said. “I started off good and now I’m trying to finish strong.”

“It affected me most when she lost her hair and saw her struggling a little bit, and so this game, I’m pretty much dedicating it to her,” Rucker said at a bowl game press conference Thursday.

Now in its second year, the AutoNation Cure Bowl’s proceeds go to breast-cancer research, specifically the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Some of the proceeds have already supported the work of College of Medicine cancer researcher Dr. Annette Khaled. She attended the press conference with Cure Bowl officials, UCF players and Coach Scott Frost.

The game is equally significant for Rucker’s teammate, linebacker Shaquem Griffin, who said he is inspired by a family member battling the disease.

“Seeing her keep fighting and keep pushing, it just reminds us that anytime there is a bad play or anytime something goes wrong, you know, why can’t we keep fighting,” said the AAC defensive player of the year.

Griffin is looking forward to “a great experience” being able to play for such an important cause.

“It’s more than just us when it comes to this game. Just like the name says, it’s the Cure Bowl. We’re fighting for a cause. We are playing more than just football, and that’s the biggest thing – that’s the biggest impact for us.”

The Knights will face Arkansas State șŁœÇֱȄ at Camping World Stadium in Orlando with kickoff set for 5:30 p.m.

Khaled, chair of the medical school’s Cancer Research Division, will join Dr. Deborah German, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the UCF College of Medicine, and others on the field during the game to receive a check of Cure Bowl proceeds going to breast cancer research.

To purchase tickets or get more information on the game, visit . The game will be shown on CBS Sports Network.