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The University of Central Florida Athletic Association has offered to pay all funeral expenses for Ereck Plancher, the former Lely High School standout student-athlete who died last week after an offseason UCF football workout.

Plancher’s funeral expenses will be paid in part from the association’s Student-Athlete Opportunity Fund, which the NCAA sets aside for all institutions, said Ryan Powell, associate director of athletics communications for the university.

The purpose of the fund is to help student athletes with special circumstances, including educational, health, safety, and personal or family expenses.

The rest of the expenses will be paid directly by the athletic association, Powell said.

“It’s the right thing to do. That’s the bottom line,” Powell said. “We feel it’s a way we can honor Ereck and his family and help them out.”

The university will pay for all doctor bills and funeral services, including flowers and food, said Lely Principal Ken Fairbanks. University officials will also bring down UCF jerseys for Plancher’s younger brother and for the high school, which is hosting the funeral in its auditorium from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.

UCF football coach George O’Leary is among the speakers at the memorial service.

“With UCF taking care of those costs, the (Plancher) family says it will be OK,” Fairbanks said. “It means the money that has come in donations will be used to give two $500 scholarships annually in Ereck’s name for at least 10 years.”

Fairbanks previously said Lely is collecting donations for the two scholarships in Plancher’s name.

Enock Plancher, Ereck’s father, said Wednesday at home that his family has paid all expenses to date. Powell said the athletic association recently sent a letter to the family extending the offer, which is why family members might not be fully aware of the plans.

Fairbanks wasn’t sure how much money has been raised from students, teachers and friends. UCF contributions, coming from football team members and those who knew Plancher, now total $2,100, Fairbanks said.

Another $5,100 was collected at Stan’s Idle Hour in Goodland on Sunday. It came from people who knew Plancher and vacationers who wanted to help.

About 100 UCF athletes, staff and administrators are scheduled to travel to Collier County for Saturday’s funeral services. The Lely auditorium seats about 1,100 people, and Fairbanks said he is expecting a full house.

The overflow crowd will be seated in the gymnasium, Fairbanks said.

“If anybody is going to be here, they better get here early,” he said.

Plancher’s uncle, Ron Duprat, 58, said he’s not surprised the turnout is expected to be so big.

“Because he touched so many lives, that’s why everyone is willing to pay respects in his honor,” Duprat said.

The order of service at Lely High is:

Osnel Cajuste of Independent Haitian Church of God gives the induction. Opening prayer is by the Rev. Abanes Joseph of Independent Haitian Church of God. A scripture reading will be done by Wally Dera. Fairbanks will give a special tribute. A clergy tribute will be given by the Rev. Arnold Coones of First Assembly of God, who is also a Lely assistant football coach. The Rev. Kevin Mendez, First Assembly of God, also will give a clergy tribute.

Kenson Dera, a friend and former Lely football teammate, will give a special tribute. Another scripture reading will be given by the Rev. Jorel Joseph of the Philadelphia Church of Fort Lauderdale.

Special tributes will follow by Plancher’s former football coach, Chris Metzger, current Lely coach Steve Pricer, O’Leary of UCF, and Noelle Nuzzi, Plancher’s girlfriend, followed by a slide show.

The eulogy will be given by Leonel Merone of First Baptist Haitian Mission, with the Rev. David Mallory of First Assembly of God giving the sermon. Plancher’s uncle Enos Fabre will give a special thanks and the Rev. Eric Desvaristes of Independent Haitian Church of God will give the benediction.

Plancher’s uncle, the Rev. Evince Plancher, of First Baptist Haitian Mission will preside at the grave-side ceremony.

Plancher, who earned a football scholarship to UCF in 2007, died following football voluntary strength and conditioning drills at UCF on March 18.

UCF officials reported Tuesday that an internal investigation into Plancher’s death showed the offseason workout he participated in did not violate NCAA rules.

David Chambers, UCF executive associate athletic director, said the workout Plancher went through took place within an appropriate offseason workout window.

The redshirt freshman receiver’s death came one day before spring practice was set to begin. Spring practice was then postponed until Monday.

An initial autopsy was inconclusive. The Orange County medical examiner’s office said more testing will be needed. It will be several weeks before the autopsy will be complete.