2008 Woodie Awards
Ultimate Frisbee increasing in popularity and success
Sarah Flanagan '10
Issue date: 4/30/08 Section: Sports
Wheaton's Ultimate Frisbee team has had a record season. Lemony Fresh finished six out of 12 in a tournament a couple of weeks ago competing against many reputable teams.
The Ultimate Frisbee team has been official around Wheaton's campus since the 90's, but most of those playing this year are new to the sport, or at least new to playing it at Wheaton.
"We had a lot of people graduate last year, so we have a very young team this year- like I'm one of the oldest guys on the team" explains junior, Stephen Shinopoulos, who is co-captain with senior Meg Rehmeyer. "There's one other junior guy and then we just have a bunch of freshmen. They're doing really well. There are a few players that played competitively in high school, so they came pretty much ready to go. We're fairly competitive even though we have a very young team."
This year has fostered a level of commitment and dedication that will only look to increase next year. "We have about ten committed players, and a lot of people that show up from time to time as well. We definitely have a group of people that are really committed and we're hoping to build on that for next year," said Shinopoulos.
Ultimate is unique in philosophy and practice. The sport is co-ed, a full year sport and student-coached. "Its not a typical sport," Shinopoulos explains.
Instead of referees and dogmatic details, each player guides his or her own game based on the cardinal rule of sportsmanship, or, to apply Ultimate jargon, "the spirit of the game."
As opposed to following a standard season schedule, as most sports adhere to, Ultimate teams find each other by route of the Ultimate Players Association.
"It's more friendly than most sports, I would say, because it is self officiated. The idea of the game is called 'the spirit of the game' which is kind of unique to it. Competitive, friendly and fair it's all about being a team player," shares Shinopoulos.
Ultimate is generally perceived as particular to colleges. However, the sport is spreading. High school Ultimate teams are increasingly prominent and summer leagues have been going strong for decades. Some Wheaton's Ultimate veterans will play in the Boston League this summer, so any in the area who are interested in a spirited game, and fun social network should consider finding a niche in an alternative but authentic sport.
The Ultimate Frisbee team has been official around Wheaton's campus since the 90's, but most of those playing this year are new to the sport, or at least new to playing it at Wheaton.
"We had a lot of people graduate last year, so we have a very young team this year- like I'm one of the oldest guys on the team" explains junior, Stephen Shinopoulos, who is co-captain with senior Meg Rehmeyer. "There's one other junior guy and then we just have a bunch of freshmen. They're doing really well. There are a few players that played competitively in high school, so they came pretty much ready to go. We're fairly competitive even though we have a very young team."
This year has fostered a level of commitment and dedication that will only look to increase next year. "We have about ten committed players, and a lot of people that show up from time to time as well. We definitely have a group of people that are really committed and we're hoping to build on that for next year," said Shinopoulos.
Ultimate is unique in philosophy and practice. The sport is co-ed, a full year sport and student-coached. "Its not a typical sport," Shinopoulos explains.
Instead of referees and dogmatic details, each player guides his or her own game based on the cardinal rule of sportsmanship, or, to apply Ultimate jargon, "the spirit of the game."
As opposed to following a standard season schedule, as most sports adhere to, Ultimate teams find each other by route of the Ultimate Players Association.
"It's more friendly than most sports, I would say, because it is self officiated. The idea of the game is called 'the spirit of the game' which is kind of unique to it. Competitive, friendly and fair it's all about being a team player," shares Shinopoulos.
Ultimate is generally perceived as particular to colleges. However, the sport is spreading. High school Ultimate teams are increasingly prominent and summer leagues have been going strong for decades. Some Wheaton's Ultimate veterans will play in the Boston League this summer, so any in the area who are interested in a spirited game, and fun social network should consider finding a niche in an alternative but authentic sport.
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