Geoff DiMasi has been part of the ultimate community for over thirty years. His journey began in 1989 at Rutgers, the historic home of the first-ever intercollegiate ultimate game. Since then, his passion for the sport has taken him through decades of play in the Philadelphia area and beyond. But a few years ago, Geoff realized that while the sport was flourishing just across the bridge in Philadelphia, his own community in South Jersey was an ultimate desert for young players.
The realization hit home when his oldest daughter joined a team at the University of Pennsylvania. Despite Geoff’s deep history with the game, she had never played in high school because there simply were no local options available. Watching her go from a beginner to competing at the national level in just one year was a revelation. It was incredible to see her find that community, Geoff says, but it made him realize how much she had missed out on by not having a chance to start sooner.
Determined to change that for the next generation, Geoff founded a youth recreation program in Collingswood, New Jersey. He did much of the early heavy lifting himself, securing field space and building relationships with the local school district and recreation department. Additional volunteers Dan Dougherty, Roger Chu, and Casey Gorman got on board early on and have been a big part of making the program work as well. Today, the Collingswood program is the only youth ultimate option in South Jersey, attracting families from surrounding towns and even from Philadelphia who are looking for a consistent place for their young children to play.
“That sense of belonging starts right away,” Geoff explains. “We open every session with a simple name game. You call someone’s name and throw them the disc. It’s a small thing, but it helps everyone feel seen.”
One story that has stayed with Geoff involves a young boy whose grandparents drove him forty minutes each week to attend. The boy’s father had passed away while serving in the military, and his grandfather, a longtime high school football coach, wanted him to experience a supportive team environment. “At first, he was pretty quiet and hesitant,” Geoff recalls. “But within a couple of weeks, you could see him open up. He was smiling, competing, and connecting with other kids. By the end of the season, his grandparents were some of the most enthusiastic fans on the sideline. Seeing him go from not knowing anyone to truly feeling like he belonged is exactly why we do this.”
Resources like the USA Ultimate Starter Kit Grant, supported by The Ultimate Foundation, are what help keep this program growing and accessible. By providing discs, cones, and curriculum, the grant ensures that every student leaves the field with a disc in their hand.
“Every child gets a disc on their first day, and we hand them a Sharpie so they can put their name on it,” Geoff says. “There’s something powerful about that. It creates a sense of ownership right away.”
The impact of the kit extends far beyond the Sunday morning sessions. Parents often tell Geoff that their kids are now in the backyard teaching siblings how to throw or asking their parents to play. One father shared that his son had never connected with sports before, but now he takes immense pride in showing off his flick or even a hammer throw to others. For Geoff, seeing kids he recognizes tossing a disc in a local park or front yard is the ultimate reward. It means the sport is sticking.
Supporting leaders like Geoff is how USA Ultimate and The Ultimate Foundation ensure that the sport reaches new communities. While national championships capture the headlines, the work on the ground in towns like Collingswood builds the long-term future of the sport. By investing in these programs, donors are empowering local organizers to create inclusive spaces where the next generation can learn that competition and kindness are not in conflict.
“What makes me happiest is seeing the confidence that develops over time,” Geoff says. “A lot of these kids come in thinking something like a flick throw is impossible, and then they realize they can do it. I hope that when they find themselves in leadership roles later in life, they look for ways to include others and to create that same sense of belonging they felt on the field. Because when people feel like they belong, everything else opens up.”