The Heart of the Huddle: How People Power Albany’s Youth Ultimate Growth
In the Capital Region of New York, the story of ultimate’s growing impact continues, powered by the unwavering dedication of its community leaders. We previously shared how Jeff Maskalunas began building bridges between communities through ultimate at local Boys & Girls Clubs with the support of a USA Ultimate Youth Growth Grant. But for a movement to become sustainable, it needs a team of passionate individuals. One of the key players stepping up for Albany’s youth is Alicia Shultz, a long-time ultimate player and volunteer coach whose commitment is helping turn a promising initiative into a lasting program.
A Coach’s Calling for Community
For Alicia, coaching ultimate has been a long-time passion. After years of experience, she was motivated to help grow the sport beyond its existing circles and share it with a new generation of players. The Boys & Girls Club provided a perfect avenue for that.
“I was motivated to work with the Boys and Girls Club because I wanted to bring Ultimate to youth from communities who are underrepresented in our sport,” Alicia explains. “For five years or so I struggled to get these youth involved with Ultimate… I found that you really needed an insider, teacher, parent, etc.”
When Jeff Maskalunas created that opening, Alicia stepped in, ready to share the sport with a wider community.
The Power of Commitment
Engaging a new community is an investment of time and energy. As Alicia and the other volunteers have shown, making a difference doesn’t require you to be a superstar player. The most critical skill is simply commitment. She recalls an early event for the Boys & Girls Club that was meticulously planned, with flyers and announcements.
“An hour passed and no one showed up, then one kid showed up and got one-to-one training and he loved it,” Alicia remembers. “It was worth this one kid. He still shows up and talks about how great ultimate is… We put so much effort into the event, and we felt like kind of giving up.”
But they didn’t. By showing up week after week, the volunteers built the trust and relationships necessary for the program to succeed. It’s a powerful lesson that Alicia encourages others to embrace: “Don’t give up, just keep pushing along… most important, consistently show up for the kids.”
A Space to Just Be Kids
The results of this commitment are clear. The program provides a space where, as Jeff previously noted, “kids with adult responsibilities can just be kids for a moment in their lives.” Sometimes, the impact is seen in a single moment.
“There was one middle school student who did not talk and would not play. We urged him to try to run down the field and catch a huck,” Alicia shares. “He caught it and had the biggest smile on his face. After that, he always participated and made some crazy catches and throws. I could just see how happy this made him. Of course, this made me happy, and I was like, ‘this is why I do this.’ My understanding from the counselors is that he had a rough time socializing with other kids, but on the field, he was part of a team.”
People First, Resources Second
Growing the sport of ultimate doesn’t just start with a grant; it starts with people. It starts with dedicated individuals like Alicia and Jeff who show up consistently and build relationships. The USA Ultimate Youth Growth Grants, funded by The Ultimate Foundation, are designed to be a support system for these essential individuals. While funding for discs and cones is helpful, it’s the people on the ground who are the real agents of change. The grants are a secondary tool, empowering the volunteers to focus on what truly matters: the kids.
Fuel the Movement, Empower the People
The story of Albany Ultimate is a powerful reminder that our sport’s greatest asset is its people. The Ultimate Foundation is committed to investing in organizations and people like Albany Ultimate Disc Association and Alicia and Jeff across the country, but we need your help.
Your donation to The Ultimate Foundation empowers the people who are the heart of our sport’s growth. By supporting these volunteers, you help ensure they have the resources they need to continue their impactful work. Please consider making a gift today to help us fuel the future of ultimate, one community at a time.