What is your connection to the sport of ultimate now?
For the last decade, I’ve been coaching the mixed club team Slow White and the Wellesley Whiptails college team. After starting with the sport over 30 years ago, I still play as much as I can up in the old guy brackets with DoG and No Country.
What aspect about ultimate are you most passionate about? Why?
Teamwork. The daily work of getting better enables us to challenge ourselves at the highest levels of competition, but I’ve always found that it’s teamwork that is the most rewarding and sustaining. There’s just so much that goes into creating what looks like a moment of telepathic communication with a teammate, and I’ve been very lucky to play with some really fantastic teammates.
How has ultimate impacted your life or the life of someone you know?
People find friendships, relationships and much more through ultimate. The best part is seeing people find themselves. I’ve absolutely loved working with college players who showed up knowing little about the sport and maybe not much more about what they themselves are capable of. I get to see them develop into players, leaders and people I’ll be proud to know forever.
What is the Ultimate Foundation doing that excites you the most?
Through GUM and Play It Forward, the foundation helps people come to the sport who might not have always felt welcome or been able to participate.
Why did you give to the Ultimate Foundation?
Giving this year, I was thinking in particular about the Girls’ Ultimate Movement.
Why does this cause matter to you?
All of the evidence says outcomes are better across the board for girls who play sports: physical and emotional health, academics, social experiences, self-esteem and more. I’d love to see ultimate become more accessible and contribute to those successes. I’m inspired by the incredible women who play and lead our sport, and I give so GUM can help engage the next generation.
If you could change one thing about the world, what would that be?
Educational opportunity. Everyone should be in a situation where great education is a choice available to them. Too many people are blocked by health, food security, access and other socioeconomic inequities in and out of the educational system.
Read more about the impact the Ultimate Foundation
is having on kids around the country.