What is your connection to the sport of ultimate now?
I am very connected to ultimate through the Philadelphia community via the Philadelphia Area Disc Alliance (PADA), and through Philadelphia’s current open ultimate programs – Patrol, Citywide Special and Adelphos. I have also been a USA Ultimate member since 2010.
What aspect about ultimate are you most passionate about? Why?
I love the speed of the game and the potential for every game to be different based on either weather, opponent or skill. I love the craft of placing a throw in the perfect spot where only your teammate can get it. I love the supportive community and the camaraderie that comes with playing ultimate, no matter where you go in the United States. I love the thrill of stepping on the line with six teammates who have each other’s back no matter what happens. The competitive drive I had growing up playing soccer, baseball or other pickup games with friends has translated well for me onto the ultimate field, and that is what keeps me motivated.
How has ultimate impacted your life or the life of someone you know?
Ultimate has cultivated some of my strongest friendships to this day, dating back to high school and college. I cannot imagine what my life would be like without the ultimate community in Philadelphia being so open, welcoming and fun-loving.
What is the Ultimate Foundation doing that excites you the most?
I think what is most exciting to me is the vision of accessibility (anyone can play with a Frisbee and some space to throw around!) and the inclusion of all people, starting with children. I fully support their mission to be as welcoming as possible to new players, to increase the visibility of female participation in ultimate and to help create a safe and supportive environment to do so.
Why did you give to the Ultimate Foundation?
Patrol supports GUM because there’s an abundance of talented women in the Philadelphia area who don’t get the same recognition for their ability despite working just as hard and being just as talented as their male counterparts. There are plenty of phenomenal female leaders in the Philadelphia community who young girls and boys should know to look up to. They deserve the same opportunities and platforms that men do in our sport.
Why does this cause matter to you?
I care about ultimate growing into a sport that I believe has the ability to become a globally-recognized game played at the highest level, and at this stage in the sport’s development, we have an opportunity as ambassadors of the sport to push men’s, women’s and mixed ultimate in an equitable way. When I tell somebody that I play ultimate Frisbee, they will already know what it is and not question how it’s played or who it’s played with.
If you could change one thing about the world, what would that be?
Why can’t we all just get along and work together to make the world a better place instead of working against each other? I would challenge people to be open-minded about the perspectives of their peers, and be willing and able to walk a mile in their shoes too.
Read more about the impact the Ultimate Foundation
is having on kids around the country.