The Donor Spotlight campaign highlights supporters of the Ultimate Foundation and its programs and initiatives, giving donors the opportunity to share their experiences in ultimate, why they donated and other related topics.
What is your connection to the sport of ultimate now?
I am President of the World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) and have been involved as an ultimate player or administrator since late 1976. I met my wife playing at the first World Ultimate Club Championship in 1989 in Germany, and all of my kids play too. I’m also still involved with USA Ultimate with the Hall of Fame process and investment committee, and I was a co-author on the “Ultimate: The First Five Decades” book, published by Joe Seidler.
What aspect about ultimate are you most passionate about? Why?
I think it is a great game, and I love the culture. The flight of the disc, the non-stop running and athleticism, and the emphasis on Spirit of the Game really make it special.
How has ultimate impacted your life or the life of someone you know?
For me, a big part of it is the social nature of the sport. While most sports breed a level of camaraderie and friendship, ultimate has resulted in incredible lifelong relationships for me across the globe.
Why did you give to the Ultimate Foundation?
I dedicate a portion of my annual charitable giving budget to Frisbee causes. Outside of my ongoing contributions to WFDF, our local group DiscNY, Ultimate Peace and media projects that document our sport, it is great to have an easy way to support the programs the Ultimate Foundation supports that lever the efforts being put in by the organizers of worthy standalone development projects.
What is the Ultimate Foundation doing that excites you the most?
The Ultimate Foundation allows USA Ultimate to specifically focus on external, philanthropic development programs in a more focused way than they could if development were just being handled under their internal programs and budget. It also manages the Spirit Awards, building upon efforts of the community to showcase this incredibly important aspect of our sport.
If you could change one thing about the world, what would that be?
What’s the old bumper sticker, “visualize whirled peas?” But seriously, if I would try to name just one thing that, if changed, would make the world a better place, it would probably be greater mutual respect for each other. In our own way, “Spirit of the Game” captures the essence of that objective, so maybe we are making our own contribution to change for the better through our sport’s focus on spirit.