official recognition from JSU.
The school provides uniforms
and official status, which puts
the
Ultimate
team on the road
and into games
against other colleges
around the country.
Local schools make up the bulk of the challengers; the University of Auburn and Alabama University teams crash in like a wave,
with more people and deeper experience
pools just because they’ve been around a
lot longer. The team takes trips up north to
play against schools as far away as Illinois.
Team members drive themselves or carpool,
even when matches are states away. Fun
outweighs impracticality. To the team, it’s
worth it.
“The way it’s spreading, I could see it becoming the new soccer,” said Kenney.
Ultimate came about during the 60s, another part of the counterculture scene developing around rock and roll. The rules have a
friendly vibe, putting the onus of fair play on
the people on the field and out of the hands
of referees. Most ruling matters come down
to the “Spirit of the Game,” a kind of golden
rule for players handling fouls.
“You don’t steal, there’s no contact,” said
Kenney, summarizing the easy-going rules.
“If there’s a foul called on the field, that person can contest or agree, but you work it out
between each other.”
Teams have existed ever since at some level,
with casual pickup games on college quads
remaining the norm for decades. JSU is part
of the official collegiate league that formed
in 1984, growing from a handful of unrelated
teams to almost 700 across the nation, according to USA Ultimate, the de facto body
of governance for Ultimate Frisbee.
The difference for a new Ultimate player and
a new baseball player, though, is that there
aren’t a lot of new baseball teams recognized
by their school. It’s not the sort of thing a college enters into lightly. Ultimate players at a
school like JSU are joining a team that’s still
forming, expanding and finding its shape.
It’s an opportunity to make a difference, instead of showing up at 6 a.m. to be bossed
around by people who’ve been off the field
for years.
“It’s a little laid back,” said Moore, “but it’s serious in a lot of ways, and that’s something I
enjoy.”
The team has only a few rules for joining: be
a JSU student, maintain a 2.0 GPA and show
up for practice. What you are from there belongs to you.
“People know the name of the game, but
they’ve never experienced it,” said Kenney.
“Anybody can play.” ✤
To get involved with JSU Ultimate Frisbee, get in touch with Will
at 256-656-9135 or check in at twitter.com/GameockUltimate for details.
INSIGHT
March 2014
23