4 minute read
The Ultimate Club Sport
20 Years of Tossing Plastic
By Dominick M. Melara and Phil Rauch
The University of Scranton Ultimate Frisbee team is one of the most popular club sports we have on campus. Believe it or not, the Electric City Ultimate team is celebrating their 20th anniversary since it was created as a club sport in 2000. Totaling 77 members, the team has grown a lot since then and continues to have one of the largest club sport rosters every semester. How have they been able to sustain this continuously high-level of interest and loyalty to this otherwise unknown sport? That question could best be answered by senior President of the Ultimate Frisbee team, Daniel Coleman.
“The biggest thing is the community of people. College is a place where you go to find out who you are and what you want to be. The ultimate team has given people a place to do that, and improve on and off the field. I feel that’s one of the main reasons people stick with it,” Coleman said.
In addition to the strong community within the ultimate team, there are other factors that play a role in the team’s intrigue. First and foremost, the leadership team does not make any cuts to the roster throughout the semester. Anyone who is interested, regardless of skill level or athletic ability, can be a member ofthe team. Jack Garvey, one of the team’s two captains, had this to say about the team’s policy of no cutting:
“ECSU has never had cuts and will never have cuts because we don’t want to strip anyone of having a great experience like so many ECSU alumni have had. I’m confident in the playing ability of the first yearplayers we’ve trained and taught and never have I ever seen so much improvement in the sophomore and junior classes,” Garvey said.“It’s been a challenge to balance competitiveness with the goofy, family atmosphere the team has, but I think I’ve done my best to preserve both aspects of our team.”
In fact, captains encourage students who have never played ultimate frisbee before to try out for the team. It’s an excellent sport to learn and a great way to stay in shape. The team spirit aspect of the ultimate team is integral. We asked team vice president Diana Francheschelli how she would describe what it’s like to be a member of the Electric City Ultimate team.
“When I was a freshman I couldn’t throw a frisbee. I would have never expected to not only fall in love with the sport of frisbee, but also find a home. The team is my friends, family and community all at once. We’ve been through the trials and tribulations of life and frisbee, but despite all of that the team is still the best support system I have found at The University of Scranton,” Francheschelli said.
The team aspect definitely plays a major role, but on the field, the members of ECSU are dedicated to the sport. As members of the team ourselves, we can attest that the tournaments are some of the most exciting events of every semester. About 3-5 times a semester, split into A and B groups, the team travels to various colleges throughout Pennsylvania and competes in tournaments from Saturday morning until the late afternoon. At these tournaments, competition is fierce but fun, and there is always great comradery among the teams. This past semester, fall 2019, the team enjoyed somewhat unexpected success -- winning the Bloomsburg tournament at our rival’s expense. Over the course of the semester, the team finished with a record of 21 wins and 6 losses, as well as two tournament wins.
The Electric City Scranton Ultimate Frisbee team has always been, and will continue to be, a place where competition meets community. Team member and senior, Rob Rade, spoke to how the community has impacted both his life and his college career.
“Frisbee transitioned from a team to a family during my junior year, and I realized that the friendships I have made because of frisbee are stronger and more genuine than most friendships I have made throughout my life. I now get excited about going to practice because I get to hang out with my friends and play a sport which I’ve come to love,” Rade said.
After 20 years of memories, friendship, and a whole lot of frisbee, the current members of the team continue to carry on the traditions of old, while also making their own mark on history.
