Ultimate Frisbee . . . and Sportsmanship
“Principia’s Ultimate Frisbee team is truly unique because each team member has a love for the game and helps teammates develop and grow in the sport," says an enthusiastic Cooper Stock, a senior and the team captain. “We have an intense bond that goes beyond the playing field. The team is open to anyone who’s interested [men and women] and willing to share the commitment. Most of us practice at least five to six days each week. We have a teaching mentality where individuals who are skilled in a particular area take the time to teach and train teammates.”
Make no mistake—Ultimate Frisbee is a serious and competitive game and one of the fastest growing sports nationwide. Because there are no referees on the field, Ultimate relies on a spirit of sportsmanship that places the responsibility for fair play on each participant. “Players are almost always highly respectful of the rules and each other,” Cooper explains. “They simply love this sport, and that’s why they’re out there!”
Having traveled to Arkansas in the fall to compete in the Harvest Moon Classic against Division I teams, players are looking long-term at other intercollegiate tournaments next year. At the moment, however, they’re focused closer to home on the College’s 17th annual Ultimate Frisbee tournament on Saturday, May 3. Alumni, Principia friends, and current students are invited to participate in round-robin play for nine-person teams. If past tournaments are any indication, the teams will be sporting creative names alongside their passing skills. Last year’s names included Straight Up Ice Cream, Team Awesome, Shower Hour, and Trogs.