Personal Statement

Ultimate makes my life better.  It takes me on adventures.  It keeps me strong.  It’s my happy place.  It’s my drug of choice.  And the people, o the people!  When I’m with them I’m not passing time, I’m investing it in my community.  We create when we connect; friendships to last a lifetime and the occasional new family.  

Ultimate has taught me much about myself.  For instance, that I can compete without spite or malice.  That nobody has to pay me to do what I love.  I want to win, but I don’t need to win.  I am capable of settling my own disputes.  And that inspiration often comes from whom I least expect.  Perhaps most importantly, I know that me plus a disc plus anyone in the world can equal a meaningful experience, one with far-reaching and long-lasting effects.  

As my beloved sport strains against the limitations of its childhood, staggering through its adolescence seeking an identity, I ask myself, as one of ultimate’s many thousands of proud parents, if I have done enough.  What do I want for ultimate anyway?  What can I do to realize my ideal before it’s too late and ultimate becomes just another American pro sport with no traces of its grassroots origin?

My decade in ultimate has brought me to some conclusions.  I don’t ever want to play on the same field as a referee; authority has no place in my dreams.  My value to the community will never be determined at a tryout.  All people (genders, ethnicities, orientations, shapes and sizes) can play together, simultaneously and competitively; this unique trait of ultimate could be its greatest strength.

Being a part of a team is an experience with benefits far beyond the field.  The values inherent in ultimate place it in a powerful position to affect positive change in the lives of players and the community-at-large.  What I want then, is cradle to grave ultimate for all.  

This is my personal statement, it reflects only my opinions but I am hoping that some of it speaks to you.  If you hear me, follow this blog for the details of a plan to change the way you experience ultimate forever and how you can help.  Please share this and “Like” Ultimate for All to join the discussion.