Athletes soar through the skies, seemingly suspending themselves in midair to gain even the slightest of advantages over their opponents. Players use their blistering pace, making numerous twists and turns to wiggle away from defenders. Pivot are made to find just that inch of daylight to find an open cutting teammate for the goal. Seemingly out of nowhere, a superbly timed and perfectly weighted pass flies right into the hands of a diving teammate who makes the catch to win the game. Rather than a caught ball, it is a caught disc that is raised in victory.
What used to be viewed as hobby for hippie beatniks has evolved into a national and global phenomenon, uniting athletes from all walks of life, from urban fitness freaks to beachgoers along the shores of Boracay. Following a worldwide trend, the Ultimate Frisbee (also known as ultimate) craze has sent the disc flying through backyards, fields, and beaches around the country, fostering the spirit of the game among local clubs and schools.
Cultivating the crops
Ateneo Ultimate (AU) has long flown under the radar of college athletics. But regardless of the setbacks, the group has donned the Blue and White with passion and spirit, earning much to be proud of and heaps to look forward to.
The disc craze first conquered ground on the fields of the Loyola Schools in 2011, when a group of frisbee enthusiasts saw an opportunity to share the budding sport to the university community. While the sport undoubtedly made a lasting mark on Ateneo soil, its growth fluctuated during a stint of inactivity between 2011 and 2016 when accreditation status evaded the organization due to minimal tournament participation, low membership engagement, and infrequent training schedules.
But since its revival early last school year, AU has revamped its structure and its campaign for accreditation by holding general assemblies and scheduling regular training sessions to boost the presence of ultimate on campus. The organization’s recent efforts have included hosting weekly scrimmages for experienced students and clinics for beginners looking to try their talents with a frisbee. Although their early activities comprised representing the school at intercollegiate competition, AU has forged a new spirited path by working for the development of the game.
The org has also boosted tournament participation, fielding squads at the Philippine Ultimate Little League for the last two years, where they placed sixth out of nine teams last September. Previous stints at the National Ultimate Collegiate Competition also saw AU take second place in 2015, seventh in 2016, and sixth nationwide in 2017.
Growing slowly from the ground up in the shadow of more popular sports, Ateneo Ultimate still has plenty to improve both on and off the field, according to AU Associate Vice President for Human Resources Anzo Umali. “We’re working on becoming a better team overall this year,” he said.
In this endeavor, the lack of accreditation hinders the growth of the organization, denying them the same priority to the use of the fields as other recognized varsity teams. This proves a disadvantage against their collegiate rivals, who have bestowed varsity status on their ultimate teams, granting them funding and logistical privileges. With the efforts being made this year, however, AU President Trip Lucas hopes that they can make a stronger case for accreditation status to win the support and recognition that comes with it.
The spirit of the game
While accreditation can certainly aid growth, what moves ultimate forward is its philosophy of camaraderie and sportsmanship, embodied by the “spirit of the game.” This unique belief sets the unspoken rules for a self-officiated sport, emphasizing that all problems be settled on the field between players involved through fair play.
This philosophy transcends the lines of the pitch, as the sport brings together athletes from various ages and backgrounds to form communities united by love for the sport, cultivating a greater connection of chemistry on the field.
Such chemistry is key because of the rule that prohibits movement with the disc. Since this requires the rest of the team to cut to get the disc moving, chemistry is necessary for the players to anticipate each other’s movements and intentions.
Where the wind is blowing
Every small victory is just another triumph for a bigger purpose. While collecting trophies and making a name for themselves does look to be a goal in the future, AU is on a mission greater than awards and reputation.
They consider themselves advocates not only of ultimate, but of the ideals it upholds—trust, competitiveness, and respect. “We’re trying to spread ultimate in the community, not just in Ateneo, but outside as well,” says Lucas.
On a wider scale, while AU’s objective is to build a Frisbee following on the school’s grounds is one thing, the promotion of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and teamwork as ideals for the athlete on and off the field is another. In a game missing the referee’s whistle, this philosophy and the receptiveness of the community stand as unique moral pillars for a rapidly rising sport, and are what will allow Ateneo Ultimate to take off and soar high.
