Recreational frisbee players turn weekly tradition into campus activity

What began as a casual game of ultimate frisbee between members of the USD marching band after class quickly blossomed into one of the newest clubs on campus.

“It has developed into so much more,”said  Carrie Theis.

Once the number of participants began to increase team captain Collin Smith began working with club adviser David Hulac. Before long, the club formed and was  organized.

“Eventually other students began joining in on the fun after walking by the group playing on the field between the Muenster University Center and the business school,” Theis said.

The group consists of 30 members, including two USD staff members, and is currently preparing for their first competition, a round robin tournament with South Dakota State and Augustana College, on Oct. 12 in Brookings.

The club is funded by the university, which means jerseys and other commodities for the team are paid for through the General Activities Fund.

The team has an open door policy, which makes the organization all that more special, Smith said.

“We don’t tell anyone that they can’t play, so everyone is welcome. I have made some of my best friends out on the field and I think that is the best part,” Smith said.

The club has been holding practices at several different locations around campus including the Old Ice Rink on Cherry Street across from North Complex and in the fields surrounding the USD Wellness Center.

Ultimate frisbee is a combination of soccer, basketball and football, where players work together to score into their opponent’s goal.

It is very high pace and according to members of USD ultimate frisbee, the sport can get rather intense.

“Ultimate frisbee is just a fun sport all around. We really just try to go out there, work hard and have a lot of fun while doing it,” Smith said.

“Ultimate,” as participants call it, is becoming one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S., with over five million competitive players and millions more who play for recreation.

USD ultimate frisbee club member Nick Burke said the club likes to keep things light.

“The best part about ultimate frisbee is that it’s a friendly atmosphere and you can make a lot of new friends very quickly,” Burke said. “When people want to play or join the team, we just let them.”

Burke said the team is hoping for a crowd to cheer them to victory.

The Oct. 12 tournament  is a huge step from where the group was even a year ago, and Smith said he hopes it continues to grow, and he encourages anyone who desires to join the group to just jump on in.

Aside from the club’s competition Oct. 12.,  the team has more competition scheduled for 2012, including a tournament in Spearfish Oct. 27.