It is on the field that warriors are forged and the will of athletes are tested. Rain or shine these gladiators perfect their skills in hopes of becoming the best at what they do. This is not an account of a U of M football game or a tigers basketball battle this is Tiger Ultimate Frisbee.
On Jan. 25 the tiger ultimate Frisbee team officially received organization status.
"We're trying to show people that you can play (Frisbee) competitively and strategically," said graduate student and team captain "Scuba" Steve Kreider.
The tiger ultimate Frisbee team is composed of 15 to 20 players according to Kreider. Practice started in the fall and the ultimate tigers are going to their first tournament in Little Rock on the weekend of the Feb. 19th. The ultimate Frisbee team is funded as a club sport but any traveling expenses are the responsibility of the team.
Kreider, along with U of M students Ejay Gonda and Heath Massey, all members of the Prairie Squids (a Memphis Ultimate frisbee Club) have wanted to start a Frisbee team on the collegiate level for quite some time.
"It's going to feed the (Memphis Ultimate) program having a college team," said Gonda, a senior majoring in recreation and leadership.The image of Frisbee is sometimes seen as negative, according to Gonda."It's not a big party, but it is about making friends and giving people something to belong to ... it's very family oriented," Gonda said.
Participants of Ultimate competitions are to abide by 10 simple rules. The rules explain details such as the length of the field, scoring, and fouls, among other things. The biggest surprise of the Ultimate game rules is the fact that it is self-officiating.
"I've never really seen any big arguments ... it has worked better than any other sport to be self-refereed," said Kreider.Many have high hopes for the new sport and think students will certainly get involved.
"I think students will get behind this ... the game is about honor, it's self-officiated and just about anybody can play," said Jon Duncan, U of M recreation service coordinator.
Stanley Walls, academic advisor for the club, also believes this will be an exciting addition to U of M athletics.
"I know these kids are really enthused and I hope their enthusiasm will spread," said Walls.
Practice for Tiger Ultimate Frisbee is 4 pm to 6pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday and open to anyone who is interested in playing.Tiger Ultimate Frisbee is looking for a nickname, preferably something goofy, according to Kreider.
For more info on Ultimate Player Association rule go to the Web site.
Ultimate in 10 Simple Rules
1. The Field: A rectangular shape with end zones at each end. A regulation field is 70 yards by 40 yards, with end zones 25 yards deep. 2. Initiate Play: Each point begins with both teams lining up on the front of their respective end zone line. The defense throws ("pulls") the disc to the offense. A regulation game has seven players per team. 3. Scoring: Each time the offense completes a pass in the defense's end zone, the offense scores a point. Play is initiated after each score. 4. Movement of the Disc: The disc may be advanced in any direction by completing a pass to a teammate. Players may not run with the disc. The person with the disc ("thrower") has ten seconds to throw the disc. The defender guarding the thrower ("marker") counts out the stall count. 5. Change of Possession: When a pass in not completed (e.g. out of bounds, drop, block, interception), the defense immediately takes possession of the disc and becomes the offense. 6. Substitutions: Players not in the game may replace players in the game after a score and during an injury timeout. 7. Non-contact: No physical contact is allowed between players. Picks and screens are also prohibited. A foul occurs when contact is made. 8. Fouls: When a player initiates contact on another player a foul occurs. When a foul disrupts possession, the play resumes as if the possession was retained. If the player committing the foul disagrees with the foul call, the play is redone. 9. Self-Officiating: Players are responsible for their own foul and line calls. Players resolve their own disputes. 10. Spirit of the Game: Ultimate stresses sportsmanship and fair play. Competitive play is encouraged, but never at the expense of respect between players, adherence to the rules, and the basic joy of play.
