Ultimate Frisbee Takes Off At Nisky

In recent years, Ultimate Frisbee has gained popularity in the United States. At Niskayuna, we have a club of our own, which was started in the summer of 2020 with a group of students and coach Deborah Lee. The team is excited about their season and wants to improve their abilities, but what exactly do they do?

The Ultimate Frisbee club is currently preparing for the NYS tournament in May. They participated last year, but Coach Lee says, “[it] was a surprise [and] the students know what to expect this year”. Daniel Kwon, a Co-Captain, mentions that the club wants to improve its skills from last year to win another game. Practicing two hours every Friday, the club does warm-up throws, stretches, drills, and any other skills, before ending with a scrimmage. The club has gotten bigger compared to last year, and they will have two teams in the tournament: teams A and B.

Kwon mentioned that his favorite part about Frisbee is “the spirit of the game.” He also said the game is “not toxic but still competitive.” Lee and Giancarlo Stabler, the other Co-Captain, shared the sentiment. Most of the players on the team explained that it is a positive environment, and there is less pressure than in other varsity sports because it is a fun game. Everyone supports each other, and there is respect between the players. 

The friendly nature of the sport does not exclude rivalries. Every single player on the team, without hesitation, agreed that their biggest rival was Bethlehem, including Coach Lee. Kwon noted that they often go back and forth every game, and Stabler clarified that it was a friendly rivalry because they are all friends and play together on a club team.

One of the best things about Frisbee is the fact that anyone can play. It’s an inclusive sport that “integrates different athletic disciplines,” Kwon said. All you need to learn are the rules of the game. Frisbee is a non-contact, self-officiated sport, which is why it’s significant to maintain the spirit of the game. The Frisbee club has two Spirit Captains, Megan Breslin and Lincoln Merrill. Their job is to settle arguments with other teams and to keep everyone accountable. Of course, they also keep the team spirit up by bringing prizes and presents and with team bonding activities.

Frisbee is a great sport to join if you’re looking for something new and fun. In an amicable and validating atmosphere, you’ll learn a lot while enjoying the game itself. As Kwon says, “there’s no better feeling than throwing and catching.”