Traveling with Ultimate Frisbee
As a member of the USA Ultimate Association (USAU), I have gotten to travel and compete in various tournaments across the Southeast
You might be asking yourself, "What is ultimate frisbee?"
"Ultimate is a non-contact, self-refereed team sport played with a flying disc"
Spirit of the Game
One of the driving factors that makes this sport so unique is the responsibility of upholding "Spirit of the Game."
This code of conduct holds each participant accountable for fair play. Playing competitively is encouraged, but never at the price of mutual respect, following the rules, or sacrificing the fundamental joy of play.
Here is an informative video by World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) the organizers for international play.
The different levels of play
Of course, casual play is always an option. However, the organized governing body in the United States is USA Ultimate.
These are the different levels of competitive play and their age divisions.
In the map below, you will see the USAU Club Division Southeast Regional Boundaries
Southeastern United States
The states included in this region: Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina
Starting my journey back in 2019 as a member of JSU Women's Ultimate Frisbee team, Fuego, I played for a total of 2 years before graduating. I have since rejoined in my Master's Degree and serve as one of the Captains.
2019 - 2020 & 2022 - 2023
Between the collegiate seasons, I made the Huntsville-based club team, Laika, and played during the summer of 2022.
Places I have traveled to while playing Ultimate
Tournament Map
Select Flight Invite, 2022
Fredericksburg, Virginia Fredericksburg, VA
After a game, the two teams will huddle into a "spirit circle." The teams will thank each other for the game and sometimes, they will even award someone who stood out during the game with a "Spirit Award."
I received my first spirit award during this tournament... and then they told me I had to dance for it.
I did the worm.
TOTS Tournament, 2022
Knoxville, Tennessee
Here I am with one of my best friends, Emily Yeend Smith.
This tournament I got two Callahans. A Callahan is when a defensive player intercepts the disc in the opponent's end zone for a point (like a pick 6 in football). It is tough to do, so it was very exciting!
Itchfest, 2019
Nashville, Tennessee
Scrimmage vs. Union "Jillz", 2021
Jackson, Tennessee
Terminus, 2022
Atlanta, Georgia
Scrimmage vs. UAB "Ember", 2019
Birmingham, Alabama
T-Town Throwdown, 2022
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Our two MVP's of the tournament get to wear the lucky cowboy hats.
Hootenanny, 2022
Auburn, Alabama
The spirit circle after a game.
Both teams had low numbers at this pre-season tournament so we combined teams. Auburn and UAB vs. Huntsville and JSU
Tally Classic, 2022
Tallahassee, Florida
This was the craziest tournament I have ever been to. There was a wind advisory with winds up to 40 miles an hour. PLUS there was even a tree that blew over.
Since the sport is based on how well you can make discs float, you can imagine how this weekend went...
We still made the best of it and had a great time!
Mardi gras, 2023
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
This is our next tournament and we are excited to go!
As you can see, there are so many amazing opportunities, people, and places you experience through Ultimate Frisbee. I had never played a sport before, and now I have found an outlet I can truly say has my whole heart.
I love Ultimate!
