Four seasons of Ghetto Force, four seasons of Enigma, and a
short Professional career. I've had my
share of game winning plays, momentum swings, and spirited actions. I've also had my fair share of getting beat on universe, making embarrassing mistakes in big games, and just flat out
losing my cool on the field or sideline.
I have been the cause of wins, losses, triumphs and disappointments. And through all this, never once have I
questioned the decision I made years ago to start playing Ultimate.
I knew I wanted to play Ultimate in college, but I never
really knew how much that decision would influence who I am today. I came into the team as a wee lad, with
“cross country speed”, a wild backhand, and the defensive prowess and mobility
of a baby deer.
During my first ever evaluation, my
captain told me that I was a bubble player (and I was…I didn’t play much at all
in the Spring). But Ghetto Force was
infectious, I couldn't stop. I put in
extra hours in the gym, focused on my running form and strength, and improved my throws. Broken wrists, twisted ankles, nagging foot
pains, countless turf burns, and a spot of Mono later, I find myself
graduating. I’m still not the best I can
be, but the point is that I've came a long way.
So, in lieu of this, and in tribute to the one true T-Wizard and the
fabled Ghetto Force bloggers of the past, I shall reflect upon some of my
favorite memories in a neat and cool list (in somewhat chronological order):
Freshmen year, when I ran full speed into Sam Newell to
catch a disc in KU field
Nights at 440 Kiefaber (“The Oasis”) and 240 Keifaber
Winning my first tournament with
Ghetto; Boogie Nights, although I broke my wrist
“Shoot the Gap” and my first
Regionals
Running a Tough Mudder with
teammates- then playing in the Alumni Game the next day
Dominic almost wetting himself on the way to Glory Days
Discovering the magic of Gin with
Jamie Horne
Getting fully torqued at Florida
Warm-up
Being elected co-captain with
Jordan my junior year
Winning the Alumni Game
Morning condition stories with
Kevin Lavoy
“Deep House Party” and “Team
Tim’s” with Steve Jira (among other events)
Summer house Mario Monday’s and
other magic with my roommate Erik
Our dude-jam during 2014
Regionals Quarter-Finals
Dominating Edinboro with Mark and
Peaches
Ghetto Farce getting obliterated by
everyone at Sectionals
Winning Spikeball at Huck Finn
for just being there
Placing 3rd at
Sectonals- watching young guys play great all weekend
“Classic Ghetto Force” second
half comebacks
Mentoring (and living with) the
new captains, Jack and C
Season's Greetings, fella's
Mixing Scott and Tommy’s names up
all the time
Driving through [the forsaken
hell-hole of] Indiana with Jamie Horne too many times
Daytona with the boys
And so many more.
Special thanks to my old captains:
Mark Federenko: For being the
most intense, most demanding, and most talented captain I’ve had the pleasure
of learning under. I have learned more
about Ultimate and captaincy from Mark than any other single person I know.
Phil Broderick: For over
performing at every aspect of captaincy, thus making all future captains seem
ineffective
And my other [elder] mentors from the team:
Jamie Horne, Steve Jira, Peg,
Zach Kaylor, Alex Frasz, Adam Tardio, Butters, Patrick Kaufmann, Ross Gueltzow,
Eddie Mack, Brendan Corboy and Phil Hagerty.
And to all my Ghetto Force roommates through the years:
John Bayer, Ian Cannon, Matt
Welter, Steve Jira, Erik Meyers, Connor McMonagle, Jack Hanson, Conner
Haenszel, Josh Maloney, and Matt Michalak
And the rest of you crazy kids.
I’ll see you all at the Alumni
game.
Best,
Alan Huels
