Farewell to the Force

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 3^rd 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