Roll Call 2008 - Timing is Everything

Cultimate continues to grow, and in doing so, has added what may be (with Terminus getting canceled and Easters being a tad weaker) one of the strongest tournaments on the East Coast. Roll Call, in its flagship year, has proven to be uniquely timed. For the 40 teams that received bids (there were over 70 that submitted), the consequences of March 29th-30th, could be outstanding. Namely, there are two key issues to consider:

1. Roll Call is immediately preceded by two big time tournaments, Centex and College Southerns. Thus, teams playing at both Roll Call and Centex (Pitt, Harvard) or Roll Call and College Southerns (OSU, Penn State, VaTech, Oberlin, etc.) may be at either an advantageous or a disadvantageous position. Only next weekend will tell.
2. Roll Call is immediately preceding many Sectional tournaments, most notably the East Plains and the East Penn. Having teams from both sectionals competing against inter-sectional rivals the week prior to the start of the College Ultimate Series, could have serious repercussions. Match ups, injuries, the mental game, etc., all could quickly be affected based on Roll Call.

Therefore, with Terminus essentially being canceled, Boogie Nights being snowed in, and many Sectional teams not having seen each other, Roll Call may be the surprise tournament of the spring. I'm by no means saying it will be the most competitive East Coast tourny of the spring (although with 14 teams above 2300 in the RRI, it will most certainly be competitive), I'm just saying, with the way things have played out up to this point, it may be the most surprisingly important tournament of the season. With a good or bad showing, have potentially uplifting or deflating affects on the important start season College Ultimate Series looming.

Click here for the Roll Call 2008 Website

Click here for the Roll Call 2008 UPA Team Listing

Push it to the Limit

To the person who got lazy.....they're for you.
For the person who continually throws behind their man......they're for you.
And yes, for the patented drop the pancake guy......they're for you too.

When it comes to the go-to drill, along with it's many inverted, breakside, and detailed variations, the push-ups are the equivalent to a drill sergeant's boot briskly grazing your backside. For the drops, the miscues, the laziness, and the many other creative errors that are uncovered over time, push-ups have become Ghetto's calling card for focus. When practice wavers, give me 20. Latta hit another cone? Give me 5. Butters cracked the Noob Stamp on you during Battle Royale? Kiss the concrete.

The push-up, however simple, represents everything that's changed about Ghetto Force over the last 3 years. With a combination of beauty and brute force, Ghetto has slowly, but steadily, made a name for itself.

It wasn't long ago, that Sectionals meant getting thwamp-thwamped. It wasn't long ago Ghetto players didn't have numbers (or in many cases, jerseys). It wasn't long ago that people didn't come to practice. It wasn't long ago that practices were just hotbox, with 5 guys and 3 girls. It wasn't long ago......

Taking a note from The Shawshank Redemption, Ghetto has steadily applied pressure and time.....and, in just a handful of years, has completely reshaped the face of Dayton Ultimate. Today, Ghetto's use of the push-up physically represents the difference in standards the team has taken on, but more importantly, the ever-present pressure to push hard day in, and day out.

Ghetto Force (the #50 Team in the Nation), and the Ghetto Ultimate Blog, will be going on a temporary hiatus to indulge in the University of Dayton's Spring Break. The squad (for the most part) will be taking some time to head home, to see friends and family, and in many cases, make a pilgrimage to a spring college destination (Vegas anybody?).

For those keeping track, the start of Spring Break signals an exciting time for Ghetto. It's going to be a whirlwind tour d' ultimate upon our return....here will be Ghetto's upcoming Schedule:

• March 29th-30th, Roll Call, Washington D.C. (A-Squad)

• March 29th-30th, Wooster Warm-Up, Wooster, OH (B-Squad)

• April 5th-6th, East Plains Open Sectionals, Granville, OH (Both Squads)

• April 26th-27th, Great Lakes Open Regional Championships, Detroit, Michigan (Based on Sectional Qualification)

Stay safe, enjoy your down time, and come back hungry. We've got a full plate, we're going to need plenty of energy for all the Noob Stampings we'll have to give out.

Have an awesome break Ghetto!

Though We Were Ready to Dance, Boogie Nights Was Not Meant to Be

Mother Nature, as was the case in the Dayton Invite, felt that Ghetto just wasn't meant to run the risk of injury this weekend (could she have thrown a bone to Broken-Cheek-Dano?).

With quite possibly the biggest winter storm of the year coming after we're a week into March, everyone is frustrated and disappointed that the Boogie Nights Tournament won't be happening. However much Ghetto and other teams wanted to play, we have to commend the TD, Matt Mastrantuono, for making the right call. With teams coming from as far as 8+ hours away, it's just not worth it to risk people driving and playing in such horrendous conditions. Nonetheless, a ton of work has been put into this event, and it's obvious that people are frustrated with the curve ball the weather has thrown at us (Dayton had a high of 49 yesterday....naturally).

For Ghetto, more than anything, the weekend's cancellation is a sincere disappointment. For the first time in recent memory (at least 5+ years) Dayton holds a Top 50 National Ranking, and an Ultimate RRI in the Top 5. The best thing for Ghetto would have been to subdue rumors by going out and repeating the massacre of last weekend. Though the competition would have been stiffer, and the results potentially different, it was imperative for Ghetto to have an opportunity to see better teams, and to analyze their game at a higher level.....this, unfortunately, will just have to wait till Roll Call.

The best teams deal with adversity all the time. Ghetto is going to have dig just a little deeper this year. With two spring tournaments being canceled (Ghetto Invite & Boogie Nights), Ghetto is going to have to find ways to press even harder in practices. The focus has to stay strong, and as everyone has said, we have to stay right where we're at (Top 50). And as Addison Hoover said, in regards to our RRI in the recent full-page spread in Flyer News, "we’re not yet the No. 2 team in the nation. That doesn’t mean we can’t be in the future." However, to compete and sustain that level of play, everyone, from top to bottom, has to push. To allow each other to be complacent with our recent successes does nothing but a disservice to everyone.

For all the Air Alert (GOD BLESS IT!), for all the suicides, indoor practices, and the many times YOU'VE RAN INTO CEMENT WALLS FOR A DISC, DON'T LET UP! Ghetto, as a squad and unrivaled brotherhood, has to find the energy.

We have to elevate our level of play every single day.
We have to be out throwing on our own time.
We have to come to practice on time, ready to whoop some ass.
We have to stay intense, and get in each other's faces when the intensity isn't there.

We've earned the right to be #39 in the Nation - and everyone in this Sectional believes we'll spoil it the first chance we get.

I won't let this happen.
You won't let this happen.
We won't let this happen.

Ghetto, in the word's of a Sectional rival, "is an Army". And this Army is on a mission. We will stay hungry and we will not be denied.

Ghetto For Life.

How Good is Ghetto Force?

97 - 14 Point Differential

+ 8 Stitches
+ 7 - 0 Opening Record
+ 7 OWU Tournament Opponents
+ 1 Broken Cheek Bone
+ The UPA RRI Algorithm
___________________________________________________________

= How good is the University of Dayton Men's Club Ultimate Team?

People love to talk. And if there's one thing that crosses nationalities, languages, and interests, across the globe, people love to talk sports.

And in a day when technology allows information and opinions to be transmitted at the speed of The Kozby Show, sports debates rage hotter than a Joel Brand burnt defender. And Ultimate, although certainly unique, is no exception.

With the advent of Mssui.com, Ultimate has turned the professional corner, and is beginning to look at itself with more serious, and credible, opinions than ever before. And just as avid readers of Mssui saw a week ago, Ultimate is constantly going to be analyzed and speculated. With more media coverage, and more reliance on the UPA's Score Reporting system and RRI system, teams across the country are being sized up every day.

And it just so happens that Ghetto Force is being looked at as you read this.

After dropping a Cactus Bomb on the entire OWU EMR Tournament field, Dayton has made some waves.....tsunami waves, if you will.

With the most massive point diff any human being will ever see, people are beginning to ask how good is Ghetto Force? Then, only to make things more interesting, the UPA updated their RRI algorithm, and none other than the University of Dayton sat comfortably as #2 in the Nation. Quite a step for a program that couldn't get two wins at Sectionals, just two years ago. And, to comment on this topic, I would like start by saying this:

Ghetto Force hasn't proven anything yet.

Ghetto went to OWU, and did exactly what it was supposed to do - trounce every team along the path to a Championship. The RRI, though outstanding, doesn't mean we're the second best team in the country. It just means that based on the UPA RRI Algorithm, we've proven we're a strong program, that's capable of doing outstanding things. The real point of the #2 RRI ranking, is to put pressure on Ghetto Force to continue to have the same success story week in and week out, the rest of the year.The math is far simpler than the UPA RRI Algorithm...trust me.....For Ghetto it's easy. We absolutely cannot let up. Dayton Flyers Basketball, The New England Patriots, it's a simple equation....if you don't add successes throughout a season, the final total is negative. Ghetto must be absolutely certain to not let last weekend's victories go to our heads. Relish it, be proud of it, but let it be fuel. We have a target on our backs now, and we have to push ourselves harder because we have to prove ourselves to everyone all over again. Each weekend is a new weekend, and there's no way now, that Ghetto's going to take the foot off the gas.

DAY 1 Recap - Stitches, Broken Bones, Broken Opponents, The Noob Stamp, and Some Serious Whoopings

Day 1 of the Ohio Wesleyan Evan Matthew Reas Memorial Tournament is done. And with that, the completion of Ghetto Force's step 1 of the season is complete. With strong A and B squads attending the tournament (in different pools) the team set its sights on arriving, and taking care of business.

Ghetto Force gave people the business.

The B squad, though ending the day with an 0-4 record, made many huge strides. Alex Frasz had a stand out day, showcasing his talent both on offense and defense. Frazzle Dazzle not only put on clinics in the area of handling and cutting, but helped contribute to the demoralization of many weak offensive players with his continually potent defense. The Dazz is an athlete and a half, and definitely made his presence felt.

The B team also had strong efforts from JoePa, Lattatastic, and KaiserRoll, all demonstrating their ability to handle and move the disc. JoePa gave some noobs some free lessons, busting a move all around his markers, both with his classy throws and swift cuts. Latta had a big time game cutting, swinging, and increasing the flow of the disc in a tough game against Oberlin-B. Kaiser, as a first year player, stepped up his handling game (who knew this kid was equipped with a cannon?!?) and ripped the biggest 60 yrd. flick of the day, to a laying out Pat "The Love" Bello, for a score. With the wind, snow-capped puddles, and slush consistently casing the disc, it was truly a site to be seen. Pa, Kaiser, and Latta proved they've got the skills to pay the bills, and they're ready to payup.

Though the day may have been a bit frustrating for Ghetto B, the squad showed a lot of heart and desire....not to mention some serious improvement. Z-Nizzle, Pegatronic, and all the other first year players definitely confirmed that the future of Ghetto Force is bright. Z, for one, busted his arse the whole day, laying out and gettin' sick with it, all the way up to the slush-soaked end.

The learning experience that comes with this tournament, proves the value of getting lots of playing time. I think all the members of Ghetto Force B walked away with a knowledge of what their strengths are, and what they need to focus on for improvements. All the pieces of the puzzle are there, and the signs of flow, speed, and consistency demonstrate the work Ghetto Force B has put in. With some focus on fundamentals and knowledge of the field/throws, Ghetto B is going to make some serious waves.

A couple fields away, Ghetto Force A showed up with a tenacity unparalleled at the tournament. Though there are no rabies-infected players on Ghetto A (you might be surprised), it was obvious the slew of talent was foaming at the mouth to ravish the unprepared opponents. And ravish would turn out to be an understatement.

With tough conditions, Ghetto made it a point to rip into opponents early, and continue to beat on them all game long. Playing OSU-B to start, the first point of the day set the tone. Though the two teams met a year ago at Sectionals (ending 13-0 on a Mark Latta Callahan), OSU-B was sporting new additions (including strong Miami grads) and was looking to step up their level of play. As OSU-A made the National Championships last year, the B-squad is full of players ready to step up to the next level. Unfortunately for them, Dayton wasn't having any of it. From the get go, Hoover and Simon made the sexy time connection, and they were off to the races. Becoming addicted to the sexy time, The Hitman and Danisourus Rex laid a beat down off the bat, as they connected for the assist and score, respectively, on the first 4 points of the game.

OSU-B utilized some strong handling and quick working of the disc to break the cup and take advantages of Dayton mistakes, breaking UD and tallying a few points in the first half. Unfortunately, JoeBa, who was desperately seeking the eye black and a D, decided to aim his brain for a backhand huck, and took one like a champ above the eye. Though he was pumped with the sick D, he was less pumped when he realized he'd need 8 stitches. You know our Ghetto Love for BayBay runs deep, and the Force was not about to let that fly.

Ghetto Force, stressing the need to avoid complacency, went on a 3-0 run to take half, 7-3. The halftime rally was focused on us coming out of the gate hard, and laying down a hurt. Sporting the "Do it for Bayer" rally cry, Ghetto took into the second half like raging bulls, and completed what would be the first of many OATBAGs of the day...ripping 6 straight to take the game 13-3. It'd be the start of many sick runs.

Coming second would be a vicious, and strong, Pittsburgh-B squad. At the urging of Papa Corc (err, Pop-A-Corc?), Ghetto had to stay focused, as this game would not come as easy as the first. Captain C-Money, is obviously a moron.

Charging hard, Ghetto continued the sickest run of the season by establishing the second OATBAG of the day, rocking a 7-0 first half. Unfortunately, the half came at a costly price. Danager the Manager made a stellar play to catch a score from JFoor, and was ramroded in the cheek from a bozo, Pitt player. Who obviously disregards the safety of everyone. Though Dan held onto the disc and the score, the immediate pain was unquestionable. Stampede Simon would walk off the field under his own power, but his obviously shaken demeanor showed everyone his injury wouldn't readily be shaken. As our second player in just over an hour to make a run to the ER, Dan has unfortunately been diagnosed with a broken cheek bone, and is pretty badly beaten up. All of the team's thoughts and prayers are with Dan, as we are all thinking of him, and hope he is doing well.

Identifying a quick trend, Ghetto proposed the new slogan, "Do it for Dan" when entering the second half. The Kozby Show, reveling in the slogan, got in the act, and scored the last 4 points of the game for UD. Basically, minus a stupid call-filled point where Pitt amazingly scored, the game was same old, same old. Dayton whooping tail, taking the game quickly, 13-1. Foor, upset he threw the disc to Danimal on the play he got injured, made a point to steamroll a full layout D against a weak Pitt player. Foor would like to make it clear, his issuing of this Mega Noob Stamp was dedicated to Dano.

Of both the opening games, perhaps the most amazing part was the fact that Dayton went on a streak where they played 16 points in a row, and broke the opponents and scored on all 16 points. It was a stat to be feared, and the opponents to come knew Ghetto deserved respect.

The third game of the day was a fun one, against Walsh University's brand new Ultimate team. It was filled with nice, and often really athletic, guys who were excited to be there and ok with the beating that was to come (The Kozby Show had aptly prepped them on the mantastic-sized blasting they would take). Luckily, the guys were really fun to play with, and seemed to enjoy learning the game and playing with a team of such skill. Dayton would take the game with ease, 13-3. (As one will see, this was the only team able to avoid the dreaded OATBAGing).

Coming into the last game against Earlham, Dayton went down good ol' Memory Lane to prep. Earlham was in the minds of all the returners as they surprised UD at a tournament a year ago, ruining what was to be an awesome tournament. Ghetto made a vow, that history, would definitely NOT repeat itself.

Coming into the game, Ghetto was pumped to exact some bush league revenge. Throwing it back to the California Penal League, Ghetto came out and in a ruckus, began what would be a beat down for the ages. Reveling the feeling of a good ol' OATBAG, UD decided to take half with nice 7-0 smoking. During the halftime speech, Ghetto talked about not letting up and keeping the pressure on. Basically, this all translated into in Ghetto going out and getting the 4th OATBAG of the day. And, to the dismay of Earlham, we would not be denied. Rocking what was an outstanding zone D, Ghetto lambasted the Moment of Violence team, and tore into them with a OATBAGle, finishing the game 13-0.

For Ghetto A, almost everything went as planned. If we could have avoided the 8 stitches and the necessary plastic surgery, and the losses of Darth Bayder and Dan The Man, the day would have been perfect. But our thoughts are with them both (BayBay seems to be doing pretty well) and we are excited have them back on the field when they're both ready.

Ghetto, with the Pool-winning, 4-0 running riot, earned the beloved first round bye for Sunday. Now, with the prize firmly in sight, Ghetto starts the day in the Quarterfinals at 11:00 am, with only three games seperating Ghetto and a championship.

Ghetto Force has its target in sight, and like Saturday's rompfest, Sunday's victory will not be denied.

OWU - Evan Matthew Reas Memorial, Friday Update *** Newest Brackets Posted***

(Click picture for full bracket)

With changes a plenty in the final 48 hours before the OWU EMR Memorial Tournament, updates are necessary. The reality is, Ghetto is beginning to get known, and some people, they just can't take the heat. In today's case, Edinboro, the #2 seed originally, has dropped out of the tournament. With a drop out in the final 48 hours, some questions are going to come to mind? Like, I wonder if Edinbaby remember when they about got whooped on their home turf by a Dayton Y split squad? And I wonder if they realized that the stacked Dayton A squad was breathing down their necks as a #3 seed? I wonder.

Nonetheless, things change, and the weekend goes on. And as of late last night, the highly sought after Dayton A and B rosters, we're publicly released. With the Edinbitches leaving the tournament, and Ghetto and The Sultans ready to wreck some young'ins, the weekend is ready to commence. To all the friends, family, and supporters, thanks for your continued efforts and we're ready to make you and the University of Dayton proud.

The sprints, the leaps, the bounds, and the squats - they've all been done up to now, so tomorrow is just fun. We'll get a great chance to see where we're at in the Section, and see if we're really as strong as most of us believe we are.

Ghetto's got a fever, and the only prescription is more pwnage.

Roll Call 2008 - Ghetto Goes to the Ghetto....the real Ghetto

As the OWU tournament approaches, Ghetto's amazing season, which really hasn't started yet, continues to improve. As one of the biggest steps the program has taken in a long time, Ghetto Force has been invited to one of the largest East Coast tournaments of the year. Put together by tournament hosting corporation, Cultimate, Roll Call 2008 will be held perfectly the week before the East Plains Sectionals, on March 29th-30th in Washington D.C.

Cultimate, which is known for hosting amazing tournaments like the Stanford Invite, Centex, and of course, Trouble in Vegas, is bringing their hosting skills to the East Coast with Roll Call 2008....and with a growing resume, Ghetto Force will be there!

The tournament is primed to be one of the biggest, and best, of the college season. As a final tune up before the UPA College Series, the nice chaps over at Cultimate have spared no expense in this tourny. A wealth of tents, lined fields at the Potomac Polo Club, trainers, food, 5Ultimate Roll Call gear, and Roll Call discs and other items. It's going to be a huge opportunity for Ghetto Force to establish our presence on a national level, and to continue making waves on the Ultimate scene.

And, for those of you interested, there's going to be at least 32 open teams, including some of the nation's best in Harvard, Illinois, Pitt, Penn State, Michigan State, and Princeton. It's going to be huge.

Ghetto Gets Ready for Evan Matthew Reas Memorial

With the winter still bearing down outside, Ghetto is finally beginning to taste the start of the 2008 Spring Season. Although many players, some for the first time ever, experienced College Ultimate while down in Tennessee, Ghetto hasn't started the season as normal.

For the first time, at least in recent years, Ghetto has had enough talent, and more than enough in numbers, to fulfill two full squads. Thus, to best serve the program, Ghetto has been split into A and B teams. The squads, which had been announced just prior to the cancellation of the Ghetto Invite, will both be playing this weekend at Ohio Wesleyan's poorly titled Evan Matthew Reas Memorial Tournament.

With more talent than you can shake a stick at, Ghetto Force looks bring the pain this weekend.....serious pain....like taking Dorothy Mantooth out for a nice seafood dinner, and never calling her again, kind of pain. The itch to start hitting the grass, to really wear the jersey, and to showcase what all the hard work is for...it's ever-present right now. Ghetto is focused on....keeping the focus....with all the weather issues and the indoor practices (limiting the hucks, just a wee bit). It's time to make the first step, and believe me, it's going to be a big one.

In the mean time, I best update all you foolios out there. If you're not in the know on Mssui (pronounced Mus-oWee) then you're missing out. As the hottest thing in Ultimate, since the high-release, no-look, scubber, you need to get on the up-n-up and start checking out Mssui. They do major damage on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and cover Ultimate in a serious way...it's like the ESPN, for Ultimate. I highly recommend the recent articles on Trouble in Vegas and college rivalries. You need to check this stuff out!

Lets just hope that everything pans out correctly for this weekend....we all need to pray to the patron saint of Ultimate weather, Saint Dorothy Mantooth. Of all things Holy, this weekend cannot get canceled. However, at least in the meantime, we have plenty to read on Mssui. Ghetto is going to keep the focus, and get ready to scissorkick the entire field in Delaware, Ohio.

PS. If you're with Ghetto, and you haven't figured out your ride/where you are staying, please make a comment below. If you're not in the know, we need to know. So keep us up to date if you're at all confused about travel arrangements for the weekend. Gracias.

PSS. Have you seen this freaking catch?!? Your boy from Arizona, Joseph Kershner, is no joke. He took on leading Callahan candidate, Kurt Gibson, mono e mono, on Universe Point no less, and straight pwned him. Kershner showed up to Trouble in Vegas, put on his big boy pants and started choppin' broccoli. Don't believe me, scope the vid.

Pwn Fest 2008, Official Release of the Noob Stamp

(The Mark Anderson Show, Wright State 2006)

Winter in the Ghetto, didn't happen. Mother nature must have figured someone would get injured, and it just wasn't the right time for that. So she gave us a little time to reflect, practice, and get our strategery together for next weekend - Ohio Wesleyan University's Evan Matthew Reas Memorial Tournament.

Lets not be confused. No one died...there is no real memorial. It's just OWU, and you know how they love to showcase their noob pride. Which might be why they did the tournament seeding, and placed themselves as the #1 seed. Go figure. If you're a Ghetto vet, your probably could have seen it coming.

Nonetheless, it's a weekend Ghetto has been salivating for. Decent competition and a Dayton-A #1 seed in Pool C, provide a golden opportunity to crack out the 2008 Noob Stamp on a host of weaklings. Ghetto's got absurd amounts of talent (see Mark Anderson above) and the most ridiculous lines the program has had since the turn of the Millennium. (Not to mention the talent in Dayton-B is ready to initiate some Ultimate pledges with a frat sized paddling against the competition in Pool A - including Hope College, Rochester, and OWU.)

It's going to be a showcase of aggression, wrath, and pure annihilation. Ghetto is ready to lay a whooping...and we will not be denied.

The OWU Tournament Pools and Results Page

Ghetto Force Invite, February 23rd, 2008

(Fall Brawl 2007)

It's closing in on the end of February. Spring break is just a couple of weeks away. Spring Ultimate is full force. And with that comes intensity, the home field, the fans, the alumni, and of course.....snow. Inches of it. Spring Ultimate, it's just not quite spring in Dayton.

To no avail, our fearless leaders, know the show must go on. So what does that all mean? It means everyone that shows will get their money's worth. With snow on the ground, ice on the way, Saturday's round robin tournament is fixing to be the kick off to the season Ghetto has been waiting for.

A tourny of wits and grits is shaping up, and Ghetto's opportunity to be challenged and pushed is a perfect way to start the season. With Ghetto Force splitting it's unbelievably deep roster into A and B squads, they'll have a host of challenges brought from the Midwest.

For starters, a portion of the team (roughly 5 guys, all of which could have played on either A or B) will be playing with the Dayton Alumni squad. The Alumni squad will feature College and Club standout, and current Ghetto Co-Coach, Ed Mack. Playing along side Mack will be former National Championship participant, Deepak Kulkarni (also UD's other Co-Coach). Rounding out the roster will be crafty players in the likes of J.R. Cummins, Paul Kosmerl, Bryan Hawkins, and Jon Tuttle. A group that hasn't played together, certainly, but no less, a squad with power handlers and plenty of experience.

Rounding out the tournament will be Xavier X and U. Truly an advancing program, Xavier looks to bring two well-rounded squads to the Ghetto Force Invite as they continue to improve and grow in depth. Lastly, making the trek north will be Northern Kentucky University.

With little in-season play from this tourney's participants, it's hard to tell who will be able to hold their own in the wind, ice, and snow. The frosty temperatures could prove to be a field equalizer, or they could quickly showcase the talent of an emerging and maturing program.

We will soon see.