Ultimate Frisbee Tournament

Two groups faced each other from across the football field. They knew what was at stake. One would win; the other would lose. Both were determined not to let the chance at glory escape them. With the flash of a disc flying across the field, the game began.

The two teams in question were the Apathetics, with Captain Nicholas Paquette, and the APO Squad, with Captain Max Pistilli. The latter consisted entirely of Alpha Phi Omega brothers and pledges and represented the community service fraternity in the Third Annual Ultimate Frisbee Tournament.

Robert Redden, who began the competition in his freshman year with the help of Zaheer Kapadia and David Emery, runs the tournament. Games are held every weeknight after 10 p.m. on the football field, with two games Friday and make-up games on Sunday nights. Each team referees themselves and can play in any kind of weather, including snow. Everyone who participates receives a Frisbee.

The tournament is supported by many of the campus departments, including Residential Services, Student Life, and SAO with the remaining money in the SOAP fund. There's also been a lot of help from the staff, such as Jeff Tanona, the field groundskeeper who lets students in to use the field at night. According to Redden: "He's fought a lot of battles within the Athletics Department for us."

The tournament is also very popular with students. "A lot of people say it's one of the most organized events on campus," said Redden; "Ultimate Frisbee has always been huge on-campus." Even though the games are held after 10 p.m., this year boasts 17 teams and over 160 people. The event has been held in D Term for three years, each time with a steadily growing number of participants. "The first year, it was 8 teams and 82 people," said Redden, "the second it was 12 teams and 120 people."

Some teams have participated since the beginning. "The older teams have their own cheering sections," according to Redden. The Ultimate Frisbee Club has sent teams to two of the three tournaments, even though they are not directly affiliated with the event.

Who does Redden expect to win the tournament this year? "Team 5, the Ultimate Frisbee Team with Matt Stanley as captain is expected to win this year." The last game is scheduled for April 25.

One reason Redden cites as a source of popularity for the tournament is that none of the players takes the competition too seriously. "I don't want it to be a hard competition. I want it to be fun for everyone. The one thing that is unique is that the rules [for the tournament] don't follow exactly the rules for Ultimate Frisbee. I adapted them for the competition." However, this year will mark Redden's final year as head of the tournament. He will be going to Tufts next year through the pre-veterinary program, leaving Emery and Kapadia to run it in his place.

Peace had settled on the field. The two sides had left. All that was left were a few footprints on the muddy ground. The conflict was over, and the winner had been decided. The score was 10 - 7 with the APO Squad emerging victorious.