by Willie So
My Ultimate career started back in high school sometime around 2007, when I saw some of my schoolmates tossing around in the covered tennis court of Xavier. I did not really see the point in what they were trying to do at first. It seemed quite stupid throwing around a plastic disc back and forth aimlessly with another person. I promised myself that I would never be involved in such a pointless activity. What I didn’t know however, was that it would become the game I would fall madly in love with.
Each day during lunch break, I would pass by the tennis court on the way to the canteen and see the same people throwing the disc back and forth over and over again. I thought, don’t they have anything better to do? But I had to admit, every time I watched the disc go up, it would seem as if time slowed down as it spun in the air, hypnotizing and captivating me. The more I watched, the more I felt compelled to give it a shot. And so I did, despite my initial apprehensions. In hindsight, that was quite a pivotal moment in my life.
I started out as a runner who would barrel straight to the endzone and grab the disc to score a point for my team. At that time, I wasn’t that much of a handler and could not throw straight to save my life. I was a lousy throwing partner because the disc would just go anywhere, and it got tiring to keep picking it up. Because of that, my teammates instead relied on my speed and my leaping ability. I learned during that time that there were many ways to be effective in the game. I also met new friends that would turn out to be some of the most valuable people I know.
But it was short-lived though, as my prior commitment to Badminton forced me to spend less and less time with Ultimate. It was a shame, because I felt like I was finally doing something that I loved, not something I had to do. That was the time I began asking if Badminton was worth all the time and effort. This internal struggle would go on for two years, keeping me away from Ultimate for long stretches of time.
During my senior year, I received a message on Facebook from my former captain (Benny), inviting me to be part of his newly formed team called ‘Super Bueno’. What kind of a team name was that right? Initially, I declined his offer saying I’m too busy with other things and I’ve left the sport a long time ago to continue my Badminton. He would invite me another time, but I replied the same thing.
After a few months, my schoolmates Migs and Scott, who have joined his team, talked to me and tried to convince me into playing with them alongside some other former teammates. This constant barrage of invitations would go on for a few months, until one day I decided it was time for me to give in. I dropped by in one of their trainings, and the rest is history.
At present, this marks my second year playing with Super Bueno. I’m surrounded by such amazing people – people whom I refer to as family instead of teammates. I could not imagine how my life would be if I had not met this group of awesome individuals.
Ultimate has taught me so much. It taught me to be confident and honest with my actions. It taught me to trust my teammates and to trust myself with the decisions I make on and off the field. It taught me to be disciplined and have a good sense of moral judgment. Most importantly, it taught me to uphold the Spirit of the Game even when I’m off the field. That is Ultimate. Ultimate isn’t just a game. It’s a way of life.
Each day during lunch break, I would pass by the tennis court on the way to the canteen and see the same people throwing the disc back and forth over and over again. I thought, don’t they have anything better to do? But I had to admit, every time I watched the disc go up, it would seem as if time slowed down as it spun in the air, hypnotizing and captivating me. The more I watched, the more I felt compelled to give it a shot. And so I did, despite my initial apprehensions. In hindsight, that was quite a pivotal moment in my life.
I started out as a runner who would barrel straight to the endzone and grab the disc to score a point for my team. At that time, I wasn’t that much of a handler and could not throw straight to save my life. I was a lousy throwing partner because the disc would just go anywhere, and it got tiring to keep picking it up. Because of that, my teammates instead relied on my speed and my leaping ability. I learned during that time that there were many ways to be effective in the game. I also met new friends that would turn out to be some of the most valuable people I know.
But it was short-lived though, as my prior commitment to Badminton forced me to spend less and less time with Ultimate. It was a shame, because I felt like I was finally doing something that I loved, not something I had to do. That was the time I began asking if Badminton was worth all the time and effort. This internal struggle would go on for two years, keeping me away from Ultimate for long stretches of time.
During my senior year, I received a message on Facebook from my former captain (Benny), inviting me to be part of his newly formed team called ‘Super Bueno’. What kind of a team name was that right? Initially, I declined his offer saying I’m too busy with other things and I’ve left the sport a long time ago to continue my Badminton. He would invite me another time, but I replied the same thing.
After a few months, my schoolmates Migs and Scott, who have joined his team, talked to me and tried to convince me into playing with them alongside some other former teammates. This constant barrage of invitations would go on for a few months, until one day I decided it was time for me to give in. I dropped by in one of their trainings, and the rest is history.
At present, this marks my second year playing with Super Bueno. I’m surrounded by such amazing people – people whom I refer to as family instead of teammates. I could not imagine how my life would be if I had not met this group of awesome individuals.
Ultimate has taught me so much. It taught me to be confident and honest with my actions. It taught me to trust my teammates and to trust myself with the decisions I make on and off the field. It taught me to be disciplined and have a good sense of moral judgment. Most importantly, it taught me to uphold the Spirit of the Game even when I’m off the field. That is Ultimate. Ultimate isn’t just a game. It’s a way of life.