Photo courtesy of Patrick Lighthall

Ultimate Frisbee has been growing in popularity across the nation and Albion College hasn’t been left behind in the craze.

The game is the one of the newest club sports at Albion, having achieved its status in 2005. The co-ed team has 17 members, and though the club draws some money from the school for tournament fees and other expenses, the sport is largely self-funded.

"We are required to join the Ultimate Player Association (UPA), which is a $30 a year fee," said co-captain Patrick Lighthall, Lake Zurich, Ill. senior. "At the same time, we go to classes, practice and play IM Frisbee.

"We really are self funded and self motivated."

Ultimate Frisbee is described by co-captain Danica Hernandez, Kalamazoo senior, as football and soccer combined with basketball. The field used for the game is roughly the size of a standard football field—125 yards long and 40 yards wide. Each team has seven players on the field. The handler, like a quarterback in football, passes the Frisbee downfield. A runner or receiver catches the Frisbee but then must stop and pass the Frisbee up field. The runner can’t run with the Frisbee. The runner then becomes the handler and passes the disc downfield.

There are no downs. The disc is turned over when the runner drops it, if the disc is intercepted, or if the handler fails to throw the disc within 10 seconds of catching it.

Games generally last until one team scores by moving the disc to the end zone 13 or 15 times. There are no referees at most games, though observers may be used at championships. The players are largely in charge of making their own calls.

Ultimate Frisbee also has its own lingo. Just as hockey has different names for different types of shots, like slap shots and wrist shots, Frisbee has many types of throws, ranging from the most basic back and forward throws to the more complicated hammer toss and the Scoober.

"If the disc is thrown out of bounds and a player jumps out and throws it in to another player, they have completed the ‘Greatest Play’," Fitzpatrick said. "It’s funny that everyone in Ultimate is in agreement that it really is the greatest play."

Frisbee has little contact and remains an easy-going sport.

"We play for the spirit of the game," Hernandez said. "We’re not going to be so competitive that we will hurt other players. There is a respect among players."

For many players, it is this sense of respect and ease that draws them to the sport.

"Rarely on the football field or basketball court do you see that type of respect," Lighthall said. "You’ll play to win or be competitive, but never at a loss of respect for your opponent."

The sport has two seasons: fall and spring. Fall is the open season, where Albion competes against a variety of teams from alumni groups to senior teams. Spring is the official collegiate season.