As the seasons change and spring begins, ultimate frisbee teams around the country are gearing up for another year of competition.
But despite their dedication and perseverance, these teams are often overlooked and underappreciated.
The Lack of State Recognition Holds Frisbee Teams Back
For teams like Crush and Orange Crush, ultimate frisbee is more than just a casual activity – it’s a passion that requires skill, athleticism, and strategy. However, because ultimate frisbee is not recognized by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), these teams are not considered official sports teams. This lack of recognition has significant consequences for the teams, including limited access to resources and support.
According to junior Greta Runyan, being recognized as a sport would make a huge difference for the team. “It’d be pretty cool to see it as a sport so that it’s recognized by the rest of the schools as a sport,” Runyan said. “It’s definitely way more of an athletic activity than a sport like golf. We’re doing way more running than golf ever will.” Runyan’s sentiment is echoed by many of her teammates, who believe that ultimate frisbee is just as demanding and competitive as any other sport.
The Distinction Between Sport and Club
So why isn’t ultimate frisbee recognized as a sport by the MSHSL? According to Park athletic director Andy Ewald, the distinction between sport and club is made at the state level, not by individual schools. “Our office only oversees (sports) that are Minnesota State High School League sanctioned activities,” Ewald said. “Ultimate is not a Minnesota State High School League activity. So until it becomes a Minnesota State High School League activity, it wouldn’t fit into this office.” This means that, regardless of how hard the teams work or how competitive they are, ultimate frisbee will not be considered a sport until the MSHSL recognizes it as such.
Despite this, Ewald believes that ultimate frisbee is a sport in its own right. “Sure, ultimate is a sport. No different than rugby is a sport, or badminton is a sport,” Ewald said. “Rugby would be a good example, because it’s not recognized by the High School League. But it’s a sport. And I know Hopkins has a club [rugby] program.”
The Impact on Team Resources
One of the biggest consequences of not being recognized as a sport is the lack of resources available to the teams. According to Runyan, this includes things like bussing to tournaments, which would make it easier for players to participate. “They get bussing to any other tournaments,” Runyan said. “That’d be pretty beneficial, so people don’t have to worry about getting rides.”
The Perception of Ultimate Frisbee
For many people, ultimate frisbee is seen as a casual activity or a recreational hobby, rather than a competitive sport. But for the players themselves, ultimate frisbee is a serious commitment that requires skill, strategy, and athleticism. “It would give the ultimate itself more credit where it’s due, because right now it’s just seen as an activity that you do for a few days after school, but it’s a lot more of a commitment than that,” junior Rachel Katzovitz said.
The Importance of Recognition
Ultimately, recognition as a sport would be a game-changer for ultimate frisbee teams like Crush and Orange Crush. It would give them the resources and support they need to succeed, and it would help to change the public’s perception of the sport. As Runyan said, “We have both a girls and boys team, so it would still be an equal amount of sports, because I know a lot of schools don’t like having more sports with one gender.”
The Dedication of the Teams
Despite the lack of recognition, the ultimate frisbee teams at Park have shown incredible dedication and perseverance. According to Ewald, the teams have done a great job of growing and showing sustainability over the years. “They’ve done a really good job of growing and showing sustainability over the years,” Ewald said.
The Future of Ultimate Frisbee
So what does the future hold for ultimate frisbee teams like Crush and Orange Crush? While it’s hard to say for sure, one thing is certain: these teams will continue to work hard and push for recognition as a sport. With their dedication and perseverance, it’s only a matter of time before ultimate frisbee gets the recognition it deserves.
Conclusion
In the end, ultimate frisbee may not be considered a sport by the MSHSL, but it’s clear that it’s a sport in the hearts and minds of the players themselves. With its combination of athleticism, strategy, and teamwork, ultimate frisbee has all the makings of a great sport. And who knows? Maybe one day, it will be recognized as such.
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