Frisbee: beyond the beach
By Cameron Heeg
Kansan correspondent
The KU Ultimate Frisbee Club, despite minor set backs seems to be on its way to yet another successful season.
The club consists of the men's team, Horrorzontals, and the women's team, Betty.
Since its beginning at the University in 1978 the club has made strong showings on the college tournament circuit in both the men's and women's divisions.
Each team plays by the same basic rules. The fast-paced games whip over a rectangular field as each seven-member team tries catch a pass in the opponent's 25-yard-long end zone. The flow of the game can change in a matter of moments. If a pass is not completed, possession is awarded to the defense and play resumes immediately. Play stops and possession changes when a foul is called due to contact. Each player is responsible for calling fouls they commit.
The Horrorzontals and the Betty are currently playing the spring season which means the big tournaments are coming up. The two approximately 20 member teams play, work out and practice at the Shenk Complex at 23rd and Iowa streets to prepare.
"We try to practice hard and run drills to get ready for the spring," Ryan Sprott, president of the club, said. "The spring season is the college tournament season so it's competitive."
Overcoming competition is not new to the club. The Betty won a national title a few years back. The Horrorontals have gone to 15 of the 16 national tournaments, but have yet to win. These teams are for real, and last years spring season gives proof to that when the club was ranked number one, for about a month, out of more than 450 colleges. As for now the club's ranking stays in the mid 20s, but they have had to make adjustments from last year.
"Last year was our strongest year. We were ranked number one," said Billy Schweiger, vice president of the club. "We are good this year, but it is a rebuilding year."
Weather and money also prove to be an ongoing problem for the team. The team goes to about five tournaments per year, each costing $100 to $200 per person. Sprott said that the team is good enough for nationals, but that it is tough getting everybody together.
The unpredictable weather also hinders their practice and game scheduling. "What we need to do is play more games," Schweiger said.
Come April 18th the club has that chance when Iowa City hosts this year's sectional tournament. Teams from almost every major university in Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri will show up with the goal of advancing to the regional tournament. Some smaller and private colleges are beginning to send teams to the tournament. The top two teams from every sectional tournament held in the country will advance to their respective regional tournament. KU's regional tournament takes place in Illinois on April 26th. The top three teams from the regional tournaments will take the trip to Minneapolis, Minn., for the national tournament on Memorial Day weekend.
For the first time the equivalent to the Heisman Trophy will be awarded at the national tournament. The Callahan Trophy was established to honor of one of Ultimate's major college system developers of the late '70s and early '80s. Henry Callahan was killed while eating at a restaurant in Boulder, Colo., during a robbery in 1982.
To win the award, the player must show sportsmanship both on an off the field and must be a dominant player on defense and offense. The KU Ultimate Club missed the chance to nominate a player this year, but they plan to nominate someone next year. The focus now for the club is to bring home the elusive national titles that more than 450 college teams dream about.
Gina Thornburg / KANSAN
Rob Severson, Los Angeles senior, attempts to block a throw from a Minneapolis Chill player.
Alternative Sports
April, 1996 The Hill