Ramblings on Recruiting

I have been thinking about recruiting for a bit and decided to give you guys a little bit of help. I'm sure you could use some assistance in figuring out how to try and outcompete me for recruits. I have a few rules:

1. Never accept defeat. Body language will tell you what someone really wants to do. If they are watching practice or throwing with a careful eye but when you ask them, they act shy or busy, you are halfway there to getting them to come out for Miss Red.

2. Give them what they want. Sell the sport and the team. Try to understand where your recruit is coming from and relate to them as best you can. You see they are very focused and studious so play on that aspect of the team - we are nerds but we play frisbee. If they were really strong athletes, explain to them how much athleticism is involved, their potential, and where the team is headed. The trick is to get them to come to practice, from there, it is their decision to stay (which if you got the right athlete, they probably will).

3. Don't sacrifice your own intensity and goals for the team and the recruit. Sometimes you might feel compelled to say a little too much to convince them to come out (Maybe lie a bit?). Well, you shouldn't do it (nods head yes). Just remember that in the end, you want a recruit who is going to be your teammate at Regionals who is going to catch that critical pass to win the game. So sure, say what you need to say but remember that in the end, you want to find the recruits who are gonna be attracted to the sport.

Random recruiting ideas:

1. Find the athletes (i.e. Club Soccer)

2. Fliers and personal attention

3. RECRUIT YOUR ROOMMATE!! :D (that's how Kim was recruited)

4. Late night Miss Red study breaks

5. Fish Discs :) - i guess thats mostly to teach freshmen how to throw...

Comments and suggestions are welcome.

Winner of the recruiting competition gets a WFDF World Championship 2010 Jersey!!! Also available a WFDF 5 wristband.

End of the Season

"It's like breathing"

This is a long overdue post. There is little to say nearly 2 months post-Regionals. Sectionals we dropped seed and went into Regionals ranked 3rd from the Texas section. We were then ranked 7th going into Regionals. We held seed, tying with Missouri State for 7th place.

I can say that we played hard at Regionals. There is nothing to hold our heads about. While there are things that I would change, the way we played showed that we have a lot of heart and that we are ready for the challenge. Our 2 hour season recap of many sobs and tears showed that we have planted the seed for greatness. If there is anything I can take away from that tournament, is that we have touched the corner of a dream. It will take dedication, hardwork, teamwork, and friendship but the talent and the drive is there. The competition will be tough, when we face A&M again, they will also be a stronger team. But we will also be stronger - more talented and stronger fighters.

There is a lot to be said about college ultimate. It is very much a battle of skill but it is more of a battle of athleticism and drive. In the South Women's division, we don't see a lot of kids who played for 4 years in HS and went to the Eastern/Western championships. Instead, it is comprised of very young athletes who are relatively new the sport. Most of the players are just at the beginning of their learning curve and have so room for development. But these are the players that change the game for everyone else who is lucky enough to play with/coach them. They bring a new vitality and energy to the game - something novel and exciting. They are filled with potential and promise. You can see them catch the ultimate bug and realize that this is something that can change their life and also a world they can change. It provides them with a sense of community and freedom to be whoever they want on and off the field. It is also a relatively new sport that it is a place where they can excel and compete against some of the very best. This year, I have met a phenomenal class of freshmen ("A New Hope") to propel Miss Red forward under the leadership of our sophomores and juniors. It has been an honor to captain and play with these players - watching them fight hard for every disc, witnessing how much Miss Red has grown since my first tournaments with them as an obnoxious freshmen. I am so thankful and proud of everyone who has stayed with me with my ridiculous plans/grandiose images of glory.

While winning was the goal, my secret plan was to share a little bit of what ultimate means for me. It may appear like an inhuman obsession - who spends a ridiculous amount of money and time to fly to tournaments, suffers through a million track workouts in the Houston sun and says that its FUN? There is no way to describe this in words, ultimate is like Buddhism, a philosophical way to live life. It has taught me a lot about working with people, what hard work and dedication can bring, what it means to REALLY want something. There are very few things in life that I can say I truly want, that in the end of all adversary, I will still stand up and fight - I will fight for the chance to show my teammates what it's like to be a champion.

Don't lose sight of who you are and what you deserve. At the end of the day, you know your teammates will be there for you.