USA Ultimate

Not-for-profit organization


title: "USA Ultimate" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["ultimate-(sport)-governing-bodies", "sports-governing-bodies-in-the-united-states", "sports-organizations-established-in-1979"] description: "Not-for-profit organization" topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_Ultimate" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Not-for-profit organization ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox sports league"]

FieldValue
sportUltimate
formerlyUltimate Players Association
founded1979
ceoKevin Erlenbach
country
websitehttp://www.usaultimate.org
::

| title = | sport = Ultimate | formerly = Ultimate Players Association | founded = 1979 | ceo = Kevin Erlenbach | country = | website = http://www.usaultimate.org

USA Ultimate is a not-for-profit organization that serves as the governing body of the sport of ultimate (also known as ultimate Frisbee) in the United States.

It was founded in 1979 as the Ultimate Players Association, but rebranded itself as USA Ultimate on May 25, 2010. The United States Olympic Committee, empowered to govern amateur sport in the USA per the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act of 1978, officially recognized USA Ultimate as a Recognized Sport Organization on June 10, 2014.

Overview

Its mission is "to advance the sport of Ultimate in the United States by enhancing and promoting Character, Community, and Competition." Its vision is that "Ultimate is widely known, played, and respected in the United States as a sport that inspires athletic excellence and integrity among participants and fans."

In addition to organizing and supporting national teams to represent the nation in international and world championship competitions, a major focus of USA Ultimate is the Championship Series; it sanctions certain tournaments throughout the year in five divisions (Club, College, Youth, Masters, Beach) and runs the local, regional and/or national championship tournaments at the end of the respective seasons. These events are governed by the 11th Edition Rules. While the national champion is crowned in various divisions of the USA Ultimate Championships, four Canadian teams have won championships over the years in different divisions- Vancouver's Furious George (Club Open), University of British Columbia (College Women's), Stick Dog (Masters Women's), and Winnipeg's MOFO (Youth Club Mixed).

In 2008, the 40th Anniversary of the birth of ultimate, USA Ultimate adopted a Five Year Strategic Plan with input from ultimate players throughout the United States, in hopes of facilitating the growth and evolution of the sport for the next forty years.

Club Competition

The Club division is currently the only competition division that is not restricted by age (like Youth and Masters) nor school enrollment (like High School and College), but is rather subdivided only by gender into Men's (open to any gender and previously called "Open"), Women's, and Mixed (with prescribed gender ratios) gender divisions, which have their regular seasons in the summer and their post-season championship series in the fall. The first national championship took place in 1979 in State College, Pennsylvania. The Women's division was added in 1981. The age-based Masters Open (now Men's) and Women's divisions were added to the Club division in 1991; the Masters Women's division was discontinued in 1997, and the Masters Men's division joined Grandmasters in a separate summer Masters Division in 2012. The Mixed Division was added in 1998. Club national championship tournaments were held in Sarasota, FL from 2000 through 2012, and in 2013 USA Ultimate began moving around the location, starting with Frisco, TX for 3 years and then Rockford, IL in 2016. The event returned to Sarasota, FL in 2017, followed by San Diego, CA in 2018 and 2019.

The Triple Crown Tour was established in 2013. The three achievements are: winning the US Open tournament, winning the Pro Flight Finale and winning the national championship. Previously, finishing the regular season with a #1 season ranking replaced the Pro Flight Finale component. San Francisco's Revolver in the men's division and Seattle's Mixtape in the mixed division won all three achievements in 2013 and 2017, respectively.

College Competition

The College division is subdivided into Women's and Men's (open to any gender and previously called "Open" despite the vast majority of participants identifying as men) gender divisions, which have their regular season in the winter and spring. Over 300 Open teams and 200 Women's teams took part in the College Championship Series in 2005. The College Open division was first held in 1984 in Somerville, MA and was won by Stanford University. The College Women's Division was added in 1987. In fall 2017, USAU added mixed regional tournaments with 5 regions. In 2018, another region was added for a total of 6 regional championship events.

Youth Competition

Originally, the National Youth championship was loosely a high school-based competition, with guidelines determining how many players must be from one high school. In the early 21st century, USA Ultimate moved more towards a complete high school nationals, which launched in 1998 in Maplewood, NJ.

In 2005, two significant changes were made: High School Nationals was split into Easterns and Westerns, split by the Mississippi River, held in May each year, and a Youth Club Championships was created, for club teams assembled from various cities/regions across North America, held in August each year at the National Sports Center. Over 24 states currently hold high school ultimate state championship tournaments that are operated by local USA Ultimate Competition State Youth Coordinator volunteer staff.

Masters Competition

The Masters division currently consists of Masters Men, Masters Women and Grandmasters Men's divisions. In 2017, USA Ultimate added Masters Mixed, Grandmasters Women, and Great Grandmasters Men's divisions. To compete in the single gender or the mixed division Masters division, men must be 33 years old and women must be 30 years old. To compete in the Grandmasters division, men must be 40 years old and women must be 37 years old. To compete in the Great Grandmasters division, men must be 50 years old and women must be 45 years or older. Regional championships are played in the early to mid summer with the national championship occurring in the mid to late summer.

Beach Competition

The Beach division, played on a smaller sand-covered surface with fewer players per side than the grass format, was officially added by USA Ultimate in May 2015 with the introduction of a national championship tournament in Virginia Beach, VA. The event returned in 2016, and the division added the US Beach Open event in Santa Monica, CA, in November 2016. In 2017, the division will return both of those events as well as a third new Beach Western Championship event in April in Santa Monica, CA. Four geographic regions have been established for the East Coast, Great Lakes, Gulf Coast, and West, each with an assigned resident Regional Director volunteer staff position. However, regional championships have not yet been presented as viable, until the division grows further in size and popularity. Outreach efforts were established to promote the sand format and point out to organizers that existing sand volleyball courts can be used for modified formats in places that are not coastal or accessible to large public areas of natural flat sand, such as coasts and beaches.

Other programs

Aside from the championship series, several community development programs exist to advance the sport at local and grassroots levels. Event Sanctioning provides insurance, marketing, exposure, connections to rankings for some competition divisions and discounts on materials for tournaments, leagues and training events (like practices, scrimmages, camps, clinics, etc.). The Affiliate program connects the national office to existing organizations that are dedicated to advancing the sport in a specific metro area. The State-Based Organization initiative funds and supports the establishment of new state-focused governing bodies to assume the role of the national office with a dedicated focus on a single state or perhaps a few contiguous states, where geography and population dynamics warrant the combination. New Start Program Grants are given out quarterly to local ultimate organizers who apply for materials to start brand new ultimate programs.

USA Ultimate is run by a thirteen-person Board of Directors, seven of which are elected by the membership, including three by the elite athlete player segment, five of which are appointed by existing board members, including three which must be independent in connections to the organization, and an ex-officio position for the Chief Executive Officer who is hired by the board and is also head of the staff. Officers are elected by board members on an annual basis. Each appointed and elected director's term is three years, rotated such that four seats come up for election each calendar year. The Board is responsible for overseeing the Chief Executive Officer, budgeting, strategic planning, setting organizational policies and serving on various working groups that include Equity & Diversity, Audit & Ethics, Nominating, Investment, Marketing, Strategic Planning, et al.

Nearly 62,000 people joined as members of USA Ultimate in 2019, the largest membership year so far. In 2024, memberships for a single calendar year cost $69 per calendar year for adult and college players, $40 per year for Youth players under 20 years old who have not yet graduated from high school, $25 for non-players (coaches, chaperones, etc), and $18 for local Affiliate recreational participants. Multiyear discounts are available for most levels. A lifetime membership is also available for $999. Membership covers participation at sanctioned and championship events; accident and liability insurance in those events; attendance at USA Ultimate education clinics; certification options at various levels of coaching, tournament directing and officiating (called "observing"); voting in board elections; seeking election to the board of directors; discounts with several partner sponsors; scholarship opportunities; access to the USA Ultimate mobile app to follow events, access the rules, event guides for national championships, and report scores for sanctioned events; access to USA Ultimate electronic newsletters and updates; and discounted USA Ultimate merchandise.

USA Ultimate is a member of the World Flying Disc Federation, the international governing body for flying disc sports. WFDF is a member of the General Association for International Sport Federations (GAISF), The International World Games Association (IWGA), and the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE), as well as an officially recognized International Federation by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Championship series history

Club and Masters National Championships

::data[format=table]

YearOpenWomenMixedMasters OpenMasters WomenMasters MixedGrandmasters OpenGrandmasters WomenGrandmasters MixedGreat Grandmasters OpenGreat Grandmasters Women2024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994199319921991199019891988198719861985198419831982198119801979
Rhino Slam!Fury (13)HybridVoltron 2020 (4)StellOregret.Johnny Walker (5)Wisconsin BitterSurly GMXSurly GGM (3)PerSisters
Truck StopBrute Squad (4)shame.Boneyard (2)Reboot Squad (2)SaLTJohnny Walker (4)Molly Blue (2)Molasses DisasterImmortalsSilver Sisters
Johnny Bravo (2)Molly BrownMixtape (2)Voltron 2020 (3)Surly COUGARS (3)Cool Biz (2)JunkyardElderflowersSurly (2)
Ring of FireFury (12)BFGVoltron 2020 (2)Reboot SquadSlowerJohnny Walker (3)Molly BlueRelics (3)
Cancelled due to COVID-19
Sockeye (4)Brute Squad (3)AMP (2)Voltron 2020Golden PoppiesCool BizSurly GM (3)SolsticeRelics (2)
PoNYFury (11)AMPSurly (7)Surly COUGARS (2)Hey BabeEldorsFurariSurly
Revolver (5)Fury (10)MixtapeJohnny EncoreSurly COUGARSUPAARPSurly (2)BostonRelics
IronsideBrute Squad (2)Slow WhiteSurly (6)Molly GreyJohnny Walker (2)
Revolver (4)Brute SquadDrag'n Thrust (3)BoneyardBaylands Kite Flying TeamJohnny Walker
Johnny BravoScandal (2)Drag'n Thrust (2)TejasLoose CannonSurly
Revolver (3)ScandalDrag'n ThrustSurly (5)GodivaNo Country (2)
DoublewideFury (9)Blackbird (2)Surly (4)No Country
Revolver (2)Fury (8)BlackbirdSurly (3)Stick DogScrapple
RevolverFury (7)Polar BearsSurly (2)Well Done (2)Old And In The Way
Chain LightningFury (6)Axis of C'VilleTroubled PastWell DoneDeath or Glory
JamFury (5)Mental Toss FlycoonsSurly
Sockeye (3)Fury (4)Shazam ReturnsDeath or Glory
Sockeye (2)Fury (3)MischiefThrowback
Furious George (3)Riot (2)Brass MonkeyOld and in the Way (2)
SockeyeRiotShazamKavu
Furious George (2)Fury (2)Donner Party (2)Refugees
Furious GeorgeLady Godiva (9)Donner PartyOld Sag
Condors (3)Lady Godiva (8)Trigger HippyKeg Workers (2)
Condors (2)Lady Godiva (7)SpearKeg Workers
Death or Glory (6)FuryRaleigh LlamaOld and In The Way
Death or Glory (5)Lady Godiva (6)Red Fish Blue FishCigar
Death or Glory (4)Lady Godiva (5)YESSSS!S-Prime
Death or Glory (3)Lady Godiva (4)Windy CityGreat Dames
Death or Glory (2)Lady Godiva (3)SquashWhat?
Death or GloryFelixUS TampicoPickled Peppers
New York (6)Maine-iacs (3)BeyondorsTexas Woo Dolls
New York (5)Maine-iacs (2)Rude BoysOver the Swill
New York (4)Lady Godiva (2)Red MenaceHot Flashes
New York (3)Maine-iacs
New York (2)Crush Club
TsunamiLady Godiva
New YorkCondors (4)
Windy City (2)Condors (3)
Flying CircusCondors (2)
TunasCondors
Windy CityFisheads
Rude BoysZulu
CondorsB.L.U.
Glassboro (2)
Glassboro
::

US Open Ultimate Championships

::data[format=table]

YearOpenWomenMixed20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012
Revolver (4)Fury (4)Hybrid (2)
Truck Stop (2)Fury (3)Hybrid
PoNY (2)ScandalAMP (3)
Truck StopAMP (2)
Sockeye (3)
Cancelled due to COVID-19
Sockeye (2)Brute Squad (3)Drag'n Thrust
PoNYBrute Squad (2)AMP
SockeyeClub Deportivo RevolutionMixtape
MachineBrute SquadSlow White
Revolver (3)Fury (2)Ellipsis
Revolver (2)Riot (2)Polar Bears (2)
RevolverFuryOdyssée
Johnny BravoRiotPolar Bears
::

College Championships

::data[format=table]

YearDivision I OpenDivision I Women'sDivision III OpenDivision III Women's202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984
Carleton College - CUTUniversity of British ColumbiaLewis & Clark CollegeWesleyan University
Brown UniversityUniversity of North CarolinaSt. Olaf CollegeUniversity of Portland
University of North CarolinaUniversity of North CarolinaColorado CollegeMiddlebury College
University of North CarolinaUniversity of North CarolinaOklahoma Christian UniversityMiddlebury College
University of North CarolinaUniversity of North CarolinaOklahoma Christian UniversityMiddlebury College
Cancelled due to COVID-19
Brown UniversityUC San DiegoMiddlebury CollegeOberlin College
University of North CarolinaDartmouth CollegeBryant UniversitySt. Olaf College
Carleton College - CUTDartmouth CollegeUniversity of RichmondCarleton College - Eclipse
University of MinnesotaStanford UniversityGeorgia CollegeCarleton College - Eclipse
University of North CarolinaUniversity of OregonFranciscan UniversityRice University
University of ColoradoOhio State UniversityBentley UniversityRice University
University of PittsburghUniversity of OregonMiddlebury CollegeBowdoin College
University of PittsburghUniversity of WashingtonCarleton College - Gods of PlasticClaremont Colleges
Carleton College - CUTUC Santa BarbaraClaremont CollegesCarleton College - Eclipse
University of FloridaUniversity of OregonCarleton College - Gods of PlasticPacific Lutheran University
Carleton College - CUTUC Santa Barbara
University of Wisconsin-Madison HodagsUniversity of British Columbia
University of Wisconsin-Madison HodagsStanford University
University of FloridaStanford University
Brown UniversityStanford University
University of ColoradoUC Davis
University of Wisconsin-Madison HodagsUniversity of Oregon
Stanford UniversityUC San Diego
Carleton College - CUTUniversity of Georgia
Brown UniversityCarleton College - Syzygy
North Carolina State UniversityStanford University
UC Santa BarbaraStanford University
UC Santa BarbaraStanford University
UC Santa BarbaraUNC Wilmington
East Carolina UniversityUC Santa Cruz
East Carolina UniversityUC Santa Cruz
UNC WilmingtonUC Berkeley
University of OregonUNC Wilmington
UC Santa CruzUC Santa Barbara
UC Santa BarbaraUC Santa Barbara
UC Santa BarbaraUC Davis
UC Santa BarbaraUC Santa Barbara
Chabot CollegeUniversity of Kansas
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Pennsylvania
Stanford University
::

Youth Club Championships

::data[format=table]

YearU-20 BoysU-20 GirlsU-20 MixedU-17 BoysU-17 Girls20252024202320222021201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005
SmOAK (Oakland)Seven Hills (Seattle)Minnesota Superior (Minneapolis)OAK Sparks (Oakland)Minnesota Superior (Minneapolis)
Philadelphia SEPDA (Philadelphia)Downpour (Eugene, Oregon)Nightfall (Dallas)Seven Hills (Seattle)Belly of the Beast! (Bay Area)
Utah Storm (Salt Lake City)Seven Hills (Seattle)Seven Hills (Seattle)Seven Hills (Seattle)rATLers (Atlanta)
Utah Storm (Salt Lake City)Downpour (Eugene, Oregon)Seven Hills (Seattle)Minnesota Superior (Minneapolis)Seven Hills (Seattle)
Trainwreck (Independence, Oregon)Downpour (Eugene, Oregon)Pi+ (Lexington, Kentucky)Utah Storm (Salt Lake City)
AFDC ATLiens (Atlanta)TYUL Warhawks (Raleigh)DiscNW Bankroll (Seattle)Oregon Youth Ultimate Oregon Eruption! (Portland)DiscNW Blossom (Seattle)
BUDA (Boston)Maine Ultimate Riptide (Portland)Indiana Ultimate Foundation INcognito (Indianapolis)DiscNW Horizon (Seattle)AFDC rATLers (Atlanta)
WAFC Foggy Bottom Boys (Washington, DC)TYUL Warhawks (Raleigh)POWERLINE (San Diego)DiscNW Space Jam (Seattle)Belle (Cincinnati)
TYUL Triforce (Raleigh)TYUL Warhawks (Raleigh)Bay Area Disc Happy Cows (Bay Area)DiscNW Oblivion (Seattle)DiscNW Eclipse (Seattle)
TYUL Triforce (Raleigh)DiscNW Nimbus (Seattle)WAFC Swing Vote (Washington, DC)DiscNW Bonzai (Seattle)DiscNW Hydra (Seattle)
BUDA Open (Boston)DiscNW Seattlesaurus (Seattle)WAFC Swing Vote (Washington, DC)DiscNW Olympus (Seattle)DiscNW Echo (Seattle)
TYUL Triforce (Raleigh)DiscNW Cyclone (Seattle)Oregon Flood (Corvallis)DiscNW Doomsday (Seattle)
ATLiens (Atlanta)DiscNW Rampage (Seattle)BUDA YCC Mixed (Boston)Seattle Dynasty (Seattle)
Minnesota Superior (Minneapolis)DiscNW Rapture (Seattle)BUDA YCC Mixed (Boston)Seattle Rebellion (Seattle)
DiscNW Monstars (Seattle)DiscNW Tune Squad (Seattle)Bay Area Disc Happy Cows (Bay Area)TYUL One Huck Wonders (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill)
DeVYL (Delaware Valley)DiscNW (Seattle)Bay Area Disc (Bay Area)
DiscNW "L-Pod" (Seattle)DiscNW (Seattle)Skyline (Minnesota)
DiscNW "Overcast" (Seattle)DiscNW (Seattle)Eugene
DiscNW "Juggernaut" (Seattle)DiscNW "Blackout" (Seattle)I-20 (Atlanta)
SEPDA (Philadelphia)DiscNW "Blackout" (Seattle)MOFO (Winnipeg)
DiscNW (Seattle)DiscNW (Seattle)Nashville
::

High school regional championships

::data[format=table]

Year(North)EasternWesternCentralSouthernOpenGirlsOpenGirlsOpenGirlsOpenGirls201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005
Amherst Regional High SchoolAmherst Regional High SchoolRoosevelt High SchoolNathan Hale High SchoolNeuqua Valley High SchoolHoly Family Catholic High SchoolCarolina Friends SchoolHB Woodlawn High School
Pennsbury High SchoolAmherst Regional High SchoolRoosevelt High SchoolLakeside SchoolHopkins High SchoolNeuqua Valley High SchoolCarolina Friends SchoolPaideia High School
Masconomet Regional High SchoolAmherst Regional High SchoolNorthwest SchoolNorthwest SchoolHopkins High SchoolHoly Family Catholic High SchoolCarolina Friends SchoolNorth Carolina Saga
Lexington High SchoolAmherst Regional High SchoolSouth Eugene High SchoolMonarch High SchoolHoly Family Catholic High SchoolHoly Family Catholic High SchoolUniversity School of NashvilleNorth Carolina Saga
Amherst Regional High SchoolAmherst Regional High SchoolEast High SchoolNo Championship HeldHopkins High SchoolHoly Family Catholic High SchoolUniversity School of NashvilleYHB Girls
Amherst Regional High SchoolAmherst Regional High SchoolNorthwest SchoolNorthwest School
Amherst Regional High SchoolAmherst Regional High SchoolSouth Eugene High SchoolNorthwest School
Pennsbury High SchoolPaideia SchoolHopkins High SchoolNathan Hale
Columbia High SchoolPaideia SchoolLakeside SchoolNorthwest School
Pennsbury High SchoolAmherst Regional High SchoolNorthwest SchoolChurchill High School
Amherst HS HurricanesAmherst Regional High SchoolNorthwest SchoolNathan Hale
Amherst HS HurricanesAmherst Regional High SchoolNorthwest SchoolNathan Hale
::

Youth championships

::data[format=table]

YearOpenGirls2004200320022001200019991998
Amherst HS HurricanesYale Secondary Ultimate
Amherst HS HurricanesAmherst HS Varsity
Paideia HS GruelAmherst HS Varsity
Paideia HS GruelAmherst HS Varsity
Seattle MoHoAmherst HS Varsity
University School of Nashville Brutal GrassburnAmherst HS Varsity
Amherst HSStuyvesant HS
::

The Callahan Award

The Callahan Award is an annual award given by The Callahan Award committee, with assistance from USA Ultimate, to the best male and female college ultimate players. In addition to honoring extraordinary physical talent and skills, the Callahan Award also honors sportsmanship and leadership. Each Open and Women's team can nominate a single player for the award. Beginning in 2000, players could also be nominated for the Callahan by USA Ultimate college regional coordinators.

The winners are selected through online balloting by other college ultimate players. The award is named after Henry Callahan, one of the early pioneers and ambassadors of ultimate. The Callahan Award was initially created by Charles Kerr and was first awarded in 1996.

Past Callahan winners

::data[format=table]

YearOpenWomen202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996
Dexter Clyburn (University of California-Berkeley)Laura Blume (University of California-Santa Barbara)
Aidan Downey (University of Georgia)Jolie Krebs (SUNY-Binghamton)
Justin Burnett (Emory University)Abby Hecko (University of Washington)
John Randolph (Brown University)Dawn Culton (University of North Carolina)
Azeez Adeyemi (Brown University)Jasmine Childress (University of California-Santa Barbara)
Michael Ing (University of Pittsburgh)Anne Worth (University of North Carolina)
Matt Gouchoe-Hanas (University of North Carolina)Jack Verzuh (Dartmouth College)
Gabe Hernandez (Stanford University)Jackelyne Nguyen (University of California-Berkeley)
John Stubbs (Harvard University)Angela Zhu (Dartmouth College)
Trent Dillon (University of Pittsburgh)Marisa Rafter (University of California-Berkeley)
Jonathan Nethercutt (University of North Carolina)Alika Johnston (University of Virginia)
Jimmy Mickle (University of Colorado)Cassie Swafford (Ohio State University)
Dylan Freechild (University of Oregon)Claire Chastain (University of North Carolina-Wilmington)
Nick Lance (Georgia Institute of Technology)Paula Seville (University of Michigan)
George Stubbs (Harvard University)Leila Tunnell (University of North Carolina)
Eli Friedman (University of Oregon)Shannon O'Malley (University of Washington)
Will Neff (University of Michigan)Georgia Bosscher (University of Wisconsin–Madison)
Joe Kershner (University of Arizona)Courtney Kiesow (University of Wisconsin–Madison)
Dan Heijmen (University of Wisconsin-Madison Hodags)Anna 'Maddog' Nazarov (UCLA)
Tim Gehret (University of Florida)Alex Snyder (University of Colorado)
Joshua "Zip" Ziperstein (Brown University)Cara Crouch (University of Texas)
Joshua "Richter" Ackley (University of Colorado)Miranda Roth (Carleton College)
Ben Wiggins (University of Oregon)Chelsea Dengler (University of Oregon)
Michael Zalisk (Tufts University)Pauline Lauterbach (Brown University)
Alex Nord (Carleton College)Lindsay Goldsmith (Swarthmore College)
Justin Safdie (Brown University)Johanna Neumann (Tufts University)
Fortunat Mueller (Brown University)Jody Dozono (University of Oregon)
Brian Harriford (Louisiana State University)"AJ" Johnson (Stanford University)
Jim Schoettler (Stanford University)Dominique Fontenette (Stanford University)
Keith Monohan (Oregon State University)Val Kelly (University of Pennsylvania)
::

The Donovan Award

The Donovan Award is named after the late Kelly Donovan, who captured the spirit, talent, and commitment to growing the sport that we are looking for in the ideal winners of this award. We are honored for the Donovan Award to help carry on Kelly’s legacy.

The Donovan Award will be awarded to one Women's and one Men's player in Division III who are selected by their peers. The ideal candidate for the award meets the following criteria:

  1. Demonstrates an exceptional level of skill and athleticism on the field.
  2. Upholds the principles of Spirit of the Game, equity, and fairness in their own actions, as well as holding teammates accountable to do the same.
  3. Is a leader off the field, both on their team and in the greater ultimate community.

Past Donovan winners

::data[format=table]

YearMen'sWomen's
2025Daniel Snider (Bates College)Zoe Costanza (Haverford/Bryn Mawr College)
2024Will Brandt (St. Olaf College)Keziah Wilde (Middlebury College)
2023Oliver Kraft (Colorado College)Tess Dolan (Wellesley College)
2022Leo Sovell-Fernandez (Middlebury College)Josie Ku (Wellesley College)
2021Hunter Lang (University of Richmond)Camille Goo (University of Puget Sound)
2020Harris Cannon (University of Richmond)Abby Cheng (Oberlin College)
2019Alan Villanueva (Air Force Academy)Josie Gillett (Bates College)
2018Zachary Norrbom (University of Mary Washington)Tamar Austin (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)
2017Henry Babcock (University of Richmond)Tessa Jones (Swarthmore College)
::

Ultimate Hall of Fame

Source: Source:

Men

::data[format=table]

Class ofInducteeCategory200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
Irv KalbInaugural Class
Tom "TK" Kennedy
Dan "Stork" Roddick
Larry Schindel
Jon "JC" CohnPlayer
Jim Herrick
Sholom "Eric" SimonContributor
Tom "Timba" D'UrsoPlayer
Steve Mooney
Robert "Nob" RauchContributor
Harvey EdwardsPlayer
Dan Weiss
Brian MurphyContributor
Frank BonoPlayer
John Schmechel
Carney FoyContributor
Evan RobertsPlayer
Pat King
Andy BorinsteinContributor
David BarkanPlayer
Michael Glass
Jeremy Seeger
Kenneth DobynsPlayer
Tom Heimann
Cliff Marhoefer
Mike O'Dowd
Keay NakaePlayer
Dennis Warsen
Joey GiampinoPlayer
Jim Ingebritsen
Christopher Van Holmes
Jim ParinellaPlayer
Rich "Gags" GallagherPlayer
Skip Kuhn
Billy Rodriguez
Bob "Bert" Sick
Stu DownsPlayer
Paul Greff
Pat "Bagger" Lee
Andrew Lugsdin
Randy Ricks
Dave BlauPlayer
Jeff Cruickshank
Steve Dugan
David "Buzz" Ellsworth
Mark LicataContributor
Paul BrennerPlayer
Bob DeMan
Ian Hue
Greg Husak
Brian "Biscuit" Morris
Allan "Al Bob" Nichols
Michael BaccariniContributor
Walter VanderSchraafPlayer
Brian DobynsContributor
Andy CrewsPlayer
Bob Lobel
Damien Scott
Mike Grant
Augie KreivenasPlayer
David Boardman
Fortunat Mueller
Frank ReviContributor
Mike CaldwellPlayer
Sam Chatterton-Kirchmeier
Mike Namkung
Alex Nord
Bart Watson
Scotty ConwayMixed Division
Joe SeidlerContributor
Beau KittredgePlayer
Josh Markette
Jon Remucal
Chase Sparling-Beckley
Tyler GrantMixed Division
Kevin Seiler
Robbie CahillPlayer
Rick Geyer
Toby Hankins
Mauricio Matiz
Mark Orders
Dylan Tunnell
Josh Ziperstein
Steve FinnMixed Division
Will Sutton
Will DeaverContributor
Charles Kerr
Bob Pallares
Henry Thorne
::

Women

::data[format=table]

Class ofInducteeCategory20042005200620072008201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
Suzanne FieldsInaugural Class
Kelly GreenPlayer
Kathy PufahlContributor
Ann (Cohan) OrdersPlayer
Heather Morris Raker
Christine DunlapPlayer
Gloria Lust-PhillipsPlayer
Peggy HollingerPlayer
Wende (Coates) PinzPlayer
Nancy GlassPlayer
Molly Goodwin
Christine O'ClearyPlayer
Liz MarinoPlayer
Lori Van HolmesPlayer
Nicole "Sprout" BeckPlayer
Tiina BoothContributor
Cindy FisherContributor
Jackie Watson PiercePlayer
Cat Pittack
Christine "Wags" Wagner
Amy Wilbur
Leslie CalderPlayer
Pam Kraus
Caryn Lucido
Mary LowryContributor
Dominique FontenettePlayer
Angela Lin
Tina McDowell
Joanie Merrill
Michele Pezzolli
Allison BoydPlayer
Lori Parham Ewald
Deb (Cussen) Scheibe
Jody DozonoPlayer
Vivian Zayas
VY Chow
Gwen AmblerPlayer
Katherine Forth
Jennifer "JD" DonnellyContributor
Mary Louise Mahoney Cohn
Cara CrouchPlayer
Anja Haman
Miranda Roth Knowles
Alex Snyder
Alicia White
Emily Smith-WilsonMixed Division
Joey GrayContributor Mix Division
Enessa JanesPlayer
Chelsea Putnam
Nancy Sun
Alyson Walker
Kirsten Unfried Zalisk
Mary BurkeMixed Division
Kendra Frederick
Liz DuffyPlayer
Jenny Fey
Leslie Grayson
Sarah Griffith
Susan Hawkins
Anna Nazarov
Liz Phillips
DeDe Kobylarz Singer
Raha MozaffariMixed Division
Skyla Sisco
Michelle NgContributors
Lynne Nolan
::

Special Merit

::data[format=table]

Class ofInducteeNotes20042005201120142021
The "80 Mold" DiscWham-O's 165 gram World Class flying disc introduced in January 1977 and marked a new era of competitive play
The "Founders"Joel Silver, Bernard "Buzzy" Hellring, Jonathan "Jonny" Hines
The "Discraft Ultra-Star" DiscWith Jim Kenner
The "Johnny Appleseeds"Critical core of 29 individuals who were responsible for ultimate's germination during the critical years up through 1974
Early Photographers and VideographersEight individuals that provided media coverage of early regional, national, and international events.
::

References

References

  1. "Our Mission".
  2. "Strategic Planning".
  3. "Club Division".
  4. "News USA Ultimate Announces Regional Events For Mixed College Teams".
  5. "News Seven College Mixed Regional Events Set for 2018".
  6. "USA Ultimate {{!}} Home Page".
  7. "Masters Championships Bid Document | USA Ultimate".
  8. "USAU Membership".
  9. "Hall of Fame". USA Ultimate.
  10. "Ultimate Hall of Fame members". Ultimate Hall of Fame.

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