Frisbee just got a lot more competitive at Auburn.
Brad Smith, president and captain of the men's Ultimate Frisbee team, said he wants to clear up the misconception that Ultimate Frisbee is a "hippie sport."
"I've seen countless athletes make jaw-dropping layouts and D's right in front of my eyes," Smith said. "If you think Ultimate is for hippies, think again."
Smith, senior in computer science and software engineering, has played for Auburn for three years.
Smith said he started playing pickup games of Ultimate his senior year in high school and continued playing his freshman year.
"I've always been very competitive," Smith said. "After seeing what competitive Ultimate was like, I was hooked."
Mary DeCastra, president of the women's team and senior in nutrition and food sciences, said she also got involved with the club through a pickup game one day after her freshman year.
"I came out to practice that August, and I've loved it since day one," DeCastra said.
James McCracken, graduate student in computer science and software engineering, said he has played pickup games for about seven years, but was introduced to the competitive side of the sport a few years ago by his roommate.
"Ultimate is a very unique sport," McCracken said. "Everyone is a receiver, thrower and defender all at the same time."
The teams practice throughout the fall and may participate in a few tournaments.
The season doesn't usually begin until the spring semester, DeCastra said.
Starting in January, the teams will compete against other universities' teams all across the Southeast.
"Ultimate is a pretty awesome sport, and everyone should come check it out," DeCastra said. "We are a very laid-back crowd, but love to have fun."
The best part about playing on the team, McCracken said, is the opportunity to compete at tournaments against other universities across the nation.
"Besides playing the actual game itself, the friends and relationships you develop playing with the team are irreplaceable," McCracken said.
Both teams practice from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Intramural Fields on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The club mainly recruits people through word of mouth and through local pickup games on campus, Smith said.
They also set up tables on O-Days to help raise awareness for the sport.
Ninety percent of the team every year has not played Ultimate before college, Smith said.
"No experience is necessary to play," Smith said. "As long as you can run and you want to get better, we can teach you everything else."
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