While the sight of young people gracefully throwing and catching
a flying disc has long been a campus fixture, the idea of
competitive Frisbee teams is relatively new.

OU’s fast-growing and highly active Ultimate Frisbee team,
known as the Apes of Wrath, is one of about 250 intercollegiate
teams nationwide, and it has nothing to do with John Steinbeck.

“It’s a very diverse, fun, laid-back group of
people, very intense when it comes to competition,” said
Kevin Campbell, zoology sophomore. “It’s a very healthy
group to be around.”

The game consists of two teams of seven who attempt to complete
a pass in each other’s endzone. Players are required to stand
still whenever they have the Frisbee disc, and the game usually
ends when one team reaches 15 points.

The 40 members of the Apes are divided into three
groups—the A team, the B team and the brand-new women’s
team, Never Mrs., said coach Scott Croshier. The teams recently
began their spring season after months of rigorous training.

Ultimate players take their game very seriously, right down to
the terminology employed for moves and strategies. But social
interaction and a sense of fun are also key parts of the game.

“During the game, it’s very competitive, but
afterwards both teams will all go hang out,” said Bryan
Paris, co-captain and meteorology and geography senior.

The moniker comes from a tradition of college teams who choose
punning names that make fun of their state’s school.

Croshier said the team encounters many people who are not aware
of the sport.

“It’s funny when people see us with cleats and ask
us if we’re soccer players,” he said. “It’s
almost gotten to the point where it’s easier to say,
‘Yeah, we’re going to play soccer,’ than go
through the interaction and get strange looks.”

Campbell said Ultimate teams are still overcoming deeply-rooted
Frisbee stereotypes.

“From my personal experience, it still is sort of looked
down upon as a bunch of boring hippies dancing around on an open
field somewhere,” he said.

This doesn’t mean there’s a lack of support,
however. Lane Koenig, international studies sophomore, said the
sport is becoming more institutionally popular, with companies
marketing more towards its fans.

“It’s been around since the ‘60s, but I think
it’s just now becoming popular enough where colleges have
their own teams,” she said.

Paris said the sport’s newfound acceptance could turn out
to be a mixed blessing.

“The one thing I do fear if it gets more recognition is
the sport changing,” he said. “One of the things I
really like about Ultimate is that the players officiate the games.
That’s something I think could change if it gets on ESPN or
something.”

The Apes’ next tournament will be the week-long High Tide
tournament in Savannah, Ga., during spring break.
hello there & you too