Mary Gilmore, Staff Writer
Ultimate Frisbee at SUNY Oneonta has always been more than a sport, it’s a community, a tradition, and a place where students find belonging. This year, the program is experiencing a surge of energy as both the men’s team, SOFA, and the women’s team, Loveseat, continue to grow, compete, and strengthen their presence on campus. With Loveseat in the process of becoming its own officially recognized club again, the future of Oneonta Ultimate looks brighter than ever.
At the heart of the program is a dedicated executive board working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. President Ryan Husta leads the organization with steady direction, supported by Vice President Mia Cooper, Treasurer Thomas Byrne, Secretary Ryan Curley, Public Relations Officer Mary Gilmore, and Community Service Liaison Brady Renda. Together, they manage logistics, tournaments, budgeting, outreach, and the day‑to‑day operations that allow both teams to thrive.
On the field, leadership comes from a strong lineup of captains: Brady Renda, Thomas Byrne, Sami Ali, Mia Cooper, and Mary Gilmore. Their combined experience, athleticism, and commitment to team culture set the tone for practices and games. Whether they’re teaching new players how to throw a flick or strategizing for high‑stakes tournament play, the captains ensure that every athlete, rookie or veteran, feels supported and challenged.
The weekly practice schedule reflects the team’s dedication. Players meet Monday and Wednesday from 3–5 PM, Tuesday and Thursday from 4–6 PM, and Sundays from 12–2 PM. These sessions blend conditioning, drills, scrimmages, and team bonding. For many members, practice is the best part of their day, a chance to decompress, compete, and spend time with friends who feel more like family.
A typical SUNY Oneonta Ultimate practice follows a structured rhythm that keeps players sharp and steadily improving. The team starts with warm‑up drills to get everyone moving and synced up. From there, practice shifts into frisbee‑specific drills that focus on skills like cutting, marking, handler movement, and defensive positioning. Captains often introduce or review specific plays, walking the team through spacing, timing, and decision‑making. Practice usually ends with a scrimmage, giving players the chance to implement the plays they just learned and translate drills into real‑game flow.
This spring, the teams are gearing up for one of the most anticipated events of the year, High Tide, a four‑day tournament held during spring break in Myrtle Beach. High Tide is a rite of passage in the college Ultimate world, drawing teams from across the country for a week of intense competition, beachside bonding, and unforgettable memories.
Beyond High Tide, the teams will also compete in sectionals, a major tournament that determines rankings and possible advancement to regionals.
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