Scobel Wiggins Photography

As much as I love (and I do mean love) playing this game, I've often wondered what I'm doing with my life, pouring my time, money, and energy into some silly sport when, arguably, at the end of the day, me playing Ultimate has not benefited anyone else, nor has it made any meaningful difference off the field. Fun and exercise are things I enjoy and can't live without, but when there is so much work to be done in the world, I can't help feeling empty and a little bit guilty for my obsession with Ultimate.

Michelle Ng showed me it's possible to make a difference through the sport I love. Hosting Midwest Warmup, Midwest Throwdown, the Roundup Division, and the Skills Clinic has been a small way for my team to pay back a little of what we've been given from alumni who have built our program, our school's funding support, dedicated coaches, and community involvement. Organizing has allowed us to do the following:

• Spread the knowledge: For instance, through housing Mississippi State for Throwdown weekend, I had the privilege of meeting Diana. She captains their ten-person team and was the only player who had non-pickup Ultimate experience before that tournament. In other words, she dragged nine girls on an eight-hour drive to their first tournament with Roundup Division Guest Coach Chelsea Putnam to get them hooked on Ultimate. It worked.
• Strengthen our region:  The South region has historically not been an Ultimate-dense or highly competitive area in the Women's College Division.  Having more high-level tournaments accessible to teams in the South creates more playing and learning opportunities and builds program reputations to attract young Ultimate players to our schools.
• Build Friendships: Just like anything else, you get out of this sport what you put into it. Through organizing, I've made friends who have literally transformed the way I look at life. The world is changed one person at a time, and I hope I can do for other Ultimate players what my friends have done for me.

I'm not trying to pretend that playing Ultimate is the same as feeding starving children or helping the homeless. But, programs like Ultimate Peace, Emerald City Ultimate, Michelle's unique tournaments, and other outreach and youth clinics serve as models and inspirations for us, showing we can all make a difference wherever we're at.

Abby Stephens, former Wash U captain and current Wash U player