December 2011

President's Corner

Anyone that’s ever traveled down Lamar will recognize House Park.  It’s an AISD football stadium, (in case you’re the one person that has never traveled down Lamar).   There are many similar football stadiums all around town.  A group of soccer fields with a sign that says “Soccer Complex” receives little notice because it is so normal.  Baseball fields are everywhere, too.  I am sad, however.  And I have been sad for many years….that nowhere will you find Ultimate Fields.  I’m also sad that people still think I play Disc Golf whenever I say I play Ultimate Frisbee….but that’s a whole nuther story. 

If I ask, “Where are the dedicated, lighted Ultimate fields?”  Even the hardcore, 30-year veteran players will look at me as if I am insane.   I am not.  (Yes, I have had my head examined.  Thank you very much.)

Austin Ultimate, I want to raise the bar.  I want to set our sights on the goal of getting dedicated fields for Ultimate in or very near Austin.  I am willing to compromise and say, perhaps not by the end of my term as president of UPLA.  But could we at least do it before I lose all my hair?  But seriously, can we get dedicated fields in Austin within 5 years?  And if not, why not?  Soccer, football, baseball, even rugby teams do it!  I refuse to believe we cannot achieve the same goal. 

Gary Breaux and I started this conversation at Patterson Park one rainy evening about five years ago when it became obvious that day’s pick-up game was not happening.  We asked each other, what would it take for Ultimate to have its own fields?  We are still asking.  Now, maybe the answers are coming.  A couple of months ago, Gary talked to a friend of his that belongs to the community group, Friends of Deep Eddy.  Since their formation, FODE has successfully completed many projects, some of them quite large- in short, they raised over $1 million to renovate the old Deep Eddy bath house. (http://www.deepeddy.org).  What were they doing to be so successful?  The answer was that they partnered with the City.

Over the next few months, I will start a conversation with the City of Austin to see what fields/land they may have that we can leverage.  I will also speak with the Austin Parks Foundation (http://www.austinparks.org/) to see why they are not showing pictures of Ultimate on their mailouts.  I will see what it will take from a cost, time and effort perspective.  I will also look to you for your input, thoughts and suggestions.   For example, if you work for the city or have any key contacts within the City of Austin, please talk to me. 

Also, before I spend UPLA time, effort, and (no doubt) money, pursing Ultimate fields, I would truly like your buy-in that this is worth it.  I want to know that this goal is something the Austin Ultimate community will value and work with me to obtain.

For now, imagine a block of fields in Austin with a sign out front that says Ultimate.  Imagine going to those fields year round, 7 days a week and finding your team’s practice, a league game, or some awesome pickup.  Imagine lights on these fields.   What legacy should our generation of Ultimate leave for the next?  Where will the middle, high school, and college players of today be playing in 10 years?  Let's make it easier for those that follow behind us by taking action today. 

If you are interested in pursuing this vision for Austin Ultimate or have reservations about its worth, I want you in on the discussion.  Please do contact me at pagen8 (at) gmail dot com.

Thanks,

Big Paul, Proud UPLA President