Youth Spotlight: Gabe Lee
photo by Jason Mechler, copyright 2009
Gabe Lee’s mother played ultimate 4 days before he was born. His first tournament was the WFDF World Tournament, 1993 Madison, Wisconsin. He was on the sideline at two months old, while his parents played on teams from Chicago (Windy City and Nemesis).
Playing with other families in the park since he was about seven, Gabe demonstrates solid physical skills and field awareness. He is fit and quick, and plays a strong vertical game. Now in his junior year at McCallum High School, Gabe will take McCallum Ultimate Frisbee (MUF) to the Lone Star High School State Ultimate Tournament, and plans to win this year!
As a as a 7th grader, Gabe played in the first ever Fabulous Five’s tournament for middle school players all across the city. The Kealing Middle School team won the tournament in March, 2005. In his freshman year, providing experience and leadership for a Lamar Middle School team, Gabe played, and won again, in December 2007. You have seen Gabe on adult teams playing with his Dad, “Bagger”, Patrick Lee. He also has played in Austin’s annual CENTEX for several years on a father/son team. He was part of the Chingow team that almost beat Doublewide to win the tournament in 2008.
Gabe plays because he loves it. “It’s fun and my parents have encouraged me,” says Gabe. “I throw with my mom and dad all the time.” To Gabe, Spirit of the Game means to “play your hardest while maintaining respect for your opponent.”
He spent a week this summer being a mentor to young players at UltimateSpirit Camp. While on our field trip, an annual experience involving the Riverside Lunch pick-up game, another high school player recognized Gabe from his performance in the Live Logic High School Showcase Game. “This guy is a monster,” he announced. The young campers who had been idolizing Gabe all week looked confused. Gabe just smiled, and in quiet voice replied…”but, a nice monster.”
Ultimate Spirit.org is a volunteer Organization that is devoted to teaching the Spirit and Skills of Ultimate to players who are under 19 years of age in the Lone Star State. As a volunteer organization, we depend upon players showing character and commitment to develop our programs. This month, we spotlight two invaluable high school volunteers who are making a difference in our community by teaching ultimate to younger players, and by providing support and leadership to their high school teams. Hats off to these two young players who are truly “Playing the Game, and Living the Spirit”.
