Ultimate Is Newest Pro Sport In Town
By: Thad Brown
Updated: January 19, 2013
Rochester has yet another pro sport arriving in town.
This time, it's the popular college sport once called ultimate frisbee. Today, the game is simply known as Ultimate and the American Ultimate Disc League is its highest level.
Last summer, the Buffalo Hunters played in the inaugural season of AUDL. However, the team believes Rochester is a more fertile city for ultimate frisbee fans and decided to move east.
"There are 1,200 people who pay money to play (ultimate) in Rochester," said Dragons head coach Kristopher Smith.
Last Saturday, 60 players attended a scouting combine at Total Sports Experience to determine who would occupy the 25 roster spots on the Dragons.
AUDL players are paid only by having travel expenses covered. Many pro ultimate players are in club leagues where they have to pay their own way to attend games, so not paying for gas, hotel, and meals is more than enough compensation.
The league champion will also split a $25,000 first prize, meaning a thousand dollars to each championship winning player.
The concern with the Dragons in particular and the AUDL in general is taking what's generally been known as a lackadaisical college game and turn it into a successful business. The goals aren't high. "I could see it becoming like lacrosse," said Dragon handler (that's a position in Ultimate) Greg Wakeman. The Dragons think Ultimate can work in Rochester.
"Rochester is an up and coming city," said Smith. "There's been a lot of groundwork that's been laid here. We're just hoping to come along side of that and help take it to the next level and put some exposure to the sport."
"I think it's going to make splashes," added Wakeman. "It's a hugely popular sport. Way more people play it than I think the general public realizes. I think there's a lot of money to be made in it. We're making huge steps in the right direction."
The Dragons don't have a home field yet, but frisbees will be in the air sometime in April.
This time, it's the popular college sport once called ultimate frisbee. Today, the game is simply known as Ultimate and the American Ultimate Disc League is its highest level.
Last summer, the Buffalo Hunters played in the inaugural season of AUDL. However, the team believes Rochester is a more fertile city for ultimate frisbee fans and decided to move east.
"There are 1,200 people who pay money to play (ultimate) in Rochester," said Dragons head coach Kristopher Smith.
Last Saturday, 60 players attended a scouting combine at Total Sports Experience to determine who would occupy the 25 roster spots on the Dragons.
AUDL players are paid only by having travel expenses covered. Many pro ultimate players are in club leagues where they have to pay their own way to attend games, so not paying for gas, hotel, and meals is more than enough compensation.
The league champion will also split a $25,000 first prize, meaning a thousand dollars to each championship winning player.
The concern with the Dragons in particular and the AUDL in general is taking what's generally been known as a lackadaisical college game and turn it into a successful business. The goals aren't high. "I could see it becoming like lacrosse," said Dragon handler (that's a position in Ultimate) Greg Wakeman. The Dragons think Ultimate can work in Rochester.
"Rochester is an up and coming city," said Smith. "There's been a lot of groundwork that's been laid here. We're just hoping to come along side of that and help take it to the next level and put some exposure to the sport."
"I think it's going to make splashes," added Wakeman. "It's a hugely popular sport. Way more people play it than I think the general public realizes. I think there's a lot of money to be made in it. We're making huge steps in the right direction."
The Dragons don't have a home field yet, but frisbees will be in the air sometime in April.
