The Hodag Influence
It seemed like quite a performance by the Hodags at nationals. I, of course, was not there and only watching online, refreshing occasionally at work. Although I am a Michigan grad and was hoping they would at least hold seed, I must admit to rooting for Wisco as much as Michigan. First, I am a pretty lame alumnus of Michigan, I have not even seen magnUM play since 03 at Mardi Gras. I have never donated any $$$ to the program. Nor could I identify anyone on their team if I saw them without any sort of Michigan stuff.
The Hodags on the other hand I have at least played against or played with over the past couple of years. And really, the last college ultimate player that I have any influence (Shaner, by way of captaining) over played his last game. Before I gush about him, I will gush about the hodags in general. The worst part is, I do not even feel dirty about rooting for them. I used to hate Madison.
First off, they were one of the biggest reasons that Sub Zero became relevant again. After 02, we were in an odd place. Losing most of what people knew as Sub Zero. 03 was definitely rebuilding, we still had plenty of talent, but we went with a pretty stern, you have to commit to us rule. And we tried to focus on getting good, local talent (not just talent living in the area for the fall), but if you were from the Twin City area, we really wanted you.
And for the most part it worked, we had an ok season has we picked up some local kids who would become essential players over the next couple of years (Q from Winona then Madison, Naz from Cloud, Schmzelzeze from Olaf, and Rupp from CUT). Not only were these good players, but they wanted to stay around MInneapolis. Eventually, our inexperience caught up to us and we finished dead last at nationals (although I would try to argue it was not that bad, b/c we lost out on prequarters by a 2 point point diff. But we did finish dead last).
03 also saw us lose control of the region. Truck surpassed us and at times made us look silly throughout the summer and fall. Luckily, everyone was pretty much committed to growing the local talent. We retained most of the team from 03, plus we added a couple more young guns to the mix (Shaner who took the winona/madison route, Berkseth from Olaf, Jeremy from Minny). The well was not dry, but the experience was raw. Many of the guys that we were picking were not from primetime college programs. The big game experience in most central region ultimate is not the same experience that we needed in order to put Zero back to relevance on the national stage. We were in effect teaching everyone how to play solid ultimate, not just for a game or a half. But for a full weekend. Learning how to win the close games. And learning how to be efficient. It was a bit frustrating at times to try and focus on what we needed to do to get better.
Truck was still the regional best, although we played them better. But we were getting more concerned about Madison. After winning in 03, the 03 club Madison team did the best out of the 3 central region teams (please no jokes). Throw into the fact that many of our team never beat the Hodags in college. You can call it arrogance, but it can also be seen as an expectation to win. If you play frisbee at Madison, you expect to win. That cannot be said for a lot of the college frisbee in Minnesota. Core contributors of our team had never beaten the Hodags.
And in 04, the Madison club had a bit of an attitude about them. To me, it seemed that they were playing not only to do well in the fall, but in a way to say, hey we only need Hodags. They knew how to win in college and it seemed like they may have the potential to win some games in the fall. Combining not only their college talent, but keeping some of the more recent alums around, they were a scrappy club team that knew how to play together. And at sectionals, we would split 2 games with them, both going to double game point. They would pull out the finals, making a run late in the game, I believe.
2 weeks later, we would have to beat that at regionals. We lost a close game to Truck in the finals and they had beaten Chicago in the backdoor. But we were too much for them. After being close early, we had a good run, sparked by a trap line/no dump late defense that really took advantage of their inexperience downfield. We took 2nd and they ended up losing the backdoor to Chicago.
And on that day, the seeds were planted for the top Hodags to come play for Sub Zero. Sitting on the sidelines, some of discussed what would ever happen if we were able to cherry pick a couple of Madison guys. Or would a 50/50 combo of Zero + Madison could ever work. I do not remember who threw it out there, but the couple of us there talking about all were interested in it. If we got the right guys, it could work. They needed the experience that we had and the somewhat stability a slightly big city can create. We needed their constant influx of talent, much of which was rooted in the Midwest.
If Madison beats us at regionals, who knows what would have happened. Definitely no combo. It would have fueled the all we need are Hodags attitude. And eventually we may have lost Q + Shaner. Not only did we beat them, but for the first time in a while, we pulled away from them. We won by 5 or so. Not a blowout, but enough to be seen as convincing. That was a huge mental thing for us.
The best part is, the guys who we ended up taking in 05 + 06 (and from all accounts 07) did it with a full commitment. Their was no ego playing. No demand for everything. They proved to us not only were they great players, but also great teammates. From day one, we were a team, they came from a successful program and we were building a different successful program and they meshed perfectly. Madison is 4 hours away from Minneapolis and they were there more than I ever imagined. These guys want to play ultimate and they want to play well. They want to win. They want to make everyone better. Of course they have a lot of talent, but just as important they have the right attitude. It does help to have a huge university, but they know how to utilize that atmosphere. It is pretty sick.
And this brings back to my original reason for posting, Shane. Even though he did not start there, I find it hard to imagine those guys without him. And yet, you get the feeling if you took Shane away, that would still be great. That is amazing to me.
When we took him, he was a raw athlete with the throwing skills of Leo, my 19 month old (seriously, he has a sweet flick, as good as Shane's in 04). There were 2 reasons that we took Shane, basically the 2 things we told everyone who tried out for Sub Zero.
#1 - play defense. Shane was not the smartest defender, rarely anyone who has been playing for ultimate for less than 2 years is. But 1-on-1, he was amazing. This guy dominated all the tryouts and a lot of the returners. Who earned the nickname Horse at the beginning because of his build and his speed. Most ds in tryouts were made by him. Many were scared to match up with him (and not for risk of injury).
#2 - be a good teammate. He not only was supportive and encouraging to all the Zero guys and tryouts, but he was a sponge. He wanted to learn. He took responsibility for his mistakes (not sulking after a turn, rather realizing and learning from the turn or break or whatever just happened). Many people had more offense skill than he did, but you could just see him learn so much throughout the tryout process. Lastly, he earned all the pt he got. Initially, we thought he would barely play. By the end of the year, he was playing huge points in big games for us (well, as big of games as the 13th place team at nationals can play in).
And Shane turned out to be one of my favorite teammates ever. It is great to see that he is the prime time player that we hoped he would be.
And from every account you read of the hodags, you see these two things mentioned about them. They play great defense and they are a great team. Obviously, they were this way before Shane got there, but he just added to it. That is why he and so many of those other outstanding athletes work. If you believe in your team, you will succeed. (And yes, it helps to have athletes and throwers, belief is not enough). But thinking about what I love about ultimate is focusing on a common goal and (Assuming your goal is to win) working your butts off to achieve it. It feels good to invest so much into something that pays 0, takes way too much time and energy, but knowing that everyone else is doing it too. Not only that, but everyone wants to do it.
Much like Shane, It is insanely stupid, but so much fun.
p.s. thanks to everyone who responded or e-mail. I will be in the atlantic coast region this summer
The Hodags on the other hand I have at least played against or played with over the past couple of years. And really, the last college ultimate player that I have any influence (Shaner, by way of captaining) over played his last game. Before I gush about him, I will gush about the hodags in general. The worst part is, I do not even feel dirty about rooting for them. I used to hate Madison.
First off, they were one of the biggest reasons that Sub Zero became relevant again. After 02, we were in an odd place. Losing most of what people knew as Sub Zero. 03 was definitely rebuilding, we still had plenty of talent, but we went with a pretty stern, you have to commit to us rule. And we tried to focus on getting good, local talent (not just talent living in the area for the fall), but if you were from the Twin City area, we really wanted you.
And for the most part it worked, we had an ok season has we picked up some local kids who would become essential players over the next couple of years (Q from Winona then Madison, Naz from Cloud, Schmzelzeze from Olaf, and Rupp from CUT). Not only were these good players, but they wanted to stay around MInneapolis. Eventually, our inexperience caught up to us and we finished dead last at nationals (although I would try to argue it was not that bad, b/c we lost out on prequarters by a 2 point point diff. But we did finish dead last).
03 also saw us lose control of the region. Truck surpassed us and at times made us look silly throughout the summer and fall. Luckily, everyone was pretty much committed to growing the local talent. We retained most of the team from 03, plus we added a couple more young guns to the mix (Shaner who took the winona/madison route, Berkseth from Olaf, Jeremy from Minny). The well was not dry, but the experience was raw. Many of the guys that we were picking were not from primetime college programs. The big game experience in most central region ultimate is not the same experience that we needed in order to put Zero back to relevance on the national stage. We were in effect teaching everyone how to play solid ultimate, not just for a game or a half. But for a full weekend. Learning how to win the close games. And learning how to be efficient. It was a bit frustrating at times to try and focus on what we needed to do to get better.
Truck was still the regional best, although we played them better. But we were getting more concerned about Madison. After winning in 03, the 03 club Madison team did the best out of the 3 central region teams (please no jokes). Throw into the fact that many of our team never beat the Hodags in college. You can call it arrogance, but it can also be seen as an expectation to win. If you play frisbee at Madison, you expect to win. That cannot be said for a lot of the college frisbee in Minnesota. Core contributors of our team had never beaten the Hodags.
And in 04, the Madison club had a bit of an attitude about them. To me, it seemed that they were playing not only to do well in the fall, but in a way to say, hey we only need Hodags. They knew how to win in college and it seemed like they may have the potential to win some games in the fall. Combining not only their college talent, but keeping some of the more recent alums around, they were a scrappy club team that knew how to play together. And at sectionals, we would split 2 games with them, both going to double game point. They would pull out the finals, making a run late in the game, I believe.
2 weeks later, we would have to beat that at regionals. We lost a close game to Truck in the finals and they had beaten Chicago in the backdoor. But we were too much for them. After being close early, we had a good run, sparked by a trap line/no dump late defense that really took advantage of their inexperience downfield. We took 2nd and they ended up losing the backdoor to Chicago.
And on that day, the seeds were planted for the top Hodags to come play for Sub Zero. Sitting on the sidelines, some of discussed what would ever happen if we were able to cherry pick a couple of Madison guys. Or would a 50/50 combo of Zero + Madison could ever work. I do not remember who threw it out there, but the couple of us there talking about all were interested in it. If we got the right guys, it could work. They needed the experience that we had and the somewhat stability a slightly big city can create. We needed their constant influx of talent, much of which was rooted in the Midwest.
If Madison beats us at regionals, who knows what would have happened. Definitely no combo. It would have fueled the all we need are Hodags attitude. And eventually we may have lost Q + Shaner. Not only did we beat them, but for the first time in a while, we pulled away from them. We won by 5 or so. Not a blowout, but enough to be seen as convincing. That was a huge mental thing for us.
The best part is, the guys who we ended up taking in 05 + 06 (and from all accounts 07) did it with a full commitment. Their was no ego playing. No demand for everything. They proved to us not only were they great players, but also great teammates. From day one, we were a team, they came from a successful program and we were building a different successful program and they meshed perfectly. Madison is 4 hours away from Minneapolis and they were there more than I ever imagined. These guys want to play ultimate and they want to play well. They want to win. They want to make everyone better. Of course they have a lot of talent, but just as important they have the right attitude. It does help to have a huge university, but they know how to utilize that atmosphere. It is pretty sick.
And this brings back to my original reason for posting, Shane. Even though he did not start there, I find it hard to imagine those guys without him. And yet, you get the feeling if you took Shane away, that would still be great. That is amazing to me.
When we took him, he was a raw athlete with the throwing skills of Leo, my 19 month old (seriously, he has a sweet flick, as good as Shane's in 04). There were 2 reasons that we took Shane, basically the 2 things we told everyone who tried out for Sub Zero.
#1 - play defense. Shane was not the smartest defender, rarely anyone who has been playing for ultimate for less than 2 years is. But 1-on-1, he was amazing. This guy dominated all the tryouts and a lot of the returners. Who earned the nickname Horse at the beginning because of his build and his speed. Most ds in tryouts were made by him. Many were scared to match up with him (and not for risk of injury).
#2 - be a good teammate. He not only was supportive and encouraging to all the Zero guys and tryouts, but he was a sponge. He wanted to learn. He took responsibility for his mistakes (not sulking after a turn, rather realizing and learning from the turn or break or whatever just happened). Many people had more offense skill than he did, but you could just see him learn so much throughout the tryout process. Lastly, he earned all the pt he got. Initially, we thought he would barely play. By the end of the year, he was playing huge points in big games for us (well, as big of games as the 13th place team at nationals can play in).
And Shane turned out to be one of my favorite teammates ever. It is great to see that he is the prime time player that we hoped he would be.
And from every account you read of the hodags, you see these two things mentioned about them. They play great defense and they are a great team. Obviously, they were this way before Shane got there, but he just added to it. That is why he and so many of those other outstanding athletes work. If you believe in your team, you will succeed. (And yes, it helps to have athletes and throwers, belief is not enough). But thinking about what I love about ultimate is focusing on a common goal and (Assuming your goal is to win) working your butts off to achieve it. It feels good to invest so much into something that pays 0, takes way too much time and energy, but knowing that everyone else is doing it too. Not only that, but everyone wants to do it.
Much like Shane, It is insanely stupid, but so much fun.
p.s. thanks to everyone who responded or e-mail. I will be in the atlantic coast region this summer
posted by sometallskinnykid at 8:51 PM
2 Comments:
What a great post! I am a new fan to this sport or at least relatively new. I've watched my son for about five year's now but never really appreciating what was happening until this year. Yes, my son is a Hodag. Meeting Shane this year, as well as the other excellent athletes on that team, gave me a great appreciation for commitment and the "love of the sport". Shane, however stood out and he wins my "Never Quit" Award. All of those Hodags who won't be back will be missed, but I'm confident they were good teachers along the way. Matt,Brandon,Shane,Tim, Drew, Jim and all the rest thank you for time, your effort and for leaving a great legacy to follow. I raise my neat Bushmill's to a toast for your accomplishments!
A Hodag Father
great post, and great comment. gerrit, your grammar and syntax is excellent. (that's not faint praise, i'm just too lazy to reciprocate). congrats to your son, and as a long time player of a fringe sport, i want to say how valuable every real fan is.
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