Hey Everyone--

Well here it is, the final email of the Fall 2001 WAFC season (sniff sniff).  We're sure you're all happy that your email inboxes will no longer be crammed with an obnoxious amount of reminders, game info, and the like.  Still, we figured we'd take this last chance to look back at what we accomplished this past season, and then tell you a little bit about what's coming in the future.

First, as far as our season goes, it was an extremely successful one.  We went from being 1-8 in the Spring 2001 regular season and 0-3 in that season's tournament to being 6-3 during the Fall regular season, 
2-2 in the tournament qualifiers, and quartefinalists in the tournament's final round. 

Thats a remarkable turnaround, something the entire team should be really proud about.  What was the difference between last season and this season that helped lead to this dramatic change? 

First and foremost, people showed a committment this season that really helped us become not just a group of players, but really a team. Apart from our opening game, we always had enough people to play, and most of the time had almost everyone there. As a result, we were able to build on our past experiences and learn each other's style of play.

As a result of this greater committment and team unity, we were able to establish flow during most of our games, something that had been sorely lacking in the spring. Also, since most of us had played together now for a good amount of time, that experience showed and let us really compete in a way that we hadn't been able to in the past.

In addition, we developed a winning attitude this season that really helped us hang in games that started off badly for us. Last season, if the team had fallen behind by any more than 2 or 3 points, our whole game play would collapse, and we'd end up losing handily. This season, that was not the case... we fought till the end of every game, and had a number of impressive comebacks as a result.  It just goes to show you... if you think you can win and can beat any team you meet, then chances are much better you'll do well.

A fourth key change this season was everyone's willingness to do what was best for the team.  Even when we had to dictate who was in the game at certain points during the season, everyone accepted that as necessary at that moment, and didn't complain too much.  That was a big help to us personally as team captains, since it allowed us to impose some kind of order when we felt we needed to.  Thanks for understanding if you ever were kept on the sidelines a bit more than you should have been... by showing such team spirit, you helped the entire team.

Finally, this season's team was so successful in large part due to not only the veterans of seasons past, but also to the new arrivals this season who helped add important aspects to our team. Sean's arrival at the start of the year was a blessing to the team, as he really became one of the team's best handlers, defenders, and all-around players. In addition, both midseason additions (Erika and Kemp) were keys to our success.  Erika was crucial not only as the fifth woman on the team, but also as a player who showed amazing athletic talent. Kemp, for his part, brought his command of the skies to the team and helped out in a big way.  

For all these reasons, then, CUltimate did amazingly well this season.  In fact, we not only were one of the top teams in our division... on any given day, we could have beaten any of the teams we lost to, including the #1 team Resucitated Roadkill.  In other words, we were a championship-caliber team this season, and we definitely should be even better in the spring.

Thanks again to everyone for coming out, playing hard, and showing a real team spirit.  You really made us proud to be captains of such a fine team this season.

We are hoping to have a team dinner before the semester ends, if anyone has any ideas, just email us and let us know (suppose that means you might be getting some more emails from us after all... oh well, you know you love them).  

Apart from that, get some rest.  We (Alan and Dave) will definitely be trying to get Catholic involved in some more college tournaments in the spring. We'll let you know about any such developments by the general email list. 

However, as you know, both of us are now seniors and will be graduating in May.  Therefore, for the future of the team next year, 
we will be scaling back some of our own responsibilities for CUltimate organization and instead shifting those duties to willing juniors (or freshmen for that matter). We will let you know when its been decided who will be organizing the WAFC season in the spring, and who will be the new captains for next school year.   

Finally, a big round of applause for our graduating senior Crouching Tiger Hidden Ray.  Ray joined the WAFC team last spring, and since then he has always amazed us with his high energy level and amazing tumbling ability.  We will miss him next season if he is unable to play for CUltimate...however, like Patty Pants, Smithers, Maloney, and all the rest, he'll always be an honorary member of the team. Thanks Ray for some great play out there over the past two seasons!

Again, great season everyone... it was really a memorable one. When we get photos from the season, we'll post them on the team website and let you know.

Have a Great Thanksgiving!
Dave and Alan