USA Ultimate

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STEVE "MOONS" MOONEY Inducted: 2006 - Player Current Home: Roslindale, Mass. Born: April 28, 1958

Steve Mooney, as one of the top players in the game and leader of one of the best teams in Ultimate for 20 years, is the quintessential Hall of Famer. His dominating play and presence led Boston to seven UPA Club and two World Championships (along with Spirit of the Game Team Awards at both World Championships). In addition to Steve's outstanding on-field contributions, it was his preparation that set him apart. From managing the team make-up, organizing training, running practice; Moons was the one to go to when everything is on the line. His ability to address a thousand details, many psychological, in the months preceding the critical play of the crucial game is what has made him so great. That he is the one that players looked for in that situation is icing.

Playing Career | US Nationals | WFDF Worlds | Contributions & Service | Interview

Interview

Q: What position(s) (e.g., handler, deep cutter, middle-middle) did you usually play?

A: I was told to go deep my entire career, but I didn’t listen all that well, and found myself more often around the disc. Early in my career, we didn’t sub much and we all played both O and D. Later, with DoG, I became more of a handler.

Q: Describe your major accomplishments –  both as a teammate and an individual player?

A: I lead Boston based teams for 20 years. I qualified and played in 19 Nationals Championships in a row. I established the Peter Farricker Spirit of the Game Award for the Open Division player who demonstrates great spirit and fair play while playing at the highest levels of the game. I also played on two separate teams which each won both the tournament’s Fair Play/Spirit Award as well as the championship.

Q: Why did you stand out among the elite players of your time?  What was it that you did best, or were known for? 

A: I’m 6’7" tall, and love to run. Training has always been my friend and enabled me to outlast most opponents. In the first half of my career, I looked to shut-down the opposing team’s top scorers. Many told me that I was extremely hard to cover.  I revel in throwing goals and wanted to be seen as the go-to person on the field when the pressure was on.  I’ve always had a good backhand. Love to huck-it deep. Had to learn the hard way not to put it up at every opportunity. Over time, my completion rate improved dramatically.

Q: What was your role with the best (or most overachieving) team that you played on?

A: In 1993 or 1994, as a member of a team of eight, we won an elite tournament (near Philadelphia somewhere). We all had to do everything to win. Two concepts, The Man (O) and The Clam (D), were each awesome that weekend. DoG’s winning spirit was born.

Q: Why do you believe you were worthy of being inducted into the Ultimate Hall of Fame?

A: It is my sincere hope that my contributions to the sport of Ultimate are greater than the winning of championships. I tried to bring fair play to the field whenever we competed. I certainly enjoyed playing for and leading teams who contributed to the reinvention of various elements of the game itself. Finally, I continue to want to be involved in Ultimate and hope to give back some of what it has given me.