USA Ultimate

Joey was one of the greatest receivers ever to play the game of Ultimate. His grace, power, determination and timing were breathtaking. Joey was an unstoppable force, who at 6’1’’ out-jumped and out-dove the taller opponents he faced. He helped lead Windy City to two national championships (1983, ‘86) and one world title (1984). Joey’s fiery showmanship was legendary; fellow competitors and spectators gathered on the sidelines in anticipation of spectacular display of athleticism. And he usually delivered. Joey finished his career in the early 90’s in Boston, playing for Big Ego Ultimate. Sadly, Joey passed away in 2011, leaving a rich legacy and countless memories of greatness.

In 1983, as an emerging young stand-out, Jim helped lead the San Diego Spin-offs to the finals of his first National Championships. For the next decade he was widely acknowledged as one of the best all-around players on the West Coast and one of the most exciting players to watch around the Country. With superior athleticism, charismatic leadership, and exemplary sportsmanship, Jim sported a one-of-a-kind brand of greatness. Speed, jumping, precision throwing, he had it all, not to mention perfect hair and likeable swagger. As Jim matured, he played increasingly critical leadership roles, on and off the field, on three different teams that made it to National’s Finals (Spinoffs, Flying Circus, Iguana). Always the go-to guy on offense and the defender to cover the best player on the other team, Jim brought high performance and excellence to every game he ever played. When the Flying Circus learned he would be joining their team in 1985 in their quest to win the national championship, a few of them looked at each other and said: That’s it – we are going to win". And they did.

A tenacious defender, versatile thrower and aggressive cutter; CVH has dominated on the Ultimate field for 5 decades. Playing his first Nationals finals with Cornell in 1978, Chris also competed in the USAU 2012 Grandmasters Championships. In his prime, CVH played for Windy City in the 80’s and Seattle Sockeye in the 90’s, winning the National Championship in 1983 and 1986 with Chicago and a world championship in 1997 with Seattle. He earned 3 more rings with the Kegworkers in the Masters division, 2 at Club championships and one at Worlds. CVH was a go-to handler who loved to cover the opponent’s toughest athletes. CVH’s longevity, titles, and multiple contributions as a youth coach, rules developer, observer, and organizer uniquely distinguish him.

Chris was Atlanta-based Ozone's team's founder, leader and star player beginning in 1983 and continuing through the 90's.  Chris helped set the tone for the team; heart, grit, determination, spirit, love of the game, intelligence and fair play.  During her time as captain, Ozone finished pre-quarters or better 15 times at the Club Championships, including 2 finals and multiple semi-finals appearances.  In addition to fostering women's ultimate through her leadership on Ozone, Chris was highly involved with the local Atlanta Flying Disc Club, holding President, Field commissioner, and tournament director positions.  She is a co-founder of Terminus, Atlanta's most prestigious tournament.  Chris helped to create a women's league, which combined experienced and novice players to help foster ultimate in Atlanta.  In addition to playing ultimate competitively, she also won the Professional Disc Golf World Championships twice and set 2 long standing world records, in both distance and accuracy.  Chris played in and won her first "Frisbee" tournament in a neighborhood park at the age of eight, in 1971 and she continues to play, most recently at the 2013 Masters Championship in Denver, and earning Sprit of the Game award from her peers.