This is a universal story of a group of New England college students who started a team 50 years ago that has grown into a national contender, and more important to our tumultuous times, has embodied the culture and ethos of the small liberal arts college it represents.
Two weeks ago, both of Wesleyan’s ultimate teams—Nietzsch Factor (men) and Vicious Circles (women)—won their regional championships this past weekend in dominant fashion. Both teams will now advance to USAU’s Collegiate Championships in Seattle on May 18th & 19th, a first for the program, and fitting in this 50th anniversary year.
Ultimate was born in the late 1960s, conceived by a group of inventive students at Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey, who were seeking something new and inclusive. From its earliest days, ultimate welcomed those who might not have found their place in traditional, often exclusionary sports. It offered an alternative to the toxic competitiveness and rigid hierarchies that can dominate sports like football, instead fostering a culture built on fair play, mutual respect, and self-governance.
At Wesleyan, ultimate has always been more than just a game. It’s a demanding, exhilarating sport that challenges players physically and mentally, but its true legacy lies in the communities it builds and the leaders it shapes. The sport’s unique “Spirit of the Game” ethos—emphasizing integrity, equality, and individual responsibility—mirrors the university’s own commitment to free expression and student empowerment, themes championed by President Michael Roth in recent years.
As Wesleyan continues to defend freedom of thought and the rights of students to speak their minds, ultimate stands as a living example of these values in action. It’s no coincidence that Wesleyan’s men’s and women’s teams are not only celebrating five decades of play but are also thriving on the national stage, both in pursuit of championship titles this season.
Ultimate’s foundation in self-officiating and co-ed competition continues to set it apart, even as the sport evolves. There remains a dynamic tension between those who cherish its anarchic, barefoot origins and those pushing for greater athletic rigor and discipline. This ongoing dialogue is especially vibrant at Wesleyan, a campus that encourages students to question not just how they play, but why.
Fifty years on, ultimate at Wesleyan remains a microcosm of the university itself: a space for critical thinking, community, and principled action. In a time when the world feels more divided than ever, the lessons of ultimate—leadership without negativity, equality without compromise, and spirited competition—are not just relevant, but essential.
This past Saturday, May 3rd in Middletown CT, Wesleyan alumni and current team members gathered to celebrate the anniversary, reflect on the history, and play a ceremonial game of ultimate against each other.
Steve Mooney is USAU Hall of Fame and former USAU Board Member. A member of the class of 1980, he can be reached at stv.mooney@gmail.com and (617) 513-3332.
Dan Haar is a Hearst Media Group Columnist and Senior Editor. A member of the class of 1981, he can be reached at danhaar22@gmail.com and (860) 983-8503.
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