Whitman’s Ultimate Turned a Reluctant Athlete into a Frisbee Fanatic

You might think that joining a college athletic team as a newbie is one of the worst places to learn a sport. The competitive zeitgeist and players’ high skill level can make even the most dedicated novice feel out of place. But surprisingly, the Men’s Ultimate team at Whitman turned out to be the perfect match for my unforeseen passion for frisbee.

I first picked up a frisbee at the end of my senior year of high school. I had no idea that it would lead me to one of my most fulfilling and accepting college experience so far. The sport’s beginner-friendly nature immediately appealed to the all-sports dropout in me. So when one of the co-captains reached out to me, I decided to give it a shot. I was drawn to his and the team’s welcoming nature and that they are open to players of all skill levels, which gave me the confidence to join despite my inexperience.

Before ultimate frisbee, I had tried other sports but felt frustrated. The precise footwork, tricky ball control, and constant movement just felt overwhelming. So when I tried Ultimate Frisbee, it felt like a walk in the park. All I had to do was position myself strategically to catch and throw a disc at my teammates. And in that ease, I fell in love with the sport. The game’s simplicity let me enjoy myself without being distracted by my lack of skill.

To my surprise, I was never left on the bench. In fact, I was encouraged to play and got to run after the frisbee just as much as anyone else on the team. I realized that Whitman’s athletic culture isn’t just competitive; it’s about community and unconditional acceptance no matter your experience level.

Perhaps my favorite part of being on Whitman’s Ultimate Frisbee team was how friendly and eager everyone was to teach me the subtleties of the sport. On my first day, my backhand throw was a disaster—the frisbee always stubbornly flew in the opposite direction of where I wanted it to go. I asked at least five different teammates for advice, and each of them patiently explained the intricacies of the throw, sharing their own understanding, tips and tricks. The same applied to every other technique, from the simple forehand (which I still managed to mess up) to the more intricate hammer throw, which nearly drove me to insanity. The comradery and sense of belonging I felt taught me a valuable lesson: it’s okay to ask for help, and it’s okay to not know everything. It lent me the courage to admit when I don’t understand and the humility to ask, “How do we do this?”

Another thing positive impression for me was my teammates’ unwavering sportsmanship. I have lost count of the number of times I made an uncatchable pass, missed a golden opportunity to score, or accidentally sent an opponent tumbling in an overzealous attempt to make a defense. But just as countless were my teammates’ humorous encouragements. My gaffes were always met with lighthearted, supportive comments like: “Gravity really outdid itself that time, huh? We’ll get the next one!” and “Congrats, you’ve invented full-contact frisbee! But let’s save that for another sport.”

And for the rare moments when my efforts paid off, the entire team cheered me on with a “Good D, Patrick!” or a “Well done, Patrick—absolute magic! Keep that energy coming!”

The Whitman Men’s Ultimate team isn’t just about frisbee; it was a community. It is a space where learning, laughing, and growing are just as important as winning games. And thanks to them, ultimate frisbee went from being just another sport I tried to a true passion. So, if you're looking for a place where you can grow, try new things, and find your people, Whitman might just be the right fit for you.

Patrick Mulikuza’27 is an international Davis United World College Scholar from the Democratic Republic of Congo. When he first came to Whitman, he leaned towards studying Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology until he realized that a Physics major aligned more with his interests in mechanical and aerospace engineering.