The Evolution of Ghetto Force
Founded in 1988, Calvin and Hucks began playing recreational Ultimate on the campus of the University of Dayton. The club managed to play with moderate levels of competitiveness in the Midwest. With the casual (occasionally barefoot) practices taking place in the grassy quad, the team began implementing new defenses, even attempting to utilize directional ‘forces’. During a classic game of pick up, one individual called out for the force to be ‘Ghetto’ – a reference to an area of the University’s student neighborhood which surrounds campus.
It was in this pivotal moment that Ghetto Force was born.
As time passed, Ghetto Force continued to bring on new members, casually retaining a strong enough crew to compete with other Midwest universities. With yearly trips to Mud Bowl in Alabama and summertime fun at nearby Poultry Days, the Dayton Ultimate scene remained relevant, albeit without much attention or growth. Yet, as fate would have it, it didn’t take Ghetto long to shake things up.
In the 1999 season, Ghetto Force utilized an otherworldly crop of talent – all 10 of them. As it would be, this small but fiery group of Ghetto Forcers put themselves in contention to make it to the 1999 UPA Championships. While at the Great Lakes Regional Championships, back to back wins over Ohio University and Notre Dame earned Dayton a spot in the backdoor game-to-go. Facing Oberlin, the limited numbers strapped the squad, and they were unable to earn the bid to Nationals. As legend has it, a delirious Ghetto Forcer, suffering from post traumatic loss disorder, stripped himself of his clothes and ran laps around the Oberlin crew – to this day, it’s still an inexplicable legend.
In 2000, Ghetto looked to regain their prominence in the Great Lakes Region – however, it wasn’t meant to be. With a 16-14 semifinals loss to Magnum, Dayton again would be matched against Oberlin to keep their Nationals hopes alive. However, in a cruel twist of fate, Oberlin produced a heroic come from behind overtime win, with the final tally coming in again at 16-14. It was another heartbreaking finish for the Ghetto Forcers that had brought attention to Dayton Ultimate for the first time.
As history would have it, this class of graduates would leave a program behind that wouldn’t produce quite the same results. Over the next 4 years the program nearly evaporated, wavering often, sometimes retaining fewer than 7 active players on the roster. The days of Nationals aspirations seemed to be far in the past.
A Program Comes Into Its Own
Declining numbers coupled with a serious lack of commitment left Dayton Ultimate in jeopardy of continuing. With graduation around the corner, the pressure of keeping the program alive was left with Ed (‘Eddy Money’) Mack, Paul Kosmerl, Brendon Ulen, and Michael Rice – the remaining veterans with Ghetto Force. With nothing more than charisma, good looks, and love for Ultimate, the crew managed to promote the team’s fun vibe enough to piece together some entertaining pick up games – which happened to be well attended by a crop of enthusiastic University of Dayton freshmen.
Although nearly none of this new crop had ever played a minute of competitive Ultimate (what’s a travel?!) the team seemed to be bonding and doing what Ultimate was meant for – having a really good time. With nothing more than athleticism and a working knowledge of the rules, Ghetto Force was again fielding lines at tournaments.
With some competition under their belts, Ghetto Force was off to Ohio University’s campus in Athens, OH to make some noise at Sectionals in the Spring of 2006. Unfortunately, the team managed a mere 1-6 record, with the lone win coming on Universe point over Ohio State’s B-squad. Not what everyone wanted, but it was just the spark the team needed.
With Eddy Money (now coaching) combining superhuman powers with new captain, and then sophomore, Evan Corcoran, the team reassembled in the Fall of 2006. With the goal of making it to Regionals in the spring, the dedicated young group spread the word. Through flyers, emails, and probably a lot of nagging, Ghetto got people to come check the team out. Although it wasn’t for some, many dug the team’s community and feel – bringing the revitalized program to over 30 total players.
As fate would have it, a muddy/windy/cold/snowy/all around crappy Spring Sectional would provide the backdrop for Ghetto’s coming out party. With excitement written on each players face, the team finished off Ohio Northern University to capture a spot at the 2007 Great Lakes Regional Championships. Another Ghetto goal had been met.
With a taste of Regionals in 2007, Ghetto set out to make top 8 at the 2008 Regional Championships. Simultaneously retaining its returners and adding more fresh faces, ’08 saw Ghetto Force take full A and B squads to the Spring Sectional Championships (all while sporting some fly warm-ups). Continuing to show the growth, Ghetto swiftly earned a bid to Regionals in 2008, where a first round upset over #6 North Park fueled the team to a 7th place overall finish at the Regional Championships – another full team accomplishment to put in the books…(to be continued).
Ghetto Spreads the Ultimate Gospel
With higher powers surely at work, Ghetto was not only beginning to play some solid Ultimate, but was also piecing together a phenomenal cast of young men! With a crew of players that included Presidential Scholarship Recipients and Berry Scholars (full-academic rides) the team was certainly taking care of business on the academic side of things. All told, the final 2008 Ghetto Force roster had an average GPA of 3.3, enough to qualify for Honors at the University of Dayton. Beyond the field and the classroom, though, Ghetto Force found another calling in 2008 – that of giving to others while growing the sport of Ultimate – at both the local and global level.
Several Dayton Ultimate representatives who were on campus in the summer were asked to volunteer at a Richmond, IN Summer Bible Camp. The camp, which focused on both God and being active allowed the Ghetto Forcers to come out for an evening and spend a few hours with dozens of kids teaching Ultimate – all followed by an entertaining and fun toss with all in attendance! Some time later, the same group helped install a Frisbee Golf course in the City of Dayton. Assisting a high school organization, the team branched away from Ultimate to help the disc community on the whole, showcasing the team’s desire to promote discs sports throughout the area.
Taking the Ultimate philanthropy to all new level, Ghetto Force had two upperclass engineers, Mark Latta and Dan Hensel, dedicate their technical skills to helping impoverished villages in Central and South America. Along the hills and roads of Peru, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and many other countries in between, both players took used discs in their packs for playing amongst locals, and in many cases, to be given away. For the first time, Ghetto Force was making a mark internationally.
However, no individual embodies the drive to promote Ultimate quite like that of Junior Eric Krissek. As a student on a full academic scholarship, Eric took his 2008 summer and made a pact to go to Zambia where he could help teach mathematics to underprivileged children. However, before leaving the states, Eric sent out countless emails and made numerous phone calls to gather as many used discs as he could. Packing numerous bags with dozens of Frisbees, Eric shipped over the discs in anticipation of his African arrival. During his three month stay, Dayton’s starting outside cutter was teaching math in classrooms and spirit of the game out on dusty fields. To the many children who’d never seen a flying disc, the gift of plastic that Eric brought paled in comparison to the gift his presence made. Showcasing the sport at its very finest, Eric embodied everything we love about Ultimate – the willingness to give of one’s self, all while putting on display the love and enjoyment we all associate with Ultimate. His is truly an inspirational story.
The Ghetto Life
Perhaps in the midst of all this Ultimate hustle and bustle – talk of recruiting, making Regionals, traveling to tournaments, and growing the sport – it shouldn’t be forgotten that Ghetto Force tends to have a pretty good time. From the semi-formals in combination with UD’s Women’s team (also Ghetto Force) to the traditional pre-tournament pasta dinners, the men of Ghetto are always sure to enjoy themselves.
As tradition, after the season’s first week of practices and pick up, a veteran member always hosts a party where every individual that attended is invited. Whether you’re old or new, savvy veteran or first time player, everyone comes together to share the camaraderie of the budding Dayton Ultimate community – all to the pulsing sounds of The Hood Internet. It’s an opportunity to laugh and bond that’s missed by none. It serves as a great promotion for the new players looking at the program, and a reaffirmation of why every team member chooses to work so hard to be part of the team – the brotherhood. The social aspect of partying with your best friends isn’t uncommon in the Ultimate world, but it’s certainly something valued and appreciated by all Dayton players.
The same is true for when the team takes the show on the road. From the small college fun of Edinboro, PA to the big show festivities of No Wisconsequences, to the post Regionals ceremonial dinners – away from competition, the chance to enjoy time on the road is rarely missed. From the moment the squad roles up to a parking lot of a tournament, the team’s anthem, Rush’s “Working Man”, pounds from the van/car/station wagon windows. For a team on the rise, one thing has always stayed true about University of Dayton Ultimate – we want to have a good time! You better believe we’ll cut hard on the pitch and sprint till we drop, but doing so and having a good time with your best friends is what makes Ghetto Force tick. And in the end, ask a competitor, it shows.
Back in Dayton in 2008, the squad broke new ground in program steps. To commemorate its 20th anniversary as a club, Ghetto Force held a weekend long reunion. Featuring Ghetto alum (one of which has a son currently on Ghetto Force!), family, friends of the program, former coaches, and all of the current Ghetto squad, it was a weekend to remember! With cocktail hours, alumni v. current scrimmages, catered dinners, and evening festivities, it was quite possibly the coolest weekend in Ghetto Force history! With all organizing done by Captain Corcoran and the team, a great time was had by all (and many alumni showed it with their pocketbooks – certainly not a bad thing for a team with no university funding!). It was truly one for the ages!
When the Going Gets Tough – Ghetto Gets Going
As a program that’s made many changes in recent years, Ghetto Force has really started to come into its own. As competitors will attest, Dayton always puts out a squad that wants to compete at its best – but never at the expense of the community of Ultimate. Somehow, even with all the changes and progression the program has shown in recent years, the basic mentality hasn’t wavered – Ghetto Force is a squad that loves Ultimate, loves to compete, and loves to do so with pride and integrity. That, of everything, hasn’t changed one bit.
One thing that does seem to change every year, though, is the team’s goal. It’s been a stepping stone process to this point. It started with just making Regionals. Then the team wanted to be top 8 at Regionals. And now, the squad wants to make it to the National Championships. Is it a lofty goal? Certainly. Unattainable? Not in the least. And Ghetto Force – from top to bottom – is willing to dream the big dream and go for it. That’s why there’s over 35 current players, dedicating themselves five days a week to abdominal workouts, water aerobics, sprint drills, and classroom sessions – the team is ready to hang it all out there and take on the season guns blazing! It’s an amazingly exiting year for Ghetto Force!
With virtually all of the Spring 2008 roster returning for 2009, Dayton is in position to make this college season a memorable one. With such lofty goals, Ghetto Force is making preparations to put the team in the best possible position entering the college series. With tournaments lined up like Terminus (Atlanta) and Easterns (Wilmington) around the corner, it’s going to be an exiting season of great competition and awesome memories.
If you’re a high school player looking to play Ultimate in college, few programs are as competitive and as fun as Ghetto Force. If you want to compete at national caliber tournaments while continually being a threat at Regionals, Ghetto is definitely worth a look. With camaraderie unlike most, we welcome you to come check out Ghetto Force. If we’re at a tournament near you, come on out and give us a chance to introduce ourselves and meet you. Similarly, if you’re considering attending the University of Dayton and will be coming to campus, we’d love to have you attend a practice. Please feel free to check out the contact section and get in touch with the team for more information.
Special Thanks to the author, Addison Hoover