Worlds 93 and prelude to empire

When last we met, Earth Atomizer was busy defeating the forces of evil at the Club Worlds in Toronto in 91. This was probably the pinnacle of Northeast Ultimate, as the northeast region ended up taking 4 out of the top 5 spots, with 1 NY, 2 Titanic, 3-4 Earth, and 5 Graffiti. However, this was the last gasp of Earth, as they ended up revamping their roster that fall, adding 9 new players and a brand new strategy (what were we thinking?), and ended up getting spanked by the new-look Graffiti in the game to go. Suffice it to say, not making Nationals after just missing semis the previous year and the worlds experience was quite a shock for Earth. The following spring, after protracted negotiations between Titanic and Earth leadership, a new team was started that was open to all to try out for. That spring saw numerous tournaments with a mix of players. The team was eventually selected during the summer, and it was the weirdest thing. ALL of the Titanic players made the team (17) while only 7 of the Earth players did. Weird, huh? Fortunately, I had hitched my cart to the right people on Earth, so I was able to slide onto the new team, which called itself the Commies, short for the Commonwealth of States that had just formed out of the shards of the old Soviet Union.


That fall was quite competitive between NY and Boston, with both teams beating each other. We were fairly confident going into Nationals, and the teams eventually got together for their predicted finals meeting. This game was a depressing debacle, as we went from a 10-8 lead to a 17-10 deficit. Weirdly enough this coincided with me getting benched for this ENTIRE run, as the Titanic leadership decided in their infinite wisdom to go back to their original 'Titanic' offensive players, who were the reason that they had merged with Earth Atomizer in the first place. After playing almost every point of the offense the entire season and nationals, they knee-jerked me right out of the game. 9 points later, I got back in at 17-10, and we promptly scored. Dennis McCarthy, who had also played a primary role on the offense that fall, was similary benched (although I think he got 1 or 2 points during the NY run). I am by no means implying that if I had played we would have won the game. We were clearly not mentally ready yet. However, this was a nail in the coffin for business as usual in Boston. The following year was a different kind of lost year. Joey Giampino, of Windy City and St. Louis Tuna fame, moved to Boston and promptly 'took over'. That was the year of 'get it back'. We could be as aggressive as we wanted, because we were going to get it back. This aggressiveness culminated in the nationals brawl against NY in the semifinals. What was wild in this game is that even when Boston was down 17-10, I could have sworn we were still going to win that game, that was how confident we were that year. Talent-wise, we clearly had their number, but the mental edge was still not there. We had tried to beat them at their own game, and failed. Thus the stage was set for rebirth/renewal in 1994. However, that is for another post.

5. 1993 - Club World Championships - Madison, Wisconsin - Big Brother
Now that we have that set up the exposition, let's scroll a few months backwards to Worlds 93, which took place in Madison, Wisconsin that year. Of all the worlds I have attended, this was by far the most scenic. We had housing at the University of Wisconsin campus, and I remember each night after the games, everybody descended onto the Memorial Union, which was the open air pub/bar which overlooked the lake with spectacular sunsets every night. I seem to remember quaffing numerous elephant beers (these bad boys had to be at least 64oz apiece). And we had great weather the whole week. The competition was pretty fierce, although I believe the European teams were shut out of the quarterfinals, although I may be wrong, and don't feel like looking it up on the WFDF site (if they even store that). Boston handled the pool play games and was looking forward to seeing who our quarterfinal opponent was going to be at the end of a long Thursday. The sun was going down, and NYNY and Vicious Cycle (Gainesville, FL), were still playing. The field gathered around to watch a pretty chippy game (not surprising given the two opponents). Vicious ended up winning the upset at cap, 14-12, setting up a quarterfinal match between, who else, NY and Boston. Well, that was an unpleasant surprise.

So, the next day we played NY in the quarterfinals. And, inevitable, the game was capped and came down to double game point. We received on offense, moved the disk down the fields, before Rob DesLauriers, who was a guest player with Boston just for the tournament, took it upon himself to throw a hero throw to Jeremy Seeger cutting long for the endzone. Seeger was being covered by Babs, who knowing he had no chance to block the disk, fouled the #&^$(*@&#^$ out of Jay, basically tackling him. Jay called foul, and it was naturally contested, so Rob got the disk back. The disk was checked in, and Rob, with no hesitation, promptly jacked it to Jay again, who was now sitting in the endzone with Babs covering him. Of course, Jay was fouled again, but this time did not call it, and NY promptly walked down the field and scored the game winner. Game, set, match, NY! Another nail in the coffin for Boston ultimate.

Memorable events from this tournament
Bob Deman, a pivotal NY player, shows up late in the week, and his first point in the game, he totals his knee. Kenny Dobyns comes and stands over him and says 'Nice tournament, Bob'.

At one point, there was a shotgun race between the mens and womens team, rather, Mooney, Cork, and myself against, Pooch, Judy Fisher, and Teens (Allie might be instead of one of them, can't remember). I don't remember what was going to happen if the men lost, but if they won, Pooch, Judy and Teens were going to have to go on dates with the 3 members of the Tea Party that were present (Mike Kizilbash, Jim Parinella and myself). After much buildup and anticipation, the men trounced the women. The women then rochambo'd to determine the selection order. Pooch won and selected Jim. Judy came in second, and in an upset choice, picked me, and there was much rejoicing and abuse heaped upon Mike. Of course, none of the dates ever occurred, but we were able to milk this for years.

NY played Portland's Rhino Slam in the semifinals, back when they were a power. Rhino went up 12-8 in a dominating performance. NY promptly pulled out the zone, and proceeded to score the next 6 points and win at the cap, 14-12. What was even more embarrassing was that there wasn't even that much wind. I remember screaming on the sideline at Rhino to stop swinging the disk. Their offense degenerated to just rapidly swinging the disk back and forth on these huge cross field swings, taking a 2 second look, and then swinging back the other way. Naturally they turned over some of these swings. They were literally deer in the headlights. It was painful to watch.

Of course, after our quarters loss, I think they made us play some meaningless placement games, which of course no one wanted to play. So you would start making up meaningless rules like you have to score on a huck, every throw had to be an overhead, etc. Some of the women's teams played naked, etc. Well, after we were able to get through these games, we started to drink (actually, during the games). I remember being in a prime viewing corner where you could watch the two mens semis and had a women's semis behind us. We promptly started passing around a bottle of Cuervo Gold, and quaffing LARGE amounts. I promptly fell asleep curled up in the back corner of the women's endzone, but markedly on the field. I also have a picture of Jim as he is trying to reach to steady himself on one of this videotaping platforms, and he is in the process of missing the tower and is falling over. My next memory is waking up in my room, bleary-eyed, peeking over at the other bed and seeing Jim also passed out. We wake up just as everyone is coming back from the party. Woo-hoo!
Of course, if I don't mention this, Jim will, so while I was passed out, the guys put some bagels and stuff between my legs and got a picture of Roger (Cork's dog) nuzzling the food between my legs. D'oh!

Finally, this was the first appearance of those partying dudes from Venezuela, the Yanomami. They kept playing these drums and partying at all hours. This culminated in one of the official tournament parties which took place in an indoor corral (!??! yeah midwest). They were able to get the entire party dancing to the drums in the stands surrounding the corral, swaying back and forth in unison for what seemed like hours.

And that about wraps up this report