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Bacchus looks to represent athletics at a national level

September 17, 2010

by Micah Leinbach

Bacchus, the men’s ultimate Frisbee team on campus, is working hard. And they’re succeeding.

Named for the Roman god of bacchanalia —a patron of fertility, ritual madness, and general festivities —the team at first looks mostly like a tight band of friends.  While they enjoy fun as much as the next team, however, current captains Sam Barber (’11) and Kelly Van Arsdale (’12) serve as reminders that this team is no laughing matter. Both have played competitively in high school and beyond, and Barber has represented Munich (yes, the foreign Munich) at Worlds. Given records like that, and the team’s performance in years past, their goal of taking the Division III national tournament this year does not seem farfetched.

Whitman College came in second at D-III Nationals last year, and according to the Bacchus captains, “we’re definitely as good as Whitman.” What remains to be seen is whether they can hold a firm group of guys through to May, when the tournament is scheduled. Keeping people after the end of the school year can prove a challenge, with life interfering with the game. It’s not an unfamiliar problem, however, with LC’s rigorous academic environment (and scheduling of finals) often interfering with major tournaments. 

Still, both captains are optimistic that those challenges can be overcome, and they’re looking forward to other tests on the field. Games against University of Puget Sound, Pacific Lutheran University, and Whitman College look to be major events on the calendar. And the chance to thrash cross-town rival Reed College is always cause for excitement.

In the meantime, the fall season means pulling a strong group together, having fun, practicing, and waiting for the cold and rain of November to start weeding out the less dedicated. Spring means games sanctioned by USA Ultimate, a run at D-III Nationals, serious competition, and maybe even hosting a tournament for competitors over the whole West Coast. However, it’s not the competition that draws players like Barber and Van Arsdale to the field; it’s the community.

“It’s a great way of playing a competitive sport,” said Barber. Ultimate Frisbee is self-refereed, managed by players in a way that is in line with the “Spirit of the Game.” That means it requires a “level of sportsmanship that other sports don’t have,” said Van Arsdale.

This positive energy carries off the field, and can create strong bonds, even between opposing teams.  Both are thrilled to bring that community to campus, and welcome others to join them.
     Practices are on Monday 8-10 p.m., and Wednesday 6-8 p.m. Anyone is welcome to stop by.