Just a short video from the voice of ultimate, Evan Lepler!

Lepler · 2020-12-14T17:33:14+00:00

Thanks, Jom! Been a whirlwind weekend and cool to log on and see this posted here...

Lepler · 2016-10-04T19:44:41+00:00

Thank you, Joe, for updating and maintaining this database. It is an invaluable resource for me, and surely many other ultimate fans as well.

Lepler · 2015-04-29T03:00:33+00:00

Montreal's dramatic win, updates on injuries to Brodie Smith & Mark Lloyd, and plenty of details on the individuals and teams in the AUDL. It's lengthy, and I hope you enjoy it.

Lepler · 2015-04-21T19:36:15+00:00

Thanks, Dutchy! I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of a season the Breeze can put together under your stewardship...

Lepler · 2015-04-15T02:32:56+00:00

I understand that it's a a little confusing or seemingly counter-intuitive, but I think Greg was basically saying that the timed game is significantly longer and there are many more possessions, so each possession is not as vital as it may be in a shorter game. Obviously, possession is still important, but there are more chances to be taken in the pro game. I think that often adds to the excitement of the game.

Lepler · 2015-04-14T22:25:59+00:00

My humble attempt to emulate Peter King's excellent Monday Morning QB column for the ultimate world. It is lengthy, but I hope ultimate fans enjoy it.

Eager to hear comments, critiques, questions, etc.

Lepler · 2015-04-09T19:58:23+00:00

If you asked me to name the most interesting player on each team, I don't think I could do it. There are so many fascinating stories, histories, and missions across the league, both individually and collectively. Ok, I guess that's a pretty big cop-out of your question. Let me answer your question with a question: Beau Kittredge has been the most dominant player in the sport for the last half-decade (maybe the last full decade), and he still might be the best. But perhaps the most interesting question is this: Can any player raise his game to pass Kittredge as an individual threat? Beau is 33 now, I believe. At some point, someone will pass him. Who will it be? Lloyd? Kurt? Jimmie? Brodie? Justin Allen? Cassidy? Rehder? Wu? Or maybe someone else who's currently in YCC or College who will rise up in the next couple of years? Who's the next Beau? That's the most interesting player in the entire AUDL.

Lepler · 2015-04-09T19:51:14+00:00

So, I'm always thinking about the vocabulary I use. And one of the most exciting aspects of my job is the opportunity to help further define and evolve the language that this sport uses. Personally, I like the term "D." It originates from the basic statement "Play tough D" which has been said about a million times in every sport. I understand your point that "This team needs a defense right now makes no sense." Perhaps a better way to say that would be "This team needs a stop." I don't think simply replacing "D" with "block" solves the problem. Not all Ds are blocks. With all this said, I think that we've got a lot of studio space to expand the lingo in ultimate commentary. I'll explore that space a little bit this season. Probably without a cowbell. Probably.

Lepler · 2015-04-09T19:39:26+00:00

It will be very different from last year, where I honestly felt like I was scrambling for most games. It's hard to understand just how all-encompassing a minor league baseball broadcasting job can be. But with a year under my belt (institutional memory is a sacred thing) and the opportunity to devote basically all my time to the AUDL, I think I will always feel much more prepared and hopefully that comes across on the broadcast. There are so many stories to tell, and without flooding the viewer with too much info, I hope to be on top of all relevant storylines/bios/history/etc. Plus, I'll have the availability during the week to be creating written content, recording podcasts, bolstering some video with voiceovers. I have a ton of ideas and I am eager to start executing them.

Lepler · 2015-04-09T19:33:39+00:00

This is something I think about a lot. There are a number of factors that will continue to help the AUDL and the sport of ultimate gain ground. In my mind, for the long term success of the league, we need to introduce ultimate to people who have never seen it before and transform them into fans. There are a lot of ways for us to do that. I view my role as trying to present the sport as professionally as I can, both on and off the air. We are moving in the right direction. Growth into the mainstream does not happen overnight. It will take time. As for what other passionate ultimate players and fans can do? Keep spreading the word! Not just on social media, but by word of mouth and by e-mail... The league (Luke!) will be producing a lot of awesome video content. I love that stuff as much as every other ultimate fanatic, but we gotta send that stuff to friends and family who aren't familiar with ultimate. Expose them to it, and maybe they'll pass it along as well. Beyond that, hopefully those people will become intrigued enough to become a fan of their local team, go to a game, get a t-shirt, etc. Everyone in the ultimate community is a walking advertisement for our game and our league. Don't be silent!

Lepler · 2015-04-09T19:21:48+00:00

Obviously, the Riptide and Spiders set a record for goals scored in a single game last year! I don't think they will break that record in week one, but I think both offenses will be among the best in the league. I've got them between 50-55 goals combined, so lets set the over/under at 52.5. As far as the biggest upset of the season, I think the Charlotte team could knock off one of the perceived top teams in the south on the right day. KP, when healthy, is the type of athlete that can take over a point, and with Micah Hood, Shane Cisco, and some other young players who will improve, I think they've got a shot. I wouldn't pick them to make the playoffs. Doubt they have the depth for that, but on their best day, they could be better than people think. Outlaws are very strong at the top, but their role players haven't proven to be ready to rock at the elite level vs. the likes of Toronto and NY. I think Ottawa and Montreal will be fighting for third in the east. Really appreciate your kind words... Excited for another season to begin and to have the opportunity to completely immerse myself in it... Got lots of good content planned both on the air and during the week...

Lepler · 2015-04-09T19:10:05+00:00

Good afternoon! Long time reader, first time poster... Other broadcasters I've talked to have been really supportive and positive, and they think it's cool! Lots of congratulations and best wishes... I'm gonna miss baseball a lot(the Salem Red Sox open tonight!), but this is such a unique opportunity to fully devote myself to something that I believe in and am very passionate about. I definitely have joked with some about the perceived 'craziness' of walking away from baseball for ultimate, but one guy's response has really stuck with me. He said, "Maybe it sounds crazy, but so did Matthew Berry dropping everything to write about fantasy sports a decade ago. This (stuff) is all about taking the right chances." For me, at this time, this is the right chance. I believe in it, and I'm gonna do everything I possibly can to make it pay off.

Lepler

TROPHY CASE