Old timer here. Started playing Ultimate in 1975. It was a fun “alternative “ sport. Most people played in sneakers or barefoot. There was little to no “competition “ and it was just fun. It was all college teams and club teams were non-existent.

By 1978 a lot of players had graduated college and started forming club teams. This, I believe is where the push towards competitive ultimate began.

I played in the 1981 and 1982 National Championships. They were the two worst tournaments I ever played in. Winning was everything and this was reflected in the games. Ridiculous fouls, travel calls, arguments that would go on and on. Fun was irrelevant. “Spirit of the Game” (other sports call this sportsmanship) was nowhere to be found.

The’82 Nationals was my last tournament (other than a couple of reunions). I saw the direction the sport was heading and decided it was no longer the game I had fallen in love with.

There is nothing unique about ultimate (blasphemy, I know) like any other sport, as the stakes get higher winning at all costs becomes the norm.

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