CSU Men's Ultimate - Meet the 2017-2018 Team!

Here They Are...!

Mark Stratford (captain)

Name: Mark Stratford (captain) "G-Mark"
Year of Eligibility: 5th
About: Mark enters his fifth and final year on the team as a second year captain. He looks to lead the team in a deep nationals run with impeccable fundamentals, supreme effort and a big smile. He polished his skills over the summer playing club men's with Choice City Hops and will be called upon to lock down other team's main handling threats all year long.
High School: Cherry Creek - Greenwood Village, CO

Cody Spicer

Name: Cody Spicer "Spice" 

Year of Eligibility: 5th

About: The man in the pants returns with his sights set on the biggest matchups in the country. With a deeper, more experienced team around him, Spicer looks forward to the opportunity to largely play on the d-line, locking down the other teams main threats and being a devastating deep force on the turn.
High School: Fort Collins - Fort Collins, CO

Accolades: All Region (SC) selection 2015, 2016, 2017. South Central Player of the Year, 2017. 

Toby Nordhoff

Name: Toby Nordhoff "Grandpa"

Year of Eligibility: 5th

About: In his final year of eligibility, the resident old man of the team will slide into a downfield role, showing the youngsters that winning with your legs doesn't fade with age. A four year veteran of Choice City Hops, Toby has a full career of college and club he's ready to showcase for Hib this season.
High School: Greeley Central - Greeley, CO

Cole Turner

Name: Cole Turner

Year of Eligibility: 4th

About: The guy on the line that nobody wants to cover, Cole continues to round his game with amazing field sense, a complete understanding of scheme and blazing speed. Another Choice City Hops veteran, Cole will continue to threaten all phases of the field for Hib in his fourth and final year.
High School: Poudre - Fort Collins, CO

Matt Bush

Name: Matt Bush "Cookies"

Year of Eligibility: 4th
About: Matt enters his fourth year excited to match-up against other teams top threats. An all-around threat himself, Matt can operate behind the disc or downfield - he is equally comfortable roasting defenders deep or burning them up the line. Another year of Choice City Hops under his belt over the summer and Matt is ready to show the region and country the kind of lock-down defense that will the calling card of the team this season.
High School: Arapahoe - Centennial, CO

Accolades: High school All State selection (CO) 2014.

Dylan Johnson

Name: Dylan Johnson "Bucket"

Year of Eligibility: 4th

About: Dylan looks to slide back into the backfield for Hib again this year showcasing his absolute cannon hucks and physical handler presence. His length, drive and field IQ are unmatched on the team and Dylan will be a huge contributor all over the field.
High School: Arapahoe - Centennial, CO

Jack Hinchsliff

Name: Jack Hinchsliff

Year of Eligibility: 4th

About: Jack had the distinction of being the first Hib player in 10 years to make the Johnny Bravo roster while still in college, but unfortunately suffered a crippling injury the final day of tryouts. He's worked hard all summer to rehab and is regaining his form as devastating athletic threat for Hib.
High School: Arapahoe - Centennial, CO
Accolades: High school All State selection (CO) 2014.

Jake Servaty (captain)

Name: Jake Servaty (captain)

Year of Eligibility: 4th

About: Jake will continue his tenacious work on and off the field for Hib this year, his fourth, and first as captain. From blazing speed to beautifully crisp throws to elite defense, Jake's been one of the team's top players since his freshman year and he will again be called upon to take on a key roll this year for Hib.
High School: Spearfish - Spearfish, SD

Accolades: All Freshmen (SC) 2015. All Region (SC) 2017. 

Daniel Crump

Name: Daniel Crump "Chuck"

Year of Eligibility: 4th

About: Chuck maintains arguably the best repertoire of break throws on the team. His huge extension and crisp release allow him to threaten just about every throwing angle get the disc around and inside of even the toughest marks. Add in soft hands and a propensity to get off his feet and Chuck is a rock in our backfield, rounding out his skills with a second club season with Choice City Hops over the summer.
High School: Chatfield - Littleton, CO

David Miller

Name: David Miller

Year of Eligibility: 4th

About: David has been our top deep threat since his freshman year - the full package in the air - height, speed and ups. He's consistently tasked with taking the 'big' matchups on the other teams and thrives in that defensive role. This year David expects to be our 'big' matchup - stretching the field for Hib and forcing teams to pit their best deep defenders against him.
High School: Lakewood - Lakewood, CO

Accolades: High school All State selection (CO) 2014.

Jake Marrapode

Name: Jake Marrapode "Pode"
Year of Eligibility: 3rd
About: Jake struggled with injury his first two years in college but that didn't stop him from showcasing his nasty break-throws and big ups at nationals last year. Pode is fully healthy for the first time ever in his college career and after spending the fall semester in New Zealand, will return to Hib in the spring ready to make big plays all over the field.
High School: Neuqua Valley - Naperville, IL
Accolades: High school All State Selection (IL) 2014, 2015. South Central Freshman of the Year 2016.

John Miller

Name: John Miller
Year of Eligibility: 3rd
About: John is the best all around athlete on the team. His martial arts background gives him unbelievable body control to go with elite straight line speed as well as quickness. Couple the physical attributes with excellent throwing form and an ever-growing field sense and you have one of the most complete players on the squad.
High School: Collegiate Academy - Littleton, CO

Jack McGinnis

Name: Jack McGinnis "Snapjack"

Year of Eligibility: 3rd

About: Jack combines rock-solid fundamentals with some of the biggest huck range on the team. He's becoming one of Hib's most reliable deep threats and continues to grow as a player as he's still relatively new to competitive ultimate. An unlikely O-line player last year, expect Jack to use that big game experience to make contributions all over the field.
High School: Downers Grove North - Downers Grove, IL

Hudson Martin

Name: Hudson Martin "Huddy"

Year of Eligibility: 3rd

About: Hudson will build on his breakout 2017 season as a core handler on Hib. With elite quickness, a cannon forehand and backhand and a unique breakmark throwing repertoire, Hudson will continue to cause headaches for opposing defenders as well as locking down other team's main handlers himself.
High School: Lake Travis - Austin, TX
Accolades: High school All State Selection (TX) 2015. All Freshmen (SC) 2016.

Luke Beal

Name: Luke Beal

Year of Eligibility: 2nd

About: Luke returns to Hib for his second year eager to build on a promising first season with the team. A soccer convert, Luke showcases size, speed and bidding ability and prides himself on utilizing an extremely diverse set of throws.
High School: Thompson Valley - Loveland, CO

Sean Peskin

Name: Sean Peskin

Year of Eligibility: 2nd

About: Sean is excited to grow his role on the team in his second year. Another big body with great quickness and speed, Sean spent the summer developing his throwing game and has some of the longest range of any hucker on the team. He gets off his feet at will and plays with such a fire and intensity that his teammates can't help but reciprocate.
High School: Silver Creek - Longmont, CO

Dylan Custer

Name: Dylan Custer "Slendy"

Year of Eligibility: 2nd
About: Dylan burst onto the college scene last year, quickly establishing himself as one of our top defenders. Second on the team last season in blocks to only Spicer and with a season of men's club under his belt with Syndicate, we're excited to see Dylan showcase his ever growing offensive skill set as well as continuing his defensive dominance.
High School: Discovery Canyon - Colorado Springs, CO
Accolades:  High school All State Selection (CO) 2016. All Freshmen (SC) 2017.

Mo Scott

Name: Mo Scott

Year of Eligibility: 2nd 

About: Mo employs the most complete set of throws of any player on the team. As an O-line handler last year, Mo was Hib's main thrower but he doesn't let his offensive stat lines rule his game. He's a workhorse defender and puts absolutely everything he has into every single point. His energy is infectious and he partners with fellow second year Sean Peskin to act as the emotional leaders of the team.
High School: Denver East - Denver, CO

Accolades: High school All State Selection (CO) 2014. All freshmen (SC) 2017. 

Will McDonald

Name: Will Mcdonald

Year of Eligibility: 2nd 

About: As a freshman, Will settled into a primary cutting role for our O-line. With a uncanny knack and feel for space and timing coupled with impressive athletic ability, Will led the team goals scored and was our most consistent cutter for the entire year. With immaculate throwing form and a big flick huck, expect to see Will become a multi-faceted threat in his second year.
High School: Nathan Hale - Seattle, WA

Accolades: South Central Freshman of the Year 2017.

Ted Dhanens

Name: Ted Dhanens

Year of Eligibility: 2nd (1st year on A)

About: Ted is next-in-line behind John Miller as the best all around athlete on the team. After getting tons of reps on B last year as their main deep threat, Ted will be a key defender for Hib this season utilizing both his speed and quickness to lock down other team's downfield threats. 

High School: Torrey Pines - San Diego, CA

Josh Martinez

Name: Josh Martinez

Year of Eligibility: 1st

About: The heir apparent to David Miller, Josh is Hib's next generation of big man. With soft hands, great size and no qualms about getting off his feet, he'll be called upon to be a physical defensive presence and huge deep threat on the team all year.
High School: Boise - Boise, ID

Jonathan Olavarria

Name: Jonathan Olavarria "JJ" "Jet"
Year of Eligibility: 1st
About: Jonathan is small in stature but has already cemented himself as a big defender, leading all three split-squad teams in blocks at our first tournament of the year. He doesn't shy away from physical play and has an elite combination of speed, quickness and bidding ability.
High School: Monarch - Louisville, CO

Sam Goldstein

Name: Sam Goldstein

Year of Eligibility: 1st

About: Sam is an all-around threat. With a big body, touch throws, good field sense and great bidding ability, Sam is comfortable lining up just about anywhere. As he continues to grow and thrive within our system we expect great things from the big man.
High School: Cherry Creek - Greenwood Village, CO
Accolades: High school All State Selection (CO) 2017.

Ren Pretkelis

Name: Ren Pretkelis

Year of Eligibility: 1st

About: Ren is a workhorse defender. With great physical attributes and a continuous motor, he's already taking our tougher matchups at practice and relishing in the opportunity to play against the best. With a big forehand and no qualms about putting it out there, Hib looks forward to big contributions from this young man. 

High School: Prairie Ridge - Crystal Lake, IL

Accolades: High school All State Selection (IL) 2017.  

Dylan Latham McGraw

Name: Dylan Latham McGraw

Year of Eligibility: 1st

About: We knew Dylan would be a contributor before he'd even committed to CSU. During his college visit this past spring, he cleated up, practiced with us and immediately made his presence known, skying soon to be South Central FotY Will McDonald in a deep drill. So far for Hib, Dylan has lived up to that hype - employing a devasting combination of length, speed and extremely crisp throwing ability. Expect to see him all over the field for us showcasing his west coast talents.

High School: Gunn - Palo Alto, CA

Accolades: High school All State Selection (CA) 2017.

Peter Raines - Coach

Name: Peter Raines

Year Coaching: 1st at CSU - 4 at Cal Poly, SLO

About: After years of being our favorite opponent, our consolation prize after losing to SLO at nationals... was their coach! Peter joins the Hib program after four years of coaching at SLO to contribute his upbeat attitude, his offensive and defensive prowess and his big play mentality to the team. Everyone has enjoyed his presence and his voice thus far and the team is thrilled to add such a savvy leader to our sideline. 

Accolades: Southwest Coach of the Year 2016, 2017.

Tim Kefalas - Head Coach

Name: Tim Kefalas

Year Coaching: 10th

About: In his 10th year as head coach of the program, TK is thrilled to have such deep roster and coaching staff. With a year of nationals experience under the team's belt and a stellar group of new athletes to contribute, the competitive expectations for the team are sky high and TK is proud to be at the helm. 

Accolades: South Central Coach of the year 2017. 

2017 - Hibida Hall of Fame - Easton Archibald

2017 - Easton Archibald

There just aren't enough words to really do this wonderful young man justice. In 2015 Hib went through a significant culture shift, placing an emphasis on supporting each other, an inclusive, positive atmosphere and playing for the joy of the game. The competitive success that followed, culminating in a nationals berth in 2017 (Easton's 5th year on the team), was not a coincidence and Easton championed and embodied the attitude that took us to nationals - he simply was Hib. 

On the field, Easton went from a gangly freshman to a fundamentally flawless super-senior. He could handle. He could cut. He had spectacular fakes. He was always outworking his opponent. If he did happen to get beat defensively you knew a big bid was coming. He executed our offensive and defensive schemes as well as anyone on the team and even in his fifth year was constantly seeking feedback on how he could improve. 

I was lucky enough to both coach Easton for five years and play one season of club with him on Choice City Hops in 2016. That season on Hops, Easton, who had previously had a reputation for mostly being the fundamentally-solid-but-not-flashy guy took the reigns of big-time playmaker. My most distinct memory of this shift came at club sectionals, on the first point of the game against Syndicate from Colorado Springs. A huck went up and Easton closed the ground and made a spectacular layout block on the trailing edge of the disc, knocking it just out of the offense's reach. 

Off the field, Easton was a never ending fountain of encouragement and helpfulness. He took young players under his wing and taught them not just how to play on Hib, but also what it meant to play on Hib - why the team culture was what made (makes) the team successful. 

Easton was our spirit award winner at nationals (pictured above) and there couldn't have been a better candidate. After we had played our final game, we circled up to do end-of-the-season wrap up where it's customary for each player to give props to a teammate. When Easton's turn came up in the circle, he pulled out hand-written notes, not 1-2 sentences, but full on letters, for every single member of the team. I can't speak to the content of anyone's message but my own, but I can say that my letter is currently framed above my work desk at home.

I can truly say the team will not be the same without Easton, and we already miss him dearly. Lucky for us, his spirit will resonate with the team for many years to come and there could be nothing more fitting than inducting him into this Hall of Fame where we can be reminded of that spirit every time we think back on the greats of Hib history. 

-TK

Honorable Mentions: Sten Larson, Jordan Trepp, Thomas Theodorescu

2016 - Hibida Hall of Fame - Noah Brown

2016 - Noah Brown

Noah was and is my kind of player. A fundamentally sound guy who's all about working hard, doing the right thing on the field, and maximizing his personal abilities through work at the gym, track and in the film room. 

His freshmen year, in 2013, we went to our first warm-up tournament in Logan, Utah. Noah was the unfortunate victim of a bad bid directly into his knees which I believe tore his MCL and PCL. I've, unfortunately, seen it happen before - a young guy gets a season-ending injury and it's really sad, but that's usually the last we see of them. 

Noah didn't let it phase him. He didn't miss a practice that year. He spent all year learning, absorbing and working on his throws. His sophomore year he developed into a strong handler with excellent on-the-field smarts. In 2015, his junior year, he was elected captain alongside Tanner Gossack. He captained his senior year as well. 

He was always a bit of a gruff individual, but nobody would ever question how much Noah put the team before anything else. He was the captain that kept people accountable on their workouts. He was the captain that kept the team mentally focused when we'd have a run of sloppy play. He was the captain that believed so thoroughly in everything that the team was doing that he poured every bit of himself into it. I can honestly say, the team wouldn't have been the same without him. 

2015 and 2016 were our breakout years after the disappointing 2014 finish and Noah was at the helm for both seasons - a huge part of our success. He also coached our B-team in 2017 - the first year the program has ever had a B-team participate in the USAU series. 

Noah's the kind of person who deflects praise and isn't super comfortable in the spotlight, but I hope he knows how much he meant to Hib, and how much I respected him for his hard work and dedication. Truly a G.o.a.T. for pushing Hib in the right direction. 

-TK

Honorable Mentions: Scott Wheeler, Luke "Fitz" Doyle, Marshall Rawley, David Raul Cuellar

2015 - Hibida Hall of Fame - Tanner Gossack

2015 - Tanner Gossack

Tanner was a big athlete - both in actual size and in athletic ability. Hearkening back to the days of Jordan White and the 'linebacker's frame', Tanner had the kind of speed, size, and body control that could dominate on the Ultimate field. 

Tanner joined the team in 2012 as a raw prospect, eager to learn and develop his disc skills. By the 2013-2014 season, as a third year, he'd earned the respect of his peers and was elected captain. His disc skills had developed certainly, but I think what earned Tanner that respect both amongst teammates and opponents was his effort, commitment and dedication. He was fiercely loyal to the team and very protective of his teammates and coaches.

As a high school athlete, Tanner had knee problems and his doctors had more or less told him, "Stop playing sports." Tanner's stubborn insistence on continuing to participate in athletics was Hib's boon, as he consistently made monster plays for us.

My favorite Tanner memory was a drenched, muddy MLC in 2013. The fields were cold, mud pits. Tanner had a massive bid on an under cut that he just missed, landing square in a puddle with a huge, dramatic splash. Being the concerned coach that I am, I was yelling at him to get up and get on the mark. He flies up, his face completely covered in mud, no ability to see anything whatsoever and starts flailing around trying to block the next pass - which he came within an inch or two of doing despite having no vision. It still brings a smile to my face, to this day.

My saddest Tanner memory is from fall 2014 MLC. There was one particular point, I don't remember who it was against, maybe Kansas. Tanner was flying all over the field - he had a couple nice bids on a defense and the other team scored. Nothing overly notable about the point itself. After the point, I was at the far end of the field from the scoring endzone and I watched Tanner, who hadn't looked in any way shape or form limited during the point, slowly hobble, barely able to walk, towards the bathrooms. His knees finally had given out.

Tanner wasn't able to finish his senior season. The knee problems that had began in high school finally caught up to him. But I can still remember that last point - the last one he ever played - so vividly in mind. He looked like the same athlete I'd coached for four years. I can't imagine the pain he was in and I know how hard he fought to keep playing as long as he could. That spirit and that dedication are why Tanner is in the Hall of Fame and why I'm proud to have gotten to coach him and to still call him a friend.

-TK

Honorable Mentions: Iain McConachie, Logan Stagg, Andrew Spada

2014 - Hibida Hall of Fame - Stephen Gross

2014 - Stephen "Stacey" Gross

Stacey was the most skilled freshman we'd had join the team since Andy Stringer in 2006. In his first year, he immediately became an O-line player and top thrower. He had a devastating baseline of speed, size, footwork, throws and a tenacious attitude.  He was a core player and our main thrower in all four years that he played.

One night in late fall 2012, we had an indoor practice in the field house on the campus. Stacey was late, which was pretty unlike him. I didn't think much of it as we began a warmup around the track. Maybe fifteen minutes into practice Stacey snuck in the side door, limping slightly. I'll never forget the look on his face - just so filled with shame, guilt and disappointment. He'd come down awkwardly at indoor league just before practice and torn his ACL. It was a bummer for the team, but it was most disappointing for Stacey - he lived and breathed Hib.

As I outlined in Kyle's entry, we re-tooled the team strategy after Stacey got hurt - we just couldn't replicate what he could do with the disc. Stacey got surgery for his knee as quickly as he could and dove into his rehab with the same tenacious attitude he took on the field. At sectionals, (~6 months after his surgery), he played a couple of the easier games. At regionals, he was back to doing Stacey things, helping us to a 7th place finish, our best since 2008.

For his senior year, Stacey was healthy and at full strength for the entire year, but unfortunately the rest of the team just slogged through a barrage of different injuries. Throughout the entire Spring, we struggled to get the team healthy with Stacey and largely just first years our only consistently healthy players. At sectionals, with 7 starters not playing, we went 0-4, missing out on regionals for the first time since I'd been a part of the team. It was a heartbreaking turn of events, but I felt it most for Stacey; he'd lost most of his junior year to his ACL injury and his senior year, the team just couldn't stay healthy around him - he put everything he had into it.

Stacey played out his fifth year of eligibility at Brandeis University, leading the team to a 2nd place finish at DIII nationals. He returned to Colorado to work on his PhD and bounced around to different club teams including Choice City Hops and Inception. Stacey took the 2017 club season off (mostly) but I look forward to him getting back into the mix next year and displaying his talents on a national level.

To this day, I believe the two most well-rounded players to ever play at CSU during my time here - guys who could literally do anything on the field at exceptional levels - are Brett Kolinek and Stacey. I have such a huge respect for Stacey's dedication to the team, sport, and to always working hard to better himself. I'm really proud of the player he was during his time in school and the player he continues to be.

-TK

Honorable Mentions: Oliver Feind, William Haden Chomphosy, Daniel Walker-Murray, Matt Marrapode

2013 - Hibida Hall of Fame - Kyle Enns

2013 - Kyle Enns

It seems almost hard to believe, but Kyle was the first player to play his full five years of eligibility since I had graduated in 2008. He had come onto the team as a plucky freshman in 2009, but as a young player he hadn't really stood out to me as a coach - mostly I just thought he was weird.

Through his early years on the team, and playing club with Killjoy in Fort Collins, Kyle became a rock-solid player. He developed a big flick, a nasty throw-and-go, got off his feet with perfect form and, like Kyle Brochu, had a wonderfully positive attitude and effort. Kyle was elected captain by his teammates for both his fourth and fifth years.

In 2013, Kyle's fifth year, our offense was designed to largely go through junior Stephen "Stacey" Gross' big array of hucks. Unfortunately, Stacey tore his ACL in the late fall of 2012 so we re-tooled our offense more around Kyle's skill-set of breakmarks, throw-and-goes and power-position hucks. The team blossomed under this new strategy and finished back in top 8 at regionals for the first time since 2008 (Stacey worked his butt off on rehabbing his knee and made it back for the series).

This was an eye-opener for me as a coach. It was the first time I really bought into the idea that movement/break-based offense could be viable in college, and it was Kyle's multifaceted skill-set that showed me how devastating it could be.

In the four years since Kyle graduated, our offense has pushed and evolved more in that direction - we develop breaks before hucks, value possession over big plays, and do our best to take the highest percentage deep shots we can, culminating in our first nationals berth in 2017.

Outside of Hib, Kyle played Killjoy, Choice City Hops, and is currently a captain of "shame." who is, as of this entry, 8th in the country in the mixed division and is poised to make their second consecutive return to club nationals.

Beyond everything I've already mentioned, the thing I most appreciate about Kyle, is he's simply just a good, positive, friendly person. In 8 years knowing him, I've never seen him angry. I've never heard him disparage an opponent. He has the rare ability to play with great intensity and effort, but without an aggressive attitude. He really does embody what makes this sport so wonderful. I'm proud of the player he's become - from goofy orange hat kid who could barely throw a flick to captain of a top 10 club team - Kyle has worked hard, stayed true to himself and had a resounding impact on the club and college community in Fort Collins.

-TK

Honorable Mentions: Chris "Bearcat" Gauen, Michael Lin, Andy Brew

2012 - Hibida Hall of Fame - Kyle Brochu

2012 - Kyle Brochu

The 2012 team re-established CSU, maybe not as a nationals contender, but at the very least as a solid mid-tier team, no longer competing just to make regionals, but starting to climb the ladder up the region. This was, in large part, due to our senior captain, Kyle "Brody" Brochu. 

Brody was (is) a goofball. Not like that kid who can't sit still in class, but rather some one who just approaches his day-to-day life with such levity that he infects those around him with positive energy. This isn't to say he wasn't a fantastic player, but he never took himself or the team too seriously and I mean this as a huge compliment. 

We could have been throwing with freshmen at the first practice of the year or we could have been on universe point of our elimination game at regionals and Brody was always Brody - goofy, cracking jokes, spouting jibberish - but never once did I see him take that approach to his play. He was always outworking his opponent, putting his body on the line and being the driving force behind our offense. 

We were playing Oklahoma State one year at a fall tournament and there was a bit of contentious play that culminated in the guy covering Brody literally shoving him down. As a coach, I was livid, ready to charge the field and break my clipboard over the guy's head. But Brody just looked up at him and said "Bro, really?" and that was that. There just wasn't a moment that could take him away from being himself.

Brody lives up in Breckenridge now and founded High Country Ultimate soon after he graduated college. They are a group that, when I've seen them play, embodies Brody to the core - goofy, having a great time and not taking themselves too seriously. 

Scott put the heart into the team, Blaine the fundamentals and Brody, without a doubt, the personality. He was a good captain, a fantastic player and just a great person in general. He taught me a lot about how you can compete at an extremely high level without ever compromising your joy of play and I thank him greatly for that. 

-TK

Honorable Mentions: Matt Rekart, Scott "Mammoth" Alton, Rob White, Alex Cash, Andrew Clancy

2011 - Hibida Hall of Fame - Blaine Dunn

2011 - Blaine Dunn

Blaine Dunn, or "Papa Bear," as he was (is) affectionately called, was team captain and President in his senior year. Since 2007, there hadn't been a player who had both captained the team (on the field logistics) and acted as President (off the field logistics). Blaine excelled in both roles - one of those people who is just supremely responsible and organized. 

As a player, Blaine wasn't the flashiest guy, but rock solid across the board. He was great on the mark, had consistent throws, excellent defensive footwork and was deceptively good in the air. He had a spectacular strategic mind for the game and him and I had an excellent coach/captain relationship - bouncing ideas and strategy off of each other constantly - two peas in a pod. 

2011 was another year that the team wasn't the most competitive, heading into the series ranked somewhere in the 150s. However, at a two bid sectionals, Hib easily upset 40th ranked Wyoming to take the second regionals bid behind Mamabird. The team simply played like Blaine - nothing flashy, solid across the board and it paid off in a big upset and an unexpected regionals berth. 

If Scott Hanley began the groundwork for the rebuild in 2010 - showing the effort and heart required for getting the team back into the competitive mix, then Blaine added the next level - demonstrating the value in not just big plays, but in doing the little things right.

Blaine never played any competitive club and hasn't played anything beyond a few summer leagues since he graduated, but his imprint on the team and what he taught me as a coach is some of the most important stuff in Hib history. We're all really proud of you and your family, Papa Bear! 

-TK 

Honorable Mention: Amiel Bernal

2010 - Hibida Hall of Fame - Scott Hanley

2010 - Scott Hanley

In 2009, the main core of Hib all graduated. For the 2010 season, Scott slid into the role as Hib's main playmaker and captain. Unfortunately, the team at the time didn't have a ton of experienced players beyond him, so he had a huge burden to bear both on the field and as a leader and motivator. 

This was the first year that the team really slipped competitively - moving from regional contention to struggling to qualify for regionals. Scotty put our young group on his back as the only experienced thrower on the team and kept pushing the squad forward - working hard to rebuild the culture and develop the skills we were lacking.  

He consistently played through injury - everything from sprained ankles to back spasms. He had a monster flick huck and could get off his feet at will. What he lacked in size he made up for in effort and technical skill - he really was an every-other type of player. 

We snuck into regionals Scott's senior year and that was a testament to his hard work and commitment to the team and game.

Scott was a Fort Collins club favorite and core player on the new Fort Collins mixed team "Killjoy" in 2009 and 2010, but as the injuries caught up to him he hung up his cleats (for good to my knowledge) and focused on his professional career. 

While barely making regionals may not be the most amazing competitive feat, I truly believe Scott was one of the most important players to ever play on Hib. In a year we knew we weren't going to be very good, Scott instilled in a new generation of players the effort, dedication and heart required to play at the most competitive levels. He laid the foundations for positive growth for the team for years to come. 

-TK

Honorable Mention: Paul Coleman

2009 - Hibida Hall of Fame - Andy Stringer

2009 - Andy Stringer

Stringer was our first 'blue chip' recruit, joining the team during the 2005-2006 season. He came from a storied high school career in Rockford, Illinois. My first memory of him was a young kid coming out to visit CSU with his dad and trekking down to Boulder to watch our sectionals game against Mamabird. Despite us getting shellacked like we tended to do back then, Stringer still decided to attend CSU and the rest is history.

As a freshmen, Stringer slid into an O-line cutting role immediately for Hib. He led the team in goals scored that Spring; an impressive feat considering he played on a line with both our 2006 and 2007 Hall of Fame inductees.

He captained alongside Jordan White his third year and alongside David Johnson his fourth, taking on a leadership role and doing a fantastic job motivating the team as a steady handed, but big-play capable force.

Stringer has the distinction of being the only player, until 2017, to make the Bravo roster while still being in college at CSU. He got got invaluable club nationals experience his first summer on Bravo, in 2007, narrowly losing to Sockeye in the finals. He played Bravo until he graduated, then played several several years on Chain Lightning after moving to Atlanta. While living in Georgia he also helped to coach the Kennesaw State college men's team for three years.

Stringer also had a strong presence in the European ultimate scene, playing on the Czech national team several times at the European championships. 

Perhaps most interestingly (ha), he has the unique distinction of the only player who was captained by me, captained me and was coached by me - his and my relationship has seen just about every iteration of power structure and I think there's a healthy respect that goes both ways (even though we both know he can run circles around me).

He's another player I'm proud to call a teammate, friend and alumni and much like Mickey Thompson and Brett Kolinek has made his mark on the world of ultimate as a CSU grad. This was a super difficult year to decide on an inductee as there were five unbelievable graduating players but Stringer is well deserving of this spot. 

-TK

Honorable Mentions: David Johnson, David Fjelstad, Sam Plasman, Nick Snuszka

2008 - Hibida Hall of Fame - Jordan White

2008 - Jordan White

Jordan joined the team in the 2004-2005 season just oozing with potential. He had a linebacker's frame at 6'4 and 190 pounds. He was fast, aggressive and could jump through the roof. He came into the sport pretty raw, skill-wise, but immediately became a down field contributor while developing the rest of his game throughout the four years he played on the team. 

Beyond his time on the Ultimate field, Jordan was (is) an avid climber, skier and mountaineer. In May of 2005, between his freshmen and sophomore years, tragedy struck as Jordan and his dad, Kip, fell while climbing in the Maroon Bells. Kip didn't survive the fall and Jordan had to descend another 600 feet, then hike out on a broken leg to report the accident. 

Jordan came back to Hib the next season a humble individual, but he didn't let that heartbreak phase his competitive spirit for ultimate or for climbing. He has since then become the youngest person to climb and ski all the 14ers in Colorado as well as making trips all over the world to climb/ski including Alaska, South America and Mongolia. 

For Hib, Jordan really came into his own as a devastating threat in his third and fourth years. He quickly gained a reputation as a big deep, but didn't let himself be one-dimensional as he also became one of the biggest huckers on the team. It was a true pick your poison for defenders and he was a nightmare match up. 

Jordan and I had spectacular chemistry and I couldn't even begin to guess the number of times we connected on hucks. I think some of my favorite moments were Jordan sneaking hucks to me, rather than the far more common opposite occurrence. Jordan and I just knew what the other was going to do - it was some of the most fun I ever had playing ultimate. 

Jordan captained the team in 2008, in his fourth and final year, and led us to a near upset of Mamabird at sectionals and a huge performance at regionals, narrowly missing nationals.

During college, Jordan played club for DTL in Fort Collins, then moved on to Bravo after he graduated, despite living up in Aspen and having to commute. Jordan retired from competitive men's and spent a few years playing mixed in Denver before finally hanging up his club cleats to focus more on his mountaineering. 

Jordan remains one of the most physically gifted players to ever come through CSU, but I think the thing I admire most about him, is how much he re-dedicated himself to his mountaineering after his dad's death. That takes such a strong person and that force of will is what made Jordan such a special player for Hib. For anyone interested in reading more about his mountain adventures check out his amazing blog: Elks and Beyond. 

-TK

Honorable Mentions: Tim Kefalas (yup), Derek Arrington, Dan "Rambus" Delude 

2007 - Hibida Hall of Fame - Joe Roza

2007 - Joe Roza

Joe and I started playing for Hib in the 2003-2004 season. Joe had played a year prior somewhere in the northeast - I was never totally sure, either New York or New Jersey. So, while we were both 'rookies' on the squad, he had a very polished skill-set, whereas most of the rest of us youngins were still figuring out the complexities of things like the flick. 

Joe immediately established himself as a core player on the team with buttery throws, a propensity to get off his feet and a super friendly, laid-back demeanor - almost nothing could phase his game. He reminded me a lot of Nick Petraglia in that he was just such an inclusive friend and teammate on and off the field. 

Not only was Joe incredibly skilled, but his likable personality made him, arguably, one of the most influential, culture-defining characters on the team for his entire four year duration. Other young guys (like myself) prided ourselves on 'throwing like Joe', with his extravagant fakes and crisp release.

Need a goofy, fun game to play while we wait for a tournament to start? Joe'll come up with something. Need a ridiculous ro-sham proposal? Joe's got limitless ideas. Need a big lay-out grab in the finals of High Tide? Joe's up to the task. 

I had the pleasure of captaining with Joe for the 2007 season. I was a focused, analytical miscreant - stressing over every tiny detail from travel expenses to elaborate play calling systems (that never caught on). Joe was a perfect foil to that. He balanced out my hyper-focus with more of what he'd done the previous three years: a chill, laid-back attitude - cool in the face of tough game moments and enough levity to keep the team mentally strong throughout the season. 

Joe never really played club during or after college (to my knowledge) - that wasn't really his thing and that was totally understandable. Regardless of that, he was hugely influential in making Hib the fun-loving, inclusive team that it is today and I'm honored to have gotten the chance to captain with him and to have known him as a friend.

-TK

Honorable Mention: Dan Roarty, Chris "DA" Cahill

2006 - Hibida Hall of Fame - Brett Kolinek

2006 - Brett Kolinek

2006 was a peak year for Hibida. We had graduated almost nobody from the 2005 squad. We had legitimate nationals aspirations and this group, top to bottom, was the most talented team we ever fielded until the 2017 team. This was, without a doubt, the toughest year to decide on an inductee with so many unbelievably impactful and talented seniors graduating, but Brett's legendary post-Hib playing career gives him something that no Hib alumni can rival.

Brett played on Hib for five years, captaining in his fourth. He played club with DTL (elite mixed) out of Fort Collins in college. After college, Brett played several years on Johnny Bravo (elite men's) then on Machine (elite men's) when he moved back home to the Chicago area. Within that time, Brett also played for the Chicago Wildfire, won beach Worlds (at least once) and just this year won Master's nationals with Johnny Encore. I'm sure there's some stuff I'm missing, but long story short, Brett has been and continues to play at the absolute highest levels of the sport even into his mid 30s. 

On the field, Brett doesn't look overly-imposing with his slight frame and 5'10 height, but he's that guy that always does everything right and makes it look easy. In college, he played almost exclusively down field for Hib, consistently being a threat in all phases of the game. In club, I believe he's largely handled for Bravo and Machine but he's someone who I know is comfortable anywhere on the field. His fundamentals are flawless, he's got breakaway speed and is stellar at maintaining position on deep reads. 

Probably the most dominating performance I've ever seen was in the second half of a college game at Mardi Gras in 2004. We were down at half 3-7 to Tennessee. In the second half, Mickey Thompson threw literally all but one or two scores to Brett in a comeback win - Brett was just uncoverable. 

I wasn't super close with Brett in college, but I respected the heck out of his play and I'm proud to cite him as an example of an alumni making the rounds through the highest levels of the sport. I believe he is extremely deserving of this spot in Hib history.

-TK

Honorable Mentions: Adam Zwickl, Chad Pearson, Zach Taylor, Corey Johnson 

2005 - Hibida Hall of Fame - Nick Petraglia

2005- Nick Petraglia

Nick Petraglia, the younger brother of Tony Petraglia, was one of the first in a line of Hib players who truly embodied the inclusive Hib spirit. He always had a positive attitude - he made new players feel welcome and a part of the group, be it from the silly games he taught, stories he told or just his respectful approach to interactions with other people on and off the field. 

I don't think I ever heard anyone speak an ill-word of him. He was just the kind of guy you enjoyed being friends and teammates with.

On the field, much like his older brother, he always put his heart into his play and his body on the line. Small in stature, but not in big play ability, Nick's trademark was active feet. In the two years I had the privilege of playing with him he must have accumulated more than a dozen foot blocks in tournament play. 

Perhaps his best college highlight was a monstrous layout catch against Mamabird at 2004 sectionals, directly into the camera in the back corner of the end zone - the crowning moment of that year's highlight video. 

Nick didn't play much outside of Hib to my knowledge and I believe hung up his cleats for good after he graduated, but his kind, generous and friendly attitude and leave-it-all-on-the-field play reverberated with the team for years after.

-TK

Honorable Mentions: Quinton "Porter" McClain

2004 - Hibida Hall of Fame - Mickey Thompson

2004 - Mickey Thompson

This is a pretty tough year to sort through. There were many hugely impactful seniors including fifth years Ben Aldridge, Tony Petraglia and Mickey Thompson. However, Mickey's sheer force of will and personality on and off the field shaped a huge part of what Hib is today. Beyond that, he's had one of the best overall Ultimate careers of any graduate. 

Mickey was a member of the college all-region team in 2004 for the Southwest (the only Hib player to have that distinction until 2015). He was a core player on the Fort Collins club squad, DTL, who attended mixed nationals from 2002-2005. He won club nationals with Shazam Returns out of Seattle in 2007, finished second at club nationals in 2008 and won bronze at Worlds that same year. Mickey has floated around to several different teams since then, competing frequently in club nationals and even making an appearance in the pro leagues on the Chicago Wildfire.

Beyond his playing career, he was instrumental in recruiting and retaining players for Hib as a captain and mentor. Everyone has a person who got them into the sport. That person, for me, was Mickey. My first year playing was Mickey's fifth so we only overlapped for one season, but his influence on my Ultimate career was enormous.  

I don't think I've ever told him this story, but on the drive back from my very first tournament ever, Hoasis, in Arizona, Mickey was navigating for a late night driving shift - I don't specifically remember who was driving, but it was one of the other older players on the team. They were discussing first year players and how to split A and B squads for the Spring. Everyone else was in the back of the van, asleep, but I was awake and listening intently. 

Mickey said something in that conversation that has stuck with me since then and is pretty much the basis of my entire coaching and playing philosophy. I don't remember the quote, word for word, but it was more or less "I don't care who's the best player - I care who's putting the most into it. I'll take someone on A if I just know they'll put in the work." I was definitely not the best first year player on the squad that season, but I made it onto the A team for the first spring tournament. Fifteen years later and I'm still at it because, as Mickey taught me, you get out what you put into it. 

-TK

Honorable Mentions: Ben Aldridge, Tony Petraglia, Hayden Strickland

2003 - Hibida Hall of Fame - Josh Tabije

2003 - Josh Tabije

The 2002 and 2003 entries will be structured slightly differently than the other entries. Thanks to Mickey Thompson for spearheading these two seasons. For all the hundreds of questions over the years about the "Hibida" name, it seems appropriate that the big 'reveal' be here. 

"Josh Tabije graduated in 2003, as the real founder and eponymous of "Hibida" He was the true embodiment of what Hibida was all about. His big-boy frame and history in disc golf created monster throws and deceivingly nasty breaks. Tabije could get you the disc no matter where you were on the field. His step around/over backhand was legendary at practices - many tried to replicate it but nobody could ever pull it off as majestically as the big man. Tabije was the first Ultimate player to become CSU Club Sports President [not to be confused with team President] and worked to legitimize our presence in the Club Sports world at CSU - getting us funds, fields and respect. Tabije would prove to be a great teacher for the next generation of Hib players - as a natural mentor he helped guide the future of what Hibida became in future years."

-Mickey Thompson 

"On and off the field Josh is a true leader, he took freshmen under his wing, integrated them as part of the team and taught the values of Ultimate - the Spirit of the Game as best he understood it. He encouraged involvement in the local ultimate community as well as pushed players to participate in club when his playing days stopped. He continued to offer support by coming out to local tournaments in Santa Cruz to watch me play on Bravo and expressing interest while I completed on a high level. Josh was an outstanding leader, mentor and still a friend today."

-Brett Kolinek

"The truth about our team name. For 17 years CSU Ultimate has played under the team name, Hibida. Where did that name come from? What does it mean? Is it an inside joke? Is it a mythical beast? Is it a drink? As a player, I fielded these questions on a regular basis. As an alum, I still get asked about it every now and then.

The answer. It's a made up word. Our Captain, Josh Tabije, made it up. It came from his off-kilter mind. It doesn't mean anything. There's no inside joke. It not a mythical beast, or a drink.

Tabije enjoys a good joke and it wouldn't surprise me if he's kept what Hibida means to himself all this time. The genius of letting Hibida be a made up word, is that it can mean whatever the team wants it to mean.

In the mid 00's, the closest thing to a consensus definition of Hibida was, something that's there, but probably shouldn't be. Like a piece of La Luz burrito that fell onto your shirt. Where Hibida went from there, well, I don't know. It's a made up word.

Shouts to Tabije for gifting the program a team name with such versatility and staying power. Few people can pull a word straight out their butt and 17 years later we are all ecstatic to still be using it.

and

In the spring of 2002 Hibida went to Austin, TX for Centex, a tournament hosted by the University of Texas. At the time, using CSU's Motor-Pool was the best way to travel to a tournament. It was far cheaper than flights and much much easier to organize (aka herd cats). What was not easy in 2002? The internet. Well, unless you wanted to download tons of, "free" music. 2002 internet was stupendous at free music.

2002 internet was not great at directions, but if you knew what you were doing, it was potentially better than an atlas. Our Captain, Josh Tabije, was a true pioneer of technology. Using MapQuest, and a fair amount of computer lab paper, he painstakingly mapped every Dairy Queen, and every Dairy Queen Brazier, from Fort Collins to Austin.

Things like; smart phones, Google Maps, and Yelp would make short work of the same task today. However, this is not a story explaining to the youngsters how tough it was back then. It's really a story illustrating what a character Tabije was. Seriously, who needs to know if it's a DQ Brazier or not? Is it even necessary? The state flag should replace that star with a DQ logo. In other words, DQ has a big footprint in Texas. We were going to run into a few.

A great benefit to being a part of an uncommon sport is the uncommon people you meet. It's doubtful that I'm able to give Tabije his just due, as this is just one of many examples. Maybe though, you got an idea."

-Ben Aldridge