October 30, 2022 - Raleigh, NC: History was made in the George C. Williams Athletic Complex on the campus of Saint Augustine's University (SAU) on Sunday afternoon. The upstart SAU ultimate (frisbee) team, the first HBCU ultimate team in the country, played host to two-time defending national champion, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) Darkside squad in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
The match was put together to showcase the sport of ultimate to the SAU campus community, as well as to provide an opportunity for the SAU team to experience the highest level of ultimate competition. The event was sponsored by Triangle Ultimate, Tokay (footwear), and BE Ultimate (sportswear.)
Photo: Juma Wilondja (JR) Photo credit: Brian Whittier
The SAU roster consisted of a mix of students and assistant coaches including: Terric Buchanan (JR), Nicholas Young (FR), Ryshawn Seaberry (EC), Brandon Valentine-Parris (graduate), Juma Wilondja (JR) , Kevin Collins Nelson (graduate), Ethan Boggs (EC), Finote Weldemariam (graduate), MarcusAustin (FR), Steven Jackson (EC), Sway Daniels (SO), Kofi Thompson (assistant coach), Christian Forde (assistant coach), and Terrence Mitchell (assistant coach). The team was coached by local volunteer, former NCSU coach, and Triangle Ultimate Hall of Fame member, Beth Stagner.
UNC prevailed in two spirited games (7-1, 9-2). However, a handful of near misses on several long SAU throws made the games feel much closer than the score indicated. Juma Wilondja (JR) scored twice on two diving catches for SAU. Nicholas Young (FR) made a toe-tapping catch at the back of the endzone in the second game for the home team.
"You can really see the potential in the team, especially as our disc skills further develop. The school has a lot to be proud of with this group of guys. They've only been playing the game for about 6 weeks but still had the courage to step on the field in their first match against the best collegiate team in the country," notes Dr. Mark Janas, professor in the School of Business, Management, & Technology and leader of the SAU club sports program.
"Seeing the joy on the faces of the SAU team as they played was all that was needed to mark this event as a success, the Triangle Ultimate community is looking forward to supporting SAU Ultimate's and witnessing the future success and growth of the SAU Ultimate frisbee program," adds Tristan Green, Executive Director, Triangle Ultimate.
The SAU ultimate will begin official league and tournament play in Spring 2023. For more information about the team, visit https://www.sauclubsports.com/ultimate.
About SAU Club Sports:
The Saint Augustine's University (SAU) club sports program is managed by the sports management department in the School of Business, Management, & Technology (SBMT). SAU club sports include cycling, BMX, rowing, Ultimate (frisbee), SIM golf, and SIM motorsports. Sports in development include flag football, pickleball, paddling, VR tennis, 3v3 basketball, and adventure racing. The program is designed to support SBMT curriculum, as well as to introduce sports not typically part of the HBCU experience.
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