When I started playing ultimate, my exposure to this hype was almost non-existant. Part of this was because I was a rookie and our team had yet to reach the nationals scene, but also many of the things that exist today were not around. We did not have Skyd Magazine, Without Limits, NextGen, Twitter, and all of these sources packed with ultimate information, promotion, and opinions. There was RSD and UPA Magazine, and there was a lot more focus on men's college ultimate than women's.
In 2010 I started this specific blog, which was a continuation from a previous blog started by WS alumni, Melissa Gibbs. It was an opportunity to recap our tournaments and share our weekend adventures with our friends and families. It also allowed us to drop the names of our teammates for the bad ass plays they made, and allow some exposure for those other than the top players on our team. There isn't much cooler to a rookie than reading a recap of the weekend and seeing their name written about their first layout, sky, or D. It is something to be celebrated in every way possible, a way to share with your opponents, "look out, we have more than just the faces of the 3 seniors you recognize."
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| A little sideline karaoke dance party never hurt anyone |
As a program, I believe Woman Scorned has always been competitive. I know that we believed we could take anyone down before every game, regardless of how realistic that belief really was. In 2011 we made nationals for the 2nd time in our history. I remember winning our first game against Tufts (who we were 1-0 with before the game) and being asked in an interview how I felt about the upset... I found it odd that we were "upsetting" them considering we already had a winning record against them, yet we were seeded lower, so I guess that was technically an "upset." We were the team from the North Central who took the last bid, our hype was quite minimal.
Last season Scorned was pretty successful.We had only 2 regular season losses, and as we neared the series, we had started to turn some heads. We were asked to do a video interview with USAU, and websites like Skyd asked our captains for quotes. The exposure was increasing throughout all parts of the sport, but the name Woman Scorned was starting to be more than just that team who had made nats a couple times. That name was nearing the top of the rankings on USAU and Skyd more and more each week.
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| Celebrating after a close win in our last pool play game vs Virginia Hydra |
In the final weeks before the college national tournament, Skyd Magazine put on a "preview show" with predictors on who would finish where at the tournament. Not one but two of the announcers (and several other teams in another video) picked Iowa State Woman Scorned to win the NATIONAL TITLE. I remember sitting on my bed, about peeing my pants, with tears in my eyes thinking "Holy crap, that is us. That is OUR TEAM. I actually play on the team that they just said is most likely to win."
We didn't win a national title. We didn't even make quarters. A lot of factors go into winning nationals, and that weekend many of those factors didn't fall into place for us.
The hype can do amazing things for programs, for teams, for players, for even one game. The hype of your team has the potential to psych out your opponents, earn you invites to tournaments, and improve your seedings. It can be the push you need to achieve your goals, or it can be the devil on your shoulder that pushes you into a downward spiral of mental breakdown. At the end of the day, it is what you allow it to mean to you that matters.
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| Woman Scorned gets their first TMF for blowing bubbles on the fields at half time |
For me, that video meant a lot. I did not mean that we were going to win nationals, because I knew it would take a lot more than some people saying we would be the winners to get us there. Our level of hype meant that the work of our team and so many before us was paying off. We were reaching the goals that so many of our alumni had only dreamt of when they were laying the foundation that we were walking on.
So as the season kicks off and the hype begins, remember to show your appreciation to the people who speak kindly of your team and teammates. The players who get name dropped are representing your team well, but no team can be successful with just those few. The hype will never be able to tell the whole story behind the magic that your team possesses. Only someone who is part of your team can truly appreciate it. Focus on your team, because the hype is nothing more than what makes your opponents fear you.
-Lindsey Gapstur
#2 Woman Scorned Alumni
