October Player of the Month

Full Name: J. Scott Christ.  I like to keep the J abbreviated because it makes me feel badass like M. Night Shyamalan.  Also, I thought The Village was excellent.  I have no idea why it got panned by critics.

Nickname: The Passion.  Contrary to popular belief, I did not nickname myself.  This was a pre-Ultimate nickname that I wanted to carry over.  Still, my college teammates gave me crap for “nicknaming myself.”  One thing led to another, and I ended up having to wrestle a guy in order to “earn” my nickname.  I pinned him in 33 seconds.  Boom, lesson learned.  Don’t mess with The Passion.  

Age: 28

Hometowns: South Pasadena, CA; Arcata, CA; Portland, OR

Profession: K-12 Substitute Teacher.  Imagine a cross between Jack Black in School of Rock and Steve from Blue’s Clues.

Years playing: 9

Former/current teams: Humboldt Buds, Pen15, Golden Robots

Favorite tournament: I’ll go with Log Jam because I love that time of year (summer solstice), it’s not too far from Portland, and I love the outdoor party and suzy sticks tournament.

Highest level of play you’ve achieved: 9th Place, N.W. College Open Regionals, 2006.  

Most memorable game:  At Log Jam 2009, in our inaugural tournament, the Golden Robots beat Guard Seize Them 12-11 on universe point.  Some jabroni named Pete Overright emailed us and asked if he could pick-up; he pulled in the winning score.  This had to be one of biggest Ultimate upsets of all time.  Think Appalachian State/Michigan level of upset.

Where are you playing now-a-days: Sunday pick-up at Fernhill, Spring League, Summer League, local tournaments

What first got you into the game: I always loved Ultimate, even when I was playing 20-on-20 all-backhand jungle style before I knew there was more competitive play out there.  It’s just intrinsically a very fun game.

Favorite O/D Strategy: (Inside the G-Bots’ huddle.) “We’re definitely going with a Huck-Zone here.  We’ll work it up to half field and then Jan, Taylor, or Todd can look to huck to Duke, Marilyn, KG, or KP.  If the huck misses, set the zone.  On the goal line, we’re using Ranj as a hub.  That’s right, it’s hammer time!  If Ranj is out (very likely), we’re going to have to use Aziz as the hammer guy.  Uh, oh."

Shout-outs: Chris Cook, great coach.  Kellen Russell, amazing player/captain.  Asa Hunt, Pen15 Fristator.  Alex Mitchell, knows how to party.  Andrea Jung, favorite Spring League captain.  Matt Ryan, sideline superstar.  Katie Kern and Mark Lyles, Dark Cycle co-coaches.  Setha Nhuong, he who nominated The Passion.  Dan Steinberg, G-Bot recruiter who moves great for 40.  Golden Robots, a special team.  PUFF Leaders and Volunteers, you all work for a special community.  My mom, as far as she’s concerned, I’m the best Ultimate player ever.  My wife, she’s a little more skeptical.