Excellence is at the forefront of everything that Union University’s club Ultimate Frisbee teams do.
Union University has two club ultimate frisbee teams: the Jaxx and the Jillz. They are student-run organizations and have been a place where students find athletics, community and competition.
As I sat down with senior Jaxx player Marcel van der Wel and senior Jillz captain Bryn Norton, I quickly saw how much they treasured the community within these teams.
“The community is something that’s very special. From the captains to the seniors to the rookies, you really see everyone come together throughout the year,” van der Wel said. “It’s a special group of guys that are truly pursuing the Lord, and this community is something I haven’t seen within any other organization on campus.”
That community was on full display during the annual exhibition game between the Jaxx and Jillz and their respective alumni. With an impressive Family Weekend crowd, both teams put on a spirited show that highlighted the tradition of Union ultimate frisbee.
van der Wel explained that if it were not for the community of the team, he would have quit. One thing both he and Norton loved about this community is the tournaments and the worship nights they have participated in.
“It’s an incredible time to just hear 21 guys come together and praise the Lord, and share how the Lord is working in their lives,” van der Wel said.
Win or lose, the Jaxx and Jillz encourage each other and the opposing teams.
“Teams are excited to play against us because we show good sportsmanship and how we represent Christ above all else,” Norton said. “After every game, we ask if we can pray for them, and we make a huge circle and we pray for the team.”
One special aspect of the Jaxx and Jillz that distinguishes them from other sports teams is that they encourage and welcome students to join regardless of their ability to play Ultimate Frisbee.
“Most teams give out scholarships to the girls who play, but we let anyone that wants to play on our team. And it’s just as competitive,” Norton said. “I didn’t know how to throw a frisbee until people on Jillz taught me.”
Now Norton is teaching other girls how to throw, and eventually, those girls will teach others how to throw.
As a captain, Norton runs all the practices. On the leadership team for the Jillz, Norton is joined by Rylie Feltner, the president, who handles behind-the-scenes work, like fundraising, gas and logistics for tournaments. Anna Davidson, the vice-president, assists Feltner in the logistical work. Averie Gundy, junior captain, assists Norton with running practice. Likewise, on the Jaxx, Will Stickles serves as the captain, alongside Philip Avery as the co-captain and Cam Settle as vice-president.
Being completely student-run, it is up to the members of the team to decide on leadership positions. They nominate each other on a form and decide who would excel in each position.
The Jaxx and Jillz do not just practice and play together — they also do team bonding events.
“We call them fundatory events, rather than mandatory,” Norton said. “We do Jillz dinner every Monday, stay the night at my house in Memphis, do Friendsgiving and Christmas parties.”
The Jaxx and Jillz are more than just a club sports team. They are a true community rooted in their genuine love for the Lord and for each other.
“I think because we center our community in the Word, I have found such godly women and true friendships,” Norton said. “We know how to love because we see how the Lord loves us.
