Colorado Springs, Colo. (November 20, 2020)—Despite the cancellation of the club and masters seasons this year, USA Ultimate will carry on the tradition of recognizing individual Spirit winners after revising the criteria used to nominate candidates and select award winners.
The Kathy Pufahl Spirit Award (club women), Farricker Spirit Award (club men), Spirit & Equity Award (club mixed), Marty Bakko Spirit Award (men’s masters) and the Women’s Masters Spirit Award are presented annually to players who best exemplify Spirit of the Game and its values.
While normally drawing only from a pool of championship event competitors in a typical year, the eligibility requirements have been relaxed in 2020 to include any athlete that competed in the 2019 club season or masters series.
The criteria used to nominate players and select the winners will focus primarily on community service; contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives; efforts to support the equitable growth of the sport and other positive, off-the-field contributions to society. Nominees should also have a reputation for being spirited in competition as well.
Players or coaches who participated in the 2019 club season or masters series may nominate eligible individuals by completing the following forms no later than Sunday, November 22.
CLUB DIVISION (PUFAHL, FARRICKER, SPIRIT & EQUITY) NOMINATION FORM
MASTERS DIVISION (BAKKO, MASTERS WOMEN’S SPIRIT AWARD) NOMINATION FORM
Following the nomination phase, teams will be contacted directly with specific instructions on how to vote. Voting will occur from November 24-29.
For more information, contact Carolina Gonzalez-Llanos (club) or Byron Hicks (masters) at carolina@hq.usaultimate.org or byron@hq.usaultimate.org.
