Colorado Springs, Colo. (November 22, 2021) – USA Ultimate announced today that, despite not having the traditional spring college season this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Callahan Award will still be awarded in 2021.
Nominations are now being accepted and must be submitted by Wednesday, December 8, for consideration. All college teams, as well as USA Ultimate regional coordinators, are eligible to nominate one player.
Founded by Charles Kerr in 1996, the Callahan Award is named in honor of Henry Callahan, one of the sport’s early players and organizers, and plays an important role each year in recognizing great players from collegiate programs across the country and highlighting the best elements of the sport of ultimate.
The Callahan is awarded to the most valuable players in college ultimate. Award nominees display superior skill and athleticism, but the award goes a step further than that. In addition to their on-field success, winners of the Callahan Award also demonstrate outstanding sportspersonship, leadership and dedication to ultimate – personifying Spirit of the Game.
Players are nominated by their teams or by their regional coordinators, and the award is voted on by current college players, meaning Callahan Award winners have also earned the respect of their peers.
Given the non-traditional 2021 season which allowed fewer playing opportunities than a typical season, and therefore fewer opportunities for college players to see nominees compete, voting will be open through the College Championships this year. Voting will open Friday, December 10, and close Tuesday, December 21. All current college players are eligible to vote online using their USA Ultimate member accounts.
More information about the Callahan Award, including rule modifications for 2021, the Callahan nomination form and other nomination and voting details, is available at callahanaward.com.
Winners of the 2021 Callahan Award will be announced in January 2022.
