With the anticipation of tryouts looming, my personal excitement has reached maximal levels. While day dreaming about the tryout process and the formation of the 2011 A-team I started to think about the holes that were left by graduated players. This week I'm taking a good look at last years A-teamers who won't be at tryouts this year.
James Matthew “Kurley” Kurley III:
Kurley came in as a freshman with the 2006-07 rookie class. He used his track/cross country speed to help himself make the A-team as a sophomore. The following year he decided that school prevented him from making the full commitment to the A-team and took his talents to Boomland. He helped the 2008-09 B team become possibly the best in Illinois history. The following year, with school work under control, Kurley was ready to be a big part of the O-line. He held down the fort as the O-line 6, and became famous for utilizing the “grapes” call better than anyone. Kurley made 2 nationals appearances, and won 1 regional title.
Kyle "Prez" McKinley:
Kyle joined Illinois as a sophomore in the 2007-2008 rookie class. He spent his first year with Boomland, and captained boomland his Junior year. As a captain he brought Boomland dangerously close to Regionals. It was the best b-team in recent memory. Without him many current juniors would not be where they are today. During his time as a Boomland captain he had a huge impact on making Illinois become a program. The shear number of current juniors who are ready to contribute are in partly because of him. During his senior year he made the A-team and filled a role as a D-line handler. He spent two years as team treasurer, faithfully fulfilling the duties of the position. He made 1 nationals appearance and has 1 regional championship.
Charlie "Chuck" O'Brien:
Chuck never actually liked being called Chuck. He came in as a Freshman in the 2006-07 rookie class. I believe he was the only Freshman to make the A-team that year. Charlie had really good height, and even better athleticism. The combination made him our best deep threat, and his ability to make catches in traffic helped him to become a game changer. His signature was pointing when he made his deep cuts. It is believed that this point had a sort of mind control over the handlers which made them boost it more often. Charlie made 3 nationals appearances and won 2 regional titles.
Jon “JonO” Ogrodnik:
Jon O came in as a sophomore in the 2006-07 rookie class. He spent his first year on the C-team, a place where champions are forged. After two years with Boomland his effort was rewarded and he made the 2009-10 A-team. Unfortunately Jon O got injured during a Randy Moss drill at Vegas. This prevented him from seeing much time on the field, but his sideline presence and off field support made him an important part of the Team’s identity. Jon O made one Nationals appearance and won one regional title.
Brian "Phenom" Phelan:
Phenom was part of the 2005-06 rookie class. He was one of two freshman that made the A-team that year and by the end of the season he was awarded "Freshman of the Year" honors by the region. I believe Phenom spent some time on D-line before he arrived as a 3/4 cutter on the O-line. His Junior year he and Pat Stephens carried the load. For his senior and fifth year as a grad student, he held down the 3/4 spot with Chris Hidaka. For his last two years Phenom was a captain of Illinois Ultimate, and as captain he led the team to 2 Nationals appearances. His achievements during his time at Illinois include, FOTY, 2nd team all region, 1st team all region, 3 nationals appearances, 2 regional championships and the best long on the team for his last two seasons.
Kurt "Kurtesy" Zoellick:
Kurt was our fearless spirit captain of 2010. He came to Illinois Ultimate as a grad student with 3 years of eligibility remaining. His Ultimate roots stem back to Valparaiso University, where he captained an upstart program. During his Illinois rookie season of 2008-09 he made the A-team as a reserve. After a year of really hard work he established himself as one of the best D-line handlers in the program. Throughout 2010 Kurt provided the A-team plenty of laughs, an obscene amount of layouts, plenty of scores, and above all several new pregame cheers that got the team through some long weekends. Kurt made 2 nationals appearances and won 2 regional titles.
I’ve been asked to not include Walden Nelson, because he will be coaching the A-team for 2010-11 and is still active in the program.
The write up on Chris “Halvies” Hidaka is pending/postponed.
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