League Update October 2024

October 31, 2024

Hello WUL Community!

What an exciting time it is to join the Western Ultimate League.

I had the distinct pleasure of attending Championship Weekend in Denver in June, where Colorado Alpenglow took home the 2024 WUL Championship title in front of their home crowd, and in just their second year as a team. Utah Wild joined them in the final, both teams having earned their spots in close semi-finals match-ups where teams competed with a tenacity that could have secured any one of them the Championship. Players commuted from as far as Oklahoma to play, and loyal fan bases traveled from across the country to witness the event in person. It was a contest between the technically precise throws that the women's division is known for and the seemingly impossible defensive bids that the professional level requires. It was a fitting end to a season packed with epic comebacks and high-scoring games won by mere inches. Being part of this event solidified my decision to join the league to invest in the professional playing opportunities and visibility of women and non-binary athletes.

Women’s sports and women’s ultimate continues to grow and thrive. This September, we welcomed the Oregon Soar franchise for the upcoming season. Oregon has a history of amplifying the talent of strong women and non-binary athletes and a deep enthusiasm for the sport of ultimate. In addition to Soar, we are happy to announce the return of all of last season's teams, filling out our now 7-team league for the 2025 season.

Our athletes have been busy during the off-season, with an incredible showing by WUL players in women’s and mixed divisions at both World Ultimate Championships and USAU Club Nationals – including many gold medals with Team USA. A big shoutout to players from the 2024 WUL season who represented Team USA this summer with gold medal wins – Dena ElimelEch (Super Bloom), Jade McLaughlin (Alpenglow), Kaela Helton (Super Bloom), Kendra Miller (Wild), Sadie Jezierski (Tempest), Sam Rodenberg (Tempest), Sharon Lin (Falcons), and Shayla Harris (Falcons).

As we head into tryout season in November and December, it is abundantly clear that the magic of this league isn’t happening only on the fields. The staff, coaching leadership, volunteers, and fans involved in the league and teams of the WUL are an essential part of this community. Behind the scenes is a massive year-round effort of teamwork (much of it volunteer) to make it all happen.

One key way to join this year-round effort is the 2025 Annual Be A Megafan campaign in January. With nearly 60% of Limited Edition Megafan Jersey sales going directly to the team you want to support, your purchases are crucial to funding your favorite team and the WUL. Investing in this limited edition merchandise is one way we’re working toward a profitable, sustainable professional sports business model.

We continue to be inspired by the rise of other women’s sports both domestically and internationally. This month’s WNBA Finals Game 5 peaked at 3.3 million viewers, closing out a season with record-setting social media engagement and sell-out games. The WNFC has raised $1 million to accelerate growth and equity for women in football. Women’s sports are poised to generate more than $1.28 billion globally in 2024, a 300% growth over the last three years. This year’s 50 Most Marketable Athlete list from SportsPro included 22 women with legendary Simone Biles as number No. 1, and influential athletes Caitlin Clark, Rebeca Andrade, and Ilona Maher in the Top 8.

This is what happens when we invest financially, physically and emotionally in women's sports and the fans of women’s sports.

Imagine what we can build together.

In community,

Nicole Neumiller

WUL Executive Director

2024 Western Ultimate League Awards Winners

2024 Western Ultimate League Award Winners

The annual WUL Awards honor outstanding players and coaching staff who have made significant contributions to the league and their teams. Each nominee exemplifies excellence in their respective roles and was honored with an awards ceremony during Championship Weekend.

Most Valuable Player - Abby Thorpe

Abby Thorpe lead the league in goals with 23 goals — 10 more than any other player. Thorpe’s 23 goals not only led the league by 10, they were the second most in a single season. On her team, she was 5th in assists, 2nd in blocks, and 1st in receiving yards. Thorpe's +/- of 28.5 led the league by 5. Her 32.4 Offensive Impact Score (OIS) was 1st in the league and she had the highest block rate in the league, averaging nearly 1 block every 11 defensive possessions. Thorpe was also nominated for Player of the Week 3 times, and won the award in Week 5 while tying the single-game record for goals with 7 and setting the single-game record for receiving yards with 406.

Offensive Player of the Year - Ari Nelson

Nelson’s ability to accurately push the disc down the field took Colorado’s offense to the next level. Their 23 assists led the league and tied for the most assists in a single season. Nelson's 2007 throwing yards were second in the league, and of the seven players who threw for more than 1500 yards, Nelson had 5 fewer throwing errors than anyone else. Nelson completed 70% of their hucks and their 16 huck completions were the most in the league by 5. Colorado’s O-line scored on just 23% of their possessions without Nelson on the field, compared to 50% of possessions with Nelson. They were nominated for Player of the Week twice and finished the season with the highest Offensive Impact Score among handlers in the league.

Defensive Player of the Year - Dena Elimelech

Dena Elimelech ranked 1st in the league for blocks with 15, and ranked 1st in blocks per game, averaging 2.5 blocks per game. She has recorded at least 1 block in every game this season and has now recorded at least 1 block in 20 of her 22 career games. Her 7 blocks against Bay Area in Week 6 tied the single-game league record. She won the Player of the Week award in Week 2, recording 2 blocks in addition to setting a single-game record at the time of 373 Receiving Yards. Her 46 career blocks make her WUL’s all-time leader (with 8 more than any other player), and her teammates described her as the most important and impactful player for San Diego this season.

Breakout Player of the Year - Abbie Davis

Abbie Davis had a phenomenal first season in the WUL. She was 2nd in the league in blocks with 13, and 1st among qualifying players with a Block Rate of 13.1. On her team, she tied for 2nd in goals, 1st in blocks, and 4th in receiving yards. Most impressively, Davis recorded at least two blocks in every game this season — the longest such streak to start a career and tied for the longest ever. She averaged 2.3 goals and 194 receiving yards per game since moving to O-line in her fourth game. Davis also won Player of the Week for her outstanding performance in Week 9, scoring 5 goals, recording 2 blocks and 274 total yards.

Coaching Staff of the Year - Bay Area Falcons

Head Coach Manisha Daryani and Assistant Coaches Shaun Webb, Candice Tse and Byron Liu

The Bay Area Falcons' success this season is in no small part because of their excellent coaching staff. The Falcons finished with a 5-1 record and a +32 goal differential. No other team in the league has a goal differential above 1. During the regular season, they ranked 1st in Hold Percentage, Break Percentage, Defensive Efficiency, Completion Rate, Blocks, and Huck Completion rates. In Week 8, the Falcons tied a league record in Week 8 with 20 different players scoring or throwing an assist. On the season, Falcons had 29 different players score a goal (a league record), 26 players throw and assist and 28 players record a block (a league record).

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Check out the entire list of Award Finalists here.

League Update May 2024

May 30, 2024

Dear WUL Community,

What an exciting close to the regular season! While I’m eager to see Bay Area Falcons, Colorado Alpenglow, San Diego Super Bloom, and Utah Wild compete for the WUL Championship, I also want to show appreciation for Seattle Tempest and Arizona Sidewinders on a solid season full of competitive games and high level ultimate. All six teams contributed to an unforgettable third season of the WUL.

We have an incredible final weekend coming your way at Pinnacle Athletic Complex in Thornton, CO and whether you’re joining us in person or at a team watch party, all live streams of the games will continue to be free and available to all! 

Saturday, June 1

Semifinal #1: Bay Area Falcons vs Utah Wild, 1pm PT // 2pm MT

Semifinal #2: Colorado Alpenglow vs San Diego Super Bloom, 4pm PT // 5pm MT

Sunday, June 2

3rd Place Game: TBD, 10am PT // 11am MT

Championship Game: TBD, 1pm PT // 2pm MT

I do want to share that after Champ Weekend comes to a close, I will be stepping down as the WUL’s Executive Director. I accepted this role last year at a time when the league was in transition, and I’m pleased to report that my efforts on being a stabilizing force and investing in the areas where we needed the most support appear to be paying off.  I’m so proud to see what our league has accomplished this year and to know that we are in a position of strength moving forward.

However, my personal and professional bandwidth has recently shifted significantly as I’ve been offered a new job opportunity, and it is with a heavy heart that I hand the reins off to someone new.  I’m so impressed to see the progress this league has made in locating a new Executive Director, and an announcement will be made in the coming weeks as to my successor. 

I have marveled at the commitment and hard work of so many players, coaches, ownership groups, investors, and volunteers who make this league happen. It is no small feat to launch a professional sports league, nor the teams within it. It is the spirit and strength of our community that sustains the Western Ultimate League as it wraps up its third season this weekend.

The mission and vision of this league is unlike anything we’ve seen in professional sports and I see a bright future for us. If you too would like to see this league thrive, consider a donation or ask your local team how you can support their efforts. The WUL will always be driven by the power of our collective community. 

I am grateful for this opportunity and for the personal relationships I’ve formed with so many of you who are part of this league. See you out on the field!

Cheers,

Megan Andrews

Executive Director

Megan Andrews

WUL Executive Director

2024 Western Ultimate League Award Finalists

2024 Western Ultimate League Award Finalists

The annual WUL Awards honor outstanding players and coaching staff who have made significant contributions to the league and their teams. Each nominee exemplifies excellence in their respective roles. We invite you to join us in celebrating their achievements! Winners will be announced onsite throughout Championship Weekend.

2024 Most Valuable Player

Abby Thorpe - Colorado Alpenglow

Brooke Stanislawski - Utah Wild

Chip Chang - Arizona Sidewinders

Kaela Helton - San Diego Super Bloom

Kelli Iwamoto - San Diego Super Bloom

2024 Offensive Player of the Year

Ari Nelson - Colorado Alpenglow

Cheryl Hsu - Seattle Tempest

Han Chen - Bay Area Falcons

LP Aragon - Arizona Sidewinders

Paige Applegate - Arizona Sidewinders

2024 Defensive Player of the Year

Abbie Davis - Utah Wild

Allysha Dixon - Colorado Alpenglow

Blaise Sevier - Colorado Alpenglow

Cynthia Thomas - Arizona Sidewinders

Dena Elimelech - San Diego Super Bloom

2024 Breakout Player of the Year

Abbie Davis - Utah Wild

Blaise Sevier - Colorado Alpenglow

Lauren Pisani - Arizona Sidewinders

Margo Donahue - Bay Area Falcons

Merideth Byl - San Diego Super Bloom

2024 Coaching Staff of the Year

Arizona Sidewinders

Bay Area Falcons

Colorado Alpenglow

San Diego Super Bloom

Seattle Tempest

UtahWild

WUL Announces Championship Weekend in Colorado!

April 5, 2024

Dear WUL Community,

We are thrilled to announce that Colorado Alpenglow will be hosting the WUL’s 2024 Championship Weekend, taking place June 1-2 in Thornton, CO. The top two teams from each conference will qualify for a shot at the title.

In just its second season in the WUL, Alpenglow has established itself as a powerhouse both on and off the field. From throwing their very first pull last season in Utah, to scoring the league’s first point of our 2024 season in their home venue, we have been impressed with the diligence of their managers and owners, and the community they’ve built within the greater Denver area (and beyond!). We can’t wait for all of you to experience some of that high-altitude magic along with us in June.

The schedule features two semi-final matchups on Saturday, followed by the 3rd Place Game and Championship game on Sunday.

Saturday, June 1

1pm PT // 2pm MT - Semi-final Game 1

4pm PT // 5pm MT - Semi-final Game 2

Sunday, June 2

10am PT // 11am MT - 3rd Place Game

1pm PT // 2pm MT - Championship Game

To purchase tickets for the games, visit the Alpenglow website. For general inquiries about the weekend, please email info@coloradoalpenglow.com

Travel & Logistics

Thornton is located about 30 minutes north of Denver proper, and 30 minutes west of the Denver International Airport. The venue is Alpenglow’s home venue, the Pinnacle Athletic Complex, accessible via car with ample parking, and via bus. Of note, the US Women’s National Team (soccer) will be playing a game vs South Korea on Saturday, June 1 at 2pm in Commerce City, CO which is about 13 miles southwest of the airport. Please plan accordingly by checking traffic conditions and allowing extra commute time on Saturday.

WUL Releases Third Edition Rulebook for 2024 Season

March 21, 2024

The Western Ultimate League released the third edition rulebook to be applied for the 2024 season. 

There were no major changes to the ruleset. Any changes that were made were to add clarity to verbiage. 

Other Time Stoppages: 

• Clarified that the clock stops in the last two minutes of play when any call is made, when the disc becomes out-of-bounds, or when an in-bounds disc comes to rest completely in the end zone.

• Clarified that if time expires during or immediately after a call, the team that has possession following the call shall have one possession. 

Time Violations Between Points: Clarified that Observers may issue a technical violation to coaches and non-players that do not vacate the field prior to signaling readiness or upon the pull. As specified in the USAU Misconduct System, more than two technical violations will result in a Misconduct Penalty.

Timeouts: 

• Clarified that in the event a team calls a timeout but does not have a timeout, play stops and the marker shall resume the stall count with the number last uttered before the call plus three (3). If this results in a stall count of seven or above, this is a turnover.

• Clarified that upon a change of possession in the central zone, the coach of the team that is now on offense can only call a timeout once a player on said team has physical possession of the disc.

Stall Counting: Clarified in the event of a retracted defensive call, the stall shall resume at stall 1.   

Movement After Calls (Not Applicable to Resolved Instant Referral Calls or Timeouts):

• Re-named this process to “pre-check” so as to minimize confusion with the 10 second and 20 second pre-stall. 

• Clarified that if a pre-check occurs when the disc is in possession of a player in the end zone, during the pre-check period the thrower may move to the spot on the end zone line where the disc is to be put into play. 

• Clarified that a pre-check is used when an injury substitutions occurs while a team is in possession of the disc and a pre-stall has not commenced

Rosters: Gameday roster: 22 players max, 17 players minimum. 

Special Thanks to Manisha Daryani, Qxhna Titcomb, Remy Schor, Brian Bradburn, Janna Hamaker, Kate Monforti, Mike Ferguson, and Wally Kwong for their feedback and assistance in creating the Third Edition.

March Means One Thing - Opening Weekend!

March 11, 2024

Dear WUL Community,

As we welcome March, we can feel the excitement building for our 2024 season!

Before we get to that, we’d like to take a moment to thank all of you who participated in our Be A Megafan sale. You all collectively generated just shy of $100,000 in revenue through player jersey sales, and another $500+ in donations to the league. Your financial support is a huge reason why the league is still here today, so thank you again for showing up for our players and our teams.

We’re now just two weeks away from Opening Weekend, which will feature three games and a chance to see all six WUL teams in action: 

3/23: Arizona Sidewinders @ Colorado Alpenglow, 1pm PT
3/23: Bay Area Falcons @ Utah Wild, 4pm PT
3/23: San Diego Super Bloom @ Seattle Tempest, 5pm PT

Can’t make it in person? We will once again be streaming all WUL games free of charge on our WUL YouTube channel. Here’s a link to our full season schedule – mark your calendars now!

There’s something special about seeing this season take shape, and experiencing all the time, energy, and effort that goes into making this league what it is. In January, we welcomed three new At-Large Board Members – Brenda Stevens, Kalene Morozumi, and Karen Ko. Each brings their own experience in the sport, along with unique backgrounds and perspectives that will contribute to the growth of our league. They’ve all jumped into their Committee assignments and Task Forces with ease, and we look forward to the impact they’ll have on our Board. You can see our full leadership team here.

In addition to welcoming these new Board Members, I’ve been keenly aware of all the momentum and success we’re seeing across the women’s sports landscape. The Professional Women’s Hockey League rang in the New Year setting attendance records across the US and Canada, and the NWSL kicks off this month having just landed their largest broadcast deal to date. Caitlin Clark is selling out every stadium the Iowa Women’s Basketball team travels to, and we have March Madness, the WNBA Draft, and the WNBA season just around the corner. 

Just over a year ago, The Sports Bra in Portland hadn’t even opened yet. Now, we see women’s sports bars in Seattle & Minneapolis, and coming soon to Long Beach, New York City, and even the United Kingdom. 

This is the spirit and the energy that carries us into our 2024 season. Our teams are clear-eyed and focused, ready to bring you another successful season showcasing our unbelievably talented female-matching and non-binary players across the league.

We can’t wait to see you out on the field!

Megan Andrews

WUL Executive Director