Callahan Kickoff

"The Callahan Award has been established to recognize the most valuable players in men's and women's college ultimate. Each year the Callahan trophy is presented to the man and woman who combine superior athleticism with outstanding sportsmanship, leadership and dedication to the sport of ultimate. In the eyes of his or her peers, the Callahan winner is the personification of the ideal ultimate player." - www.callahan-mvp.com

Over the next two weeks, we will be posting profiles of some of the top Callahan candidates. We've seen 26 of the 30 women's candidates play this year, so we can attest to the fact that there are some outstanding nominees. To kick this coverage off, we asked some past Callahan winners to answer one simple question...

What does the Callahan Award mean to you?

To me, the Callahan Award represents integrity, passion, and performance recognized by peers and coaches to be outstanding and noteworthy. It's an excellent way for the Ultimate community to remember and honor the cooperative and spirited nature of the sport (that Henry Callahan seemed to embody).
Dominique Fontenette (1997)

I feel like it is a true honor to be a Callahan. Having been voted on by the players, it makes me full of pride to think that my peers believed in me. Also, to be able to honor Henry Callahan, with Ben Wiggins, was amazing.
Chelsea Putnam (2003)

To me, winning the Callahan meant that I had excelled in our sport with grace, compassion and fairness.
Miranda Roth (2004)

Respect: for the Game, for your teammates, for your opponents.
Alex Snyder (2006)

Though it's an individual award, I really think it speaks highly for the people that surround the winners. We play a team sport and no doubt the perception that other players have of the winners' sportsmanship, leadership, athleticism, etc. is a direct result of the winner's team culture. I mean, think about it. Sportsmanship: how often have you blindly disliked an entire team due to the behavior of one or two players? Leadership: you can't lead unless others place that trust in you. Athleticism: on any team, for every star that gets to shine, sacrifices are made. For every flashy cut or throw you make, someone else is going unnoticed holding down the stack. For every point you play, someone else is sitting. My win is a celebration of all of my teammates and coaches that sacrificed, pushed me, and supported me during my four years at UCLA. Thanks, BLU.
Anna Nazarov (2007)

The Callahan award to me simply means "thank you." It's a nod to the effort that the recipients put into their teams, their own personal play, and women's ultimate in general; the endless hours organizing, teaching, and training. Once received, the Callahan spotlights that player and requires her to continually work at being an exemplary athlete that others can follow in all areas of the sport.
Georgia Bosscher (2009)

The Callahan represents someone who is completely dedicated to the sport, to their team and to themselves and their personal development. It's someone who displays great feats of leadership, who can help their team on the field and off. And of course, Sportsmanship, because that is the backbone of our sport. But most importantly, along with all these attributes, they must have a true love for the game.
Shannon O'Malley (2010)