Why HYPE?
Past. Present. Future.
Grace Trautman, Class of 2018
“Just the other day I was talking with a friend about how a few tiny decisions have hugely shaped how my life turned out. For example, the first week of freshman year I was playing pickup ultimate with some people I met during orientation. Right after pickup they were going to the (then coed) DU Club Ultimate tryouts and invited me to come along. I was kind of tired and almost didn't go, but FOMO got the best of me. That tiny decision gave me a college family, goofy roommates, weekend adventures, a competitive outlet, forced mental health breaks, and legitimately all of my best memories from DU. I ended up captaining the team and learned leadership and organizational skills that helped me land my first post-college job. 2 years post-grad and those friendships remain unconditional. And of course, I still play ultimate every chance I get!”
Jojo Tomenchok, Class of 2021
“Joining club women’s ultimate was probably the single best decision I made as a freshman in college. It gave me the opportunity to learn a new sport, meet the absolute best people, and be more involved in the DU community. I don’t think I would have found as much success throughout college had I not chosen to join HYPE.”
Maya Gershun-Half, Class of 2019
“When I transferred to DU my sophomore year I was worried about what it would be like socially since I was in a sense joining everybody a year late. Hype mitigated that worry right away. Part of the reason I joined Hype is because I was lucky enough to be able to play ultimate in high school, and I loved the sport and the social aspect that came with it, but nothing could have prepared me for Hype. Hype and the people on the team have saved me during the worst points in my college career, and the memories I have from Hype are some of my best memories from college. Even since graduation and (reluctantly) leaving Hype I continue to be tied to the team through lasting friendships and outdoor adventures. Hype truly became a family that has carried me through college and beyond.”
Audrey Miklitsch, Class of 2019
“Coming to college was an exciting and new experience. I really wanted to join something where I could make friends and be active, I'm so happy I found Hype. I created the most important friendships from college on that team. Having an outlet to be active with a sport as inclusive and exciting as Ultimate, helped me to grow over my 4 years at DU and be a part of a community that has extended past the University. I have been able to create long-lasting relationships through the sport and team both at my time at DU and over the past year as an alumni. Hype was the most impactful and important experience of my college career. I am so happy I got to be a part of a team that had such a positive culture.”
Alison Wenman, Class of 2022
“Coming to college, especially out of state, was honestly really scary for me. I remember going to the pioneer carnival my freshman year with a sign saying “ultimate frisbee”. I thought it was extremely weird that frisbee would be a sport and then when I showed up to the first practice, I completely fell in love with not only the sport but with the people as well. I cannot only call my teammates my best friends but my family!”
Kate Rosner, Class of 2020
“Playing a club sport at DU was one of the largest forces in shaping my college career. Coming here, I didn’t know a single person and was so worried about finding a group of friends that would make my four years memorable. After one practice with HYPE, I knew I had not only found 20 best friends, but a family.”
Robyn Hollis, Class of 2022
“I grew up hearing how amazing Ultimate is and how wonderful the community is from my parents. Despite this and how high my expectations were, Hype has far exceeded it. Hype and Hypedough is a family! There are ups and downs, freezing cold practice, and long weekends with little sleep, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. My parents are still friends with the people they played ultimate with and I have no doubt that this community will be the same way. I am counting down the days till our first tournament and the start of the season. Hype Hype”
Lilli Tobias, Class of 2022
"Personally, joining a club sport was not on my radar as a freshman, I only had plans to try out multiple clubs in an effort to find my community. Long story short, I went to the first night of practice and was hooked, not because I was good at Ultimate or had any remote idea of how to throw a frisbee, but because the group of women was so welcoming and purely excited that I had shown up with an open mind and was trying my hardest. Within my first week of college, I had a support system and friends that dramatically shaped my first year, and continues to shape my college career. I can confidently say that were I not to of joined HYPE, my time at DU would have played out very differently and not nearly as positively or successfully."
Maddie Steinbrunn, Class of 2019
“When I first stepped foot into campus, it was overwhelming to try and fit in instantly. There was so much pressure to find friends, figure out what I wanted to major in, what classes to take, to tie it all together, to find something to enjoy. I had moved from out of state with none of my high school friends, and I was worried about how I was going to fit in. Slowly, as I went to random club and intramural sports practices, I found that Hype resonated with me the most. I had found a group of people similar to me and who would be there as a support system in such a whirlwind time. Hype made such an impression on me that I, along with many other teammates, got the characteristic “H” as a tattoo. If that doesn’t tell you how much it meant to all of us, I guess I don’t know what will.”