Eric began playing Ultimate Frisbee at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. The philosophy of teamwork that is deeply rooted in Ultimate, sparked a love for the game in Eric like no other. The links formed within a game of Ultimate inspire a deeper relationship and camaraderie among players unlike any other sport. Eric’s experience with Ultimate ranges from tournaments on the West Coast, to Summer League in Atlanta, to Hat Tournaments in Thailand, Beach Tournaments in Kenya and Tanzania, and even coaching High School and Middle School Ultimate in North Carolina. Ultimate has been an avenue that has provided vast opportunity for Eric to travel and connect with people from all over the world through a common language of spirit of the game. The magnitude of Eric’s time with Ultimate is best measured by the places he’s traveled to both play and coach, as well as the relationships he’s formed with teammates. Eric has embedded the principles of Ultimate within his endeavors in teaching, camp counseling, and mentoring for the past 10 years.
The culmination of these experiences have enriched the game of Ultimate for Eric and ingrained a desire to build camaraderie within the Ultimate community, as well as problem-solving and conflict-resolution for players off the field in the everyday circumstances of life. Eric currently resides in Raleigh, North Carolina. When he is not involved in Ultimate or teaching, you may find him rock-wall-climbing, biking, embarking on a road trip, or any number of adventurous activities.
Eric Vander Heyden
