I fell in love with ultimate during my 1st year of college at Penn State University and never looked back. It was here where I found an eclectic and supportive community who I credit for shaping me into the person I am today. Since those fateful days in 2011, I have traveled all over the US and abroad playing and coaching this unique sport.

I feel so strongly about UP because its mission aligns almost perfectly with my personal identity: I am a Jewish man in a committed relationship with a Muslim woman. Although our cultural backgrounds couldn’t have been more different, it was ultimate that originally brought us together and helped catalyze a beautiful friendship between each other and our families. Our relationship has been met with a spectrum of opinions, both good and bad, but Amel and I have always approached these challenges as opportunities to learn from each other’s cultures.

I am so thrilled to be back at UP for the second year in a row and cannot wait to continue forging new relationships within the UP family!