1999 Nationals
Boulder, CO
May 28-30

Pictures of Family and Friends at Nationals

Pictures of Black Tide Alumni at Nationals

Saturday:
U.C. Santa Barbara 15 - UNC-CH 5 (quarterfinals)
U.C. Santa Barbara 15 - Carleton 12 (semifinals)

Sunday:
NCSU 16 - U.C. Santa Barbara 14 (finals)

The results from the college finals in Boulder were not as we hoped. But I would like to share with you my impressions from the game.

Our opponent was a worthy one. NCSU was very athletic and well prepared. They were one of the very few teams I have ever watched that were in as good shape as the Tide. Even so, I believe if the two teams played 10 games against each other, the Tide would win 7 of them. But today was one of the other 3.

The teams traded points in the beginning with the Tide behind 8-6 at the half. Then the score went to 12-7 with the Tide losing. I have never seen the team fall that far behind in all the years I have been watching them. And just as rare, they fought back to tie the game at 14-14. In that run, they scored 7 points to NCSU's 2 points. It was the most awesome comeback I have ever seen in a major finals.

NCSU kept their poise, and rallied to win the next 2 points and win the championship. Of course coming in 2nd in the country is something to be very proud of. However, I am sure the players do not feel that way. Many of them feel they personally lost the game with a mis-play. And in general, I know they all feel they let us down. "Us" being their families, friends and especially the Tide alumni they still know and respect.

As a long time spectator and one of the "us's", I am perhaps more proud of this team than any other. When they were down 12-7, with the game to 15, I knew it was over. They couldn't win. But THEY didn't know it. In fact, they proved I was wrong and kept on fighting. They clawed their way back to 14-14 on guts, pride, and the will to win. And through it all, they never lost hope in their teammates.

I have attended almost 200 Ultimate games, and I have begun to notice a few things (okay, even a spectator can see a few things). Sometimes, one player is really 'off' in a game. They really make a lot of errors. Today's game was not like that. There were mis-plays (there always are), but no one had more than one or two. They lost as a team just as they had won all weekend as a team.

Eventhough my son (Jason Seidler 93-97) no longer plays on the Tide, I am still close to the team and this loss will be painful for a while. But I plan to try to balance it with the joy of the "true athletic spirit" that I feel whenever I am with the team. They are special men... and I am proud to be their friend.

Joe Seidler

A few stories from the games:

1. Texas Doug Howie was there again supporting the team. This is his 8th appearance at college Nationals in the past 9 years since he and the Tide won Nationals in 1990. He drives to Nationals from his home in Texas; and he is constantly helping with water, supplies, coaching, etc. and the guys really like him there.

2. The oldest Tide alumni I saw there (excluding Texas Doug) was Blair Hall from the 90-93 Tide teams. A number of other more recent Tide alumni were also there including Bob Steinke, Mike Namkung, Gregg Tedeski, Dan 'Thunder' Wachter, Forrest Collins, Ryan Yarbrough (cheering for the Tide at finals eventhough he was now playing on the UCSC team - which we beat in pool play), and Jim Regetz. (I hope I didn't forget anyone.)

3. Hal Campbell was there supporting his son who plays for Salisbury State (in Maryland). Hal played on the Condors 1976-1977.

4. One of the Tide, James Studarus, was almost penalized from playing the next game when during the game against UCSC, he made the comment to a UCSC player, "this is too easy." The UPA reversed their decision, and he was allowed to play. The UCSC coaches helped the situation by not making a big deal of it.

5. One Tide player, Nick Fiske, had to go to his brother's wedding back East on Saturday. He played Friday, flew home Friday night, went to the wedding on Saturday, flew back to Boulder Saturday night, and played in the finals Sunday. This was done once before in 1990 by a player who had his Master's exams on the Saturday of Nationals.

6. The Tide cheering section again boasted a large number of parents, family, friends, and girlfriends. We had 12-15 on the sidelines at all times. Buzz Hellyer's grandmother was also there, and Buzz's dad, sister and girlfriend were all wearing the black t-shirts with the Black Tide embroidered on them by his grandmother. Sammy's parents, David and Karen Samuel, and his sister and her friend were also cheering the team.

7. The team brought the new UCSB club sports 'trainer'. Robb Bolton was great to have. He kept the team hydrated always running to the huddle with water bottles. During the season, he worked with quite a few players on their speed, jumping height, etc. and improved their performance significantly according to the players.