about the hellfish
A Brief Team History....
In 1997 a senior by the name of Rohit Setty joined forces with Rob Knapik to form an official Men's Ultimate team at JMU. Rohit and Rob were able to recruit a very inexperienced squad consisting mostly of freshman, and in 1998 JMU had it's first official Club Ultimate team. Nameless and without official uniforms this untested squad competed in their first tournament... The foundation for something great had been laid.
The team was first called "Think Ahead", but after quickly realizing this was the lamest name ever, reinvented themselves as "The Flying Hellfish". By 1999 the Hellfish showed the makings of a solid team, and by 2001 the founding class maturing to seniors and Juniors were able to finish top 6 in a very competitive Atlantic Coast region.
In 2002, with the founding class graduating, a vacuum of talent sent the team into a rebuilding process. The team remained competitive, but through 2005 there was a stronger emphasis of the fun and social aspect of the team. In 2006 a solid returning Junior and Senior class was determined to improve made it back to the AC regional tournament for the first time since 2001 and finished 9th. This team took their momentum straight into next year, and for the first time in team history won the Blue Ridge Sectional tournament. The Hellfish returned for a second consecutive year to the AC Regional Tournament, but suffered a heart wrenching loss to Georgia in the game to go to nationals.
In 2008 the team was a shadow of it's former self. The Hellfish were still able to take the last spot to regionals, but a directionless team was unable to improve on their previous years successes and was quickly eliminated in the first day of competition. 2009 the team re-structured with the hopes of creating focus during practices and tournaments. This framework has kept the team on an upward trend, continuing to qualify for Regionals every year. In 2012, the Hellfish for the first time since 2007 took first in the renamed VA State Conference Champions.
With the continual development of the sport and growing talent of the team, The Flying Hellfish promise to be an exciting team in the College Ultimate Series for years to come!
In 1997 a senior by the name of Rohit Setty joined forces with Rob Knapik to form an official Men's Ultimate team at JMU. Rohit and Rob were able to recruit a very inexperienced squad consisting mostly of freshman, and in 1998 JMU had it's first official Club Ultimate team. Nameless and without official uniforms this untested squad competed in their first tournament... The foundation for something great had been laid.
The team was first called "Think Ahead", but after quickly realizing this was the lamest name ever, reinvented themselves as "The Flying Hellfish". By 1999 the Hellfish showed the makings of a solid team, and by 2001 the founding class maturing to seniors and Juniors were able to finish top 6 in a very competitive Atlantic Coast region.
In 2002, with the founding class graduating, a vacuum of talent sent the team into a rebuilding process. The team remained competitive, but through 2005 there was a stronger emphasis of the fun and social aspect of the team. In 2006 a solid returning Junior and Senior class was determined to improve made it back to the AC regional tournament for the first time since 2001 and finished 9th. This team took their momentum straight into next year, and for the first time in team history won the Blue Ridge Sectional tournament. The Hellfish returned for a second consecutive year to the AC Regional Tournament, but suffered a heart wrenching loss to Georgia in the game to go to nationals.
In 2008 the team was a shadow of it's former self. The Hellfish were still able to take the last spot to regionals, but a directionless team was unable to improve on their previous years successes and was quickly eliminated in the first day of competition. 2009 the team re-structured with the hopes of creating focus during practices and tournaments. This framework has kept the team on an upward trend, continuing to qualify for Regionals every year. In 2012, the Hellfish for the first time since 2007 took first in the renamed VA State Conference Champions.
With the continual development of the sport and growing talent of the team, The Flying Hellfish promise to be an exciting team in the College Ultimate Series for years to come!