Carl Emerson

Mentors:
Charlie Callahan of The Sacramento Wizards inspired me to play and taught me I should inspire others to play. Dr. Stancil Johnson taught me that frisbee is both Technical AND Fun. Dave Murphy made the mistake of letting a complete stranger "spin" with him on Carmel Beach one day and I haven't wanted to take my nails off since.

Why I Play?
Going to the park after school was to be with friends and play frisbee. Cutting school and going to Folsom Lake was to be with friends and play frisbee. Thanks Josh. Later, getting together for a few beers with friends was, typically, after playing frisbee. Thanks Jeff. Thanks Toddy. Thanks Jason. Seems I then began to plan my travels around frisbee tournaments. Seems even now Frisbee has been a factor in many of my large decisions in life. That "special weekend away" when I asked Michele to marry me, I found a way to squeeze in a jam. Thanks Paul. Our wedding rings were tied to a Styler, not a pillow, and although surprised, she was actually ok with that. Thanks Michele. Our move to Florida was even inspired by frisbee. Sorry Mom.

My best friends are frisbee players. The friends. The sharing. The giving back. The welcoming attitude. It's the VA States. It's the Santa Cruz memories from way back. It's the playing on beaches in Monterey, Newport, Jacksonville, and Aruba. It's places like Lover's Point, Harkness, Boston, Bellingham Common, and the Washington Monument. It's the margaritas after a hot afternoon jam. It's the seed busting in the first round, only to collapse in the second. It's the phone call from another player saying he's gonna be in town. It's the anticipation of having plane tickets to a tournament 2 months away. It's the picking off nail glue residue for a few days after a weekend jam.

It's that feeling when playing; things are clicking; the body is fluid, the mind is ahead of the physical; and suddenly I realize I haven't thought about deadlines, I haven't thought about bills - I've been feeling the moment, enjoying the moment, confidently, without hesitation, without forethought and it feels so good...

There's nothing like sharing that inner, satisfying, friendly smile after a jam amongst "Family." I think it's why I like to play. It's been the same reason, the same feeling, for over 25 years.