April 30, 2015
Getting to Know: Colleen Conrad, Director of the Nike Ultimate Camp of Austin
Colleen Conrad is the Director of the Nike Ultimate Camp of Austin. Conrad began her Ultimate career during graduate school at the University of Texas (Austin), where she played in the USA Ultimate college series with Melee. At the club level, Conrad has played with Showdown, Chewbacca Defense, and a number of other women’s and mixed teams. She has competed in three NCAA tournaments and six National Ultimate Championships.
GETTING TO KNOW
Colleen Conrad - Director of the Nike Ultimate Camp of Austin
When and how did you get into playing ultimate?
"Tiina Booth tried to recruit me to play Ultimate in high school at Amherst Regional, but I declined because I was already committed to field hockey and softball. (Silly me!) Instead, I began playing years later at the University of Texas, Austin (on Melee), where I was a graduate student in 2003. I was only eligible to play two seasons of college Ultimate, because I finished my Masters, but I was still lucky enough to play in the semi-finals at Nationals and (more importantly) be on a team with people like Cara Crouch, Amanda (Gayle) Berens, and Nazish (Waliany) Pasternak. Those women are some of the best athletes and friends I've ever known! That experience definitely hooked me on Ultimate, and since then I've played everything from club to league to pick-up."
What is the favorite team you ever played for?
"I think that Melee will always have a special place in my heart, because that was when I learned to play the sport, and it was such a positive environment for athletic growth. The program was absolutely packed with amazing teammates and friends. We weren't just a talented group, we were a family."
What is your favorite ultimate drill?
"Hmm. Well. To be honest, I always just want to PLAY rather than do drills! But I do believe in drills, and I know how important they are for player and team development. As a player, my favorite drill would have to be Huck Drill, because I love running long, chasing down discs, getting position on my defender, attacking the disc in the air... As a coach, I love seeing the energy and enthusiasm that Huck Drills generates in my players at practice."
Why did you get in to coaching?
"I'm not sure coaching was ever a choice for me! My mother, Kacey Schmitt, has been coaching sports since before I was born. There are actually pictures of her spotting her varsity gymnasts while I was in her belly! Now she coaches varsity volleyball and softball in my hometown, and she's even the director of the Nike Softball camp at Amherst College! I grew up going to my mom's sports camps as a camper, and then when I was old enough I became part of her coaching staff. When I began teaching in my 20s, there was never a question about whether coaching would be a part of my life as well. People who know both me and my mom know that we're extremely similar; I think I've inherited a lot of my coaching strategies, philosophies, and skills directly from her."
Who is your favorite ultimate player of all time?
"My favorite Ultimate player of all time is Cara Crouch. (And not just because she's my colleague, my co-coach, and my dear friend!) Cara is the type of athlete and teammate who makes everyone on the field around her BETTER. She see the best in all of her teammates and friends - including their hidden athletic talent - and she helps others maximize their potential on and off the field. Aside from being an outstanding Ultimate player who can 'do it all' from throwing to receiving to playing D, she is a selfless, inspiring leader."
Click the following link for more information on the Nike Ultimate Camp of Austin.