Kutztown High School graduate Sam Esser, a professional Ultimate Frisbee player with the Philadelphia Phoenix, recently returned from a trip overseas to teach the game to our Armed Forces’ men and women stationed in the South Pacific.
As part of the Armed Forces Entertainment Tour, an agency that tasks itself with providing all kinds of entertainment to U.S. military personnel, Esser and other Philadelphia Phoenix players spent six days teaching Ultimate Frisbee at bases in Diego Garcia and Bahrain.
“One of the people who helps run the Philadelphia Phoenix had a contact in the military and set it up,” said Esser. “We spent four days in Diego Garcia, and then we went to Bahrain for two days.”
The soldiers could participate as much or as little as they chose to.
“They were all athletes, so they were really excited,” said Esser. “Some people came for one session, and some people came for every event.”
The first day, in Diego Garcia, the players were taught the basics of the game, like how to throw and score. The next day, they participated in a small tournament, and on the last day, they held an even bigger game.
“We put Phoenix players on both teams, so we could help them a little bit,” said Esser. “They picked it up really well, and they had a great time with it.”
The troops were not the only ones to gain something from the experience. The Philadelphia Phoenix players also had the opportunity to learn about life on a military base.
“It really puts it into perspective when you get to see where they are at and what it’s like,” said Esser.
Esser is 25 years old and has been playing Ultimate Frisbee professionally for seven years. He lives in Malvern, but he often comes home to visit his parents in Kutztown on the weekends.
Esser’s mother, Joyce, is proud of her son’s involvement with the Armed Forces Entertainment Tour.
“My sons all play Ultimate Frisbee,” she said. “Sam was given a great opportunity to use the sport to give back. I think it is a great accomplishment, and while he was there, he got to know the soldiers and do some stuff they like to do, too, like fishing.”
Esser and the rest of the Phoenix team were the first Ultimate Frisbee players to take part in the Armed Forces Entertainment Tour.
“I just had a great opportunity, and I took hold of it,” said Esser. “It was great to give back to the soldiers, and it was a lot of fun.”
Joining Esser on the trip were Phoenix players Danny Bjorkman, William Hoehne, Sam Morgan, David Hampson, Kyle Wolf, Chris Schulze and Steve Ross, along with Head Coach Steve Lienert.
Now that they have returned, Esser and the team are gearing up for their next game season, which begins in April.
More information on the Philadelphia Phoenix can be found at phlphoenix.com, and to learn more about the Armed Forces Entertainment Tour, visit www.armedforcesentertainment.com.