By James Prendergast
May 3rd
This year, Team Rocket has chosen to nominate Michael Levy from Beacon, NY for a Donovan award for his dedication and influence on the team.
This marks the second consecutive year that Team Rocket has nominated a player for the Donovan Award, following last year’s nominee, Luke Barret, who had been the team’s president.
Once a year, following the end of the spring season, the premier news media site dedicated to the sport of ultimate frisbee, Ultiworld, hosts and presents the Donovan Award, which recognizes the top Division III college ultimate players for their skill, leadership, and adherence to the Spirit of the Game. The award is given to one male and one female Division III player, selected by their peers across the division, making it one of the most respected honors in college ultimate.
For Levy, the nomination itself reflects his connection to the team.
“It is a great honor to be nominated just cause I love the team so much,” Levy said.
Levy came to Cortland with the goal of changing the culture on the team, and the results speak for themselves. Team Rocket in previous years had crafted a much more casual experience, but after Levy joined the team, something changed. The team became much more disciplined and competitive resulting in a third-place regional finish this season. Much of that transformation can be attributed to Levy’s leadership both on and off the field.
Senior Michael Levy has been nominated because of his leadership, compassion, athleticism, and respect for the game, among many other qualities. After serving two years as a captain for Team Rocket, Levy will graduate from SUNY Cortland with dual bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Biology. Levy’s time with the team has been defined by his ability to elevate those around him and reshape the culture of the team.
Looking to the past, Levy reflected upon his career and how he started in Ultimate Frisbee.
“I actually founded a pickup league in high school which was how I first got introduced,” Levy said.
After his time at Binghamton, he transferred to Cortland for his junior year, this made a big impact and could be pointed to as the catalyst for the teams change.
Looking back, Levy points to the team’s transformation as the most meaningful part of his experience.
“Something that stands out to me is how different the team is from when I got here. The mentality is night and day, and the players are more willing to change and listen,” Levy said.
Levy’s impact has not gone unnoticed by his teammates. Fellow player Kurt Pattel who occupies the Media Manger position of the team, spoke of Levy’s influence and the reasoning behind his nomination.
“I became aware of the award because Levy, being the great teammate he is, nominated Barry [Luke Barret] last year. Even with it being my first semester on the team, I knew I needed to nominate Levy as soon as I read about the award,” Pattel said. “He is the complete definition of what the Donovan Award winner should look like; compassionate, competitive, hardworking, athletic, brave, and relentless.”
Pattel echoed Levy’s impact on the team.
“Saying Levy has been a positive presence would be an understatement. He is the centerpiece of our team, and it will be impossible to replicate what he provided as a teammate, friend, mentor, and expert,” Pattel said. “This club went from partying and playing frisbee on the side, to placing 3rd in the region. It’s truly unbelievable the impact Levy has had on the team.”
With Levy set to graduate, his teammates lament over the loss.
“His absence will undoubtedly be felt by the entire team. There just is not a way to replace the productivity that he is able to generate,” Pattel said.
Pattel noted that Levy’s mentorship has prepared the team for the future, giving them confidence moving forward.
“Levy has mentored the players of Team Rocket so well that we are confident we can still compete without him in the lineup,” Pattel said
As for what comes next, Levy is not stepping away from the game anytime soon.
“I play for a high-level club team based out of Connecticut (CT Colt) and I will try to play pro in the UFA this upcoming winter,” Levy said.
Alongside his pursuit of a career in public health, ultimate frisbee will remain a major part of his life.
Voting for the Donovan Award will take place from April 27 through May 8, as Division III players from across the country cast their ballots. Regardless of the outcome, Levy’s nomination stands as a testament to the lasting impact he has made on Team Rocket and the culture he helped build.