April 21, 2025
By Sam Weiger
The 2025 Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA) season is set to launch on April 24, and watchUFA.TV is your front row seat to all the action. The opening weekend lineup is packed: catch an intriguing free showcase on YouTube, witness a thrilling battle between two perennial title contending teams, and see stars debut in new uniforms as we get set for a seven-game Week 1 slate.
Friday Night Freebie: Empire and Bighorns Square Off in Vegas
"Friday Night Frisbee" is a weekly showcase game streamed live and free on the UFA YouTube channel. Next Friday’s matchup features a compelling interdivisional matchup between the heavyweight New York Empire and the league's newest expansion team, the Vegas Bighorns.
Could a UFA team possibly have a more dramatic entrance than facing the league's most dominant franchise right out of the gate? The storyline of a debutant squaring off against the three-time champions instantly crafts an irresistible “David vs. Goliath” narrative.
But all eyes will be on the Empire, a team that finds itself at an interesting crossroads. Despite losing additional key players from their title-winning era, the team's core strength remains evident in the undeniable talent of Jack Williams, Ben Jagt, and John Randolph – some of the best players in the world.
New York can take heart in the fact that a roster overflowing with talent isn't essential. Minnesota's championship last year demonstrated that unity and confidence are enough to win, not just star power. The Empire, however, struggled to define themselves without Jeff Babbitt and Ryan Osgar last season. Now, with another season ushering in a significantly different team, the pivotal question is whether New York will once again grapple for an identity, or successfully build a unified team around their "big three".
The new-look Empire will face the Bighorns on April 25 at 9:00 PM/ET This game will be the first broadcast this year to feature the signature in-depth pregame analysis, halftime highlights, and insightful post-game breakdowns led by the renowned "Voice of Ultimate", Evan Lepler.
Shred and Hustle Battle in Week 1 "Game Of The Week" Showcase
The action continues on watchUFA.TV with the first "Game Of The Week" of the 2025 season. On Saturday, April 26 at 7:30 PM/ET., we get a blockbuster matchup between two star-studded teams: the Atlanta Hustle and Salt Lake Shred.
Following their impressive run to the 2023 UFA Championship, the Shred generated significant buzz heading into 2024. However, their performance seemed to dip last season, and a relatively quiet offseason has some wondering if Salt Lake will fade from contention. Salt Lake will be looking for promising additions from their local ultimate scene to elevate the play of Shred stars like Jordan Kerr, Chad Yorgason, Jace Duennebeil, and Will Selfridge, among others.
Atlanta's offseason was anything but quiet, signaling a clear intention to address their postseason shortcomings. Despite a remarkable two-year run that saw the Hustle secure their first two division titles in franchise history, their strong regular seasons haven't yet translated to playoff success.
However, those seasons were punctuated by memorable moments, including a franchise-altering victory over New York last year. Now, with the core of Offensive Player of the Year Brett Hulsmeyer, Austin Taylor, and Jeremy Langdon back, and the arrival of several marquee signings, the Hustle are generating considerable excitement for their potential this season.
Strengthened Title Contenders On Display
Atlanta Hustle
Atlanta made the most high-profile additions among the improved squads playing next weekend. Their acquisitions include the UFA's all-time leading scorer Cameron Brock, the 2024 goals leader Alec Wilson Holliday, and former Salt Lake Shred standout Sean Connole.
Brock's value to the Hustle extends well beyond his goal-scoring and popularity; his deep knowledge of the league could be paramount. With 11 career playoff games played and the 2024 season spent as a UFA analyst, Brock brings a wealth of understanding.
Expect Brock to get his goals and yards, but Wilson Holliday might just steal the show in scoring and receiving. Holliday's 2024 numbers, averaging nearly double Brock's goals and a substantial 140+ more yards per game, are hard to ignore. Holliday's role with the Hustle is what I'm most excited to see unfold.
Connole is expected to step into a similar role for the team as Bobby Ley held in Atlanta last year – a strong handler adept at pinpointing end-zone targets. But Connole is capable of being a dual threat, evidenced by his higher receiving yardage compared to throwing yardage in the past two seasons. How will the Hustle utilize him in Week 1?
Boston Glory
While Atlanta pursued a "strength in numbers" approach, the Glory focused on landing the biggest pickup of the offseason: Tobe Decreane. The 2024 Rookie of the Year quickly proved his worth, ranking among the league's best overall players, not just the top rookies. Decreane's impressive stats – a top-eight finish in assists, blocks, and plus/minus – now see him paired with the UFA's two-time defending MVP, Jeff Babbitt. Furthermore, the Glory bolstered their lineup with the return of Ray Tetreault and the acquisition of Calvin Stoughton.
With a robust returning core complemented by an enhanced roster, Boston is positioned as a major title threat, ranked second in the preseason power rankings. The Glory might need some time to fully gel, especially with the addition of a playmaker like Decreane into their system. Yet, Decreane's Week 1 contest against his former squad, the Montreal Royal, could provide the extra spark for Boston to perform at a high level right away.
New York Empire
While the Hustle and Glory's acquisitions have garnered significant attention, New York's big signing might be overlooked. The Empire's addition of Max Sheppard, the former face of the Pittsburgh Thunderbirds, brings the potential to revitalize their depleted team with his playmaking skills and versatility.
Having lost key players like Mike Drost, Ryan Drost, Elliott Chartock, and Charles Weinberg in the offseason, the Empire were expected to make a substantial addition. Sheppard's desire to join a contender aligned perfectly with New York's need to replace their top talent, making his acquisition a logical move. Empire General Manager Matt Stevens knew of Sheppard's recent achievements, including his 91 scores in 2023 and his 2019 All-Star MVP performance. Sheppard’s impact, along with the contributions of new additions Calvin Brown and Everest Shapiro, should be closely watched next week.
