A NEW NAME IN A STORIED ULTIMATE COMMUNITY:OREGON STEEL WELCOMED TO THE ULTIMATE FRISBEE ASSOCIATION
Portland, ORE. (September 16, 2024) - The Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA) has officially welcomed the Oregon Steel to the league for the 2025 season, rebranding from the Portland Nitro. The Nitro began play in 2022 within the league’s West Division, and in April, announced Darci Fredricks and Bill Freeman as the new team owners. Darci and Bill have also founded a new team, the Oregon Soar, in the Western Ultimate League (WUL).
“This wasn’t a change we took lightly,” said Darci. “We respect the history and culture of ultimate frisbee here in Portland–we wanted to ensure this transition was welcomed and we were excited to generate ideas with Fiction Brand Agency on where to go next with collaborative input from the local ultimate frisbee community.”
The name “Steel” stood out amongst a short list of options researched and cultivated over the course of the 2024 season. The name honors the native steelhead trout, often referred to as the ultimate game fish and one synonymous with the Oregon outdoors. A nod to the ever-raging waters of the Pacific Northwest, as well as the bustling industry of the metro Portland area, the Steel stand for toughness and strength, inclusion and contribution from all, and a whole greater than the sum of its parts. The team also purposefully chose the “Oregon” moniker in the nickname to include the wider region of fans, players and the ultimate frisbee community at large.
Darci and Bill have also introduced the Oregon Ultimate Alliance (OUA), the umbrella organization that will manage both the Steel and Soar, as well as youth development platforms, fan engagement, and community relations.
"Ultimate frisbee has always welcomed participants of all backgrounds, genders, ethnicities and cultures,” said Darci. “We created the OUA to better align strategic goals across our sport, while also supporting the two professional teams on and off the field.”
The Steel will be releasing the team’s full brand identity, including logo and color scheme, later this fall. The team will remain in the UFA’s West Division and is scheduled to begin next season’s play in April 2025.
ABOUT THE UFA
The Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA) was founded in 2012 and features 24 teams competing in four divisions across North America. We elevate the game of ultimate frisbee for players and fans, providing a best-in-class environment in our venues on gameday and premium digital experiences for fans around the world. Our world-class athletes represent the future of elite sport, showcasing universal skills for a game eager to grow across all continents. We are also stewards of ultimate, teaching and developing the next generation of young athletes and fans. For more information, visit watchUFA.com.
