Introducing the 2025 Mechanix Fire Team
The Detroit Mechanix are proud to introduce the 2025 Fire Team, seven players and one coach who embody the resilience, dedication, and passion that define our program. These athletes bring experience, grit, and a commitment to growth that will drive the Mechanix forward this season.
From overcoming injuries to breaking records and building the ultimate community, each Fire Team member has a unique story of perseverance and achievement. Whether they are seasoned veterans or rising stars, they all share a common goal: to push the limits of competition and represent Detroit with pride.
As we embark on the 2025 season, we look to these leaders to set the tone, inspire their teammates, and help write the next chapter in Mechanix history.
Coach - Brent Steepe
Brent “Coach B” Steepe is a true veteran of the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA), having been a foundational figure in the league’s history. As the original owner of the Mechanix and the first Vice President of the league, he played a key role in shaping its early structure. After serving on the Executive Council of what was then the American Ultimate Disc League (AUDL), he made the bold decision to focus solely on Detroit, selling his territorial rights to multiple franchises, including shares of the Chicago Wildfire, Boston, and Charlotte.
In 2016, Coach B shifted his attention to defensive coaching, and in his very first game, he ended a 1,000-day losing streak—the second longest in UFA history. He retired with a 4-10 record but remained deeply involved in the sport, coaching at the collegiate and club levels with programs like Michigan MagnUM, High Five, and DiG, as well as training athletes across all UFA divisions.
Returning to the UFA as an assistant coach in 2020, Brent stepped back into the Head Coach role in 2021, where he has remained since. Most recently, he led the Mechanix to a breakthrough victory, snapping a 7.5-year losing streak with a roster featuring 27 UFA rookies. The win came against the only divisional opponent the Mechanix had yet to defeat, marking a turning point for the program.
Coach B’s philosophy blends his trademark “Big Heart, Have Fun” energy with a renewed “No Nonsense, All Business” approach. As he enters a two-year contract extension, he is poised to build on the team’s momentum and lead the next chapter of Mechanix history.
Captain - Terry Gaither
Terry Gaither’s journey with the Detroit Mechanix is one of resilience, passion, and unwavering dedication. A proud member of the team for four years, he has also played for the Indianapolis AlleyCats and coached the renowned 8-Bit Defenders, a team he founded in 2017. Now, he’s expanding his impact by launching free youth frisbee clinics for schools, camps, YMCA programs, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and other organizations in Indianapolis—ensuring the next generation gets to experience the joy of Ultimate. In 2024 Terry was recognized by the UFA for these efforts with the “BE The Change” award.
On the field, Terry’s impact speaks for itself. Across 36 career games in the AUDL/UFA, he has played 595 points, thrown 5 assists, accumulated 2,206 receiving yards, scored 30 goals, recorded 28 blocks, and holds a career plus/minus of 46. His versatility and leadership make him an invaluable part of the Mechanix core.
Beyond Ultimate, Terry lives for life experiences. Whether he’s competing at a Top 500 level in Overwatch, playing Lorcana and Pokémon Go, exploring new foods, hiking, learning ASL, or reminiscing about his time working with Nintendo, he embraces every opportunity to grow and connect with others.
As Terry steps into his role as Captain, his leadership, dedication, and love for the game will continue to drive the Mechanix forward. The next chapter of his career is just beginning, and Detroit is lucky to have him leading the charge.
Captain - Marco Dewey
Marco Dewey is a dedicated leader who has had the privilege of playing with some of the best ultimate players in the world. He captained Maties (University of Stellenbosch) from 2019 to 2022, led Mozambique at the 2019 All-Africa Tournament, and has been the captain of Mutiny since 2021. Under his leadership, Mutiny won the South African Nationals in 2021, placed 24th at the World Ultimate Club Championships, and made history with a stunning upset over Sockeye. The team also finished 8th at the 2023 U.S. Open and 12th in 2024.
Marco has also made a lasting impact as a coach, guiding Maties to a Women’s South African National title in 2021, founding Incline in 2024, and coaching Colorado College in the 2024-2025 season.
He plays for the Mechanix because he thrives on challenges and believes in pushing boundaries. In 10 career games with the Mechanix, he has played 173 points, thrown 7 assists, scored 5 goals, recorded 4 blocks, and holds a career plus/minus of 9.
Beyond ultimate, Marco is an accomplished volleyball coach, having led teams to a USA Volleyball U18 National Championship in 2023 and a 3rd-place finish in 2024. As Captain, he brings relentless determination and a winning mentality to Detroit.
Fire Team Leader - Jake Felton
Jake Felton has been a rising force in ultimate, playing leagues and club for five years with Fort Wayne TRUC, Grand Rapids Beacon, and Davenport University Panthers before joining the Mechanix.
While the 2024 win was a defining moment, Jake’s favorite memory with the Mechanix was his first team bonding weekend, where he connected with rookies and veterans alike, setting the stage for a strong season.
In 11 career games with the Mechanix, he has played 263 points, thrown 66 assists, amassed 4,957 throwing yards, 2,390 receiving yards, scored 19 goals, recorded 9 blocks, and holds a career plus/minus of 12. In 2024, he led the UFA in assists (66), scores (85), and total yards (7,347).
Jake plays for the Mechanix because they were the first to give him a chance at pro ultimate, and he stays for the loyalty and relationships he’s built. A sports management student at Davenport University, he enjoys spending time with friends, playing disc golf, and fishing. As Fire Team Leader, he is committed to growing with the team and pushing its success even further.
Fire Team Leader - Joe Cubitt
A proven leader on and off the field, Joe Cubitt brings years of experience and a deep understanding of the game to the Mechanix. He served as captain for DMX in 2019 and 2023 and has been instrumental in player development through his coaching roles at Davenport (2023-2025) and Fresh Coast (2024-2025). Joe and Head Coach Jessica Creamer were voted runner-up for Coaches of the year in D-III college Women’s during the 2024 season.
Joe’s impact as a player is undeniable. Across 48 career games with the Mechanix, he has played 1,209 points, thrown 145 assists (leads all Mechanix players) and 105 hockey assists, amassed an impressive 13,075 throwing yards, scored 46 goals, recorded 25 blocks, and holds a career-plus/minus of 36. Further, Joe holds the Mechanix record for Single Regular Season Completions at 628, and Regular Season Career Completions at 2301. His all-around contributions make him a key playmaker and a strategic asset to any team he’s part of.
Off the field, Joe works full-time at Gazelle Sports and enjoys disc golf as a hobby. His passion for competition and dedication to the sport extend beyond Ultimate, making him a well-rounded and driven leader. With his experience, vision, and relentless work ethic, Joe is ready to help push the Mechanix to new heights.
Fire Team Leader - Brendan Gessner
Brendan Gessner has been a key contributor to the Mechanix since joining in 2023. He previously played for Mojo Jojo and currently captains the Knights of Ni in Minneapolis/St. Paul, a club he co-founded. Additionally, he served as an assistant coach for Mounds View JV Frisbee from 2021 to 2023.
Brendan’s rookie season was a test of resilience, as he was sidelined for seven games due to injury. Through determination and hard work, he returned to the field weeks ahead of schedule for a pivotal game against Pittsburgh. That experience shaped his mindset, strengthening the perseverance and leadership he now brings to his role.
One of his proudest moments was helping Detroit break its losing streak in 2024—a win that embodied the trust and camaraderie he values most in ultimate.
In 17 career games, Brendan has played 342 points, thrown 6 assists, scored 35 goals, totaled 2,701 receiving yards, recorded 6 blocks, and holds a career plus/minus of 44 with a 98.06% completion rate. In 2024, he led all Mechanix players in points played (273) and topped the UFA in minutes played (357).
Off the field, Brendan works as a software developer and enjoys running, biking, disc golf, snowboarding, and board games. As Fire Team Leader, he is committed to pushing himself and his teammates to new heights.
Fire Team Leader - Justin Wollin
Justin Wollin brings strong leadership and a deep passion for the game to the Mechanix. He has played and coached for Eagan High School, captained at Saint John’s University, and is a co-founder and captain of the Knights of Ni.
Justin plays for the Mechanix to give back to the program that has allowed him to compete at the professional level. One of his most memorable moments was helping Detroit break its losing streak with a win over Pittsburgh, Justin caught the final pass in that game with less than 6 seconds left on the clock to secure a Detroit victory.
Across 18 career games for the Mechanix, Justin has played 256 points, thrown 13 assists, scored 5 goals, recorded 8 blocks, and holds a career plus/minus of 5.
Off the field, Justin works as an account manager at TEKsystems, selling IT solutions. In his free time, he enjoys snowboarding, golfing, and playing board games and video games with friends. As Fire Team Leader, he looks forward to continuing to build and elevate the Mechanix program.
Fire Team Leader - Conrad Nguyen
Conrad Nguyen’s journey in Ultimate began in the fall of 2009 after stepping away from cross-country, thanks to a friend’s encouragement. Since then, he has built an impressive playing and leadership resume across multiple teams and divisions.
During his college years, Conrad played for UNC BatCH (2010-2014), serving as captain for three seasons (2011-2013). He later competed with Tequila Mockingbird (mixed club) from 2018-2019 and was set to captain in 2020 before the season’s cancellation. In 2022, he co-founded Chicago RAMP and led the team as captain in 2024. He played for Beacon in 2023, helping the team achieve its highest finish—2nd in the Great Lakes region.
Off the field, Conrad is a software engineer, bringing an analytical mindset to both his professional and athletic pursuits. Passionate about sports science and performance optimization, he is always seeking ways to become a better athlete. When he's not studying game strategy or biomechanics, he has recently taken an interest in bag-making—a testament to his drive for continuous learning and craftsmanship.
With his strategic approach and commitment to improvement, Conrad is set to bring strong leadership and innovation to the Fire Team.
