Nick Greenfield is a captain of Stanford Bloodthirsty, and cut his teeth on ultimate in Bethesda, Maryland. After missing his freshman year due to injury, Greenfield has made his way to the top of the line up with hard work and weightlifting.
What was your introduction to Ultimate?
I grew up across the street from the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. Since I can remember, there’s always been a
Greenfield asking for an in cut, Courtesy of Hector Garcia-Molina
Tuesday/Thursday pickup game that runs all summer. Teams are composed of doctors and PhD’s from NCBI and NCI with a few interns thrown in here and there. I started playing after my freshman year of high school and learned the game with stalls to 7, no forces and ten yard endzones. The hammer has and always will be the throw of choice.
What sports did you play before and how did the skills translate into Ultimate?
I took something from each of the main sports that I played. From point guard: court vision to field vision. From quarterback: staying disciplined and decision making. From pitching: focusing on each throw.
What has your career at Stanford been like from the beginning?
My freshman year, I missed the entire season due to 3 herniated disks in my back. Determined to overcome my injury, I spent the next four months ensuring that I would build enough armor around my core to make it through the coming season and the ensuing 15+ that I planned to play. My sophomore year was spent competing in practice with Nick Schlag, essentially as an understudy. I learned a ton from Schlag and his crafty ways, while focusing on learning how to juggle my health with the rigors of the eight month college ultimate campaign.
Junior year was up and down for the team. At times, we looked great, beating 2 semifinals teams (CUT and Pitt). At other times, we looked pretty awful. I threw the final turn of our season in 2010, a failed huck attempt. I’ve reminded myself of that throw every practice as motivation. Failing to make Nationals was a huge wake-up call for our veteran players who had made it every year. We re-focused, more determined then ever to get to improve.
The entire core of the team stuck around to practice and play with Boost. We took 5th at NW Club Regionals and had a ton of fun!
This year, as a captain, I’ve tried my best to lead by example. Hitting the weight room, the track and every practice with enthusiasm and the relentless pursuit of making myself and my teammates better.
What do you do outside of Ultimate? Hobbies, Major?
I’m the President of Club Sports at Stanford, and I’ve been the social chair of my fraternity for the past two years.
What is your plan for Ultimate after College?
I plan to play on Boost this summer. After that, who knows?
Greenfield firing up his teammates, Courtesy of Christina Schmidt
I took something from each of the main sports that I played. From point guard: court vision to field vision. From quarterback: staying disciplined and decision making. From pitching: focusing on each throw.
My freshman year, I missed the entire season due to 3 herniated disks in my back. Determined to overcome my injury, I spent the next four months ensuring that I would build enough armor around my core to make it through the coming season and the ensuing 15+ that I planned to play. My sophomore year was spent competing in practice with Nick Schlag, essentially as an understudy. I learned a ton from Schlag and his crafty ways, while focusing on learning how to juggle my health with the rigors of the eight month college ultimate campaign.
Junior year was up and down for the team. At times, we looked great, beating 2 semifinals teams (CUT and Pitt). At other times, we looked pretty awful. I threw the final turn of our season in 2010, a failed huck attempt. I’ve reminded myself of that throw every practice as motivation. Failing to make Nationals was a huge wake-up call for our veteran players who had made it every year. We re-focused, more determined then ever to get to improve.
The entire core of the team stuck around to practice and play with Boost. We took 5th at NW Club Regionals and had a ton of fun!
This year, as a captain, I’ve tried my best to lead by example. Hitting the weight room, the track and every practice with enthusiasm and the relentless pursuit of making myself and my teammates better.
I’m the President of Club Sports at Stanford, and I’ve been the social chair of my fraternity for the past two years.
I plan to play on Boost this summer. After that, who knows?I grew up across the street from the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. Since I can remember, there’s always been a Tuesday/Thursday pickup game that runs all summer. Teams are composed of doctors and PhD’s from NCBI and NCI with a few interns thrown in here and there. I started playing after my freshman year of high school and learned the game with stalls to 7, no forces and ten yard endzones. The hammer has and always will be the throw of choice.
What sports did you play before and how did the skills translate into Ultimate?
I took something from each of the main sports that I played. From point guard: court vision to field vision. From quarterback: staying disciplined and decision making. From pitching: focusing on each throw.
What has your career at Stanford been like from the beginning? Ups, downs, struggles, highs lows, etc. Inspirational figures, coaches, etc.
My freshman year, I missed the entire season due to 3 herniated disks in my back. Determined to overcome my injury, I spent the next four months ensuring that I would build enough armor around my core to make it through the coming season and the ensuing 15+ that I planned to play. My sophomore year was spent competing in practice with Nick Schlag, essentially as an understudy. I learned a ton from Schlag and his crafty ways, while focusing on learning how to juggle my health with the rigors of the eight month college ultimate campaign.
Junior year was up and down for the team. At times, we looked great, beating 2 semifinals teams (CUT and Pitt). At other times, we looked pretty awful. I threw the final turn of our season in 2010, a failed huck attempt. I’ve reminded myself of that throw every practice as motivation. Failing to make Nationals was a huge wake-up call for our veteran players who had made it every year. We re-focused, more determined then ever to get to improve.
The entire core of the team stuck around to practice and play with Boost. We took 5th at NW Club Regionals and had a ton of fun!
This year, as a captain, I’ve tried my best to lead by example. Hitting the weight room, the track and every practice with enthusiasm and the relentless pursuit of making myself and my teammates better.
What do you do outside of Ultimate? Hobbies, Major?
I’m the President of Club Sports at Stanford, and I’ve been the social chair of my fraternity for the past two years.
What is your plan for Ultimate after College?
I plan to play on Boost this summer. After that, who knows?
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