Born and raised in Minneapolis, MN, John grew to love ultimate at summer camp, until it became his passion upon joining his high school’s first Ultimate team in 2002. Since then he has played 16 years of high school, league and club ultimate. John coached at Minneapolis South High School for eleven years, plus two years of Minnesota Superior youth club; and more recently, team Mexico at the World Championships of Beach Ultimate, and Barcelona’s premier club, Bravas.
The most important aspect of Ultimate to John is the Spirit of the Game, teaches players to respect even those who oppose you. When applied to sport, it creates a positive, and intensely competitive experience for all participants, in stark contrast to the fiercely antagonistic environments of other sports. When applied to life, it creates connection and understanding instead of hatred, and peace instead of violence.
John currently lives in Barcelona, with his wife, fellow player, and fellow UP coach, Kelsie Schmit. He is excited to return to Camp UP for his fourth summer to see the powerful way Spirit of the Game manifests in the youth who attend.