My oldest brother Jeff always loved playing multiple sports growing up. For 13 years, he played ultimate. Today, he is a Hall of Famer with both Ultimate Canada and USA Ultimate.
Jeff Cruickshank first got interested in the sport when he was 19. Attending UBC, the people he was hanging around were always playing ultimate. He played one year at UBC before joining Furious George, an elite Vancouver-based club.
Jeff has travelled all over the world playing ultimate. He has won multiple Canadian and Ultimate Players Association (UPA) titles with Furious George. Internationally, he played for Team Canada and won two world championships.
When I would watch Jeff play, I always loved the facial expressions and determined look he would have on his face. Whenever he had the disc in his hands, you knew something big was going to happen. I can remember him hammering the disc down the field, high over the heads of the defenders, right to a teammate into position to score and take the lead. Hammer throws can really catch defenders off guard. It’s a drastic maneuver that Jeff could always pull off so well.
But one of my bro’s favourite things to do on the field was to get a block. Preventing someone from doing something big. He was good on both ends of the field.
Jeff retired in 2007 after a 13-year career. He began coaching the next year when the Vancouver woman’s ultimate team asked him to help out. As a coach, he experienced the highs of watching players improve and the lows of defeat. I asked him a few questions to reflect on his time playing ultimate. Favourite memories: Winning his first World Championship with Team Canada in Minnesota in 1999. He was only 24. One of his favourite memories off the field is when he flew to Jonkoping, Sweden. He landed late at night, and his Furious teammates hadn’t told him where they were staying. Wandering around the city, all the hotels were closed. He saw a light on in a building with a fellow working inside. He desperately knocked on the door and asked him if he could crash. He spent that night in a stranger’s building before he finally connected with his teammates. Is there anything you’d change about your career? “I’d handle losing better.” No one like losing matches and Jeff was no different. What do you miss most about your career? “Being a part of a team who learned to win together.” Furious George was quite successful. A band of brothers on the ultimate field. Ultimate is a team sport. Everyone feeds off of each other’s energy and attentiveness. I truly believe that when everyone’s on the same page and working together you can achieve big things.
Who was your favourite teammate?
“Kirk Savage.” The two are great friends who still do things together.
I’ve got so much respect for Jeff. I always have so much pride when I can say my brother is in the Hall of Fame for Ultimate.
Golf is another passion of Jeff’s and I’ve had the privilege of playing with him many times over the years. I’m so grateful for his love and support in my fundraising efforts for the Canucks Autism Network (CAN). I always enjoy when we get to hang out together whether it’s watching sports, playing sports or just enjoying each other’s company. Jeff was an absolute beast playing for Furious George and Team Canada. I’d say he definitely deserves all the accomplishments and accolades he’s received. It is Classically Fresh when you can write about your bro and his accomplishments. Thank you, Jeff. For not only being a great brother, but also a great friend. TOP IMAGE: From Ultimate Canada
1 Comment
Harold
5/23/2020 09:14:03 pm
Great tribute to your brother, Bob!
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About Bob Shanks
I am the Canucks Autism Network's Top Fundraiser, having raised over $200,000 since I began in 2012. |