Rick Conner first discovered the game we now know
as Goaltimate, after moving to San Diego, California in November of 1996. Having
competed in Ultimate Frisbee for over 20 years, he knew immediately that
Goaltimate was a faster, more competitive disc sport. Conner approached the San
Diego Ultimate team about marketing Goaltimate. They gave him the go-ahead and
Conner took to the task of documenting the "Official Rules of Goaltimate".
Conner then created a Goaltimate Kit containing complete
first edition rules of the game, an instructional video,
an official game disc, the arched goal post, cones for marking the clear line
and end zone, and a carrying bag. Conner sent the kits to over 20 of the top
national Ultimate teams to introduce the athletes to Goaltimate.
The response was phenomenal!, Ultimate
players unanimously agreed this was an exciting and more challenging disc game.
Conner began making arrangements for the Inaugural Goaltimate Tournament in San
Diego and flying in the top disc players in the world for the weekend long
event. Conner approached ESPN about the possibility of including Goaltimate in
the X-Games. The size of the field and the continuous action makes Goaltimate
appealing to television viewers. The executives and producers at ESPN decided
that Goaltimate could stand on its own and agreed to film the tournaments finals
for an ESPN Production of Athletes in Motion.
Less then two years after Conner was first
introduced to the game, Goaltimate is played by some of the top athletes in the
world as well as in schools and on playgrounds around the globe. In fact,
Denmark recently hosted the first European Goaltimate tournament.
"One of the most engaging aspects about Goaltimate is that it can be
played by any age group, there is virtually no equipment and the game only
requires a small amount of space", says Conner. "Unlike some of the
other popular alternative sports, anyone can afford to play Goaltimate. It also
teaches sportsmanship because it places the responsibility for fair play on the
player".
Conner moved to San Diego from Dallas, Texas. He has competed in eight UPA
National Championships and three WFDF World tournaments. He began playing
organized Ultimate at Stephen F. Austin University, where he majored in Business
Management.
Conner lives in San Diego with his incredible wife Bibbi, who is a native of
San Diego. The couple have a son named Sterling Austin, and a daughter named Dallas Rose.
They recently added a second boy to the family named Stetson William.
Rick Conner first discovered the game we now know
as Goaltimate, after moving to San Diego, California in November of 1996. Having
competed in Ultimate Frisbee for over 20 years, he knew immediately that
Goaltimate was a faster, more competitive disc sport. Conner approached the San
Diego Ultimate team about marketing Goaltimate. They gave him the go-ahead and
Conner took to the task of documenting the "Official Rules of Goaltimate".
Conner then created a