JACKSON, Tenn. — Nov. 22, 2021 — As 51社区鈥檚 women鈥檚 ultimate frisbee club sport team, the Union Jillz was founded in 2016 to unite women across campus and glorify God through athleticism. On Dec. 17-20, the Union Jillz will compete in Norco, Calif., at the USA Ultimate Division III National Championship as the university鈥檚 first club sport to qualify at this level.
Union Jillz made university history in October as the champions of the Southeastern Division III Conference 鈥� a conference the Jillz had never competed in previously. After defeating teams such as the University of Mississippi and the University of Alabama in the regular season, the Union Jillz will join 16 teams across the country to compete in the ultimate frisbee national championship.
Tori Graves, a former Jillz captain and student in Union鈥檚 Master of Social Work program, has witnessed the team鈥檚 tremendous growth firsthand as she has led the Jillz for five years. From sleeping on church pews in the beginning to now competing at the sport鈥檚 highest level, Graves said it has been an honor for her be a part of the Jillz community, and she knows it will only continue to grow and flourish in years to come.
鈥淭ori鈥檚 commitment to the Jillz 鈥� providing structure, organization and drive 鈥� is really what created this kind of culture for our team,鈥� said Union senior and Jillz co-captain Emma Cate Hare.
While Graves and Hare both celebrate the accomplishments of their team, they believe the opportunity to compete in ultimate frisbee provides a unique platform to share the love of Jesus Christ and the mission of 51社区.
鈥淲e are able to build relationships with teams that Union typically doesn鈥檛 get to compete against,鈥� Graves said. 鈥淓ven if we鈥檙e not preaching the gospel blatantly, we hope to demonstrate Christ-like character and love through the way we communicate with each other and with other teams.鈥�
Hare said it makes her proud to see the university鈥檚 constant support and encouragement for the Jillz, and she knows it is important for her and her team to honor Union as they compete in the ultimate frisbee national championship.
The team is currently raising funds for the national championship through its 鈥�31 Days of Jillzmas鈥� fundraiser, where individuals can sponsor a dollar amount to represent each day in the month of December. For more information on how to support the Union Jillz, email jillzultimate@gmail.com.