Fwd: Inside WFDF’s 40th Anniversary: A Q&A with Frisbee Pioneer Dan ‘Stork’ Roddick

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---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Dillon Richardson <dillon.r...@wfdf.sport>
Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2025 at 16:30
Subject: Inside WFDF’s 40th Anniversary: A Q&A with Frisbee Pioneer Dan ‘Stork’ Roddick
To:
Cc: Volker Bernardi <volker....@wfdf.sport>, Nob Rauch <nob....@wfdf.sport>

Dear Members (Administrators),

WFDF did a special 45 minute Q&A session between WFDF President Robert “Nob” Rauch and frisbee pioneer Dan “Stork” Roddick to commemorate WFDF’s 40th anniversary. Recorded during Day 1 of the 2025 WU24 Congress in Logroño, Stork shares stories from his championship days, his role in founding national federations, the creation of the “Spirit of the Game” clause, and his vision for the future of Flying Disc sports. Watch now for a firsthand look at the moments and values that have shaped our community—and where we’re headed next.

 

Check it out at: https://youtu.be/cdd6Z_y_yj0?si=0N7sMEuSATwzxaFp

Note that Stork asked that we post the following to correct two things about which he misspoke during our interview:

 

“First, in describing the genesis of the “spirit of the game” clause in the ultimate rules, I mischaracterized the site at which Irv Kalb, Tom Kennedy and I met to consider that rule draft in Santa Barbara. The Ultimate History Book covers the topic accurately as being in the rec room of Irv’s condominium but somehow I spontaneously transformed my vague memory into “a seedy motel,” suggesting that Tom may have been living there. I guess I was imagining a more bohemian vibe for our gathering. In fact, it was not seedy and Tom had a perfectly fine apartment in Santa Barbara. I don’t believe that Tom ever lived in a seedy motel or in any motel for that matter. That was a very sloppy and an inaccurate description on my part. As I trust everyone knows, I have held TK in the highest regard for many, many years and I greatly regret any negative implication that my words may have conveyed. Irv probably still knows the address of his condo. So, if in the future historians decide to commemorate this historic site, they will be able to find it. Of course, by now it is most likely a multi-million dollar property.

 

Second, I mentioned two WFC/U.S. Open overall sponsors. Somehow, I said “Toyota,” but of course it was Mazda from 1982 through 1984. I correctly named Bud Light, but they came on from 1987 through 1990 and didn’t overlap with Mazda. I correct these mainly so as not to confuse any future disc historians.”

 

Enjoy this history lesson!

World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF)

Mission: To support and promote the inclusive growth and development of all Flying Disc sports and Spirit of the Game.

Web: www.wfdf.sport

The World Flying Disc Federation (“WFDF”) is the international sports federation responsible for world governance of flying disc (frisbee) sports, including Ultimate, Beach Ultimate, Disc Golf, Freestyle, Guts, and Individual Events. WFDF is a federation of 122 member associations, which represent flying disc sports and their athletes in more than 118 countries. WFDF is an International Federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and the International University Sports Federation (FISU), the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF), the International World Games Association (IWGA), the International Masters Games Association (IMGA), and the Association for the International Sport for All (TAFISA). WFDF is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code, and is a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation in the state of Colorado, USA.