Frisbee, Focus, and Leadership: A Student’s Playbook for Building a Team 

Interview by Darren Robbins

When it comes to student leadership, few names carry as much weight as Kieran Coffey. Whether he’s rallying teammates, organizing tournaments, or hauling gear across Chelsea Park, Kieran is the heartbeat of the ultimate frisbee program—a role he’s proudly shaped from the ground up. Now entering his third year as co-captain of the high school ultimate frisbee team, he wears many hats—organizer, motivator, and mentor. From coordinating year-round practices and equipment to rallying schoolwide interest through creative events, he’s become the heartbeat of a growing program. We sat down with him to talk about his journey, the evolution of the frisbee team, and the lessons he brings from the court to the field.

"I am now entering my third year as the co-captain of the HS frisbee team. I also lead the HS/MS frisbee club, which we have year-round," Kieran shared. "For our club, I coordinate practices, take the team to Chelsea Park, manage equipment, etc. I work closely with coaches and players on the team to ensure we know practice dates and attend practice."

But Kieran's impact extends far beyond logistics. At every practice, he brings a mindset rooted in effort and intention. "My main goal in each practice is to add value to the team, push myself to work hard, and lead by example (timeliness, work ethic…)." He’s not just showing up—he’s setting the tone.

Kieran’s journey with frisbee began in sixth grade on Profe Punzulan’s club team. Like many school programs, the pandemic brought challenges. "In seventh and eighth grade, Covid hit, and therefore, we didn't have the club, which led to a dip in the number of players we had, but we still retained a reasonable amount," he explained.

That didn't stop him. In ninth grade, he saw renewed interest—and an opportunity. "We had a profound interest… about 10-15 high school kids were playing… but we weren’t able to play in an HS league because we were only a club, not an official team," Kieran recalled. Though allowed to compete in the middle school MSAL league, ninth graders were ineligible for playoffs—yet their undefeated season revealed the team’s potential.

With passion and persistence, Kieran, fellow leader Otto, parents, and teammates pushed to formalize the program. "Our main motivation was that we would have loved to play as a high school team against other squads… After some back-and-forth, we were able to achieve this objective successfully."

That sense of purpose fuels more than just gameplay. Each year, Kieran helps organize the team’s Ultimate Social, a signature event to boost exposure and grow the community. "This year's ultimate social event was another massive success. We got about 70 people to come and show up from grades 6 through 12," he said proudly. "We put flyers around the elevator banks and on the doors of some classrooms… We also made the offer even more enticing… offering free food and drink, prizes, and a raffle." The result? Two sixth graders made it to the Kan Jam finals—and later joined the middle school team. That’s what leadership in action looks like.

Balancing his time between frisbee and the basketball team, Kieran brings the same heart to both sports. "I have very similar goals on both teams—to add value," he shared. "In basketball, this can look like getting balls for others, water during game days, and carrying the equipment bag in frisbee. It can also show on a larger scale by being vocal and supportive in frisbee, working hard, and playing well in basketball."

What sets frisbee apart, though, is the depth of his involvement. "For frisbee, I am very much involved in both the MS and HS teams in terms of scrimmages and game plans. For basketball, I am more of a player, meaning that my time comes largely on the court."

From player to captain to program builder, Kieran Coffey is the kind of student-athlete who leaves a lasting mark—not just on scoreboards, but on teammates, culture, and legacy. And if his track record is any indication, the frisbee community is in very good hands.

For the complete interview, please see below!

What is your role on the frisbee team, especially in leadership? 

I am now entering my third year as the co-captain of the HS frisbee team. I also lead the HS/MS frisbee club, which we have year-round. For our club, I coordinate practices, take the team to Chelsea Park, manage equipment, etc. I work closely with coaches and players on the team to ensure we know practice dates and attend practice. My main goal in each practice is to add value to the team, push myself to work hard, and lead by example (timeliness, work ethic…). I've tried to engrain myself in the frisbee community, helping as much as possible. 

When did you start playing, and how did you help expand the program?

I began playing frisbee on Profe Punzulan's sixth-grade club team. In seventh and eighth grade, Covid hit, and therefore, we didn't have the club, which led to a dip in the number of players we had, but we still retained a reasonable amount. Come ninth grade, we had a profound interest. I don't remember the exact number, but about 10-15 high school kids were playing on the ninth-grade team. The issue was that we weren't able to play in an HS league because we were only a club, not an official team, so we had to play in the middle school MSAL league. Even though we were ninth graders, we had an exception that allowed us (9th graders) to play during the regular season. Still, we were not allowed to play in the playoffs. That year, we went undefeated, losing in the final four of the playoffs. It was a great year, and we saw the potential for a possible HS team. Otto and I, along with the help of others such as parents and other High Schoolers, pushed for creating an official high school team, citing our ability to run a successful team with the club. Our main motivation was that we would have loved to play as a high school team against other squads. After some back-and-forth, we were able to achieve this objective successfully.

How was the ultimate frisbee event? How do you get people to join?

This year's ultimate social event was another massive success. We got about 70 people to come and show up from grades 6 through 12. In our annual Kan Jam tournament, we had Millind and Davis win for the third year in a row, but for the first time ever, we had 2 6th graders make it to the final. They then went ahead and joined our middle school team, which is something we're very proud of. We have about 25 people on our club's roster, so we got about 20 people from our community to attend the ultimate social. To get the other 50, we put flyers around the elevator banks and on the doors of some classrooms to spread the word. We also made the offer even more enticing to come and stop by, offering free food and drink, prizes, and a raffle. Overall, we're really proud of the event because we're able to consistently expose many people to the sport, and it frequently leads to interest in our spring season so we can continue to evolve our spring teams.

Can you discuss your roles on the basketball and frisbee teams? How do they differ, and what do you contribute?

I have very similar goals on both teams—to add value. In basketball, this can look like getting balls for others, water during game days, and carrying the equipment bag in frisbee. It can also show on a larger scale by being vocal and supportive in frisbee, working hard, and playing well in basketball. 

The biggest difference between frisbee and basketball is how ingrained I am. For frisbee, I am very much involved in both the MS and HS teams in terms of scrimmages and game plans. For basketball, I am more of a player, meaning that my time comes largely on the court.