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n the history of Ultimate, across Canada, the U.S., Europe and beyond, we don’t think (4) brothers have ever played together on the same team, in competitive Ultimate. The Alexander Brothers have done just this, and have succeeded as well.
Read on as we ask each the same set of questions about Ultimate, the sport and the relationship between brothers.
Derek Alexander
1. What’s your age? 26 Years old. 2. What age were you when you started playing Ultimate? I was 14 when I started playing Ultimate
3. How did you hear of the sport, who introduced you? Bill introduced me to the sport and told me to tryout for our high school team.
4. Who started playing first of the four of you? Bill was the first to start playing a couple months ahead of myself.
5. What sports had you played before Ultimate? I played many sports, football, basketball, hockey, baseball, track and field, vollyball, badminton, soccer.
6. How long have you (4) now been playing together on the same team? I think we have been playing together on and off for three years now.
7. Are you aware that you four could be the first in the history of the sport to all be playing at the premier level, on one team? Whatcha think of that? I think it is cool we have the opportunity to all play on the same team for once in our lives, but nothing would be better then all being part of a top level team that wins at the highest level. That is something I am waiting for us four to achive together.
8. Do you have a nickname, if so... What is it, and why? Franchise. I was given this name when I was 16 and
Ultimate Canada Magazine —
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playing on waX, the men’s #1 comp team in Ottawa at the time. My name was mentioned in a city newspaper as being a franchise player for my high school basketball team. Once a few members of waX heard of the news it kind of took off as a joke and it has remained over the years.
9. What’s your best strength in the game? My best strength comes as a handler and my ability to break the mark and get open in the bail position.
10. Where are you the weakest? I feel I am the weekest covering cutters in the lane. I am not the tallest, or fastest player on the field....ever.
11. Do you four get along? If not.... Who’s the biggest jerk? :-) Or have
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you all grown up now and there’s less drama, and more camaraderie? I would say we are all jerks in our own way and most likely not the easiest to play with. I feel we get along most of the time. It is not easy playing with three brothers on the team and then on top of that, add in leadership roles and it makes it even tougher. I feel we manage our selves okay. No fist fights have broken out yet.
12. Are you doing anything to overcome your weakness? If so... What? Yes, I try not to play defence. lol... That seems to work for me. Other then that, I watch better defenders than me, try to watch the angles they use, ask lots of questions, and try to implement it myself. I also lift in the weight room to gain the strength I very much need,
13. What gets you in game mode? Music? Cheers? The look in your teammate’s eyes? The quest for
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