Mark played Ultimate for the first time on the island of Corfu in Greece in 1980 while traveling around Europe with his sister Karen. Ultimate players from the USA and Canada were organizing beach games, bringing together hundreds of young travelers from around the world. What started with a few throws, turned into a full week of camping on an isolated beach – filled with Ultimate, bonfires, and dancing to „Message in a Bottle “.

After the two year work-and-travel “vacation” in Germany, Mark returned to Texas and settled back in Denton as a sophomore at the University of North Texas (then known as NTSU).

Mark and his friend Bruce began throwing the disc almost daily at McKenna Park near the university. One day, Tim Burt from Kentucky – the true father of Denton Ultimate – approached them and asked if they played “Ultimate Frisbee.” Although they had never heard the official name, Mark quickly realized he already knew the game from that magical beach in Greece.

Soon, we were playing barefoot games with over 20 players on the green grass at McKenna Park – Denton Ultimate was born.

Momentum grew when Mac Newton joined the group and soon elevated the organization to the next level by helping establish Ultimate as an official intramural sport at the University. It provided funding, access to university fields, and helped grow what became known as the “Plastic Flatball Family.” The community expanded quickly on campus – united by a love of Ultimate and famous for hosting the very best parties in Denton.

Ultimate gave Mark the opportunity to develop his leadership, organizational, and coaching skills while earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree at the end of 2024.