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club history
founded: 2003
In 2003, Center Grove Ultimate Club (then called "Holy Mackerel") was first founded. Loosely bound by a group of students just learning to play and love the game, they were lead by Eric Howe, a teacher at Center Grove High School. "By the players for the players" is a phrase used often during the early years of Holy Mackerel, as players worked with Coach Howe to create a team name, logo and establish what the Club should be all about.
Ultimate in Indiana was not USA Ultimate sanctioned (then called UPA). But they participated in a weekly practice, and scrimmaged among themselves. Play was mostly during the summer, forming the first ideas of Center Grove Ultimate League (CGUL), our eventual summer league.
Ultimate in Indiana was not USA Ultimate sanctioned (then called UPA). But they participated in a weekly practice, and scrimmaged among themselves. Play was mostly during the summer, forming the first ideas of Center Grove Ultimate League (CGUL), our eventual summer league.
early years: 2004 - 2006
During the next three years, a handful of players involved with the growing summer play wanted to get more involved and play at a higher level. In the summer of '04, the Club attended its first open tournament and finished with a solid "last place." There was only one direction to go--up, and young players continued to focus on their desire on playing. Over 2005 and 2006, the recreational summer play steadily grew and groups of players joined in on tournaments whenever possible.
intermediate years: 2007 - 2010
During the fifth year of "Holy Mackerel", Indiana Ultimate had experienced some growth. Enough growth to prompt local leaders in the sport and USA Ultimate (then called UPA) to host the first ever Indiana State Championship Tournament. The tournament was hosted by Bloomington High School's ultimate team. During this probationary year, Center Grove finished the tournament undefeated, and claimed first place.
Over the next two years, the club steadily grew-acquiring new coaches, attending more tournaments each season, and increasing practices to two days a week. Following their win at Indiana's inaugural State Championship, the next three years were not as successful as Martinsville High School won three straight championships while Center Grove finished second each time.
Over the next two years, the club steadily grew-acquiring new coaches, attending more tournaments each season, and increasing practices to two days a week. Following their win at Indiana's inaugural State Championship, the next three years were not as successful as Martinsville High School won three straight championships while Center Grove finished second each time.
recent years: 2011 - 2015
Three years of defeat was the last straw for the 2011 Seniors, who on their own, added in off-season conditioning workouts and a third (player ran) practice each week. This helped push CG into claiming first place once again at the State Championship in 2011. The club also grew to the point where they added a B-team.
2012 and 2013 teams reached new heights each year at The Chicago Invite, one of the most competitive tournaments in the country, and finishing the seasons with first place in both State Championships. Former players, now college captains, continued to come back and coach the youth in the program by adding knowledge of the game to their skills.
2014 was marked by many milestones. This Club's first website was created, the club founded its very first Freshmen only team, and attended the Central Regional Championships for the first time. CGUC claimed its fourth straight State title and strengthened its connections with Center Grove High School, finally becoming a supported club with yearbook inclusion and better field/winter workout facilities. Scholarships for top young players to attend the renowned Competitive Ultimate Training (CUT) summer camp in Chicago were awarded and aid was provided to top athletes as they lead Indiana's All-State team in the country's most competitive, nationwide, Youth Club Championships (YCC). Lastly, the club broke into the international scene, as both a senior athlete and an alumni/coach were selected by USA Ultimate for their respective age divisions of Team USA, to compete internationally bringing home a gold medal and silver medal among them.
2012 and 2013 teams reached new heights each year at The Chicago Invite, one of the most competitive tournaments in the country, and finishing the seasons with first place in both State Championships. Former players, now college captains, continued to come back and coach the youth in the program by adding knowledge of the game to their skills.
2014 was marked by many milestones. This Club's first website was created, the club founded its very first Freshmen only team, and attended the Central Regional Championships for the first time. CGUC claimed its fourth straight State title and strengthened its connections with Center Grove High School, finally becoming a supported club with yearbook inclusion and better field/winter workout facilities. Scholarships for top young players to attend the renowned Competitive Ultimate Training (CUT) summer camp in Chicago were awarded and aid was provided to top athletes as they lead Indiana's All-State team in the country's most competitive, nationwide, Youth Club Championships (YCC). Lastly, the club broke into the international scene, as both a senior athlete and an alumni/coach were selected by USA Ultimate for their respective age divisions of Team USA, to compete internationally bringing home a gold medal and silver medal among them.
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2015 saw the launch of the club's first girls team, who participated in a full season with their own coaches, practices, and three out-of-state tournaments. A second major accomplishment for the club this year was the launching of the club's first middle school summer league. Additionally, CGUC came home with its fifth straight state championship title in the boys division. This was the last season operating as "The Mack" in blue and white.
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Modern Years: 2016-Present
2016 was the most competitive year in CGUC's history. The club rebranded to officially become the Trojans, a new website and a full Board of Directors was created. On the field, many players began to culminate in skill and athleticism, as they reaped the benefits of being a part of the club's system for 3-4 years straight. Weightlifting and conditioning were fully in effect, and rules knowledge, intensity and general exposure to high level ultimate improved significantly as the amount of returning players continued to give back to the new Freshmen. Even more so, our CGUC summer leagues were absorbed by the expanding Indiana Ultimate Foundation (IUF), giving the players a better opportunity to be exposed to ultimate and join with the IUF youth club teams in the offseason, and the IUF adult league. The biggest progress of this year was the solidifying of team culture - focusing on attitude and effort - and being totally bought into the system. Our boys team brought home their 6th straight state championship, their 7th overall. The girls improved vastly from their inaugural season with improved numbers and skill. Across the board, spirit was put at the forefront of team goals and helped lead to some of the programs most competitive and spirited games against national caliber teams.
2017, beyond our boys taking care of business at home by claiming CGHS's 7th straight and 8th total state championship, the program reached new heights by defeating many long time regional rivals and national powerhouse programs. The boys even reached the number one spot on Ultiworld's national high school power rankings. The boys were invited to the inaugural High School National Championship as the #1 seed, and finished in 5th place with a 7th place national ranking. It was an honor and privilege to compete against the best of the best, and the product of years of hard work.
Additionally, our girls finished the season with their best finish yet. Traveling to Ohio and competing in the nearest girl's state championship available to them, they brought home a third place finish. School, community, and media support rose significantly during 2017, in a great step forward for the sport.
In 2018, the boys claimed their 8th straight, 9th overall State Championships. The boys returned to the National Championship after collecting a historic back to back crown at Neuqua Knockout and hoisting the Paideia Cup against many of the best teams in the country. At Nationals the boys finished in 3rd place, the highest finish of any Midwest team in history.
2017, beyond our boys taking care of business at home by claiming CGHS's 7th straight and 8th total state championship, the program reached new heights by defeating many long time regional rivals and national powerhouse programs. The boys even reached the number one spot on Ultiworld's national high school power rankings. The boys were invited to the inaugural High School National Championship as the #1 seed, and finished in 5th place with a 7th place national ranking. It was an honor and privilege to compete against the best of the best, and the product of years of hard work.
Additionally, our girls finished the season with their best finish yet. Traveling to Ohio and competing in the nearest girl's state championship available to them, they brought home a third place finish. School, community, and media support rose significantly during 2017, in a great step forward for the sport.
In 2018, the boys claimed their 8th straight, 9th overall State Championships. The boys returned to the National Championship after collecting a historic back to back crown at Neuqua Knockout and hoisting the Paideia Cup against many of the best teams in the country. At Nationals the boys finished in 3rd place, the highest finish of any Midwest team in history.
