#7 Alum Spotlight: Brent Anderson
11/8/2017
Note: Alum Spotlight is a segment that we will share throughout the season as part of our effort to bring the Zoo family together, and highlight what this team has meant and continues to mean to nearly four decades of players, coaches, families, and fans.
If you are an alumnus of the Zoodisc program, we want to hear from you. Comment below or email us at umassultimate@gmail.com .
“College ultimate is the best ultimate. Embrace this opportunity to have all your teammates in one place and spend time together”
Name: Brent Anderson
Hometown: Keene, NH
Degree from UMass: Bachelor of Arts, Music, 2004 ; Masters in Education, 2006
Current Employment:
Teacher of Deportment, Indian Orchard Elementary School, Springfield, MA.
Founder, WeBuild, nonprofit organization designed to provide hands-on learning projects to schools, before and after-school programs, childrens’ organizations and family friendly events www.facebook.com/springfieldnonprofit
Current Place of Residence (who do you live with too?):
Springfield, MA with wonderful wife and LadyZoo alum Julie Anderson (Goff) and lovely 2 1/2 year old Vivianne.
Years with Zoo: 2002–04, 2005–06
Other Teams: New Noise, Ironside, Bodhi, Dark or Light, CT Constitution, Boston Whitecaps, Metro North
Assistant Coach ARHS Varsity Ultimate 2008–2013
Awards/Titles:
Player: Club runner-up in 2008, 2013 MLU Champion
Coach: Easterns runner-up 2008, 2009. Back-to-back undefeated high school seasons 2010 & 2011
Where did you live when you went to UMass?
Webster in Orchard Hill, Rolling Green apartments
Favorite Restaurant in Amherst:
As an undergrad, tie between Wings over Amherst and The Sub; as an alum, Bueno y Sano
Favorite Place:
Barre Mountain (the notch), the pond (not only where I first started playing, also one of my first memories when visiting with my parents as a kid, they both went to UMass as well)
What is one of your best memories of playing with Zoo?
I didn’t start playing until my sophomore year. I graduated in 4 years, and after a year off, went back to graduate school. Since I didn’t start playing until sophomore year, I still had a year of eligibility when I went back. Having taken a year off from college ultimate, and having the opportunity to join back up, made me cherish that last season more than I would have otherwise. I made sure to get everything out of each workout, practice and tournament, truly knowing this was my last opportunity to be play college ultimate.
What advice would you give your college self now if you could?
Go and throw more. Always be throwing. And don’t be afraid of teammates who are better than you, learn from them.
3 most important qualities of an effective ultimate player:
Ability to execute when called upon, situational awareness and relentless, constructive positivity.
Anything else you want to include?
College ultimate is the best ultimate. Embrace this opportunity to have all your teammates in one place and spend time together. Find out the little things that make each other better teammates and people and do those things. If you see stadium lights on at night, get a partner and go throw until they go out.
Previous Alum Spotlights:
Jeff Graham
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