As the Phoenix gear up for the upcoming 2019 season, they will rely on new and returning players to build a team capable of challenging their East Division matchups, among some of the toughest in the AUDL. The Phoenix are proudly one of the most diverse teams in the league and look to celebrate the inclusive nature of the ultimate community they represent.

NICK PATEL

New York state native Nick Patel transitioned from running track and cross-country in high school to ultimate his freshman year at Drexel University. He is no stranger to success in ultimate, his accomplishments including a trip to the club National Championship Tournament and winning a pro-league championship in 2016. Patel is returning to the Phoenix for his third season and is known as an explosive and smart defender who can challenge opponent’s top handlers. His speed makes him a consistent threat on the Phoenix defense. He always enjoys matching up against former coach, Darryl Stanley, and his friends on the DC Breeze. Patel’s parents immigrated to the US from Gujarat, India, making him a first-generation American. As a young child he lived for some time with family in India before returning to Yorktown Heights, NY where he was raised. Patel is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Dental Medicine at Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry.  

FRANCISCO GOMEZ

Growing up in Coatesville, PA, Francisco Gomez played ultimate weekly with friends. He grew even more passionate about the sport while playing for Temple University, where he majored in film studies. He knew he was hooked on ultimate after playing in his first tournament with Temple. Despite his love of being on the field, he counts coaching False Alarm, Temple’s B team, as one of his proudest moments and the highlight of his ultimate career thus far. Gomez is joining the Phoenix roster for his rookie season. He is a strong physical player who will challenge any opponent in deep space. Gomez can use his height, as one of the tallest players on the team, to create space and dominate as a receiver. He is excited to match up against the New York Empire this season. Gomez is a second-generation American with Mexican and Irish roots.

BRICE DUNN

Growing up outside of Pittsburgh, Brice Dunn played baseball his whole childhood. He found ultimate when his college roommate freshman year took him to a Temple University team practice. He continued to play for Temple throughout his tenure, becoming a captain in his senior year. While still in college Dunn entered club play, and played with Philadelphia Patrol at the 2016 National Championship Tournament. One of his proudest moments in ultimate has been watching the growth of the Temple University ultimate program. The 2019 season will be Dunn’s second with the Phoenix and he has already made a name for himself as a shut down defender, even against star players on opposing teams. He is one of the Phoenix’s strongest and most explosive players, creating impressive and highlight-worthy plays on both offense and defense. Dunn says he’s ready to take on New York Empire and match up against their talented roster. As a person of African-American and Caucasian descent, Dunn enjoys the inclusivity found in the ultimate community and hopes more African-American youth will find the sport of ultimate. Dunn works in Digital Advertising.

JAMES POLLARD

James Pollard hails from Mechanicsville, VA and relocated to Philadelphia for his studies in 2014. He was first introduced to ultimate during high school gym class, and later began playing competitively as a freshman at Jefferson University to supplement training for his collegiate tennis career. While continuing to play for Jefferson, Pollard joined club play and was recently invited to tryout for USA’s U24 team, which is his proudest accomplishment in ultimate to date. He welcomed the opportunity to bring more diversity to the field as a player of color and for the chance to test his skills among the top young players in the country. Pollard is entering his second season with the Phoenix and is already known as a play-maker on the defense. He is an explosive athlete and especially effective in the air. He is looking forward to battling the New York Empire this season and edging them out of the playoffs. Pollard is a recent graduate of Jefferson University where he studied mechanical engineering.

The Phoenix host the New York Empire on Sat, April 27 in their 2019 home opener. Tickets and season packages are available here.