2023 Tryouts FAQ
Updated: Nov 1, 2022
Before you register to attend tryouts for the 2023 Utah Wild professional roster, read through this information and list of frequently asked questions!
Quick Hits:
When:
Saturday November 5th, 1-6pm MT
Sunday November 6th, 10a-2pm MT
Where:
Saturday: McCarthey Family Track and Field (outdoors)
Sunday: Spence Eccles Fieldhouse (indoors)
Both are turf fields
This shows where the fields are, where you should park, where you should not park, and where the entrances/sign in tables will be for each day.
SATURDAY: There is a University of Utah football game at 5:30pm. We anticipate that there may be some traffic coming into tryouts from people going to tailgate. Please refer to the parking map for where you can park for free near the fields and plan your trip accordingly! We do not anticipate much traffic leaving tryouts at 6.
Who:
This team and tryout is open to all people who play ultimate as defenders of women, or women-matching players. This may include but is not limited to cis women, trans women, non binary people, and gender nonconforming people.
Players of all ages are welcome to our Saturday tryout, players must be 18 as of November 6th, 2022 in order to attend on Sunday due to field house restrictions.
Players must be 18 by March 1st, 2023 in order to be eligible for a roster spot.
Cost:
$35 for adults
$30 for students
$15 for youth (only Saturday attendance)
The cost does not include a Utah Wild reversible pinnie, but all attendees are expected to wear a Utah Wild reversible pinnie for the duration of tryouts.
If you need a Utah Wild reversible pinnie, please add that item to your cart during the registration and check out process. For tryout attendees, the cost of a reversible pinnie has a 75% discount applied to the standard price.
Purchasing a reversible pinnie on the day of tryouts will not guarantee sizing and will cost the full market rate.
All people attending tryouts or pursuing a spot virtually are required to pay the fee during registration.
We do not want finances to be a barrier to entry for any potential tryout player, please select the "Name Your Price" ticket option during registration to choose a price that works for your budget.
COVID-19:
All people attending tryouts will be required to submit proof of a negative COVID test taken within 48 hours of arriving at tryouts (taken after 1pm MT on Thursday 11/3). The form to submit proof of a negative test will be sent out via email on November 3rd.
Attendees should isolate or mask in line with CDC guidelines if they have been in close contact with a positive case of COVID-19.
Per WUL COVID-19 guidelines, any player who accepts a roster or practice player spot with Utah Wild is required to be fully vaccinated and up to date with boosters, and must receive the omicron-specific booster (released September 2022) before attending any Wild events as a player (practices, games, etc.).
Players are highly encouraged to receive their vaccine and boosters in advance of tryouts, but do not need to be vaccinated in order to attend.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I have to attend both days?
This is a two day tryout and all players are expected to attend both days; however, it is acceptable to attend only one day if you have a religious, work, or other legitimate exemption.
If you are under 18 years old as of Nov 6., you are not allowed to participate on Sunday due to field house NCAA restrictions.
If you cannot attend these dates, please fill out the form and indicate that you will not be attending. You will be sent a follow up email to provide additional information and reference material for the Tryout Committee in place of an in person tryout.
We highly encourage attending the tryouts in person when possible!
I am not local to SLC, can I stay at someone's house?
If you are in need of local accommodation, please reach out to info@utahwildultimate.org no later than Oct 31st, 2022 with your travel plans and we will do our best to find you a place to stay.
I am a parent and will have my kid(s) with me at tryouts, will there be space for them?
Yes! We recognize that many people who are interested in attending tryouts have caregiving responsibilities and are making accommodations for those responsibilities.
We will have a dedicated babysitter on site on Saturday and Sunday of tryouts. If you plan to utilize this service, please make sure you reach out to info@utahwildultimate.org or to Erica directly so we can make sure we have enough hands on deck. The Wild will be covering the baseline cost for this service, but tips directly to the babysitter(s) are appreciated if you are able.
There will be shade tents available for children and coparents to keep them out of the sun or rain.
I live outside of Utah but don't have the financial privilege to afford a flight, is there support for this?
Due to a generous donation, we do have the ability to offer one, approximately $300 "scholarship" for a flight to Salt Lake City for tryouts. We will be offering this on a first come first served basis, please reach out to finances@utahwildultimate.org to express your interest in this funding.
This funding has been used and is no longer available.
Beyond this scholarship, we also offer a virtual tryout process for anyone who cannot make it to tryouts. Please fill out the registration form and you will be contacted before tryouts to gather more information.
How will I know that I am being fairly assessed?
We have a tryout committee, led by the coaching staff, and composed of senior members of the ultimate communities that will make up the Utah Wild: Utah, Idaho, and Montana.
If you have a bad day, ideally at least one person on the committee will know more about you as a player and be able to speak to your strengths and weaknesses beyond the single tryout.
The committee will be making an effort to seek out more information on players that are unknown to them if any exist.
We are considering parts of your tryout interest form in your tryout assessment so please fill out the form thoroughly.
If you have any edits to your tryout interest form, please email us and we will add them, please do not fill out the form multiple times.
I am injured, can I still try out?
You are still encouraged to register and will be considered for a spot based on your projected recovery. We prioritize a safe return to play and do not want anyone to sacrifice recovery timelines for tryout attendance.
Are spectators allowed?
Spectators will be allowed both days under the following conditions:
It is encouraged that if they are able, each spectator contributes a $5 donation per day to observe and learn from the athletes and coaches at tryouts.
Spectators are not allowed to socialize with players who are trying out throughout the duration of tryouts (1-6p Sat, 10a-2p Sun)
Exceptions: Parents of players under 18, or co-parents and children of players at tryouts are not expected to donate and may interact with their family member as needed.
What are you looking for in a Utah Wild player?
Someone that values promoting ultimate for people of all genders and the progressive mission of the Wild and WUL.
People who are committed. Given the limited nature of the season (3-4 practice weekends, limited games), we need people that will prioritize attendance at these events.
Flexible and experienced players - there won't be a lot of time to build chemistry. Players who can work within many systems and are easily coachable are desirable.
What if I don't live in one of the noted practice pod locations?
Please note that at this time we are really trying to minimize the number of people who cannot attend weekly pod practices. We offer five practice pod locations (SLC, Provo, Boise, Bozeman/Missoula, and Denver) and will be heavily prioritizing people who will be able to attend those regular practices. Your chances of making the team will be lower if you cannot attend those weekly pod practices.
"Does the Wild have any plans to actively support recruitment of women of color and other minority groups to increase the diversity of the team and Big Sky ultimate?"
Thank you to a tryout registrant for posing this question to us! The Wild is committed to increasing the diversity of the ultimate community and recognizes that our roster and pool of tryout registrants is predominantly white.
In large part, this is due to the financial and racist barriers to participation in competitive Ultimate; the college and club levels of ultimate often require some level of financial privilege, are often steeped (whether consciously or unconsciously) in the dominant culture of white supremacy, and do not accommodate players who lack privileges such as private vehicle ownership, conventional 9-5 work schedules, and a lack of caregiving responsibilities among other things.
The Wild is currently working to change and open up this pipeline in a few ways: