The Oakland Spiders were 2,000 miles from home when they clinched the Ultimate Frisbee Association championship on August 28 in Madison, Wisconsin. But now they’ve come home to celebrate.
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The 21-16 win over the Minnesota Wind Chill was the culmination of a dominant season where the Spiders lost only a single match on their march to the title. In the run up to championship weekend, team captain Robin Vickers Batzdorf told The Oaklandside the team felt that “as good as we were, we had yet to reach our ceiling. There was always a clear picture that we had another level to get to.” Now, as Michael Jordan might say, the ceiling is the roof for this young and talented squad.
The Spiders’ Kyle Lew gets airborne in the championship match against the Minnesota Wind Chill. Credit: Matthew Brooks/courtesy of the Oakland Spiders
The champs are inviting The Town to celebrate their first championship since the team moved to Oakland in 2022. On Wednesday, September 16, the team will host a free rally and party at Prescott Market from 4 to 8 p.m. Community members are invited to join the hardcore fans who turned the team’s home field at Fremont High School into the “Spider Den” in swarming to West Oakland. There, they can meet Spiders players and coaches and take photos with the official championship trophy.
In addition to team remarks, a proclamation will be presented on behalf of Mayor Barbara Lee. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from the adjoining food hall.
The Spiders win the trophy. Credit: Matthew Brooks/courtesy of the Oakland Spiders
“Bringing a professional championship home to Oakland is an incredible milestone, but more than anything, this victory belongs to our fans and our community,” Robin Vickers Batzdorf, of the Oakland Spiders front office, said in announcing the event. “From packing the stands at Fremont High to cheering us on across the country, the Town carried us this season. Prescott Market is the perfect neighborhood hub to come together, celebrate this achievement, and show our gratitude to everyone who supported us.”
September 16, 4 to 8 p.m., Prescott Market, 1620 18th St., Oakland, free; RSVP to be entered into a raffle for a signed team championship frisbee and shirt.
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