Introducing the Harper Ray Memorial Award

We would like to honor the memory of an exceptional ultimate player and person, Harper Ray.

Harper Ray was an Austin-based ultimate player, leader, and trailblazer in the women’s, mixed, masters, and beach divisions, competing nationally and internationally 2000-2012. With this award and scholarship we recognize the type of player that is determined, persistent, goal-oriented, and above all else the epitome of a great teammate. When Harper didn’t make the first team that she tried out for, she didn’t throw in the towel, blame anyone, or look for an easy excuse – she turned her disappointment into action. She looked within herself at what she could do better and became a sponge of the game, spending hours on her skills and fitness. With hard work and perseverance, she made certain that she could not be ignored. The next tryout led to a no-brainer invitation to be on the roster … and Harper didn’t stop there. She kept investing in herself and her teammates, and became one of the best players in our community. We often referred to her mantra as “TCB”: Taking Care of Business. If something needed to be done, Harper did it. Sometimes that was holding the flight at the airport so half the team wouldn’t be late to Nationals. Sometimes it was showing up to the 8th track workout in a long season when we were all just ready to get to the tournament. Sometimes it was having that hard conversation on the sideline with a teammate to make them better, stronger, and more confident in themselves. She commanded a presence – a talent, a poise, and a resolve built on putting in the hard yards. Harper was that way in ultimate, and in her life. -Friend and Teammate, Leigh Gorman

Read more about Harper here.

We invite you to help us honor Harper’s legacy. Here are three ways to join us in celebration of her life and memory:

1. Click the button below to donate to the Harper Ray Memorial Scholarship Fund. This fund will go directly to financial assistance for youth players to attend TUSC Summer Camp or another TUSC365 playing opportunity throughout the year.

2. Click the button below to nominate a youth ultimate player for the Harper Ray Memorial Award and Scholarship.

3. Click the button below to sign up to donate your time and talents to youth ultimate players and programming.

Special thanks to Leigh Gorman, Amalia Sandel, Judy Le, and Jenna Martin for spearheading this Memorial Award and Scholarship Fund, and for living Harper’s legacy every day in so many ways.

And thanks to YOU for visiting this page and helping us honor Harper’s memory through our youth ultimate players.