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MIKE O'DOWD
Inducted: 2011 - Player
Hometown: Arcata, CA
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Michael O’Dowd was one of the greatest players of his generation; he loves the game of ultimate and what it stands for. Michael was a fierce competitor who always built a bond with his opponent; he was a defensive stopper, innovator and master scout/coach. Prior to playing ultimate, Mike was a three-sport athlete and an accomplished disc player (disc golf, freestyle, DDC, guts, self-caught flight) which gave him a distinct advantage in ultimate. Mike had all the disc skills, speed, size and a toughness that let him dictate the outcome of a game. Michael could throw goals from anywhere on the field; quick transition goals were his specialty. But one man does not succeed without great mentors and a strong team in the game of ultimate.
Mike had amazing teammates to push and inspire him to greatness. "Knock-down- drag-out" practices for Windy City made tournaments easy. Teammates include Hall of famer Michael Glass. Playmaker, John Conway taught Mike the finer points of leadership. Joey Giampino gave Mike the opportunity to guard the best receiver in the game four times a week. Fellow defensive captain Dean Smith relentlessly pushed Mike and Windy City to practice, train, and play harder than seemed possible, " Never enough".
Mike started the Windy City team with Carey Goldenberg; within four years Mike organized it, nurtured it, drove it to win the National and World Championship by the age of 21. Mike won Championships with every team he played on after Chicago. San Francisco, Idaho/Montana, and his own Northwest masters team Troubled Past. Mike retired as UPA Champion and World Champion and after winning in the UPA Championship in October 2009 and World Championship in Prague in August 2010.
Michael lives in Arcata, California and is married to former UPA Champion, Alison O’Dowd. They have twin girls, Jasmine and Cassidy, born in 2010.
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