BYU Ultimate Frisbee team shut out of national tournament

Despite Brigham Young University’s Ultimate Frisbee team currently ranking 16th in the nation, the team will not be competing in the national tournament because they can’t play on Sundays.

KUTV-TV reports that the national tournament is scheduled for a Saturday and Sunday, but teams affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints-owned university don’t play on Sunday due to religious beliefs.

Ultimate coach Bryce Merrill says he petitioned the league’s governing body, USA Ultimate, but was told he could not be accommodated this year.

USA Ultimate spokesman Andy Lee says if a team can’t commit to playing in the whole tournament they can’t compete. He says Merrill has been invited to discuss the issue after the tournament.