A sportsman or sportswoman is defined as someone who exemplifies sportsmanship on the disc golf course, observes the rules of play, and wins or loses with grace. The following candidates were nominated by PDGA members for acts of sportsmanship during 2021. 

Michael Johansen #20300

Two nominations by Steve Ganz and Vic Allen

MJ is always positive, keeps it light, and is very complimentary to fellow competitors and event staff and is genuinely one of the nicest and most approachable human beings on or off the course.

P.S. Cool guys don't look at explosions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqz5dbs5zmo

Great guy on and off the course

Paul Ulibarri #27171

Two nominations by Brad Schick and Mike Downes

Paul has and always will be a model player for new and veteran players to look up to. Any time you are grouped with Paul, you know your round will be filled with fun, laughter and good vibes.

Always supportive and respectful to players and TDs. Class act and all around positive attitude on and off the course... year after year. He's overdue for this.

Zoe AnDyke #39504

Two nominations by Dustin Keegan and Benjamin Baxley

Zoe is an inspiration to every disc golfer and there is honestly not another person who brightens up the people around her like, Zoe. She is the true definition of a sportsman and I wish every disc golfer smiled and supported other disc golfers as much as Zoe.

I kept score for Zoey on one of her rounds at Champions Cup, and she was very supportive of her card mates while also trying to keep her card moving so there were no backups caused by their group. She’s been part of DGN broadcasts, hosted workshops, and in general is someone who is very positive and a great ambassador for disc golf.

Ben Cassell #71603

Two nominations by Rufus Manley and Marc Reed

Ben has for the last 5 years been the president and the Heart and Soul of South East Texas Disc Golf.   Ben runs minis and continues to grow the sport by providing disc's and discgolf equipment to new players to the sport.  Ben's passion and love for the game is 2nd only to his love for introducing new players to discgolf and growing the sport he loves.  Please consider his nomination and I'm sure I won't be the only person that enters his name.

He has dedicated his life for the last 10 years to growing the sport of disc golf in the South East Texas area. He started the area club, run minis several days a week all year. He has raised funds and donated for so many events I can’t even list them all.

Norm Mata #120660

Four nominations by Devon Limesand, Harry Shears, Porkey Shears and Scot Bennett

Good sportsmanship,  cheers for you no matter what's at stake. Love playing with him.

Norm is an amazing person who always has a positive attitude while playing rounds! He is very supportive of everyone on the card and never complains or brags when winning or losing.

Norm is a great guy, always helping people, he never is in a bad mood. I met him at a tournament, and always enjoy playing with him. He travels often to play disc golf, and offers to drive people. He even talked to my wife, to see if he could bring me to a course 3 hours away. He is always encouraging. Especially to new players. If all disc golfers were like Norm, the sport would explode in growth. I vote Norm

Norm has always been a great person to be on a card with. Weather he is doing good or bad in a round always has a positive attitude

Mikey Seibert #125079

Three nominations by Bryan Trahan, Chris Fennell and Joe Herndon

Mikey is the type of person who will go above and beyond to help anyone. He's kind, thoughtful, and selfless, everything a good human should strive to be.

Mikey is the true embodiment of a sportsman. He is EXACTLY what the PDGA needs during this time of rapid growth. He is talented, yes, but even more important than that: he is kind and welcoming to players of any skill level. I’ve interacted with Mikey as a TD, as a competitor, and as a friend. This man has LITERALLY given me the (sweat)shirt off of his back! On an unusually cold day in Texas, I was ill prepared for the weather. Having noticed this, Mikey gave me the hoodie that he was wearing! He had an extra in his car but realized that it was smaller than the one that he was wearing and decided to think about MY comfort! I mean, who does that?

The thing is, this is not an isolated incident. I’ve heard tons of stories that highlight the good nature of Mikey Seibert.

This is what inspired me last season to forward along a perspective of the “average everyday disc golfer.”  Using google forms, I collected  and shared with PDGA over 40 similar opinions (given completely voluntarily) from golfers of various skill levels and locations.

Mikey is a real-everyday disc golfer who is making a true difference. The PDGA should already be well aware of the HUGE positive impact that this man has had—and continues to have—on our sport and community.  

Mikey deserves this award.

Thank you for your time.

Always there to help out the disc golf community