Save The Dates: Open Tryouts are Feb 24 (Info Here), followed by invite-only mini camps Mar 3-4 and 10-11.
DC Breeze Head Coach Darryl Stanley has agreed to a 2-year contract extension to lead the team through 2019, and U.S. National Team coach Alex “Dutchy” Ghesquiere will continue to serve as the team’s Technical Director.
Stanley led the Breeze to an 11-5 record in 2017 that included two victories over the Toronto Rush, the team’s second ever playoff victory, and a berth in the East Division Championship game. He is excited to continue his efforts here in DC and work hard toward the next level of success.
“The DC Breeze are an excellent organization with a committed leadership, fantastic ambition and wonderful fans,” Stanley announced after inking his new agreement. “The DC Breeze welcomed me with open arms to the DC ultimate scene in 2017, and I’m excited to sign on for 2018 and 2019!”
Stanley led the MLU’s Spinners to an 11-1 record and that league’s title in his home town of Philadelphia in 2016. Stanley also served as an assistant coach with the AUDL’s Philadelphia Phoenix from 2013 to 2015, including filling in as head coach in four Phoenix games along the way.
“This upcoming season we are really looking to take that next step to wrest the AUDL East Division championship from the Toronto Rush,” continued Stanley. “We’ve been at the doorstep twice, and I’m hoping we are like the Chicago Bulls going up against the Detroit Pistons in the late 80s: one nemesis away from reaching the summit.”
Stanley also served as head coach of the University of Pennsylvania’s men’s team Void from 2014-2016, a role for which he was named the University of Pennsylvania Club Sports Coach of the Year in 2016. Void were Eastern Pennsylvania Sectional Champions in both 2015 and 2016 under his leadership.
Returning in his role as the team’s Technical Director, Ghesquiere will continue to actively work with Stanley on player recruitment and selection as well as on coaching and field strategy. Ghesquiere served as Breeze head coach from 2014 to 2016, leading the team to a 28-17 overall record and two playoff appearances in three years before moving into the director role in 2017. The Breeze limped to a 4-12 record in 2013, the year before Ghesquiere came aboard.
“I look forward to continuing to work with Darryl and Don helping the Breeze be successful; they are both the highly capable and dedicated resources the Breeze needs,” announced Ghesquiere. “It has been a pleasure to be part of the Breeze organization.”
Ghesquiere was appointed the prestigious position of head coach of the U.S National Team for the 2017 World Games in Poland, where he repeated his success from 2013 by leading the nation’s most elite mixed players to another consecutive World Games gold medal. This international gold is merely the latest addition to what is arguably the Ultimate world’s most impressive trophy case, which also includes Ghesquiere’s leadership of the USA Open team’s 2016 Ultimate World Championship in London among many other club and country titles over the past 15-20 years.
“I am especially excited for the players and fans that our highly decorated leadership duo have committed to continuing in their roles,” Breeze Managing Partner Don Grage said of the signings. “Together they bring a level of pedigree and success that is rare in our young sport. Our franchise is both honored and grateful to have Alex and Darryl in charge as we head into 2018. We can’t wait to see how far they can take this team in the immediate future.”
