The Enduring Legacy of the Ursinus College Ball Runners

On a crisp October afternoon in 2004, the Ursinus College field hockey team found itself down a goal to Rowan University. The clock ticked toward zero. A foul was called on the Profs, and the Bears rushed to restart play. In a flash, a ball was tossed perfectly to the spot of the infraction by a student worker—Sabir Peele ‘08—allowing Ursinus to set up a penalty corner as time expired. The Bears converted, forcing overtime, and went on to win the game.

That moment, and the quick-thinking toss that made it possible, would give rise to an enduring piece of Ursinus athletics culture: the Ursinus College Ball Runners (UCBR).

In its current form, the UCBR are made up of several dedicated members of the Ursinus College Men’s Lacrosse team. On an autumn day, not unlike the fateful day in 2004, USA Field Hockey caught up with some of the crew following a Bears’ victory.

“Since 2004, it’s just been something passed down,” said Harry Schweitzer ‘26, one of the current leaders of the UCBR squad . “You have to be gritty. You’ve got to love the game. You’ve got to place and chase."

What began as a one-person job has become a legacy now twenty years strong. The “place and chase” system, referring to the efficient rhythm of placing a new ball on the sideline while retrieving the old one, has been perfected over time, earning the UCBR recognition across Division III and beyond.

“We’ve come from the lacrosse team,” Schweitzer explained. “It’s always been that way since around 2006. When you graduate, you pick the next class to take over, so it’s kind of an honor. Once you’re in, you’re in. You’re a lifer.”

That continuity has created more than a routine; it’s built a fraternity of sideline specialists. “We’re still in touch with our alumni ball runners,” added Lars Homan ‘26. “They’re always swiping up on our stories. They love it. It’s just a lot of fun to bring energy, hype up the crowd, and help out the game.”

The UCBR’s impact extends beyond the boundaries of the field. The men’s lacrosse players who take on the role see it as a chance to support their fellow student-athletes and enhance the overall pace of play. “It’s a fun time,” said Nate Groody ‘26. “We come out to support the field hockey team, help the game move faster, and bring energy to the sidelines. It’s something everyone looks forward to.”

Their signature method—place and chase—has even made its way into officiating vocabulary. “Every umpire I’ve worked with knows it,” joked Schweitzer. “We like to think we coined it.”

The technique itself is simple, yet deceptively strategic. “When the ball goes out of bounds, you see where it went out, let it roll past you, and immediately place another ball,” Homan explained. “Once play moves away, you grab the old one and reset. There’s a lot of communication involved, it’s a team effort even on the sideline.”

That teamwork reflects a broader relationship between the lacrosse and field hockey programs at Ursinus. The two teams share a deep sense of mutual respect and camaraderie, built through years of showing up for each other’s games. “They come to ours, we go to theirs, it’s like an unspoken rule,” said Chris Forgie ‘27. “They’re some of our best friends. We support each other no matter what.”

And their efforts don’t go unnoticed. The ball runners’ presence has become an expected part of every home game, a symbol of reliability and energy. Even the smallest details, like keeping the game flowing or cheering from the sidelines, contribute to the field hockey team’s rhythm and morale.

“Being a ball runner is a great duty,” said Wade Mutz ‘25, who has since graduated. “I track the games on my Apple Watch; we run about three and a half miles every game. That’s the grit we talk about. We’ve got the grit to come out here after practice and place and chase some balls.”

Two decades after Peele’s decisive toss, the UCBR have become campus legends, known for their precision, humor and distinctive team culture. Their playful confidence is well-earned: “We’ve heard we’re top in the nation,” said Schweitzer, with a grin. “Top two, not two.”

Over the years, the ball runners have even caught the attention of USA Field Hockey. In 2016, the group was invited to work the U.S. Women’s National Team’s exhibition games in Lancaster, Pa., a recognition that validated just how integral their role has become within the sport’s larger community.

Though that particular opportunity didn’t align with their schedules, the acknowledgment alone reinforced what Ursinus players and fans have known for years: the UCBR are more than student workers; they’re an institution.

Now in their senior season, Schweitzer, Homan, and Groody are preparing to pass the torch once more. “We’re free agents right now,” Schweitzer laughed. “But we’re looking for a big deal.”

As they do, the tradition of “place and chase” remains one of the most enduring in Division III field hockey, a testament to the passion and partnership that define the sport.

From a single toss in 2004 to a 20-year legacy of teamwork, precision and pride, the Ursinus College Ball Runners continue to embody what makes field hockey special: a shared love for the game, and a community that never stops moving forward.

From left to right: Harry Schweitzer ’27, Lars Homan ’26, Nate Groody ’26, Chris Forgie ’27, Wade Mutz ‘25