The entire sideline rushed the field, laughing, crying and embracing each other as disbelief settled in.
The organizers brought out the perpetual Turkey Bowl prize: a gold, marble and wood trophy adorned with a plaque of the tournament’s past winners. UPVSA would soon have its name engraved on that plaque for the first time.
Celebrating beside the team were alumni Dustin Nolasco and Steven Tran, who had been part of the UPVSA team that finished third so many times.
“Having them show up and watch it happen made me feel so good,” L. Nguyen said. “They’re the reason why I like playing frisbee, why I love Turkey Bowl and why I love being part of this club.”
That night, after showering and changing into suits and dresses, UPVSA attended the Turkey Bowl Banquet. The Thanksgiving-inspired dinner was held at Seattle University’s Campion Ballroom and featured traditional performances such as a lion dance, fan dance and a taiko drum show.
Importantly, funds from the Turkey Bowl and the banquet are donated to the Vietnam Assistance for the Handicapped, who assist people with disabilities and disadvantaged children in Vietnam.
Connie Nguyen, a representative for the NWVSA and UNAVSA, expressed the importance of fundraising as a way for the associations to give back to the community.
“We come from a generation that gave and sacrificed so much for us, and [our] act of giving back sets up the world [for] success in the future,” C. Nguyen said.