Long before he became “The Science Guy,” Bill Nye was known around Seattle for something entirely different—his skills on the Ultimate Frisbee field.
After graduating from Cornell University in 1977, where he played for the newly founded Cornell Buds Ultimate team, Nye moved to Seattle and helped launch the city’s first co-ed Ultimate team, the Olympic Windjammers. As team captain, he looked for creative ways to share his enthusiasm for the fast-paced, strategic game with local sports fans. And, in true Seattle fashion, that meant reaching out to the Seahawks.
MOHAI, Bill Nye Collection, 2024.39.45.01
In this 1979 letter to Don Anderson of Seattle Seahawks Public Relations, Nye pitches an idea: have the Olympic Windjammers perform during halftime at Seahawks games. Nye explains Ultimate’s appeal in relatable football terms— “A complete pass from a player on the main field to a player in the end zone scores a goal.” However, he can’t resist adding a touch of humor, noting that Ultimate is played “with a flying disc rather than an oblate spheroid,” referring to a football.
Nye’s letter highlights the team’s accomplishments, from performing at Seattle Sounders soccer matches to competing in the Western National Invitational Ultimate Frisbee Championships. “We seek your help and a chance to support our Seahawks and the Coach of the Year,” he writes. “If you’re looking for experienced athletic performers and action in your halftime shows, please contact us.”
Though Nye’s letter went unanswered and the Olympic Windjammers never made it to the Seahawks’ halftime stage, Nye’s love for the sport never faded. Today, he remains an advocate and investor in professional Ultimate through the Ultimate Frisbee Association, continuing to celebrate the game’s spirit of teamwork and creativity.
This letter from the MOHAI archives captures an early example of Nye’s trademark enthusiasm—whether for science, sports, or Seattle pride—and reminds us that the drive to innovate and inspire has always been part of the city’s story.