Vegas Bighorns

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vegas Bighorn
SportUltimate frisbee
Founded2025
LeagueUltimate Frisbee Association
DivisionWest
Based inLas Vegas, Nevada
StadiumBonanza High School
Colors      Brown, Black, and White
Head coachMatt Bode
Websitewatchufa.com/bighorns

The Vegas Bighorns are a professional ultimate team based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bighorns compete in the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA) as a member of the West Division. They play home games at Bonanza High School.[1]

Formation and expansion announcement

The UFA announced an expansion franchise for Las Vegas in December 2024/January 2025; the league confirmed the Vegas Bighorns would join the UFA West Division for the 2025 season. The initial league announcement described the franchise as an expansion entry for 2025 and noted plans for a Las Vegas home venue. [2][3]

The expansion announcement named James Shorey as the team's owner and initial front-office lead.[3]

Coaching and staff

The Bighorns announced former UFA player Matt Bode as the club's first head coach ahead of the 2025 season. Bode — a UFA veteran who played for multiple teams during his playing career — served as coach for the inaugural game and was listed by the league as the team's head coach. [4][5] Midway through the season Matt Bode parted ways with the team and former Oakland Spiders head coach Dan Silverstein took on head coaching duties.

Inaugural season (2025)

The 2025 season was the Bighorns' inaugural season. The team’s first UFA regular-season match was played at Bonanza High School on 25 April 2025, a home game against the New York Empire that was livestreamed on WatchUFA.tv.[6][7]

Across the 2025 regular season the Bighorns struggled on the field and finished winless at 0–12, bottom of the UFA standings; WatchUFA’s official standings and the league's end-of-season power rankings list the Bighorns as 0–12 for 2025. [8][9]

Stadium

Although early press for the expansion noted Ed W. Clark High School as a possible venue for some early plans,[3] the team’s official stadium listings and game pages for the 2025 season show home matches played at Bonanza High School in Las Vegas (6665 Del Rey Avenue).[1]

Players and personnel

Notable players

WatchUFA and team materials list the inaugural roster and several notable contributors for 2025:

  • Brad Ellis — listed as leading the Bighorns in goals for 2025. [10]
  • Ryan Hiser — playmaker and assist leader; recorded a 70-yard scoring connection for the first O-point in club history during Week 1. [11][12]
  • Braden Distel — cited for defensive plays and led the team in blocks during the inaugural season. [13]
  • Porter Stobbe — defender and regular contributor to assists and completions for the season. [14]

A full roster for 2025 is published on the team section of WatchUFA and on the team’s official site. [15][16]

Staff

  • Head coach: Matt Bode. [17]
  • Assistant coach: Dan Silverstein (listed as assistant coach in team previews). [18]

Season-by-season results

YearRegular season recordDivisional finishPlayoffs
20250–126th (West)Did not qualify

Stats and records

All-time leaders

  • Goals: Brad Ellis – 21 (2025).[19]
  • Assists: Ryan Hiser – 20 (2025).[20]
  • Blocks: Braden Distel – 11 (2025).[21]
  • Completions: Ryan Hiser – 243 (2025).[20]
  • Points Played: Brad Ellis – 208 (2025).[19]

Single-season leaders

  • (All single-season leaders above are from the 2025 inaugural season; see individual player pages for game-by-game breakdowns.)[22]

Media coverage and streaming

UFA home games (including the Bighorns’ home matches) were livestreamed on WatchUFA.tv; highlights from Bighorns games are available on the league's YouTube channel and on the team’s social accounts. [7][23]

Reception and context

References

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI