#30 Atlanta Hustle (AUDL), #3 Bullet (Club)

As a child, Ben Breault grew up in both Alabama and Georgia. He also claims Lake Harding, the Chattahoochee River, Phenix City, AL, and Columbus, GA as his home.

As an athlete, Breault played competitive soccer, football, rugby, basketball, track and cross-country. He discovered ultimate at the age of 13 on his first retreat with a youth group from Lakewood Baptist, at Camp Icthus in North Carolina.

He began to play pickup with a group of adults at the age of 15 at Lakebottom Park, across from his high school, Columbus High.

The Lakebottom Group called him “Nancy” for three years until they felt he became a man both on and off the field. It was here that Breault learned the joy and basics of ultimate. Later, he attended Valdosta State University, where his ultimate career took off to a whole new level. 

“Those guys and that park have a very special place in my heart.”

As a freshman he was a starting cutter and played with a handful of veterans who had in depth knowledge of the game and the proper mechanics. They explained college ultimate with camaraderie and hard work. With these mentors by his side, Breault grew tremendously. He observed his veteran teammates closely; emulating their skills, heart and pride. 

Come sophomore, all his veteran mentors had graduated or transferred, leaving him and a few remaining teammates with high aspirations. At this point, he served as both captain and president of the team, but that’s where his knowledge and skill practically doubled. Originally a cutter, he became the team’s premier handler and was relied upon heavily to become the leading scorer. His throwing ability developed both significantly over a short period of time, and his scrappy playing style began to distinguish and define him on the field.

After his sophomore year, the team’s funding plummeted. He had no choice but to transfer his talents to Georgia College (GC), who welcomed him with open arms. Here, surrounded by immense talent, he learned how to be an outstanding player; he learned not to play as an individual. His time at GC granted two National showings, helping him mature as a player. These very same teammates, known as the ‘Bullet Boys’, started their own club team in 2013. Club is where Breault learned how to deal with both success and heartbreak.

“The Bullet Boys have an even more special place in my heart. Without hesitation, I go into battle with them and would do anything for them.” 

When it was announced that the AUDL was expanding south with sights on Atlanta, Breault’s heart soared with a new goal and dream. The AUDL’s newest 2015 team, the Atlanta Hustle, signed Ben Breault as a defensive handler, for his scrappy styled defense and hunger to strike and score. Breault finished 6^th in assists on the team and went +22 on the year.

Q & A:

My thought when I first threw the disc: the first thing that popped in my mind with that question is clear. I went to a tournament with my GC boys at the age of 19 in Augusta, GA. At this point in my career, ultimate was just a game I really enjoyed playing and was good at, I felt I wasn't fully invested until that Saturday morning. It was the first game of the tournament and it was around 9 o'clock, there was dew still on the ground and the sunrise was still beautiful, not glaring. One of my best friends, Jake Morris, made an out cut and I released a silky 55 yard flick for a score. When the disc left my hand it caught the sun rays just right and I saw the dew spin rhythmically off the disc. It was a quiet morning and all I heard were the players on the field and the disc slicing through the air. At that exact moment I fell completely in love with ultimate. Right after Jake caught the score I turned to my girlfriend and said "I was born to play this game." I've never looked back.