History

The Early Years

The roots of the Virginia State Frisbee Tournament trace back to the early days of organized flying disc competition in the United States.

The first Virginia States tournament took place in April 1976 at Mary Washington College (now the University of Mary Washington) in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The event was organized by members of the Mary Washington Frisbee Club and featured a true discathlon-style competition, where athletes competed across multiple disciplines of flying disc sport.

In those early years, the tournament reflected the spirit of the emerging flying disc culture: creative, competitive, and community-driven.

Players competed in events such as:

  • Accuracy
  • Disc Golf
  • Distance
  • Double Disc Court (DDC)
  • Freestyle
  • Maximum Time Aloft (MTA)

These multi-discipline competitions eventually became known as Overall tournaments, where the champion is determined by performance across several events.

Fredericksburg: The Heart of Virginia Frisbee

Fredericksburg quickly became the home of the tournament. The Mary Washington Frisbee Club played a key role in organizing and sustaining the event over the decades, helping the Virginia State Frisbee Tournament become one of the longest-running flying disc competitions in the country.

The tournament grew into a beloved annual tradition, drawing:

  • elite players from across the region
  • longtime competitors returning year after year
  • new players discovering the sport for the first time

Many participants describe Virginia States as more than a competition — it is a reunion of the flying disc community.

A Tradition Since 1977

Since the late 1970s, the Virginia State Frisbee Tournament has been held annually, building a legacy that spans nearly five decades.

Over the years the tournament has evolved alongside the sport itself. New disciplines were introduced, formats changed, and generations of players passed down knowledge and traditions.

Yet the spirit of the tournament has remained constant:

Great throws.
Creative freestyle.
Friendly rivalry.
And a shared love of the flying disc.

Postcards, Posters, and Culture

One of the most distinctive traditions of Virginia States is the annual tournament postcard or poster, created each year to promote the event.

These pieces of artwork capture the personality of the tournament and the era in which they were created. Collectively they form a visual history of the Virginia frisbee community.

On this site you can explore many of those designs and see how the tournament — and the sport — have evolved over time.

Looking Ahead

In 2026, the Virginia State Frisbee Tournament celebrates its 49th annual event, setting the stage for a historic milestone.

Next year marks the 50th Annual Virginia State Frisbee Tournament — a celebration of five decades of competition, creativity, and community.

Players, pioneers, and fans from across the disc world will be invited to return and celebrate the legacy of Virginia frisbee.

And the story continues.

Help Build the Archive

We’re collecting:

  • tournament postcards
  • posters
  • old photos
  • VHS or digital video
  • results sheets
  • stories and memories

If you have anything from past Virginia States, please contact us so we can help preserve and share the history of the tournament.