Biography
As a freshman in fall 2022, Alex Kirages arrived onto campus with one goal – to avoid playing ultimate frisbee. He wanted to blaze a trail different from his older brother, JT, who played at University of Illinois. In his first week in Pittsburgh, however, he found himself attending team pickup and spending lots of time with members of Mr. Yuk. Before he knew it, he was throwing every day, going to workouts, and shifting his schedule to make room for practices and tournaments.
In his 4 years at Carnegie Mellon, Alex has grown from a hard-working freshman with almost no ultimate experience into an integral player and leader for Mr. Yuk. He has also played for Chicago Trident, Pittsburgh Stealers, and, most recently, the Pittsburgh Thunderbirds in the UFA. His time in the CMU ballroom dance club makes him impossible to guard in the handler set; his size, speed, and quickness let him blanket opposing offensive players; his patient, methodical throwing pushes the disc down the field; his cheerful attitude and smile light up any huddle; and his spirited approach to the game of ultimate inspires teammates and opponents alike. Off the field, Alex has served on team leadership for the past three years, including being a captain this year. The effort, dedication, and personality at the core of Alex’s game embodies the central tenets of Mr. Yuk, and we are proud to nominate him for the 2026 Callahan Award!