By Elicia Powell
BROOKLYN PARK, MINN. – The Urbana Place Super Seniors are not your usual team. They are not overachievers or underdogs clawing to the top—they are something different entirely.
“I think we’re an average team,” says Super Seniors Coach Corrie Hoff.
Considering themselves average competitors does not mean they are unremarkable in any way, shape, or form. The Super Seniors stand out in other unique ways. They are not ‘in it to win it,’ even though part of their mantra is, “We’re not here for fun.” It is more of a sarcastic remark they started throwing at each other during competition. When you see them at matches, you’ll often see them joking and laughing with one another.
“Even when we lose we laugh and have fun,” says Hoff.
They have a team member, Jerry, ho used to be the head of a corporation. Now, he funnels his love of numbers into tracking the team’s performance. In his off time he creates spreadsheets to pinpoint where they can improve and shares his findings with the group.
The Super Seniors don’t normally practice, but Jerry’s efforts are still appreciated. For him it seems to be more of a hobby and Hoff loves that for him.“He loves data,” says Hoff. “He gets more into the data for the grip games and fork lifts.”
In February of 2025, they lost the TRYathlon as they were outbeat by more than double their distance. This loss didn’t disheart their team spirit in the slightest. Even in defeat, their mood stayed upbeat—they laughed, cheered, and applauded each other throughout. Keeping their joy intact through their losses is a win in its own right.
“I don’t think anyone takes themselves too seriously. They just want to stay active,” says Hoff.
After the match, they celebrate with cake—baked by a teammate that is eagerly awaited by all.
“That’s kind of our team in a nutshell. We play, we have fun, and we have cake,” says Hoff with a laugh. Sometimes she wonders, “Is it more than just the cake?”
Whether they are winning or not, they seem to keep the team’s focus on showing up, doing their best, and having fun. “We just have fun with it, win or lose,” says Hoff. Participating in the league is a big deal since they do not have too many residents that are independent. They especially love the crank part of the league games because even residents who aren’t independent are able to participate.
They welcome new players with open arms. “If anyone new comes they clap and are excited,” shares Hoff. They love having new people to support, joke with, and cheer on.
There are times when they go weeks without winning a single competition, but their energy never fades or changes. They keep showing up, keep cheering, and keep moving. There is very little that can bring this team down or stop them from competing.“Even when we don’t win for weeks, our camaraderie never fades—that’s winning to us,” adds Hoff.
