The Penn State men's ultimate frisbee team returned to action this weekend, as it served as host for the "Spring Phling" tournament in University Park.

Unfortunately for Penn State, its goal of capturing the tournament title was cut short by Mother Nature, as harsh rains turned the IM Fields into a giant mud pit, forcing the remaining games to be canceled.

The tournament was Penn State's first match at home since April 2005, when the group was suspended by Penn State for tearing up multiple fields around the area. This weekend's 16-team tournament was the final event for the team before it headed into regional play.

"We had gotten word from [Club Sports Director Erin Regenfuss], and she met with us to discuss the fields," team president Kevin Richman said.

"We agreed that it was too wet to play, so we packed up and went home."

Regenfuss said that she had been notified by the women's ultimate frisbee team around 10 a.m., and was told that the fields were beginning to become sloppy.

The women's team told her that they had decided to cancel the day's events, prompting Regenfuss to check on the status of the men's tournament.

"I went out to check the field and was greeted by Kevin [Richman]," Regenfuss said.

"I could've made the decision to cancel, but when I arrived the group had already motioned to cancel the tournament."

In April of 2005, the team, appropriately known as "Spank", was suspended by the Club Sports Advisory Council for damaging multiple State College fields while playing in the very same "Spring Phling" tournament.

As a result, the team was forced to remain out of competitions and formal practices until it showed that enough community service duties had been fulfilled.

While members of other teams had to head back to their respective schools earlier than they had hoped, they realized Penn State's situation.

"Our team understood the decision," Pittsburgh ultimate frisbee player Matt McCabe said.

"We knew that Penn State had been in some trouble in the past, and we didn't want them to end up in the same situation again."

McCabe said that he and the other players had received word from one of the Penn State players who had been in contact with Regenfuss, who reportedly talked to the university and ultimately came to the decision that the fields were not suitable for play.

Before weather became a problem, the tournament had reached its semifinal stage.

"Spank" entered the weekend with a 24-12 record, and was on its way to another successful tournament before Penn State canceled the event.

Richman says that the team will just move on, and not worry about rescheduling the remaining games that were canceled by the rain.

"We don't really have time to worry about those matches," Richman said.

"We're just going to look forward toward regionals."