As the Flyers charge toward the playoffs, 11-year-old hype man Emerson Pauley brings crowd energy, kid-friendly fun, and a dash of star power to the sidelines.
By Kyle Marie McMahon
At a Carolina Flyers home game, you’re bound to see flying discs, jaw-dropping plays and an energetic crowd. But the real show-stealer? A pint-sized emcee with the charisma of someone twice his age: 11-year-old Emerson Pauley.
If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Emerson already has quite the résumé. He’s been featured on MasterChef Junior: Home for the Holidays, performed in local theater productions, and cooked for high-profile food events like BBQ & Bubbly at Fenton. Now, he’s channeling his vibrant personality into a different kind of stage: center field at Durham County Memorial Stadium, as the official “hype man” for the Carolina Flyers Ultimate Frisbee team.
What started as a one-time gig during the 2024 championship game has turned into a staple of Flyers home games. “Everybody loved me so much that my dad was like, ‘Do you want to do it for all the games?’ And I said, ‘Of course!’” Emerson recalls. His dad, Jonathan Pauley, is the Flyers’ general manager—a role he stumbled into after the family relocated to North Carolina in 2021. “We thought it was disc golf at first,” jokes Emerson’s mom, Taite. “Ultimate was completely new to us.” But the role fit him well thanks to his previous work organizing large-scale charity marathons.
For the uninitiated, Ultimate Frisbee (or simply “Ultimate”) is a high-speed, non-contact team sport that blends the flow of soccer with the scoring mechanics of football. Teams advance a disc down the field by passing it—no running with the disc—and score when it’s caught in the opposing team’s end zone. Each game is fast-paced and filled with highlight-reel-worthy athleticism, which is part of what makes the Flyers one of the most exciting pro teams in the Triangle.
With the team riding a five-game winning streak and climbing the ranks of the South Division, fan energy has never been more important—and Emerson delivers. During breaks he runs on-field games for kids, hypes up the crowd with chants, and helps keep energy high with the same passion he brings to cooking and comedy. “He’s not just out there cheering,” says Taite. “He’s brainstorming games, making lists, organizing ideas. He’s invested in making it fun for everyone.”
That investment shows. At a time when professional sports often skew adult-only, Emerson’s involvement has made Flyers games a family affair. At the game I attended, Flyers fans were some of the kindest and most welcoming people we’ve ever met. It really feels like a community.
That community will be in full force Saturday, July 12, when the Flyers face the Atlanta Hustle in one of the biggest games of the season. With playoff spots on the line, the team is calling on fans to show up big. Military members and first responders receive free admission at the gate, and the game will include on-field games, a bounce house, and a free kids’ clinic during the second quarter—all fueled by Emerson’s signature enthusiasm.
As for Emerson? Between theater, comedy, cooking, and his dream of opening a breakfast restaurant called Good Gravy, he’s just getting started. But for now, he’s laser-focused on his newest adventure: middle school.
And if you’re lucky enough to be at the game, he just might convince you to shout louder, cheer harder—and maybe even fall in love with Ultimate Frisbee.
📍 Join the Action
Carolina Flyers vs. Atlanta Hustle
Saturday, July 12 | 7:00 PM
Durham County Memorial Stadium
🎟 Tickets: $15 | Kids 10 & under are free
🪖 Military & First Responders: Free with valid ID at the gate
Learn more and grab tickets: watchufa.com/flyers
All photos courtesy of Professional Photography Group.
