ry casual to stringent.

Question - Would you have organized the SSFL any differently knowing some owners want more control?

Commissioner - No.  Simply put, the reason is that in the final analysis, owners do have a lot of control.  Rules and Standards are owner established and every owner is notified before every league meeting that if there is a Rule or Standard they wish discussed it is put on the agenda, discussed and put to a vote decided by a simple majority. The early years were bedlam and the enforcement of rules and standards were initially welcomed by team owners who were used to playing in a very casual atmosphere.  Unfortunaltely, rules and standards were violated weekly and when enforcement was initiated, being new to such enforcement, it was clear, some teams had to be eliminated and new teams more carefully evaluated.  There remains one constant in the SSFL and that is we pride ourselves that rules and standards are enforced and violations dealt with through a system until the violation is mended.  The procedure never changes and annually, the overall conduct of SSFL teams has improved.  We are far from perfect, but we put an organized and quality product on the field.  There is no substitute for strong leadership.  It is not pleasant dealing with violatiors, but it must be done and it takes its toll on personal relationships.  In my opinion, a teams Board of Directors mirrors the corporate world's Board of Directors, and that is to administer the teams business to ensure all league rules and standards are met and to present to the community a professionaly run organization.  As one Head Coach of a well organized former SSFL team stated, "it's all laid out for us, all we have to do is follow the rules and play good football."

There ae no secrets in the SSFL.  Rules and Standards regarding everything is public information on the league web site for all to see.  Officials reports are available every Monday during the season provided by the SSFL Officials Association listing for all owners to see the teams that are in violation of any Standards and Rules.  In addition, the Commissioner, usually accompanyed by a league advisory borad member, attends an SSFL game every week and does a similar on site evaluation.Records are carefully kept on file and when a review of the season indicates a team has an unacceptable record of violations, it is clear that the team is not compatible with the SSFL membership and should move on.

Question - You just mentioned an Advisory Board.  Who and what are they?

Commissioner - I have a group of experienced athletic administrators and coaches who I communicate with for their opinions on specific items.  They include former College Coaches, Athletic Directors, Admissions Director, Academic Advisor, Hall of Fame Administrators,

Sports Marketing Director, Sports Information Director,former HS Coaches and a Professional Scouting Combine Director. They have been supportive of the SSFL and have attended various SSFL games to observe.  I know they see the value in what is being accomplished.

Question - How does an SSFl owner initiate change or input?

Commissioner - First of all, the SSFL Standards were put in place as the minimum requirements to operate a football game insuring similarity of expected facilities and services.  Team owners adopted those standards as minimums.  Some examples of input leading to changes:   When a team was incapable of meeting a standard beyond their control, owners discussed the issue and voted to alter that standard in the SSFL rules to accomodate that team for one season. In the recent past, spatting was not permitted as per NFL Rule and owners expressed it should be permitted.  As such, a modified uniform provision was placed in the rules accomodating spatting but it still maintained the NFL uniformity rules baring extreme individualism.  When the All Star game was suspended for 3 years, due to conduct problems, the owners expressed a wish to have it reinstated.  The game was approved with the provision it was organized and run by team owners with the administrative assistance of the Commissioner.  The owners set up a committee but failed to support the game.  At the May 5, 2007 meeting the dues payment schedule was discussed as difficult in the summer along with players being eliminated from post season when a team folded.  Based on the discussions, modifications were made accomodating those owners concerns. #2- the rule was modified to permit any player whose team folded during the season to be eligible to participate with a team of his choice and bring with him the games played by his previous team to meet the 60% participation rule for the playoffs.

In short, leagues that formed based on the belief owners did not have input into the standards and rules of the SSFL simply isn't true.  All owners in fact have in the past and present had such an opportunity.

I have found that discontented owners are generally, but certainly not always, those who are consistent rule and standard violators and due to disciplinary action over time become frustrated and develop animosity directed at the enforcement of the rules.  They then tend to blame the rules instead of themselves. The end result is generally eventual expulsion or they leave to play elsewhere.  In the final analysis, wanting input to change rules really has nothing to do with their problem.  Their problem is not being able to conform to the rules set by their brother owners.

Question - Are you disappointed when you lose a member?

Commissioner - Yes absolutely, when the organization is a well administered one, but never if the organization is not well administered.  There is no other answer.  Bear Bryant once said when asked about a player quitting, "you never lose a good one only a malcontent ".  Up to 2008 we had never lost anyone to another league.  In my opinion we lost 2 teams with administrations of outstanding character and I will miss them, the Reapers and the Gladiators. They exercised the business option we created and I wish them the best of success.  If that success is less than what they hoped, they would always be welcomed back to the SSFL where the quality of competition is equal to their teams and goals.  I consider myself a players Commissioner and most of all I will miss many of the players who I have had particular relationships with over the years.  I hope they will have fond memories of their SSFL expereience.

Question - You have achieved just about every award known in Minor League Football.  What's

your next act?

Commissioner - Awards I receive I accept on behalf of the players, coaches and teams that elieved and put into action the established goals.  I never look at the awards as a personal achievement only.  My next acts, as you call them are to continue to work towards a National Championship Playoff for Minor League Football to bring an SSFL team to an undisputed National Championship and to begin the process of having SSFL players, coaches, owners, officials and administrators nominted for honors at the National Level and inducted into Halls of Fame.  With 8 years experience behind us, I believe our best will be soon be recognized.

Establishment of the SSFL Hall of Fame in 2008 honoring those owners, coaches, staff members and players who have served their teams and the league in outstanding manner was a great success and has a bright future to bring the best in the SSFL together.