It's That Time Again --- College Football Commences

That time of year has arrived --- Labor Day weekend barbecues, autumn around the corner, baseball pennant races going down the stretch, the NFL season draws neigh, and for many this is the beginning of the college football season.

Starting Thursday night September 2nd, the chase for the BCS title commences with eighteen games, including two involving teams with National Championship hopes as Ohio State, the #2 ranked team in the Associated Press poll plays host to Marshall and The University of Miami, #13 playing a home game versus Florida A&M. While the home teams should win handily, these games will set up a battle between the two powerhouses in week two.

Another couple of tilts with significance are The 15th ranked University of Pittsburgh Panthers traveling to Utah to face the The University of Utah Utes and the 14th ranked USC Trojans traveling to face Hawaii.

The reason why I bring up the Trojans is that there is a possibility, albeit remote, that USC could win all their games and finish as the AP National Champions. Remember that USC is ineligible to play in the BCS title game under NCAA sanctions for knowingly allowing boosters and others to aid players, namely Reggie Bush, and other transgressions under former Athletic Director Mike Garrett. A split championship? That is what the BCS is suppose to negate.

Over the weekend there are two huge games with BCS title implications. The #24 Oregon State Beavers hit the road on Saturday night to face 2009 BCS party crashers TCU Horned Frogs, the 6th ranked AP team. Then Sunday evening, The other non BCS power Boise State Broncos, the AP's 3rd ranked squad, go to Blacksburg, Virginia to face perennial powerhouse and 10th rated Virginia Tech Hokies.

To think this is week one of the college season! That's not a bad group of opening games!

Whether you have a favorite squad, be it Ohio State, Notre Dame, Texas, defending champion Alabama, or any other team, I think this season will be as exciting as any we've seen in recent memory. Let's sit back, relax, and enjoy opening weekend.

Time for kickoff!

Send email to dlafrance2@207me.com

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Fantasy Sports --- A Major Industry (Revisited)

Hello all!

I will start with an apology to my readership about my absence. There was a health scare in my family a couple weeks back that needed my utmost attention. It has taken about four weeks in total to be sure that family member is well and I can now resume posting again. I thank you for your patience.

With the NFL season upon us, I am taking this opportunity to re-post an article I put together last September ... the Fantasy Sports Industry. Bigger and better than ever, the basis is on how fantasy sports are regulated by those who are the leaders in this industry and what businesses are within the governing body of fantasy sports.

Without further adieu, here is Fantasy Sports --- A Major Industry (Revisited).

Fantasy sports are games of fun played by men women and children of all ages. Yes I did say of all ages. I'm 51 and I am not the oldest player in the two local fantasy leagues I play (baseball and football). Fantasy games can be played in many different ways with different formats and can be played with many sports. I personally play fantasy baseball, football, hockey, and golf. I know there are many other sports such as basketball, auto racing, college football, college basketball, and soccer that have fantasy leagues. You know what? Fantasy sports has been around for ages, it seems. I have been playing for 21 years now in football and 20 years in baseball! I know for sure that fantasy sports has been around for longer than that.

But did you know that there is an organization that devotes itself to the fantasy sports industry? I sure didn't. This is no fly by night firm either. The organization I will speak of has been around since 1999 and has many major members, with a board of directors, special events, member benefits, a code of ethics, and even a Hall of Fame!

Welcome to Fantasy Sports Trade Association.

The Fantasy Sports Trade Association (FSTA) has what I find to be a very well organized website with all the information needed to become a member, what they do, and it's history. According to the site, The FSTA is a forum in which many fantasy organizations interact to improve the fantasy sports industry. There are newsletters distributed to members, networking opportunities, and recognition awards.

The committees of the FSTA include membership, conference, public relations, awards, finance, Web, and research. Some of the notable members include Jeff Christiansen of Fantasy Football Toolbox (a favorite of mine), Howard Kamen of USA Today, Danielle MacLean of CBS Sports, Peter Schoenke of Rotowire.com, and Charlie Wiegert of Fanball. The main job of all committees is to oversee FSTA operations and keep its practice to better the fantasy sports industry.

The Code of Ethics is pretty straight forward --- Honesty, Integrity, Credibility, and Gambling. The gambling code states that no entity will be granted membership whose primary function fantasy sports gambling --- cut and dried.

There are 103 members of the FSTA including notables as the aforementioned CBS Sports, Rotowire.com, Fanball, USA Today, and Fantasy Football Toolbox. Other well known entities include Ron Shandler's Baseball HQ, Electronic Arts (EA), ESPN, FFToday.com, KFFL Inc, Rotoworld.com, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, STATS, Turner Sports, and Yahoo!. You may want to take a gander to see if any of your favorite fantasy sites are members.

That's just an overview of the FSTA...visit their Website for complete information.

There is also a well written article in the online version of U.S. News and World Report titled "The Reality of Fantasy Sports". Many of the leaders of the fantasy sports industry present their thoughts on what is a growing industry along with analysis of the future.

Enjoy!

Send email to dlafrance2@207me.com

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