Are You Ready For Fantasy Football?

Sports fans rejoice; football is back! August has arrived and the long offseason is finally over. Not only are practices starting up in the high school and college ranks, but the NFL Lockout has finally ended. And now that the free agency frenzy of the past week is winding down, NFL teams are reporting to camp, and all is right in the football world.

So, what does this mean for you, the football fan? Not only will you get to watch some real, live football in a couple of weeks, but it’s also time to start thinking about fantasy football. And lucky for you, the library has all of your fantasy football needs covered for the 2011-12 season!

Now, some of you might be asking, “What is fantasy football?” If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, here is a brief description of how it’s played. Each individual who participates manages his/her own fantasy football team and is part of a league. Before the season starts, each league holds a draft in which the participants select NFL players to fill their rosters. Roster positions usually include quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, kicker, defense, and sometimes special teams. Each week of the season, team owners select their starting lineups from their rosters, and then accumulate points based on how well their players perform in the games they are actually participating in. For example, if I had Peyton Manning starting as my quarterback, I would get points for every touchdown pass he throws in that game. Likewise, I would lose points for every interception he throws. Each week teams in the league play against each other, accumulating wins and losses, with the top few qualifying for the playoffs. At the end of the playoffs, a champion is crowned. It’s that simple! And another fun byproduct is that, as an owner, you are no longer only interested in the games that include your favorite team. You’re now following just about every game being played each week, due to the fact that you’re interested in how the players on your team are doing, as well as the players on the team you’re playing against.

If fantasy football is something you’ve done in the past, or if this sounds like something you might want to try out, you’ll want to be at the library on Saturday August 13 from 2:00-4:00. WIBW’s Terry Blount and Bruce Steinbrock will be in Marvin Auditorium 101A at that time presenting a fantasy football strategies program that will give you all the information you need to win your league. Terry and Bruce are local experts on fantasy football, and each year they compile information and statistics that help fantasy owners make the right draft picks, maneuver the right trades, and start the right players each week. Their program will provide you with hints and information only experts can provide, as well as give participants an opportunity to ask any questions they might have for Terry and Bruce about the upcoming season. It doesn’t matter if you have played fantasy football for years, or if this is the first time you’ve ever heard of it. If you plan on participating in fantasy football this year, you won’t want to miss this program!

We also want to let you know that the library is going to have its own fantasy football league this year, and will be holding its draft on Thursday night, September 1 from 6:00-8:30 in the Hughes Room 205.  All experience levels are welcome. If you are already in another league, come and join ours as well because there is no entry fee, yet the winner will still get a prize in the form of a gift card to Dick’s Sporting Goods! Registration can be done in person at the Red Carpet Desk, by phone at 580-4545, or by email at nhohl@tscpl.org.  We look forward to seeing you at our fantasy football programs!

If you want to learn more about fantasy football, check out Fantasy Football For Dummies by Martin Signore, which is in our collection.  It will get you more acquainted with the game before you join our league.