FAQ & COMMENTARIES
2008
Commentary
Question:
Why are you addressing postings on league Message Boards?
Commissioner Rice:
The main reason is to join the national campaign addressing the issue of anonymous use of the Internet to defame and accuse people of things that have no factual basis. There is absolutely no place in sports for this type of thing as it is contrary to everything sports is about.
Another answer to that question is best answered with a question - Why the interest in other
leagues and teams in the first place? There is only one league I know of that has initiated a critical campaign vs. another league, coaches, players and administrators. Why the need to criticize anyone anywhere? My best advice it to play football where you are and enjoy the game and don't worry about anyone else.
When someone makes public accusations that you believe are false about the organization you represent, it is natural to want to answer to it. When people continually hear one side of an accusation over and over, unless contridicted and proven wrong, it becomes fact in their mind, so you really can't just avoid it.
As the Commissioner, it is my responsiblity to do whatever is ethically correct to respond on behalf of our membership to right wrongs, yet acknowledge any wrongs we have made.
Attempting to provide a response in WRITING to critics is proven to be a ridiculous effort in futility..... If ayone is so interested in the SSFL, I offer and challenge anyone to meet with me person to person, at an open meeting on radio or whatever. I will be more than happy to answer to anything regarding the SSFL. I urge all leaders whether a team owner, coach or league administrator to address this issue head on.
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Old Commentaries
2007
Question - Minor League Football leagues in Florida appears to be fractured. What do you think are the reasons for that?
Commissioner - Minor League Footbal in Florida is as you say, going through changes and there are many reasons, many of which may in fact be nationwide. Several main reasons that come to mind after 7 years experience are:
* Teams at this level have a short shelf life of existence. In 7 years, our SSFL team records indicate the following -
20 teams have folded completely and do not play football anywhere else. Reasons were related to specific problems such as: 2 had partner problems, 3 teams the owner moved, 5 teams
folded due to finances, 10 teams had various other resons such as owners retired or the team just
ailed to exist for a non specific reason. 8 teams had not been invited to return to the league due to various violations and advertise they are still in existence in other leagues. 3 teams have chosen to play in another league of their own choice.
Of 32 teams in 7 years that have left the SSFL, only 12 advertise they are still in existence and it is very possible of the 12, a few might not be playing come season based on their recent experiences playing elsewhere and forfeiting games and not completing the season.
These numbers illustrate my point as to the short life span of many minor legue teams.
Another reason is compatibility. Organizations generally always begin wanting to be associated with a league with high standards, enfored rules and highly competitive teams. As teams in a league gain expereience, they find that they are unable to meet some or all of those goals and find that other leagues are more compatible with their thinking, facility requirements, financial demands, travel distances between teams, parity of talent and enforcement of rules. Homogenious grouping of teams is evident at all levels form high school, college and the professional ranks.
Question - What are your thoughts on new leagues forming in Florida?
Commissioner - There are 2 new leagues that have either formed or talk of forming that I am aware of. A league called the Extreme League I have been told is attempting to organize by the team owner of a former member of the SEFL and the FFA who are organized as of May 17.
I'm sure Florida can accomodate new leagues, however, it can dilute the competitiveness within each league. When a new league forms, it is natural to be an attraction as a "new beginning"to a team who has experienced problems in their former league, were not invited back due to violations or forfeits. A team that was winless and not competitive in their original league is a great recruit for any new leagues administrtion. Of those from the SSFL who have joined a newly established league, only one team made it to or past the first playoff round, 3 teams did not complete the season and 1 team was not invited to return to their league.
I enter every year considering the SSFL is a new league with the benefit of having a head start with proven Rules and Standards on which to build or modify by team owners. Membership has always changed and as such new challenges are faced. It is better to have a few teams all compatable in goals, facilities and competitiveness than to have many with the high risk of forfeits, drop outs and violatijons. The SSFL membership as of this interview has returning 3 of the 4 Division Champions, 1 of the 2 Conference Champions and League Runner Up, 2006 League Champion and National Champion Runner Up. That type of grouping makes for a very competitive situation for everyone despite the size of the league .
Perhaps more important than records is the the stability of the teams administrativley. None of our present SSFL members experienced Forfeits or Standards violations. Some years we have experimented with as many as 17 teams and that was a failed experiment. I think 2008 will be one of those years that may find after the season, some teams looking for the exerienced, discplined approach we attemtp to portray.
Question - Minor League Football is hardly known. What is your perception of this level of football and those involved?
Commissioner - One only has to look in the stands on any given Saturday night to agree with you. However, as much as the players would love to see the stands full, public recognition is not why they play. I have never been around players more dedicated to the game of football who play for the love of the game, not a scholarship agreement, TV, dancing girls, or their picture in the newspaper. They represent themselves, family, friends and team and believe me they play to win. Its not only the players. Coaches, managers and volunteers all want to be a part of what football provides. Team owners set the standards of the team. In the uniforms they provide, quality of coaches they accept, and how they present the team and players to the community. Players know when owners care. Owners are dedicated football people who provide the opportunity to the players and hope the community will support the team and help it continue to grow. In professional, college, minor league or Pop Warner, not everyone lives up to the ideals of the game of football: fair play and good character. Unfortunately, those negatives appear more in Minor League Football than any other level since there is no true National Organization or leadership providing common rules, ethical behavior or enforcement of any kind. As such, protecting the game of football falls to the individual leagues leadership no matter what style that is. I will say I have seen great improvement in my 7 years of involvement and the SSFL has helped set the standard for continued advancement. As in all organizations, team leadership is the difference.
Teams that are administratively sound are generally not the problem faced by league commissiners.
Question - If you could choose spokespersons for the SSFL who would you select?
Commissioner - First the players. Players thrive on being a part of a well disciplined organization and the feedback I have received has been that players are proud to be in the SSFL. Next I would pick the game officials. The officials work every level of football and at the Minor League Level, I believe their response would be that the SSFL supports and does everything possible to create a professional game atmosphere that promotes good player and coach conduct. Last and certainly not least I would say the fans. I have received many comments from families that they feel comfortable at an SSFL game because they know that family values and standards are respected and the environment is secure and safe.
Question - How does the SSFL handle team, player and coaches membership renewals.?
Commissioner - At the end of the last scheduled SSFL game, all teams, players and coaches are "free agents" to evaluate their situation and have the opportunity to play where ever they wish. A meeting is held in late July presenting a forum and Q & A for non SSFL teams and developing teams who wish to learn more about the SSFL. A late August meeting is held with all returning and new teams and the schedule is presented. This off season gives all team owners the opportunity to attend other league meetings and investigate and decide what is best for their program. Of course it is easier when teams decide early, but we make it easy if a team changes their mind in the following manner. When a team declares membership interest, the owner signs a Membership Agreement and pays $100 towards the team annual dues. If at any time from May through August 31, that team changes its mind, the money is refunded and the agreement is voided. I'd say this is a pretty flexible and a non pressured membership procedure.
Question - How many minor leagues are in Florida and how did they start?
Commissioner - There are 4 that I am sure of and one rumored to be trying to organize. The 4 are the SSFL started in 2000, The SEFL from what I note on their banner started in 1996 but were not in existence from 2000- 2003 since the League founder joined the SSFL for a few years and did not reinstiturte the SEFL until 2003 , the Diamond League date of origination in Florida I'm not sure and the FFA started in May, 2007. The SEFL originated with 4 former SSFL teams not invited back to the SSFL in 2003. The Diamond League I do not know their origination.
The FFA started by three 2007 SSFL teams which were in good standing who chose not to renew membership for 2008 as per our rules and included 5 others of which 3 did not complete the 2007 season, automatically eliminating possibility of being invited back and 2 who were not offered 2008 renewal opportunity due to foreiting 2 games in a season which by SSFL Rule is automatic expulsion. Obviously, those teams needing a league to join in order to play football found a perfect place by joining a new league.
Question - Why do you think these leagues started?
Commissioner - The Diamond League is one I have no knowledge of. Some recognized the need to start a legue of thier own since they were not offered membership status in the league they previouslyy played. The SEFL and the FFA advertise that one of their reasons included the belief that the league should be run by a Board of Directors. It is logical to align with teams of similar interest, comparable facilities, comparble financial support, and importantly, operational guidelines and enforcement of rules which can vary greatly from league to league from very casual to stringent.
Question - Would you have organized the SSFL any differently knowing some owners wanted 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 2 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 and it has not been mentioned since. 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, the following modifications were made accomodating those owners concerns. #1 - summer dues were reduced to $100 just to cover SSFL office costs with the stipulation that it would be refunded if the team did not organize by Aug. 31. #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 this point in time 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 believed 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 7 years experience behind us, I believe our best will be soon be recognized. I am also working on a project to establish a SSFL Hall of Fame to honor those owners, coaches, staff members and players who have served their teams and the league in outstanding manner.
Question - What's in store for the SSFL?
Commissioner - Same old, same old in many cases. Continue to offer teams the opportuity to participate at a high level of Minor League Football, both as a team and as an organization. I am convinced, players want to play in disciplined, organized, professionaly run programs and SSFL teams present and future will continue those goals. New teams will continue to organize and recognize the SSFL for what it is and hopefully join with our returning solid organizations. With new teams or those in other leagues who consider moving on, a Commissioner must concentrate on answering questions and providing infomation only. Presssurized recruting of teams is to be avoided and the reputation of the league must stand on its history of success and be the focal point. Based on the limited proven "shelf life" of minor league teams, mobility of teams from one league to another, and those teams removed from the league due to non conformity, the number of teams in the league has and will vary from year to year.
