Jack Major
Staff Writer
As Pete, from the popular FX show, The League once said, “God bless Fantasy Football. There are many things a man can do with his time – this is better than those things.”
Ten teachers at Mira Costa are continuing their annual tradition of a friendly fantasy football league founded by Mr. Kurz three years ago. Mrs. Nielsen, an active participant, sees the game as a fun outlet from busy school work.
Photos: The winner of the 2015 Mira Costa Teacher Fantasy Football League, Mrs. Nielsen.
“Fantasy Football has given me something to talk about with fellow teachers and my students in the hallways,” Nielsen said. “It allows me to take a break from constant grading and teaching.”
Fantasy Football is an online NFL strategy sports game that is based on the performance of a set of players on a weekly basis. Teams are made up of 10 players and additional bench players, usually with 10 teams per league. According to Nielsen, the league forms a strong bond between the teachers involved.
“This program has brought me closer to some of the teachers I was not previously close with in the past,” Nielsen said. “Although I was close with Ms. Champagne, I have become a lot closer with her because of this friendly competition.”
Mrs. Nielsen’s husband is a big football fan, and has been playing fantasy football for five years. Mrs. Nielsen was never attracted to the game until she was introduced to the school league.
“My husband has always loved football and I liked it but never got into it,” Nielsen said. “This has brought me closer to him and I’ve come to share his love for the game.”
The ten participants all currently work at Costa with the exception of former teacher, Mr. Coller, who currently lives in Oregon. According to Nielsen, fantasy football provides a good way to stay in contact with Mr. Coller.
“Mr. Coller moved to Oregon and this game is one more way for us to stay in touch with him,” Nielsen said.
Mr. Singiser, who was added to the league last year, has been a lifelong football fan but only recently started playing fantasy football. It has given him a reason to watch more football games.
“I’ve always loved football,” Singiser said. “But fantasy football has given me a reason to watch the games I normally would not watch because of the players I have on those teams.”
The prize belt is seen as a source of pride between the teachers and the current holder is Mrs. Nielsen. As well as bragging rights, the pride of holding the belt adds even more incentive to win, according to Mrs. Nielsen.
“It’s a fun game by itself, but when you add a trophy belt, it just increases the competition,” Nielsen said.
This annual competition adds some fun to the school year and helps form the camaraderie between them. It allows a friendly, competitive atmosphere and provides an outlet from the stress of teaching, according to Nielsen.
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“I would not be as close as I am with the teachers in this league if it weren’t for fantasy football,” Nielsen said. “I am thankful for fantasy football for that and for the fun and competitive nature of the game in general.”
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