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"Meet a Zealot: Bill Auer" The Second in a Series Featuring Members of Zealots Shortly after Zealots Field was founded with that first league, it rapidly started growing -- Our founder Oscar Knight soon realized that there was much more involved in keeping the Empire running smoothly than even he could manage on his own. Luckily, Zealots Field has been extremely fortunate to have some very talented and dedicated people willing to jump in and help out our fantasy football kingdom whenever needed, and they have worked to build Zealots into one of the best fantasy-football experiences around. Zealots Field owes a huge debt of gratitude to Oscar and those many Zealot volunteers whose dedicated service has allowed us to evolve into the vast empire we are now. All of these long-time champions of Zealots Field deserve recognition since they have each played a key part in the success and growth of Zealots. But one person who is near the top of everyone's list of tireless and talented Zealot volunteers worthy of recognition is Bill Auer. Bill became a Zealot in our first year, and he has worn many hats during his tenure: Successful team-owner, Vice-Commissioner, Commissioner, Rules Convention Chairman, Site Standards Czar, Syndicate Czar, and now Vice-Lord. But regardless of whatever role he has held, one thing has remained constant - the dedicated and fantastic job that Bill has always done to support, oversee, and nurture the success and on-going growth of Zealots Field. So in this second edition of "Meet a Zealot," we invite you to get to know Bill a little better. Zealots Field Press (ZFP): Hi Bill! Thanks so much for taking the time to participate in our "Meet a Zealot" series. We really appreciate it. Well, as usual, let's start with some basic biographical background. Tell us about yourself, if you would - How old are you? Are you married? Any kids? What part of the country do you call home? Bill Auer (BA): Hey Chris! To start with I'm 56 years old and feel it most of the time. I've been married happily for 15 years (Yes, the second one is the charm) but no children. I've lived in the Pa Dutch country all my life except for a 3 year stint in the military. ZFP: How about work? What do you do for a living? BA: I've had several occupations over the years. In my latest incarnation I've been working as a stonemason since 1986 -- prior to that I worked in several capacities in the steel industry. My business site is currently being revamped by yours truly but it should be up and running soon: www.wmauer.com. ZFP: Have you always been a football fan? Any particular team you root for? BA: I suppose I became a football fan during the Eagles last championship……yes it was that long ago! I still remember listening to that game on the radio. After that I was hooked even if it was pretty much down-hill for the Eagles for many years. As far as my favorite pro team I suppose it has to be the Tampa Bay Bucs.
ZFP: Any hobbies besides fantasy football? BA: Cooking would be one of my hobbies and fooling around with graphics of course. I'm also a movie fanatic with about 150 films in my library at present. I'm also a fan of the blues which takes up a ¼ of my CD collection. I've been hooked on the blues since my year in Germany. I bought a BB King album and a Long John Baldry album to get me started way back in 68/69. ZFP: Cool - I'm a blues fan myself! It's always interesting to find out how diverse Zealots members are, and yet we always seem to have some things in common besides just FF. Let's touch a bit on the graphics - you've done quite some great-looking banners for Zealots over the years (my own included, and thanks again!). Have graphic arts been something you've been into for a long time? Any other creative outlets? BA: I've always had artistic bent Chris. Be it drawing, music (during my misguided youth I fronted rock bands in the 70's), or cooking. I've always been pretty good with colors and form. In fact I developed an interest in computer generated graphics when I used Fanstar FFball league service when I first started commissioning online for two of my local leagues. The rest is history or so they say.
ZFP: Well, let's talks some about the hobby that brings all of us Zealots together: How long have you been involved in Fantasy Football? How did you get into it? BA: I start playing in my first league back in 1993 in a touchdown only total points league with IDPs. All scoring was done via USA today. ZFP: An IDP league in 1993!? That's pretty unusual for the old newspaper-based scoring leagues, even if it was TDs-only, LOL! But what about Zealots itself? How long have you been a member? How did you find out about it and decide to join? BA: I'm entering my fifth year along with Zealots. Z8 was my first league. I just happened to be pursuing FBG's dating game and learned about Zealots Field there. On a whim I decide to take a chance after reading the rules and code. ZFP: Are you still active at FootballGuys? Any other FF boards or leagues besides Zealots that you're a member of? BA: Tell the truth, I'm just a lurker on most boards unless I run across something particularly compelling to comment on. But I have been checking things out over at "The FFball Whiz" when I have some time. ZFP: What Zealots leagues are you in? BA: I'm presently in Z8 as a team owner, Z11 as a commissioner, and Z23 as a team owner. All teams represent the Tampa Bay Bucs.
ZFP: How well have your Zealots teams done since you've been a member? BA: Geez, Chris I thought you'd never give me the chance to brag!!!! Here goes… In Z8 I played in two super bowls (won one) and ended dead last in two other years. In Z11 I've also played in two super bowls with zero wins, so I'm starting to understand the way Buffalo fans felt in the old days. In Z23 I've managed to win two super bowls. ZFP: Wow! Just getting to a Zealots Super Bowl is a heck of an accomplishment given the level of competition we have here, and you've been in six in three leagues and won three? That's darn impressive! Any particular reasons you can think of as to why your teams have been so successful? BA: I really can't answer why I've done as well as I have, other than that chance favors the prepared mind. ZFP: You mentioned that you're league Commissioner in Z-11. How'd that come about? BA: Ah that was quite a soap opera when Z11 had problems. I'm sure our old-timers remember that Z11 had many false starts with the initial draft and problems with members, just to name a few things. I finally decided I could help out there as I had prior experience commissioning several home leagues. If memory serves me, we had two members vying for the Z11 Commissioner's job. We each had to state our case to the Council of Commissioners and have the Council vote one of us in, as was required by the rules at that time. I was the lucky guy in the end. Things have been running relatively smoothly other than the odd team that decides not to return. I can honestly say I feel the guys in Z11 are some of the classiest members of Zealots field and are never afraid to pitch in if help is needed. ZFP: Sounds like the Council made a good choice back then. So what's it like being a Zealots Commissioner? Being a Zealots commissioner is an interesting position due to our command structure. Being a commissioner in Zealots is like being an NCO in the military. Simply put, if our commissioners weren't doing the work they are now, Zealots Field would soon cease to be. ZFP: You've also added other Zealots responsibilities over the years and are now a Zealots Vice Lord correct? What all does that entail? BA: Yes, I'm a Vice Lord which is an administrative appointment. It's a position bestowed by Oscar Knight our founder. The job exists because as we grew larger and larger each year Oscar found it nearly impossible to oversee the many parts of the operation. So he created two Vice Lord Positions to fill in and to oversee the Classic leagues and our Specialty leagues. At the moment I'm handling oversight for the classic leagues, for Zealots Field.com, and for Zealots Gear. ZFP: Aren't you also involved with the Zealots Rules Conventions? Tell us some about that. BA: Yes, I was the ramrod for the Rules
Convention for three years and presently have oversight of the rules
committee and convention as another of my Vice Lord duties. ZFP: So you think the conventions are still worthwhile? BA: The answer is a resounding yes. I personally think our rules process is a real lesson in democracy in action. In fact, guys have compared our rules session to an old fashioned New England style town hall meeting. ZFP: Well, the conventions can certainly get animated! But it is great to see everyone get involved. Besides the Rules Conventions, haven't you've also been involved with Zealots site standards and enforcing the Code of Conduct? BA: Prior to being promoted to Vice Lord I was tasked with policing language and graphic standards on our MFL league sites and on the message-board. Basically I would warn a member if his graphic signature was too large, his avatar to risqué and also attempt to maintain order during any message-board tiffs. ZFP: But what do you personally think about the Zealots Code of Conduct? Is it really needed? BA: The Code of Conduct was one of the basic reasons that I bought into Zealots. I've felt that it is necessary to live and practice a personal code of conduct. With Zealots that practice is also a reality. ZFP: Where do you see Zealots evolving? Think we'll continue to grow? Is that a good thing? BA: At present I don't have a feel for our future beyond some growth which is planned for next year. I think a certain amount of growth is necessary. The real question in my mind is how big we will be, and at what point do we reach a point of diminishing returns Empire-wise? ZFP: So would you still recommend Zealots to other fantasy football fans and encourage them to join? BA: Sure. I'd recommend Zealots to FF ball fans that have a yearning to take another step up in competition. Most find that Zealots is also a great place to build friendships with fellow FF ball freaks. ZFP: Thanks again for a great interview, Bill! Anything you'd like to add? BA: I really think we've covered all that's fit to print Chris. I would like to wish all of our members a successful rookie draft and a great season of fantasy football at Zealots Field! If you have any comments or questions, or if you would like to recommend a Zealot to feature in a future article, please contact the Zealots Field Press writing staff at writingstaff@zealotsfield.com. |
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