Zealots Field

Mike Dumas

Staff Writer

Zealots Screen Name: SuperRam

Zealots Leagues: Z16, Z20, ZFAC-I, Maximus V, and Guillotine I

Zealots Member Since: 2006

"Meet a Zealot: Dave Conway"

The Fourth in a Series Featuring Members of Zealots

Dave Conway, or "EaglemanDave" as most of our members know him, has been a stalwart figure in Zealots Field for several years. His dedication (and post padding) is unquestioned and his resolve to help maintain order in an ever-increasing membership is unmatched. Dave has been deeply involved in Zealots as a league-member, and has selflessly devoted his time to assisting with the leadership of Zealots as a Vice-Commissioner, Commissioner, and now as a Syndicate Czar, overseeing Grange Syndicate (leagues Z-1 through Z-12).

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Dave and get his take on the state of Zealots and to let us in on his personal life a bit.

So in this fourth edition of our "Meet a Zealot" series, I offer you Czar Dave Conway:

Zealots Field Press (ZFP): How long have you been involved in fantasy football?

Dave Conway (DC): I first became involved in FF back in 1990. A friend of mine wanted to start his own league, which ended up being 6 guys who used to carpool to work together. Made rides to work long if you lost, and too short if you were lucky enough to win that week. It was a TD only league, and we used team defenses. It was always hard waiting patiently for the newspaper boxscores on Monday to get the official stats.

ZFP: OK. What about Zealots Field? What got you involved, and how long have you been a member?

DC: I was late to the game here. Jerry ("CryptMaster") Coleman had asked me to get in on the ground floor when the first Grange Syndicate was filling up, I think in 2003. I reviewed the rules and stuff, but found it way too complicated.

After a year of badgering me, Jerry finally won, and I got in to Z20 with him for the start of the 2004 season.

ZFP: How about a little about yourself? Family, occupation and such…

DC: I'd like to tell you I'm 6'2" and 200 lbs of chiseled muscle, but you work with me so I'll skip that part for fear you will actually tell others the truth, LOL!

I'm 41 years old, and I share my birthday with Donny Osmond. I graduated H.S. in 1984. Took a course in culinary arts while working as a cook at CVPH Medical Center, but as fate would have it, I entered the New York State Department of Corrections in 1988 and never looked back. I still enjoy cooking though.

I married my high school sweetheart in 1987, and we hit the 20 year mark this August. I have three children, a son David (19), and two daughters, Bridget (16) and Jackie (14). I love football, love the frustrating challenges of parenthood, and also love my faith. I'll use this interview to give Jesus his credit since everything I have done, and everything I am going to do, is with Him working with me.

ZFP: Going back to Zealots Field, what do you find interesting about this league?

DC: I can't boil it down to one thing. Mostly I love the wide array of individuals that are part of this giant machine. Doctors, lawyers, truck drivers, fast food workers... It's just an incredible collection of people who love the game, and share a comraderie with everyone.

Jerry helped me out a lot when I got here, but Chris Fries and Bill Auer, two guys I have never met, were always ready to assist this newbie way back when. Shows the quality of people involved here. I also am a supporter of the Code of Conduct that is a part of this. That was part of the draw originally for me. I like the fact that the league remains fairly clean.

Like everyone else, I have formed a lot of web-based friendships with several people from all over the place. Being able to share experiences with others in different areas is really neat.

ZFP: You recently attended an informal get together in Canton Ohio with some fellow Zealots. How was that experience?

DC: Oh yeah, that was a great time! I was excited to be part of it to finally meet some of those guys I have known for years, but only via the computer. Secondly, I had never been to the Professional football Hall of Fame, so it was a double bonus.

I met some very good hearted, knowledgeable and genuine people. Got to see the Hall of Fame, and I also was able to prove to myself I could remain sane riding in a car for 10 hours with Jerry.

ZFP: So you would do it again if it becomes an annual event?

DC: I'd love to! I would like to see the venue change from year to year. But if the HOF is the meeting place, I am pretty sure I would be there again. It was that much of a positive experience.

Hopefully we can get several more to attend to make this event grow, but I would drive 10 hours again to spend time with those same guys.

ZFP: Approximately how much time do you devote to Zealots each week?

DC: Yikes! Probably more than I realize. I make it a point to check in at least twice a day. Just to keep up on the happenings. Winter allows me more time than the summer does. But it all depends… On average, 7-10 hours per week, I would say.

ZFP: Zealots offers a wide variety of FF formats, including classic 53 man player leagues, college football, auction and contract leagues, and many others. Too little? Not enough?

DC: I like the variety ZF offers to its members. Not everyone in here shares the same interests, and each of those leagues presents its own challenges and twists which may be more to the liking of some people.

I like the fact that our founder Oscar ("Lord Zealot") Knight allows any member the opportunity to present a new format for trial. That not only keeps the window open for growth, but reinforces the fact that each member in here is a vital part of the process.

ZFP: Oscar has seen his fledgling 53 player keeper league evolve into a nearly 500 member FF empire. Do you see continued growth?

DC: Definitely! However, I must say I was one of the nay votes for incorporating the new Hutson Syndicate into Zealots for the 2007 season. My own opinion here, but ZF was growing too fast to be able to efficiently handle the process. I think waiting the extra year to open it will make a world of difference. There are ideas for promoting ZF in other football forums, which will grab the attention of a wider net of FF enthusiasts, which in turn will bring in solid members to add to those we already have.

ZFP: I know we touched on this a little, but being in a leadership position, namely Czar of Grange Syndicate, what are your thoughts on expansion?

DC: It will happen, and it will be successful. Oscar has done a great job of bringing in talented guys with great ideas to help out. Unbelievable what these guys can do, and how well they are able to share that knowledge with others. With the proper promoting, and the site improvements they have made, I see ZF to continuing to grow.

ZFP: Dave, thank you for your time. I'm sure our fellow Zealots will enjoy your thoughts on fantasy football and also appreciate all you do to help keep this the greatest FF league around.

DC: Thank you, Mike. I'm always glad to help,

If you have any comments or questions on this article, or if you would like to recommend a Zealot to feature in a future "Meet a Zealot" article, please feel to contact the Zealots Field Press writing staff at writingstaff@zealotsfield.com..

Zealots Field is not associated in anyway, affiliated with, endorsed, or licensed by the National Football League, any NFL team, or the NFLPA.