Question of the Day: Recruiting

[Reginald Rutledge]

Back in 1995, I started the "Road Warrior" package for the DFW League. In it's initial year, I had recruited the likes of Frank "The Professor" Johnson, the late-Dirk Thomas, and Al Clegg, Derek Smith and Vince Peatros.

Guys in the league were amazed that coaches from other parts of the country would be willing to travel to the Lone Star state and fellowship with the DFW League.

I knew we had something special if we could recruit like that. But I was not sure what it was? Was it the rules? Was it the competition? Was it the hospitality? Was it the chance to compete in another style of play? What was it? I had no clue. All I knew is that sometimes the locals took that for granted, that guys were willing to give of their time, to come to an unknown place to be a part of a league.

Frank Johnson continued to play in the DFW for 5 years. We love Frank here as he would immediately be accepted if he came back.

I guess for me, I saw the Road Warriors as a great source of knowledge and talent and what they brought to the league far exceeded what we could ever give them.

My question to you is a twofold one: (1) What makes you travel to play in leagues outside your area and (2) What do you expect to gain or know after being apart of that league?

Reginald Rutledge
DFW Founder and Recruiter

[NATIONAL]

But any league. The BEFL, the Harrisburg league, the NHFL.... what makes me travel to play.

To hang out, and play against coaches that I usually don't get a chance to. Playing under different rule sets. Some of the rules I try to bring back, and add to our leagues in Philly.

For me, I like league play rather than tourneys. I do go to tourneys, but I don't like being stuck in the room tied down to the board most of the day, and sometimes late into the night. League play is the most fun for me. Especially when you got a bunch of guys you can mesh with! I really like the DFW & Beltsville guys. Hudson of the DFW & Dre of the BEFL are 2 of the craziest guys you will meet.
I don't even call the BEFL traveling anymore. I've been apart of that league for 4yrs now, and 9 of those coaches are playing in this season of the NEFL in Philly.

So Reg, to answer the questions. The people makes me travel. Trying my hand at new rules, and sometimes new equipment.
What do I expect to gain? Getting to know the coaches like you would know your own family. The talks me and you had during my stay out there Reg are priceless. Shooting the ball out back of your house with Mike and LeRon... priceless. Joe Allure picking me up at the airport, then comforting me when my luggage didn't show up...... is there a word bigger than priceless???? lol!
Yes folks, the DFW lost my clothes when I went out to watch the DFW super bowl. I was stuck wearing the same gear all day!!!!!!

RD wanted to take me to Walmart to buy some new clothes?
What were the name of those jeans he wears???

Nat'l

[Michigan Joe]

I agree with Corey, its all about the people. Travelling has been a great experience for me, its fun to finally put faces with names and the whole experience of beiing with people that share in the full enjoyment of the hobby. Its also a great escape, where I can just play- no work or responsibilities of real life. I really have enjoyed my trips to see the DFW and the GLEFL. I consider these 2 premium leagues, but more importantly I consider them premium people in the hobby. I also had a great time at the Miggle tournament this year where I got to meet a lot of people. I actually consider my trips as the "fuel" for my interest in the hobby. Unfortunately I am very busy with work and I don't have a solid local league like some people do. Thats why I "need" to travel.

I've never played in a league and its something I've wanted to do ever since getting back into the hobby so therefore I will need to travel to do it. The concerns I have with travelling FOR A LEAUGE is that the amount of travel time is a limited resource. Thats what I'm realizing (and what my wife pointed out to me when I was on vacation last week). So should someone in the hobby save their travel time for tournaments or for a travel league??? To be involved in a travel league, one must be able to either get a lot of games in during a short amount of time, play a more limited schedule, or be able to play "conference games" with a local group in your region. I wish we could all just get a national college league going (with 100+ coaches from this forum), that would be my "dream" scenerio because I think we could then blend local travel with some national travel for a nice overall mixture.

Reg, since you started the post, I would like to say that my trips to TX (the disney land of miniature football) were awsome!
Joe

[RPD]

The jeans "Pretty Boy" are called "Faded Glory", and by the way I loved those designer shoes you had on, man oh man. Mr National next time you come down we will have to sit down and have a "Cuba Libre". Now get your arse to Wal-Mart and get yourself a pair of those jeans...


RD

[Michigan Joe]

just thinking of Mr National in Faded Glory jeans

He was getting desperate for some fresh clothes that weekend