Military students utilizing the Post 9/11 GI Bill can receive an advanced payment toward education expenses to compensate for late federal funding.

Students actively serving, along with veterans, qualify to receive education funding from the Post 9/11 GI Bill, or Chapter 33.

They can request an advanced payment for up to $3,000 from their nearest Veterans Administration regional office if their education funds for this semester had not been received.

“We’re behind with processing,” Dean Holtzman, public contact officer for the Veterans Administration regional office in Louisville, said.

This comes after the overwhelming response from military students nationwide seeking educational funding from the Post 9/11 GI Bill that went into effect on Aug. 1.

Holtzman said military students can request an advanced payment online at www.gibill.va.gov, which can take between seven to 10 days until a check is received by mail, or students can walk in to their nearest Veterans Administration regional office and walk out with a check in-hand.

The nearest Veterans Administration regional office to IU Southeast is in Louisville, located at 321 West Main St., Suite 390.

“Checks will continue to be dispersed until we are caught up,” Holtzman said.

He said they will be caught up by the end of fall semester.

Advanced payments will be taken from the military students’ future entitlement. No fees or interest will be accrued from the advanced payments.

Holtzman said tuition and fees are not affected by the backup of federal education funding for the new GI Bill.

Tuition and fees get dispersed directly to the school in the beginning of the semester.

The advanced payments will go toward the military student’s annual book and supplies stipend and monthly housing allotment.

“This is the best education program we have,” Jack Howell, records specialist and VA certifying official, said.

Howell said there is a 27.3 percent increase in military students from last spring semester, which he said he attributes to the Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits.

The Post 9/11 GI Bill says students can receive up to 100 percent of the cost of tuition and fees, an annual book and supplies stipend of $1,000 and a monthly housing allotment while enrolled.

Amounts for housing allotments are based on the school’s location.

Howell said military students attending IU Southeast can receive up to $1,036 toward a monthly housing allotment.

To be qualified for the Post 9/11 GI bill, students must have been on active duty at least 90 days after Sept. 10, 2001. Funding amounts vary per student, and are dependent on the student’s amount of military service and how many credit hours they are taking.

Tuition amounts paid to a student’s college cannot exceed the highest tuition rate at a state college in their state of residence.

If a student drops classes after funding has been paid to them, the student is responsible for paying back the difference.

Students have 15 years from the day of their discharge or separation from the service to use the Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits.

Before the Post 9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill was offered, which paid only a portion of a student’s tuition and fees, and offered no book stipend or housing allotment.

Jon Smith, Indiana National Guard infantryman and business freshman, said he is utilizing the Post 9/11 GI bill.

“I can say I went to college without debt,” Smith said.

By LEAH TATE
Staff Writer
lmtate@ius.edu

Courtesy photo

Their exhibit commemorated Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, from Nov. 2 to Nov. 4.

An altar was created by a group of IUS graphic design students as a project. The altar was dedicated on Nov. 2 in remembrance of military service members’ lives lost in Iraq and Afghanistan. The dedication ceremony for the altar on Monday, Nov. 2, offered students food and music.

Francisco Martin, graphic design junior, helped create the altar.

He said Day of the Dead, which is a celebration of life, began 3,000 years ago.

It is a festivity that began in pre-Hispanic celebrations for the deceased, as well as the modern-day celebrations of All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

“It marks the ancient belief that the souls of the deceased relatives would join their loved ones in the terrestrial world one more time,” Martin said.

Items placed on the traditional altar represent specific elements in the Day of the Dead celebration.

Salt and water are placed on the traditional altar to represent ongoing life and purification of the soul.

A mirror placed on the four-step altar are said to help the dead recognize themselves when seeing their photographs on the altar.

“Candles help light the way for the dead to find their altars,” Martin said.

The yellow petals of marigolds are used to make a path for the spirits to find their way to the altar.

Traditional Hispanic sugar skulls are placed to honor the dead.

IUS graphic design students chose from traditional color schemes on the altar by using purple, which represents grief, and red symbolizing the blood of life.

Camouflage was draped over the altar made by the students and pictures of service members who had died in Iraq and Afghanistan were placed on top.

Pan de Muerto, or bread of the dead, was placed on the altar which is thought to nourish the soul. The strips of bread represent bones.

“We hoped that students would gain an experience of another cultural celebration,” Martin said.

The choice to dedicate the altar to service members coincided with the Nov. 14 Veterans Program concert, which will be held in the Stem Concert Hall of the Ogle Center.

Future plans for the School of Arts and Letters includes the annual Art Sale on Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

By JESSICA MEYER
Staff Writer
jessmeye@ius.edu

James Bonsall, Student Government Association president, held the State of the Student Body address in The Commons on Nov. 5.

The SGA president is required to give an address twice a year. During the address, Bonsall spoke about current campus issues including the smoking ban, the new recycling program on campus and the Food Court renovation project beginning in the summer of 2010.

Bonsall said the SGA has been trying to accommodate smokers on campus.

“If smokers had a place where they could smoke at least 30 feet away from buildings and walking paths, then nonsmokers would never have to walk through smokers’ smoke,” Bonsall said.

The SGA has been working with the All University Student Association, which is comprised of the student body presidents from every IU campus. Bonsall said they have been working to petition IU President Michael McRobbie to allow campuses to set their own smoking policies.

In his speech, Bonsall also spoke about the new recycling program on campus.

“Our campus has one of the best recycling programs of any university in the state of Indiana,” Bonsall said.

The recycling program, Single Stream Recycling, puts all recyclables in one container and is sent to QRS Recycling, a New Albany recycling facility.

Bonsall commended Tom Moore, assistant director of Physical Plant, and Jon Smith, Recycling Coordinator, for their efforts and work in bringing the recycling program to campus.

Bonsall also discussed the improvements of Dining and Conference Services during the past year.

“With the new pizza program during lunch, it is possible to get pretty full for just a couple of bucks,” Bonsall said.

Bonsall highlighted the Food Court renovations that are to begin in summer 2010.

The renovations are in response to complaints and concerns of the area not being big enough to offer a diverse selection in food, or to have the capacity for larger crowds during the lunch rush.

“I have seen some initial designs, and I think everybody will be very pleased with what the campus is looking at doing,” Bonsall said.

Bonsall also discussed the plans for a new $23 million Purdue College of Technology and IU Southeast School of Education building on campus.

“Currently though, with the state budget situation not looking too optimistic, the actual construction will probably be delayed a year or two,” Bonsall said, “but design work is currently underway.”

Reactions about the address and the campus issues such as the smoking ban and the Food Court renovations were mixed.

“Students won’t quit smoking if you just say ‘no smoking,’” Johann Pedolzky, SGA senator, said. “Rather, education about the effects of smoking would be useful.”

Pedolzky said the smoking ban policy is too vague in defining what products should be banned from being smoked on campus.

Many students saw the designated smoking area as a balance between the ban and those requesting a compromise.

“I agree with the smoking policy, but it’s only fair to have an area for smokers,” Megan Whyte, biology sophomore, said. “I think a designated area is
reasonable.”

Whyte, who works for the Dining and Conference Services on campus, said she was excited about the impending renovations for the Food Court.

“There is always a huge line for food,” Whyte said. “Working in the back is not a problem, but the outside area is too small.”

Jacob Brackett, general studies sophomore, said the Food Court seemed to be a sufficient area as is.

“I come twice a week and it’s great,” Brackett said. “There is never a line when I eat here.”

Pedolzky said an improvement was necessary, but the plans in store for the Food Court renovation did not seem customized for IU Southeast’s needs.

“I don’t know if you can model from Bloomington and apply it to IUS, which is what I think is going on,” Pedolzky said.

Bonsall encouraged students to come to the SGA meetings, as well as visit the SGA Web site at ius.dailyjolt.com to receive information and leave comments about campus issues.

By JESSICA MEYER
Staff Writer
jessmeye@ius.edu

Oct. 31 at 2:04 a.m.

IUS Police received a noise complaint with a possible alcohol violation from a resident of Meadow Lodge. Officers were unable to locate the subjects in question

Nov. 1 at 2:28 a.m.

An IUS Police officer assisted a driver by showing him how to get to Grove Lodge from the IUS Tennis Courts.

Nov. 1 at 3 p.m.

IUS Police received a report of a patron falling in the Stem Concert Hall while attending an event in the Ogle Center.

Nov. 1 at 5 p.m.

IUS Police assisted a student who ran out of gas at the Indiana Drive entrance to campus. IUS Police drove her to a service station to purchase gas for her vehicle.

Nov. 3 at 10:04 a.m.

IUS Police investigated a weapons law violation when they received a report of suspicious activity in Grove Lodge involving a BB-gun the previous night.

Nov. 3 at 1:10 p.m.

A smoke alarm was set off in Forest Lodge when a resident burned a hamburger.

Nov. 3 at 6:24 p.m.

Daisy Medical Supply dropped off a motor scooter for a student at the IUS Police Department. The student came to the office and picked the scooter up.

Nov. 4 at 6:20 a.m.

IUS Police received a report of a sewage leak outside University Center. Officers were unable to locate where the smell was coming from.

Nov. 4 at 8:55 a.m.

A smoke alarm was set off in Meadow Lodge when a resident burned bacon.

Nov. 4 at 9:47 a.m.

IUS Police responded to a report of a student who slipped on steps in the Ogle Center.

Nov. 4 at 5:07 p.m.

A smoke alarm was set off in Meadow Lodge when a resident burned a hamburger.

Nov. 5 at 12:53 a.m.

IUS Police received a complaint of residents in Grove Lodge being loud. Officers advised the subjects to quiet down.

Nov. 5 at 8:06 a.m.

IUS Police received a complaint of a vehicle parked in a faculty parking space that belonged to a non-faculty member.

Nov. 5 at 11:34 p.m.

IUS Police received a complaint of residents in Orchard Lodge being loud. Officers advised the people to keep the noise down.

By SCOTT GILLESPIE
Editor
tsgilles@ius.edu

The Student Government Association approved $300 for a new SGA office printer at their meeting on Nov. 6.

James Bonsall, SGA president, said the new printer will pay for itself.

“The printer we have in our office right now is three years old and completely on the fritz,” Bonsall said. “Cartridges for that thing run about $40 to $50 and we’re always having to replace them. We’re buying a printer that’s more efficient with ink.”

The SGA also introduced several new constitutional amendments designed to improve the document’s readability.

Bonsall said the changes will allow the constitution to flow more smoothly, and it will correct a few grammatical errors.

“The amendments basically change the order of how it’s read so it makes more sense when you read it,” Bonsall said.

The amendments also add the position of secretary to the constitution.

“When the constitution was originally written it made no mention of a secretary,” Bonsall said. “The amendment is just trying to make everything consistent. Personally I think it is unnecessary because the constitution is already too long. I think we should just make it an addition to the bylaws.”

Candice Bordeaux, SGA press secretary, said the body will vote on the amendments at next week’s meeting.

“Today, it was necessary to read the amendments aloud, but next week they will be an actual line item,” Bordeaux said.

If the SGA votes to pass the amendments, the student body must approve the changes at the SGA election in the spring.

As the end of the semester nears, Bonsall said the SGA has several issues they are working on.

“We’re continuing to press for a designated tobacco area on campus,” Bonsall said. “We’re working with the student governments from other IU campuses to pressure the administration to provide greater rights for smokers.”

Bonsall said the SGA is also pushing for the Registrar’s Office to add a waitlist option to OneStart for students registering for upcoming classes.

“IUS is the only IU campus not to have a waitlist option,” Bonsall said. “When I met with the registrar over the summer, she said a waitlist would change the culture on campus by making professors less flexible in admitting students to their classes. Of course, [SGA Vice President Amanda Denbo] and I disagree.”

In other business, the SGA approved to reimburse the Spanish Club $50 for refreshments to be provided at their meeting on Nov. 13.

Also, Spencer Castille, accounting and finance junior, became a regular senator after two weeks on probationary status.

By ZAK OWENS
Staff Writer
zowens@ius.edu

The IUS volleyball team blocked any chance of a win for Kentucky Wesleyan College on Tuesday, Oct. 27, winning their match 3-0 in the Activities Building.

The Grenadiers defeated the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers, 25-15, 25-20 and 25-15.

“We came ready to play,” Lesley Drury-Prather, head coach of the Grenadiers, said. “We came with intensity.”

IU Southeast stayed strong on defense with Lauren McCartin, sophomore libero, getting 10 digs, and Vanessa Stauble, senior middle blocker, leading the team with three total blocks.

Stauble and Kara Draper, senior outside hitter, both had a match-high two service aces.

Stacey Flatt, senior setter, led the team with 34 of the team’s 40 assists.

“We kept intensity the whole game,” Flatt said. “While we dropped a little in the second set, we came back.”

The Panthers struggled to get any hits, finishing with a weak hitting percentage of .153.

Emily Harpenau, junior outside hitter for the Panthers, said her team lacked consistency throughout the game.

Harpenau had the only service ace for the Panthers. She also led Kentucky Wesleyan with seven digs on
defense.

Rebecca Grayson, junior setter, led the Panthers with five of the team’s 20 kills.

Dale White, head coach for the Panthers, said the volleyball team had been struggling with communication all season.

“IUS is the kind of team where if you make mistakes they can take advantage of you,” White said.

This was the second to last home game for the Grenadiers.

The win puts them at 20-9 overall. and 6-0 in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

The last home game for the Grenadiers volleyball team was Oct. 29 — senior night — against Oakland City.

The Grenadiers defeated the Mighty Oaks 3-1.

IU Southeast will begin play in the upcoming KIAC Conference Tournament on Nov. 13.

If the Grenadiers win the KIAC Tournament they will move on to the NAIA National Tournament.

The tournament begins on Nov. 21.

By LEAH TATE
Staff Writer
lmtate@ius.edu

Tia Wineinger, accounting junior, has a lot on her plate this year.

Not only is she a full-time student, but she is also on the women’s basketball team and has a part-time job.

Wineinger, who is a forward on the women’s basketball team, said even with her busy schedule, she is managing to balance it all out.

“I study whenever I can,” Wineinger said. “Most of the time my life is just school, basketball and work. You have to maintain good grades to play, so that is a top priority.”

According to IUS policy, junior athletes must not only be enrolled full-time to play sports, but must also be passing all of their classes.

Wineinger said the hardest thing about being a student-athlete is keeping up the grades.

“We study on the bus on the way to and from away games,” Wineinger said. “I study as soon as I get home from classes. It’s hard with how busy we are, but we manage to get it done.”

Last year, she played as power forward, and this year she said she is in between what her coach calls a three and four position. This means she will play both small forward and power forward.

Wineinger said for the most part the team gets along and has fun together. She said one of her favorite things about being on the team is the perks.

“When we have away games, a lot of the time we get to stay in hotels, which is nice,” Wineinger said. “We also get a lot of free stuff, like food and clothing [the IUS sweats and hoodies are provided to athletes].”

Although the away games are fun, she said she prefers the home games.

“One, your friends and family can come watch the game,” Wineinger said. “Also, at a home game you can go straight home afterward and study if you need to.”

She also said she tends to get more nervous during home games, depending on who the team is playing and how many people are in attendance.

Wineinger, who is here partially because of a basketball scholarship, said during her senior year at Dubois High School, she wasn’t even sure if the scholarship would be available.

“I tore my ACL that year, so I didn’t know if IUS would still want me, but luckily I recovered and I am able to play,” Wineinger said.

Since her hometown is about an hour away, Wineinger said she lives off campus with three other girls, all of whom were or are current athletes.

When she’s not on the court, Wineinger can be found in class or at her job at Meijer, where she works anywhere from eight to 24 hours per week.

Wineinger said after graduation she wants to move back to her hometown of Dubois, Ind. There, she hopes to get a job in a payroll department, or get her Certified Public Accountant qualifications.

By LINDSAY VEITZ
Staff Writer
lkveitz@ius.edu

Darienne Arcuri

The negative exceptions discussed below stand in stark contrast.

STUDENTS

I’m sick and tired of students who don’t have the courage to graduate from college.

I’m not talking about students with full-blown adult responsibilities who have to fit school in between everything else in their lives.

I’m talking about students who still live with their parents or who only have themselves to support, yet postpone graduation for years or even decades.

You’ll recognize these students by the detailed and personal knowledge they have of IUS history, not to mention previous students, faculty and administrators.

They display this knowledge as if it’s a badge of honor, which it is not.

To these students I say this: Grow up. Stop hiding out in college. Graduate — get real jobs and get on with your lives.

I’m also bothered by the students who try to be the instructor.

When I ask a question in class, these students answer it. Sometimes several of these students answer at once, to the point that I cannot hear what the actual instructor is saying.

To these students I’ll say this: You are not the instructor and I do not care how well you grasp the information. I want the answer from the person who has a college degree in the subject. When that’s you, go for it. In the meantime, pipe down.

As a side note, I think the instructors share some responsibility in this.

If you are teaching a class and a student asks you a question, why do you allow other students to answer it? Take control of the class and teach your chosen subject.

This brings me to my next category.

FACULTY

In addition to the comment above, I have several concerns with a few instructors at IU Southeast.

Who told you that the first class of every semester is your opportunity to tell students all about your educational and professional background? Who told you that students want to hear this? Whoever it was pranked you.

Include that information in a bio section of the syllabus, if you must, but do not take our class time to share your life story.

Somewhat related to this is the index card that some instructors ask students to fill out as a “getting-to-know-you” activity. In my first few semesters, I thought this was a good idea and wrote a lot of information about myself.

However, I soon came to realize the instructors never looked at the cards. This must be the case since none of the information was ever referred to or used to gain a better relationship with students as individuals.

I shudder to think how much of my information is tucked away on index cards in faculty offices on campus. I hope they’ve made good bookmarks.

I’d also like to request you do not use our class time as your personal forum.

Students do not want to hear about your spouse, your children or which faculty or administrative personnel you are currently having difficulty with. We also do not want to know about your personal religious or political beliefs — even if you’re teaching a religion or politics course. Any student who appears to show interest in these matters is sucking up for a better grade.

Lastly, can someone please tell me why some instructors try to impose penalties for so-called unexcused absences?

If I am sick or if something comes up, I may not be in class. That’s not an excuse, that’s a reason.

As an adult, I can make that decision for myself and do not need to have a doctor’s note or get approval from the instructor.

If I miss a class it’s my problem. If my absence affects my understanding of the subject matter it will be apparent in my test scores.

To these instructors I say this: Grade my performance according to how I perform. Period.

ADMINISTRATORS AND FACULTY

As a staff writer and editor of The Horizon, I’ve learned a lot about journalism. The most powerful lessons are those I’ve learned while performing the tasks of a journalist — conducting interviews, writing and revising my stories, editing the stories of others and designing a newspaper page. My concern is that so many members of the IUS faculty and administration are reluctant or even refuse to be interviewed or provide information to The Horizon staff.

The Horizon is a student newspaper. It is our ongoing class project. It is our text book. It is the way journalism students learn how to be journalists.

If you refuse an interview, you are effectively closing the book for that student.

Yes, we sometimes make errors in judgment.

Yes, we sometimes make spelling and grammatical mistakes but, consider this: How many students are willing to have their class assignments published and distributed for all to see? Brave souls that we are, The Horizon students put it all out there and take it on the chin when the newspaper is ridiculed for its content or when we receive scathing letters to the editor.

We even publish those letters, albeit edited for space and to remove those often misused semicolons.

To faculty and administrators who deride The Horizon or refuse to be interviewed I say this: Shame on you.

Why are you working at a university if you are not interested in furthering the education of students? Either participate in the learning process or find another line of work.

To the motivated and enthusiastic students, faculty and administrators who mentor and encourage I say this: A huge and heartfelt thank you.

To the students, faculty and administrators noted in this column, I have nothing else to say to you.

By DARIENNE ARCURI
Editor
darcuri@ius.edu

Amy Faulhaber

Like everything else in life, nothing that is worth having comes without risk, and nothing demonstrates that tenet more than the fortitude it takes to lay the cards on the table to a potential love connection.

For those who haven’t given up on the chance at finding happiness with another person, the brutal reality is the cruel and savage nature of the dating scene, where all face the perpetual dilemma of how to effectively convey their interest or feelings to another person.

In many cultures, the bulk of this burden is placed upon the shoulders of men, who are expected to make the first move. To their credit, they generally do so valiantly.

Having only once been the first to express my interest to someone, and being turned down cold, I have a new respect for the gentlemen who soldier on after being denied, as I had never had the courage to do it before and will more than likely never do it again.

However, I also hold there is a right way and a wrong way to go about most things. Therefore, to you gentlemen in the pursuit of happiness in a relationship, I hope to do you a favor in the name, and hopefully with the approval of, womankind.

Gentlemen, when you see a member of our tribe who catches your fancy, please, for your sake and hers, do not use a pickup line. Women can smell your fear, and when you use a pickup line, it’s an instant repellant.

Since women are generally attracted to men who at least give the appearance of being genuine, nothing screams “canned faker” louder than a cheesy line.

Therefore, as a tribute to you gentlemen who do it right, and as a warning to those who still have much to learn, I’ve compiled the best of the worst pickup lines that are to be avoided like the plague should you not want to die alone.

The following ten pickup lines ensure the instant kiss of death rather than a kiss goodnight from any woman with sanity and self-confidence.

10. The Sesame Street. “If I could rearrange the alphabet, I’d put ‘U’ and ‘I’ together.” Using this line, while proving you have the intelligence to know the proper order of the alphabet, shows that you don’t know much about anything else. Juvenile, at best, fellas.

9. First Contact. “Pardon me, miss, I seem to have lost my phone number, could I borrow yours?” This unoriginal gem is not only lame, but intrusive. I don’t know about you, but my mama taught me to not talk to strangers, and that includes giving someone I don’t know my phone number.

8. Lust at First Sight. “Do you believe in love at first sight or should I walk past again?” While confidence is attractive, being cocky isn’t. Are you more interested in me, or yourself?

7. Broken Wings. “Did it hurt? When you fell from heaven?” This one is actually scary. If you think that a young lady looks attractive just give her a genuine compliment. More than likely, your attentions will yield much more positive results than a line that sounds like something on the PAX network.

6. The Zodiac Killer. “What’s your sign?” If the asking gentleman actually had sufficient knowledge of the zodiac to know if our signs were compatible, he should’ve had the clairvoyance to see that we don’t fall for that one.

5. Run! “Your legs must be tired because you’ve been running through my mind all night.” Seeing that I don’t even know you, the thought of you perusing me in your head is creepy at best.

4. Do you see a red light? “Can I buy you a drink, or do you just want the money?” Implying that the lady you are trying to hit on is a hooker is generally not received well. Just a thought.

3. Geography Class. “Are you from Tennessee? Because you’re the only 10 I see.” Puns have always been lame and only have charm when your grandpa is trying to make you laugh when you’re five. It doesn’t work on the savvy modern women of today.

2. The Double Take. “You remind me of a girl I used to date.” Women have an insatiable desire to feel that when God created them, he broke the mold. If we don’t like seeing another girl with the same outfit, being compared to one of your past flings will hardly soften our hearts toward you.

1. I’ve given up. “Do you come here often?” Despite years of ridicule and persecution, somehow this feeble line has survived through the years and is still used by the world-weary hunter, whose quarry will perceive him as given up on attempting any spark or innovation to attract her.

So there you have it, gentlemen. Be yourself, be courteous, be confident and be classic. I wish happy hunting to you. While we may not show it, and may not be the easiest to catch, we’re looking for you, too.

By AMY FAULHABER
Editor
amfaulha@ius.edu

Eric McGuffin

Draft Day used to be a special day for everyone. That was until technology made it so easy to join so many fantasy football leagues.

Back in the days before high-speed Internet, a poor sap — at times me — had to run a fantasy football league on paper.

Basically what happened was everyone in the league would call a lineup in and then the person in charge of the league would total up everyone’s points, using either the newspaper or a dial-up Internet connection.

Though by the end of the season I was fed up with people calling me to pick up a backup for their backup quarterback, I had gained a sense of camaraderie with these guys.

As a matter of fact I gained some friends this way. Some guys who I had never talked to became good friends of mine simply because they had to call me with their lineup every week.

That was when fantasy football meant something. That was before everyone and their mother had a fantasy football team. That was when you could talk about fantasy football in public and people would ask you what you were talking about with immense interest, rather than telling you that their team included Adrian Peterson, Randy Moss and Peyton Manning.

The good thing about those days was it forced us to communicate with each other and we formed friendships because of it.

This is not the case today.

I still get together with some of the guys from the old days, as well as some newbies, and we draft our teams, but it’s not the same. After the draft, there is a limited amount of communication with the majority of people in my leagues.

Aside from the few good friends I have in of my leagues, the communication with the other members of my league is usually limited to the jackass who wants to make a trade but does not want to give up any of his best players.

Another problem with fantasy football today is the amount of leagues that are out there.

When high-speed Internet popped on the scene it caused an explosion of fantasy football leagues. Now, anyone with a keyboard can create one.

This causes problems for me, as I think I may be a fantasy football addict.

Back when everything was on paper, one league was the maximum I could handle. It was a lot of work to run a league. I had to keep up with everyone’s scores and rosters. Now the computer does the work, which allows one to have multiple teams with little effort. This season I have four fantasy football teams. This is entirely too many.

The multitude of fantasy football teams has left me to face a few problems. The first of which is having players playing for me and against me at the same time.

With four fantasy football teams, there was no way I could draft the same players for every team. Now, every week I have to root for someone to play well, but not too well because if he scores too many points it will cause me to lose in another one of my leagues. It gets to be too much.

Another problem is there is no way they can all be good. It is just not possible. There will always be at least one team that sucks if you have more than two.

By the end of the season, I am usually burned out on fantasy football. I used to find myself wishing for more, but now I can’t wait for it to end. I get tired of reading the stupid trade requests and listening to the idiot on the message board talk about the championship he is going to win — when he can’t even spell the word championship.-

I love fantasy football and will probably continue to play it until I die, but it needs to be toned down
a bit.

By ERIC MCGUFFIN
Editor
demcguff@ius.edu