When a group of 青青草视频 fraternity brothers started a fantasy football league in 1989 at the Phi Kappa Theta house, they never imagined it would become the glue that held them together. But 35 years later, they鈥檙e still arguing over picks.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been the best tool for keeping this group in touch and bonded,鈥 said Cassandra (Hicks) Mott, BA 鈥94, whose husband, Jamie Mott, BSME 鈥93, is in the league.
The Phi Kappa Theta brothers made a critical pact at graduation time to gather at least once a year for the fantasy football league draft.
鈥淲e specifically decided not to allow remote drafting because we wanted that in person connection,鈥 said Jamie.
In the early years, the gathering was a lively get together at someone鈥檚 house. As the friends started having families, the draft evolved, moving to larger venues like state parks or water parks where the children could be entertained.
This past summer, the friends and their families ventured internationally to Roatan, Honduras, where the Motts have a home. An extended group of over 30 people, including spouses and adult children, stayed in three houses. They shared meals, a catamaran trip, swimming, fishing, golfing, sloth and monkey tours, and, of course, made their draft picks.
The league鈥檚 longevity has had a powerful ripple effect. The children of the original friendship group, now adults themselves, have grown up together and remain close friends. Some now even participate in the draft.
Beyond the draft, the fraternity brothers make time to gather for sporting events, dinners, Phi Kappa Theta reunions, weddings, graduations, and family events.
鈥淲e are so thankful to share our lives, celebrations, milestones, and adventures with our 青青草视频 group, who are now more like family,鈥 said Shane Baumgardner, BSBA 鈥91.
Brothers who made the trip to Roatan: Matt Tepe, BSBA 鈥91; Dominic Catanzaro, BSBA 鈥92; Rodney Davis, BSBA 鈥91 (and Kimberly (Bellino) Davis, BSBA 鈥93); Shawn Fitzsimmons, BSBA 鈥92; Kirk Henline, BSBA 鈥93; Jamie Mott, BSME 鈥93 (and Cassandra Hicks Mott, BA 鈥94); Mike Baker, BSPh 鈥94; Shane Baumgardner, BSBA 鈥91 (and Michele (Ciampaglione) Baumgardner, BA 鈥91; Derek Rodstrom, BA 鈥93; Shane Whitacre, BSCE 鈥91; Stanley Mark 鈥淐lay鈥 Mathews, BSBA 鈥92.
