Elite Status
Who has it and how do you obtain it?

As of late there has been much conversation on our “message board” regarding who is the best between the east and the west, and how can you tell if none of the so-called best teams have played against each other. Isn’t that what the U is all about, tying this over abundant Flag Football community together so we can finally determine who is truly best?

However, while reading and interpreting the scribes of those debate challenged individuals, it occurred to me the focus of conversation was centered towards teams who travel out of their geographic confines to seek greater competition. These individuals were defining the term “Elite” team status, which means, teams who’ve been in existence 10 years or more and have National Championship(s) to show for it, who are unafraid to travel thousands of miles away to compete with any Regions best while knowing it has left some of its own best talent at home.

While in those Regions, they have the drawing power to seduce not only the name brand teams the region has to offer but also the virgin teams within that respective state. And upon exit of that Region, a lasting impression will be forever engrained on the minds of those who dared to compete, “Damn they were good, how can we get to that level?”

To reiterate, an “Elite” team is 1) together for 10 years or more, 2) has at least one National Championship, 3) has traveled outside its own state AND won, and 4) has drawing power to increase registration in tournaments outside of their own Region. The key to all of this is TRAVEL!!! If you’ve never competed outside your state (Nationals not included) for a big time tournament, you cannot be considered an “Elite” team.

If you’re in say Detroit and you travel to Toledo, well that doesn't’t qualify as travel. You simply went down the street to play against teams from your own neighborhood. When we say travel, we mean the only way of getting there is by plane or a 10-12 hour car drive. If you’re within a 2-3 hour distance of a tournament, are you really traveling? I think not. There is something about traveling from the West to the East or vice versa that challenges a team’s true demeanor and core strength.

When you travel that far, you are bound to leave behind several key ingredients to your success. Then to go in spite of this factor shows what type of team you really are. Courageous!!! Great!!! Confident!!!! Structured!!!!! Committed!!!

Those teams who are not afraid to travel usually are pretty successful at the Nationals, their experience and poise usually rises to the top during adverse situations. They’ve been through the fire and each individual player on its team has experienced the worst type of situation because it TRAVELED to other parts of the country undermanned. They’ve withstood hostile environments, played the Regions top 5 or 6 teams and were victorious or at least very successful.

They spent 8-10 thousand dollars on a trip and realize what the true priority is, so when they get to Nationals the bright lights is something they’re accustomed to. Nothing that Travel brings to the face of the “Elite” phases them, they regroup and attack within moment’s notice of being attacked. They welcome the unexpected and will walk down any dark alley together because they know they have each other’s back. Elite is what it’s called.

So when teams like the Swarm, Sleepers, Gamblers and LA Hitmen travel to your part of the country, don’t expect them to bow down. Expect them to withstand your hometown fury for the first half of a game, adjust and then come out and kick your ass. Can you say you’ve traveled thousands of miles and spent thousands of dollars for a tournament?

All of these Directors proclaiming to be “under” the U must realize this isn't’t a venue to attract more teams to your local tournaments. The U is to offer the best brand of Flag Football to all teams across the country without any hidden objectives for individual persons. Why would Swarm fly to New England to play some unknown teams for an in-state tournament? You’re correct they wouldn’t, simply because they’re not familiar with teams from that area.

Ten to twelve thousand dollars being spent for teams who might not compete is a lot of money to waste on some misguided Directors word. That is not the Union’s true intent. Teams from different Regions have to travel cross sectional in order to garner attention from teams afar.

Then when their reputation begins to embark “Elite” status it can attract other “Elite” status teams to participate in its tournament. But if you never TRAVEL, you and your Director will only spin its wheels in the mud trying to figure out how to get teams to your state.

That misguided thinking will cost you your chance at “Elite” status.

“ELITE” – Selected few, best, leaders, cream of the crop, influential………

Can U attain this status?????

Can U maintain this status??????

Can U re-define this status???????