Title: Interview with the Commissioner
Description: Season 1.
Description: Season 1.
Czack32 - October 26, 2004 03:11 PM (GMT)
Interview with the Commissioner
Advertisement paid for by the author of the #1 Bestseller
“Time Management” by Joe Gibbs
The Scribe here at League Headquarters for an in-depth sit down interview with the League Commissioner, Doc Zulu. He answered all the questions in a very professional way. I’m sure the fellow Nickel Backs will appreciate his candor.
Question: How did you come up with the idea of 40 Nickel Madden Football League?
Doc Zulu: The 40 Nickel sprang from my experiences with Madden 99-Madden 04. At the crib, when I was single, we used to have this thing called the Wednesday Night Club. Initially we ran (dual) Franchise mode against the computer to vie for the Superbowl. Over the years, as the game engine became more sophisticated, we ran more head to head games until Madden '03 when we could play online.
What does playing Madden online mean to you?
Playing online for me has been a blast. My first experience with it was with Maddenmania. I helped Co-commish a league at Maddenmania.com called the WFL, otherwise known as the Maddenmania World Football League. Initially TrueChiefsFan was supposed to run it as he created it…but he kept stalling and stalling even into late October. Finally he realized that he didn’t have what it takes to run an online league and abandoned the idea… (But everyone should know that the idea of online leagues was new. He didn’t know how to run the league and didn’t realize that it would be so difficult. Remember, this is back in 2002.)
I was going to start my own league back then but TimsGiants pulled me aside. He said that since us both wanted to do our own thing why don’t we pull our resources together. So the first season of the WFL began around November or so and it was hellified fun. I lost 9 games that season and quickly realized that I needed to stop playing my Franchise mode if I was going to get better.
In terms of my role as Co-Commish, I garnered a lot of experience and had a great time working with TimsGiants. He is a very approachable guy who loves head to head competition and online fellowship.
Last year, when Madden 2004 came out, I became co-Founder and co-Commish of the RFC U Playmakers league. Originally, I planned to start up a league but was pulled aside by a guy named R8rman. He said we ought to combine our forces and bring order to the galaxy as father and son!!!!…or something like that ;) So I came up with the concept of the league, did the schedule and wrote up weekly articles as he did the recruiting and forum/website construction.
Since Madden 2003 I have helped other leagues rise (and fall ;)) and learned a great deal from them. One thing I learned was that you can't call the shots if it isn't yours. No matter how diplomatic and easy going the League owner is, it is his league. He has a specific vision for his league and you can't contradict it.
So that's when the idea began to germinate in my head. I wanted something of my own. I wanted to put my definitive stamp on online play…but I realized that I didn't want an ordinary league. I wanted a league that was original, not like "every other league" on the net. It had to draw people based on the league identity and the creed that we follow.
Question: Were you the original commissioner, and who helped launch the league with you?
Doc Zulu: Yup. This is our first season of play. Being League administrator and owner is a tough job. Initially a SORFA baller by the name of Painmaker helped me out. I am now ably assisted by my Co-Commish RFCU Chillin' and Head STAFF WRITER Terek. We recently added to the "administration" with Season 2 Draft Commish Facemask and STAFF WRITER CZACK32. Btw, thanks for helping out CZACK32 ;)
What would you say your league is all about? And what separates 40 Nickel Madden Football League with the all the others out there in online gameplay?
Doc Zulu: The name 40 Nickel comes from an obscure defense that is employed by high school coaches.
The idea of the league just goes back to my fondest days as a football fan. As a Raiders fan I hated my division rivals. And in order to get to the playoffs you had to go through 8 games with your division rivals. I thought that the concept of division rivalry (and old school football) would be unique and attractive to potential league coaches. I also realized that with the rise of online Madden clubs (the RFC U and SORFA) along with Madden forums (Madden Nation.com & Maddenmania.com) there is a great pool of straight ballers out there.
What kind of Nickel Back Owners do you seek out?
Every Owner of a League is supposed to say that they seek the most "accomplished" and "skilled" players...but that ain't me ;)
My first criterion is reliability.
My second is attitude and sense of fair play.
Ability is third.
My rationale is simple: if you have a league of unreliable players you are ruined. I've seen it first hand. And if you have a league of self-centered players and poor-sports no one will want to remain in your league after the first season. As far as I'm concerned competition will force people to develop their coaching & stick skills. There were a lot more guys who wanted to enter the 40 Nickel this summer but I chose not to accept their application…I’d heard to many negative or questionable things about them. So what we have here in the 40 Nickel is a crop of guys who were selectively recruited and secured.
It goes without saying that I recruit and retain gamers who play straight, “sim-style” football. And just as importantly I seek out guys who live by the Warrior’s code: “Honor before victory” and “death before dishonor.” Back in the day when I played offline my friends and I came up with “straight” rules of Madden gameplay because we quickly realized you could exploit the game engine. But more importantly, we wanted to beat the living crap out of our opponent’s with a spirit of good sportsmanship and fairplay. The two go hand in hand. So I take that aspect of our league very seriously.
How many years have u been doing this?
This is our first season...and counting :) But I’ve been involved in online league play since Madden 2003. And I’ve been playing Madden and organizing games since
Madden ‘99.
What are the positives and negatives of being the Commissioner?
Whew! Man, as Commish I hardly get to play anymore. Every little thing gets in the way of playing pick up games.
League Updates take up a lot of time. Keeping up with every league member's needs is tough. Filling coaching spots/teams is tough. Communicating clearly and effectively with league coaches and staff members is tough...realizing that you aren't perfect and that you will make mistakes...that hurts ;) And dealing with website and forum management is taxing. Did I even mention that by week 6 you have to start planning for the following season of Madden? If it weren’t for the staff I would have a hard time keeping this boat afloat. ;)
With that said, it is all worth it if you can create a gaming community that respects one another and looks forward to facing their competition. I believe we are doing a good job so far.
I know you been working hard on Season 2 Draft coming up. What's in store for the upcoming season?
Me and Facemask, the Draft Commish, are working on it as we speak. But just so you know, the Draft won’t be held after our 40 Nickel Superbowl…it’ll be earlier. Other than that all I can say is stay tuned :)
Where do you see the league in the near future?
I see us with a stable core with a rotating group of 5-10 coaches. In leagues that are able to survive for multiple seasons (Like Wayngo’s league and the WFL) they have a core group that returns every season. So I see us having a similar situation by season 3.
For season 2 I believe we’ll be tested. Often guys move on to other video games once the NFL Draft kicks off. So look for our Season 2 of league play to be an abbreviated season. Personally, I know that I’ll still have the desire as I live, spit and eat Madden.
The name "Doc Zulu" is rather unique, where does it come from?
Well, when I joined Maddenmania.com around 2000 or so I started out as Zuludude. Perhaps it is my California upbringing, but “dude” connotes my style. I’m pretty cool and laid back. But I got that simmering intensity that most Californian’s have ;) “Zulu” speaks to my ethnicity and race. I’m an African American who fully embraces his heritage.
DocZulu came about when I joined the RFC U. I came up with the name due to the fact that I was in graduate school working on my PhD. (My degree is in American Studies with a concentration in African American literature and culture.) So the “Doc” reflects my professional degree and “Zulu” speaks to my culture, my race and my heritage. I represent to the fullest ;)
Thanks for interviewing me, C. This has been fun. Keep up the good work.
Well Nickel Backs the commish has spoken we like to thank him for taking the time to address important issues in the Forty Nickel Madden League.
Peace Out,
Tha Scribe
Advertisement paid for by the author of the #1 Bestseller
“Time Management” by Joe Gibbs
The Scribe here at League Headquarters for an in-depth sit down interview with the League Commissioner, Doc Zulu. He answered all the questions in a very professional way. I’m sure the fellow Nickel Backs will appreciate his candor.
Question: How did you come up with the idea of 40 Nickel Madden Football League?
Doc Zulu: The 40 Nickel sprang from my experiences with Madden 99-Madden 04. At the crib, when I was single, we used to have this thing called the Wednesday Night Club. Initially we ran (dual) Franchise mode against the computer to vie for the Superbowl. Over the years, as the game engine became more sophisticated, we ran more head to head games until Madden '03 when we could play online.
What does playing Madden online mean to you?
Playing online for me has been a blast. My first experience with it was with Maddenmania. I helped Co-commish a league at Maddenmania.com called the WFL, otherwise known as the Maddenmania World Football League. Initially TrueChiefsFan was supposed to run it as he created it…but he kept stalling and stalling even into late October. Finally he realized that he didn’t have what it takes to run an online league and abandoned the idea… (But everyone should know that the idea of online leagues was new. He didn’t know how to run the league and didn’t realize that it would be so difficult. Remember, this is back in 2002.)
I was going to start my own league back then but TimsGiants pulled me aside. He said that since us both wanted to do our own thing why don’t we pull our resources together. So the first season of the WFL began around November or so and it was hellified fun. I lost 9 games that season and quickly realized that I needed to stop playing my Franchise mode if I was going to get better.
In terms of my role as Co-Commish, I garnered a lot of experience and had a great time working with TimsGiants. He is a very approachable guy who loves head to head competition and online fellowship.
Last year, when Madden 2004 came out, I became co-Founder and co-Commish of the RFC U Playmakers league. Originally, I planned to start up a league but was pulled aside by a guy named R8rman. He said we ought to combine our forces and bring order to the galaxy as father and son!!!!…or something like that ;) So I came up with the concept of the league, did the schedule and wrote up weekly articles as he did the recruiting and forum/website construction.
Since Madden 2003 I have helped other leagues rise (and fall ;)) and learned a great deal from them. One thing I learned was that you can't call the shots if it isn't yours. No matter how diplomatic and easy going the League owner is, it is his league. He has a specific vision for his league and you can't contradict it.
So that's when the idea began to germinate in my head. I wanted something of my own. I wanted to put my definitive stamp on online play…but I realized that I didn't want an ordinary league. I wanted a league that was original, not like "every other league" on the net. It had to draw people based on the league identity and the creed that we follow.
Question: Were you the original commissioner, and who helped launch the league with you?
Doc Zulu: Yup. This is our first season of play. Being League administrator and owner is a tough job. Initially a SORFA baller by the name of Painmaker helped me out. I am now ably assisted by my Co-Commish RFCU Chillin' and Head STAFF WRITER Terek. We recently added to the "administration" with Season 2 Draft Commish Facemask and STAFF WRITER CZACK32. Btw, thanks for helping out CZACK32 ;)
What would you say your league is all about? And what separates 40 Nickel Madden Football League with the all the others out there in online gameplay?
Doc Zulu: The name 40 Nickel comes from an obscure defense that is employed by high school coaches.
The idea of the league just goes back to my fondest days as a football fan. As a Raiders fan I hated my division rivals. And in order to get to the playoffs you had to go through 8 games with your division rivals. I thought that the concept of division rivalry (and old school football) would be unique and attractive to potential league coaches. I also realized that with the rise of online Madden clubs (the RFC U and SORFA) along with Madden forums (Madden Nation.com & Maddenmania.com) there is a great pool of straight ballers out there.
What kind of Nickel Back Owners do you seek out?
Every Owner of a League is supposed to say that they seek the most "accomplished" and "skilled" players...but that ain't me ;)
My first criterion is reliability.
My second is attitude and sense of fair play.
Ability is third.
My rationale is simple: if you have a league of unreliable players you are ruined. I've seen it first hand. And if you have a league of self-centered players and poor-sports no one will want to remain in your league after the first season. As far as I'm concerned competition will force people to develop their coaching & stick skills. There were a lot more guys who wanted to enter the 40 Nickel this summer but I chose not to accept their application…I’d heard to many negative or questionable things about them. So what we have here in the 40 Nickel is a crop of guys who were selectively recruited and secured.
It goes without saying that I recruit and retain gamers who play straight, “sim-style” football. And just as importantly I seek out guys who live by the Warrior’s code: “Honor before victory” and “death before dishonor.” Back in the day when I played offline my friends and I came up with “straight” rules of Madden gameplay because we quickly realized you could exploit the game engine. But more importantly, we wanted to beat the living crap out of our opponent’s with a spirit of good sportsmanship and fairplay. The two go hand in hand. So I take that aspect of our league very seriously.
How many years have u been doing this?
This is our first season...and counting :) But I’ve been involved in online league play since Madden 2003. And I’ve been playing Madden and organizing games since
Madden ‘99.
What are the positives and negatives of being the Commissioner?
Whew! Man, as Commish I hardly get to play anymore. Every little thing gets in the way of playing pick up games.
League Updates take up a lot of time. Keeping up with every league member's needs is tough. Filling coaching spots/teams is tough. Communicating clearly and effectively with league coaches and staff members is tough...realizing that you aren't perfect and that you will make mistakes...that hurts ;) And dealing with website and forum management is taxing. Did I even mention that by week 6 you have to start planning for the following season of Madden? If it weren’t for the staff I would have a hard time keeping this boat afloat. ;)
With that said, it is all worth it if you can create a gaming community that respects one another and looks forward to facing their competition. I believe we are doing a good job so far.
I know you been working hard on Season 2 Draft coming up. What's in store for the upcoming season?
Me and Facemask, the Draft Commish, are working on it as we speak. But just so you know, the Draft won’t be held after our 40 Nickel Superbowl…it’ll be earlier. Other than that all I can say is stay tuned :)
Where do you see the league in the near future?
I see us with a stable core with a rotating group of 5-10 coaches. In leagues that are able to survive for multiple seasons (Like Wayngo’s league and the WFL) they have a core group that returns every season. So I see us having a similar situation by season 3.
For season 2 I believe we’ll be tested. Often guys move on to other video games once the NFL Draft kicks off. So look for our Season 2 of league play to be an abbreviated season. Personally, I know that I’ll still have the desire as I live, spit and eat Madden.
The name "Doc Zulu" is rather unique, where does it come from?
Well, when I joined Maddenmania.com around 2000 or so I started out as Zuludude. Perhaps it is my California upbringing, but “dude” connotes my style. I’m pretty cool and laid back. But I got that simmering intensity that most Californian’s have ;) “Zulu” speaks to my ethnicity and race. I’m an African American who fully embraces his heritage.
DocZulu came about when I joined the RFC U. I came up with the name due to the fact that I was in graduate school working on my PhD. (My degree is in American Studies with a concentration in African American literature and culture.) So the “Doc” reflects my professional degree and “Zulu” speaks to my culture, my race and my heritage. I represent to the fullest ;)
Thanks for interviewing me, C. This has been fun. Keep up the good work.
Well Nickel Backs the commish has spoken we like to thank him for taking the time to address important issues in the Forty Nickel Madden League.
Peace Out,
Tha Scribe
His Game - October 27, 2004 02:45 AM (GMT)
The COLT is LOOSE!!
That was a deep and personal interview by the Scribe-Czack32.
Good Job. I cannot ask for a better League, Commish, Co-Commish, Staff
Writers, and Ballers( the Soldiers ;) ). Keep up the good work!
p.s.- Terek I'm lurking...................... ;)
That was a deep and personal interview by the Scribe-Czack32.
Good Job. I cannot ask for a better League, Commish, Co-Commish, Staff
Writers, and Ballers( the Soldiers ;) ). Keep up the good work!
p.s.- Terek I'm lurking...................... ;)
Unseen d. - October 27, 2004 02:45 PM (GMT)
tight interview, that 5-10 core group count me in on that too.
DocZulu - October 27, 2004 03:01 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (uglyboots3 @ Oct 27 2004, 10:45 AM) |
| tight interview, that 5-10 core group count me in on that too. |
Nah,
I said that 5-10 of our members would be "rotating." You want to be in the other group, the one that sticks around ;)
Unseen d. - October 29, 2004 01:15 AM (GMT)
yep you are right put me with the group that sticks around
Mr Rush20 - November 1, 2004 03:22 AM (GMT)
Wow!!
I can say I've actually played against a real Dr. COOL!!!
It's awesome how this game and online play brings people together from all different walks of life, different ages, from all over the globe.
Doc you are a role model and you make your community proud.
I know you're too humble to think of yourself in those terms but take it from me that's exactly what you are.
Great interview.
I can say I've actually played against a real Dr. COOL!!!
It's awesome how this game and online play brings people together from all different walks of life, different ages, from all over the globe.
Doc you are a role model and you make your community proud.
I know you're too humble to think of yourself in those terms but take it from me that's exactly what you are.
Great interview.
facemask - November 15, 2004 09:57 PM (GMT)
good stuff...from both interviewer and interviewIE!
good job guys! :ph43r:
good job guys! :ph43r: