We strictly use the free agent list through IMLeagues. Unfortunately many times we have to step in to help place them on teams. Traditionally we will send an email out the day before registration ends, asking teams to consider adding one or two of the available free agents. Other times I will call or message captains that are more open to the idea of adding free agents. Sometimes teams need a little coaxing, so we will offer small incentives like a full season of early games.

While creating free agent teams can occasionally be successful, we find that teams created strictly from the free agent pool are usually problematic. Dramatically more forfeits and lackluster attendance. All too often they are "just excited to play" until they realize the team is outmatched in skill, and that they lack leadership to keep people showing up.

My suggestion is to encourage free agents to create a team, invite 1 or 2 friends and then try to fill their remaining roster with other free agents. This way the team has a specific leader and an identity.

Lewis University - Romeoville, Illinois

Current feedback on our campus suggests students simply "do not want to participate in a series of gimmicky 'sporting' events". Quote, courtesy of a very blunt Lewis student. Our students want the real thing, but as you are aware - that is not feasible due to Covid19 restrictions.

Knowing that students are not interested in events like Football Combines, Basketball Shootouts, Soccer/Hockey PK's, Volleyball Battleship, and Batting Cages ideas, what other ideas are there?.

We have had some success with Badminton, Nerf and Table Tennis, but even our most recent Table Tennis event did not reach minimum participation. We are not permitted to do anything which could result in a lack of distancing, aka contact.

Hope everyone is remaining safe!

Adam Burkhart
Lewis University