Fantasy Sports: Building Community Through Competition

Fantasy sports have long been a popular pastime, dating back to the early days of baseball. Today, they span across various sports and are played by millions globally. In the United States alone, over 50.4 million people participate in fantasy sports, with football being the dominant choice. At Stevenson, Fantasy Sports are played school wide, particularly through the Fantasy Premier League club or through the football team.

According to a poll of Stevenson Students, most Fantasy sports experience was from Football. As it is football season right now, there seems to be a bigger interest in football. According to a survey on Fantasy Sports in Stevenson, approximately 47% of the students answered that they experienced Fantasy sports through Fantasy Football. Soccer, baseball, and basketball are also included in the list of fantasy sports that have been played. Some students even responded that they played most fantasy sports games.

Student reviews on Fantasy Sports have been mixed. One student shared, "I have fun. I’ve never been super dedicated, but I’d be up for it." However, other students admitted, "I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m playing because my friends are." Despite varying levels of engagement, some students dedicate as much as 30 minutes a day to managing their fantasy teams.

To get a better sense of who plays Fantasy Football at Stevenson, we spoke with Vincent Pierre, a varsity football player and avid Fantasy Football participant. Pierre competes with eight other students, most of whom are also football players. "Fantasy Football makes me watch more football in general," Pierre shared, "and it brings camaraderie to our team and friends." Pierre also mentioned that the group has a punishment in place for the last-place finisher and joked about the top candidates and those that have been underperforming this season, much to his disappointment.

In addition to fantasy football, fantasy soccer is widely played through Stevenson. We interviewed Martin Ho and Soren Hillman, the co-founders of the Premier League Fantasy Club. Their goal is to introduce more students to the Fantasy Premier League and foster a school-wide community around it. One club member, Mario Salim, shared his perspective on the game: "My experience with Fantasy Premier League has made me watch more of the actual Premier League." Salim estimates that he spends about 10 to 20 minutes each week managing his team, finding it a manageable and enjoyable task. He added that the Fantasy Premier League has helped him stay connected with friends and serves as a positive social activity in his life.

Fantasy Baseball is another popular choice among Stevenson students. Jack Bucich, a baseball player and enthusiast, has been actively involved in the fantasy scene, participating in an impressive 17 different Fantasy Baseball leagues. While he admits that most of his leagues consist of playing with random people, Jack emphasizes that the fun of the game keeps him engaged. He shared, "Fantasy Baseball keeps me connected to the sport and motivates me to watch MLB. I especially enjoy playing Fantasy Baseball and following my favorite teams and players."

Fantasy Sports are becoming a significant part of the sports culture at Stevenson, offering students a way to engage more deeply with their favorite sports and connect with others. Whether through Fantasy Football, Fantasy Baseball, or the emerging Premier League Fantasy Club, these games provide a blend of competition, camaraderie, and entertainment. The many students getting involved demonstrates that Fantasy sports cater to various interests and levels of commitment.