2001 Gellar Cup Champions

2001 SSL Website of the Year

World Champions 1998, 2001

SSL Year Three: Evolving Stability
When SSL Commissioner Benjamin "Ben" Gordita established the Syssa Stars League in the summer of 2000 he stated that one of the cornerstones of the league would be its stability. "I think fans need stability in order to enjoy watching a league from year to year. Well, stability and pretzels maybe."

The SSL's freshman campaign was a surprise success capped off by the crowning of the first SSL champion: the Waterford Wolverines. The league, however, was far from stable. Two of the SSL's charter franchises, the Boston Buffs and Captain Cack folded before week four of the season. The final two slots in the eight team league turned over a few more occasions before the Wolverines were named champions.

In an attempt to foster stability Gordita granted expansion franchises to the solid ownership groups of the Island Park Landslide and the West Jordan Worms franchises for the 2001 season. Everything seemed to fall into place until two of the league's "original six" surprised everyone. The Milwaukee Bison relocated to Pittsburgh and the 2000 champion Waterford franchise changed their nickname under pressure from numerous special interest groups. In what was supposed to be the year of stability the league once again underwent change. These changes did not affect the level of play and the 2001 campaign, bolstered by the introduction of the now annual Football Fun Fest and the introduction of the Gellar Cup, was another success.

Before the kickoff of the 2002 season more shakeups have occurred. The Wisconsin Whippin' Wizards have rechristened their franchise the Moose in hopes of erasing the memory of last year's disappointing season and the Worms, desperate to step out of the shadow of "original six"er Utah Stixx Boyzz have relocated to nearby Kearns, UT.

What does Gordita think about these new preseason shifts. "I think we are experiencing evolving stability. While team names and cities may change, our ownership groups remain intact. I think the overall health of the league is great."

SSL 2002 Kicks off Sept 5

Desert Demons Embark on Journey to Repeat
The Idaho Desert Demons look to be the first Gellar Cup champion to repeat since team Monica of the late 1970's-early 1980's.

Rather than feeling additional pressure as the SSL's defending champion, the DD's will take the approach that they already know the way to the promise land.

"We just need to stick to our 'Balanced Attack' philosophy" said DD coach Marvin Muckler. "Our statistical analysis held true last season. We were 11-0 last season when we outscored our opponents and 0-6 when we were outscored. The answer is simple: score more points."

The DD return a potent offensive core with two time reigning SSL MVP Jeff Garcia, the ever dangerous Randy Moss, and the elusive Corey Dillon, but competition will be stiff in the 2002 season.

The second ranked Island Park Landslide return quarterback tandem of 2001 offensive player of the year Kurt Warner and Tom Brady while 2001 Eastern Conference Champion Pittsburgh Bison return the formidible combination of Brett Favre, Marshal Faulk, and Jerome Bettis.

The Gellar Cup is truly anybody's to win in the 2002 season. (Editor's note: Check back after the draft to read the 2002 SSL season Preview presented by Entertainment Weekly.)