 The NFC voted Monday to rename the Harrington Trophy in memory of SFC Isaac S. Lawson, who was killed in action during a convoy with the 158 on June 5, 2006. The new home of the Lawson Memorial Trophy is here. The legend of Nathan Harrington will live on at the previous webpage for the trophy.
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On Sunday afternoon, I put the word out that the PFC trophy was in need of a name. And by evening more than one manager suggested we name it after Brandon Landrum. SPC Landrum was a medic during the 158's 2008-2009 mission in Iraq. Later, he got a commission and went active-duty as an infantry officer. He was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2013. We'll never be able to bring him back or bring comfort to his family, but we can remember him by putting his name on the PFC trophy.
The week 17 matchup between the champions of the AFC and NFC is known as the Liberty Bowl. The winner receives the Tenequer Memorial Trophy. In addition to the Tenequer, the champion will receive a custom mini-helmet from HelmetNation, LLC. The cost of a jersey for each conference champion and a helmet for the overall champion will be $10 per person each season. That (and whatever you chip in for website costs) is the extent of your dues going forward. I am working on collecting all the dues for 2014 so I can find a way to get a Dirty Hippies helmet ordered for 2014 champion Trovillo.  Example of HelmetNation, LLC's work: Hangovers helmet. While the OIL was born in Baghdad, the Hangovers/Arrogant Americans rivalry evolved slowly over multiple locations. The franchises were rivals long before the league permanently matched them up for Rivalry Week. And it came naturally. They prepare the entire season for their annual matchup.
The OIL is about tradition. It has never been a money league. We play for pride, a traveling trophy, and the opportunity to keep in touch with brothers we served with. And we maintain tradition by chronicling the year we spent in Iraq together and each successive OIL season in our ongoing oral history project. But we're always looking for ways to improve the league experience for all. I've often wondered what we can do for our champions that will last beyond their reign as Harrington Trophy keeper and suggested an additional prize. After a league vote, the following measure has been passed.
Beginning immediately, the OIL will award the league champion with a custom jersey designed for their fantasy football team. The jersey number will be the year of the championship. This year's champion will wear a number 14 jersey. Through an agreement with HopcoSports.com, we are getting our jerseys at a fantastic price. But that's not just for the league going forward. Once all the managers pay their share, I will place our first order, which will include a jersey for every previous league champion. The 2010 and 2012 champion Arrogant Americans already have their jerseys. The first order will include: a number 6 jersey for Pyle's 2006 champion Lucky Enuf squad; a number 7 jersey for Morgan's 2007 champion Whackers; number 8 and 11 jerseys for Bruesch's 2008 and 2011 champion SoonerJack franchise; and a number 13 jersey for Cobb's 2013 champion Dogs of War. Those four managers should begin considering design options immediately, although Pyle already has a jersey template, as does Bruesch. Other managers with jersey-templates but no championship include: Roger's Ammo Dogs; Jessen's DominationStation (two-time OIL Bowl runner-up); Trovillo's Dirty Hippies; Duffy's Hangovers (who already have a jersey, but not a championship jersey); and Baldwin's Reapers. So far, three managers have tendered their dues to the commissioner. Get those dues in so we can make this happen. You may mail the funds to the commissioner's home address or send it through PayPal. The OIL champion can still look forward to receiving the Harrington Trophy with his name and franchise name engraved on it. This is just one more reason why our league is so amazing. Not only did we invest in a quality traveling trophy, we all pitch in to ensure our champions have something permanent to signify their achievement. Thank you to Uni-Watch for linking to this announcement.  We previously posted the arrival of the OIL2's Killman Memorial Trophy. Now, the OIL2 has a commissioner as well. Nick Reed, a veteran of the 158's 2006 SECFOR mission in Iraq, will serve as the league's commish.
OIL commissioner Justin C. Cliburn shipped Reed the Killman Friday afternoon. Reed will hold the trophy in trust until the OIL2 crowns its first champion. Then he'll ensure the champion's name is engraved on the side and deliver it to the next caretaker until another champion is crowned.  This is the proof of the title plate on the OIL2's trophy. I look forward to seeing the finished product and following the league to see who is the first to win it.
 The OIL2 starts in 2014. The OIL members who were on the 2006 mission that started the OklahomIraqis League know that no fantasy football league is large enough to include every good guy on that mission. That problem was magnified in the wake of the death of one of our own. Before, during and after the funeral service, the commissioner was asked about the OIL. And a handful of guys had already asked about joining the league before that.
After lots of consideration, the commissioner and co-commissioner have decided to start a second OklahomIraqis League. www.okiraqi.org will soon be home to the OklahomIraqis Leagues, as the new league will be incorporated into the existing site. The new league will mirror the original one. It will have the same league settings and will also consist of 14 teams and a 13-week schedule. It will share the same logo as the OIL as well. As of now, it will be referred to as the "OIL 2" or the "OIL 2.0." Which trophy it will award is to be determined. We also don't yet know if the OIL 2.0 will be a member of the DBFA, but the commissioner hopes that it is. For now, these are the confirmed members:
The remaining members are to be determined. Please help recruit potential members. The ideal candidate is one who was in the 158 and was in Iraq with the 158 during either the 2006 or 2008 mission. It would be helpful for each candidate to have a ready-made "rival" as week 13 in the OIL is Rivalry Week. In the meantime, please contact the commissioner with your candidates for membership. |
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