"Are you ready for some football?!  It's a Monday night party..."

Or if you're Paul Landry or a member of the APC East, then it won't be a party but a big old cry fest! Because you (Mr. Big Dog) will be competing for nothing but the first pick in next year's draft as I (Haranczak) will be taking the division.  Better yet, maybe you will win after all; you could do better than the Hamilton Federation.  Boy what an accomplishment!!!! 

Let me be there first to welcome each and everyone of you back to the 13^th year of The PYX.  Boy how we have evolved over the years (more on that later).  In a bit of new historical precedent...For the first time ever, The PYX will not have a new franchise in our league.  No expansion teams this year.  Everyone who was in last year felt the excitement and wanted to return with no questions asked.  I like to thank the members of the executive board and the competition committee for doing their due diligence to get everyone to return.  This gives us a 100% retention rate---Great job team!  It is also a great testament to the power of this league.  Training Camps for our franchises have ended, off-season workouts and preparation have begun along with changes to the league and it's certainly is time to "Get it on" or for those of you on the Farm – Farm Boy Klingenberg, it's time to "Get ER' Dun!"

Let me take this opportunity to remind everyone that picks are due before the kick-off of the first game regardless of when the game takes place for example (i.e. Thursday, Saturday or Sunday).  There is a clause in the PYX Constitution that states pickers may still submit picks after kick-off of the first game...but just know that you will definitely lose credit for late picks).  To make your picks go to the website and choose the "make your picks" button at the top of the page. From there, pick the appropriate form on the next screen.  Please make sure you pick all games as any that are missed could cause you to lose your weekly head to head match up (Just like the upcoming outcome for Gary Bonn in Week 7).  Also it is your responsibility to make sure that your picks are in each week.  I would highly recommend you save your confirmation sheet after you hit the submit button as this is your proof picks.  In extreme cases, you may be asked to submit this sheet as proof that you did input them in for the week or suffer the consequences at the hands of the P.E.S.F. (PYX Executive Security Force) Headed by Officer Garza---and you don't want to mess with Garza.  Also, please make sure that you have read all of the Bylaws and PYX Constitution.  A couple new amendments were passed at the PYX Summit (Thank you Gary Bonn).

As we look to the future of the picks, let me start by giving you a recap of historical events that took place two weeks ago.  On August 22, 2007 the 2^nd annual PYX Summit was held at the Applebee's at the Lansing Mall in Lansing, Michigan.  The was great excitement and anticipation in the air that day; So much excitement that a couple of Pickers (Gary Bonn and Commissioner Peter Tadros) went to the WRONG location – Applebee's on Cedar Street).  The rest of the league stayed cool, calm and collected and met at the proper location.  It's a good thing we don't have mandatory testing, it could get interesting with those two. 

***Breaking News – Former Commissioner Tadros*** What??  What??  More on that in a moment. 

The summit was called to order at 6:30 PM and it was a very productive meeting.  More details will follow in the next issue of "the Corner".  The biggest shocker of the evening however took place at the end of the summit as Commissioner Tadros stood at the podium to address the ownership and media members of The PYX.  Going in to the summit – blogs were made, web pages were updated and news outlets were reporting a groundbreaking investigation into the executive office of the PYX. It was rumored that certain unethical activities that were taking place at the Commissioner's Oval Office in Brighton.  Comparisons to NFL scandals were being made and the PYX administration would only respond with, "No Comment". 

As the bursting of the flashbulbs began, Commissioner Tadros addressed the masses and thanked everyone for attending this groundbreaking summit and the dedication they have all given to The PYX over the past 12 years.  Tadros went on to mention how we have come such a long way;  a  modern, professional looking  website that is updated on a regular basis, a PYX store selling merchandise to help balance the budget, and a PYX Forum where fellow pickers can share information and trash talk the hell out of each other.  We have come so far.  Tadros reminded us how far we have come from the old days of pen and paper and records kept in a binder by former commissioner Bonn.

Then the history-making event took place probably even greater than the Wolverines becoming the biggest disgrace of college football.  There was a deafening silence that came over the room as Commissioner Tadros announced his resignation from the office of Commissioner effective midnight on the 22^nd of August.  All of a sudden you could hear roars of, "Mr. Commissioner, Mr. Commissioner" and "Oh my god" and "What the hell".  There was even a statement of, "For the Love of God" heard among the flash bulbs. Fellow owners were scratching their heads trying to figure out what they had just heard.  After all of this transpired, Mr. Tadros was seen leaving in a vehicle with some unknown occupant (Nelson Aquino?).  A voice was heard saying, "Boy, I sure love this Ginger Ale" as Tadros and his companion headed back to Brighton.

So where are we now?  Where does this leave us?  What is the status of the PYX?  All of these questions will be answered in the coming weeks.  I can tell you this; you have sound leadership at the top.  That's right...as Executive Vice Commissioner, I am now the New Commissioner.  Mr. Tadros handed over the gavel to me...once again.  I am very thankful to be taking over this body once again and I can assure you that nothing will change (right away).  I am in the process of forming a committee to examine who should become the new Executive Vice Commissioner.  This is something that will not be taken lightly or rushed into.  I am going to carefully examine every department in The PYX league.  You will see changes in the months ahead.  I will definitely run things a little differently than Tadros.  The PYX does need to have some added security and law enforcement, but no one has anything to worry about (unless you are breaking the law).

Going into week one, there are many questions that are already being raised about this season and about our future.  .  Will Zander lead the charge for the Women and reign supreme as they beat Gary and the rest of the men?  Will Paul Landry take the lead in his quest for the illusive Pot Pie made by Mrs. Nowak? Can this be the week when Matt Cushman relies on his own prognostication, making his own picks (not Vegas odds or ESPN) and win?? Only time will tell.  The PYX is moving into a new time period in its glorious history and I am proud to be YOUR Commissioner.  You can all proudly say, "Kevin Haranczak is my Commissioner."  Go ahead...say it.  Right now as you are all reading the Commissioner Corner, repeat after me...KEVIN HARANCZAK IS MY COMMISSIONER.  Doesn't that just give you a great feeling to say that?

Stay tuned for another update after week one is in the books.   I will answer many more questions and give you a full report regarding the PYX Summit, the PYX Constitution and changes to league in 2008. 

God Speed and God help The PYX!

Sincerely,

"The Commish"