CAPS Launches Fantasy Football League to Promote Connection and Mental Wellness

This fall, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), in coordination with other campus partners, will host the inaugural season of the Anchored Together Fantasy Football League (ATFFL). The league will take place from September 1 to January 10 and is designed to foster community, personal growth and mental wellness. Student participants will draft and manage or co-manage a team, attend weekly update meetings and be eligible for giveaways and end-of-season prizes throughout the semester. There is no fantasy football experience required and students are encouraged to sign up individually or with friends.

What is the Anchored Together Fantasy Football League?
The ATFFL was created to give students a place to build meaningful connections, gain life skills and promote well-being. Students can look forward to meeting peers with shared interests and creating friendships in a low-stress environment. The ATFFL is more than a fantasy league: weekly update meetings will feature conversations facilitated by Brendan Sullivan, Psy.D., staff psychologist at CAPS, covering topics that are relevant to the modern college student. Meetings will also be the place to work the waiver wire, propose trades and discuss the results of the past week.

Designed as a hybrid mental health outreach, the ATFFL combines the excitement of a fantasy football league with a supportive community and a healthy dose of self-care. Topics for the in-season conversations will include friendship and belonging, emotional regulation, stress and anxiety management, digital wellness, decision-making, motivation and goal setting, diversity in sport, healthy routines and more.

Why Fantasy Football? 
In recent years, researchers and mental health professionals have explored the application of games and recreational activities in supporting mental health. In a 2024 Psychology Today article, psychologist Nafees Alam wrote that participation in fantasy sports can reduce loneliness, build social connections and foster a sense of belonging through shared participation in an activity. Alam also noted benefits such as stress reduction and the development of strategic thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills. The ATFFL was designed to leverage these benefits while maintaining an engaging and supportive community environment.

League Details
The ATFFL is a semester-long commitment. Student participants are expected to attend weekly meetings starting the week of September 1 through the fall semester, with league activities continuing through the conclusion of the fantasy football season in January. The draft for the league will take place before Week one of the NFL season, which starts Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Regular attendance is expected and will affect league waiver wire priority and the league’s participation point system. All participants will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the season and will have a chance to receive end-of-season trophies, with plans for a larger communal trophy to be housed on campus.

Sign up today! 
Whether you are an experienced fantasy manager or just looking to try something new, the ATFFL offers a unique opportunity to build friendships, strengthen valuable life skills and support your mental health. Registration for the inaugural season is now open. 

Fantasy football not your thing? Make sure to check out other groups, workshops and events hosted by CAPS throughout the semester. Keep an eye out for CAPS "Take Root" plant potting event this September! Other popular groups include the "Stress and Anxiety Management Workshop," "ADHD Skills Workshop," "The Adventure: Gamified Therapy Group" and "Manage Your Mood" which are open to all students throughout the semester. Learn more about these and other CAPS programs here.

Categories: Campus Life, Community Engagement