Editor's Note: This is the third in a series of feature stories on the men who make up the Erie Fantasy Football League. In order to be featured, you must respond to the official Erie League survey.

Assassins owner Mike Bell is not only one of the charter members of the Erie League, but also its founding father.

Back in 1990 when Medical Specialties Inc. was still based in Twinsburg and still going by the name Erie Medical, former employee Bell was credited with creating and serving as the commissioner for the 12 team league.

"We've grown some," Bell said. "We've experimented with different rules and scoring systems and more than anything, I think as a group we're just better. This is the most competitive league I play in and I've played in quite a few."

In addition to running his Erie League franchise, the 32-year-old also finds the time to run teams in no less than FOUR different leagues -- the Great Lakes League Too, the Erie Cyber League, and a league on America On-Line. As of press time, Bell has been quite successful in 1997, with a combined record of 15-5.

Currently owning a lifetime Erie League record of 52-55, Bell cites fellow charter member Keith Kuratko as his chief rival -- hands down.

"He's the biggest shit-talking, exaggerating, self-righteous, ego-inflated, that's right-my-attitude-needs-adjusting bag of hot air I've ever played against, " Bell said. "Every time I beat him (all 7 out of 10 times) I realize why I play this game every year. It's not how I play the game. It's IF I beat Keith Kuratko. But I love him."

Bell, who resides in Stow and is the owner of BSY Inc. (a labor outsource for finishing and assembly company), credits his 1992 championship season -- thanks to a one point title game victory -- as the high point of his fantasy football career.

"I thought my ass was cooked when Lorenzo White failed to score for me but White's ineptitude was eclipsed by the woeful play of Jim Everett, who was unable to score a single point," he said.

As for Bell's chances at regaining the title and becoming the first two-time champion in the league's history? No comment.

"I don't like to speculate about our chances at the title," he said. "We go into each season trying to stay alive for the playoffs. If we can make it to the playoffs, I like my chances as much as anyone else."