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Jeff Mezydlo

A Chicago native, Jeff Mezydlo has professionally written about sports, entertainment and pop culture for parts of four decades. He was an integral member of award-winning sports sections at The Times of Northwest Indiana (Munster, Ind.) and Champaign (Ill.) News-Gazette, where he covered the NFL, PGA, LPGA, NCAA basketball, football and golf, Olympics and high school athletics. Jeff most recently spent 12 years in the editorial department at STATSPerform, where he also oversaw coverage of the English Premier League. A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Jeff's work has also appeared on such sites at Yahoo!, ESPN, Fox Sports, Sports Illustrated and NBA.com. However, if Jeff could do it again, he'd attend Degrassi Junior High, Ampipe High School and Grand Lakes University

EXPERTISE:

NCAA football, NCAA basketball, PGA/LPGA, international soccer, sports history, rock music, film history

Ranking the 20 most memorable sports movie franchises

When it comes to sports movie franchises, there are those that are highly beloved and many that are quite forgettable. Here's our rankings of 20 such film series.

The 25 most eccentric MLB players of all time

Professional baseball players can be a weird bunch. So, trying to narrow down 25 of the greatest characters of Major League Baseball, based on their eccentricities, can be a tough task.

25 actors who can effortlessly kill it in comedic or dramatic roles

A great actor or actress can succeed in any role, whether drama or comedy. The effort is minimal — or, at least — seems minimal) but the result is highly satisfying and often unforgettable.

The 25 most memorable Stanley Cup-clinching moments

Coming through in the biggest moment(s) of the biggest game of the season is often the stuff dreams are made of. Here are some of the best, in chronological order, when it comes to Stanley Cup-clinching contests.

Who will be returning for Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans?

Here's a look at the 22 confirmed players, complete with their place finishes from their previous seasons.

The 25 most unlikely NBA Finals heroes

Often it's not the best players who come through on the court when a team needs it during the most important time of the season. Here's our look at some unsung or overlooked performances in the history of the NBA Finals.

25 must-see music documentaries from the 21st century

Music fans have had a plethora of fantastic documentaries to choose from this century. Spanning all genres of music, here are 25 of the best.

The 25 most dramatic finishes in golf majors

High drama down the stretch of a golf match can be great fun for those watching, whether from the gallery or the comfort of their own home. The stakes are even higher when part of a major.

25 great NHL teams that somehow didn't win the Stanley Cup

Often, the presumed best team during one particular NHL season isn't the one to hoist the Stanley Cup when the campaign ends. Here's our list, in chronological order, of 25 noteworthy teams who were good enough to win it all -- but did not.

20 legendary musical acts that made improbable, successful comebacks

Even the most successful or legendary musical acts and artists drop off in popularity or take some time off. Often, the return is sweeter than expected.

20 sports that should compete the Summer Olympics

The number of sports included in the Olympics can seem overwhelming. And there are some sports fans who wonder how they have a place in the Summer Games to begin with.

20 songs in which famous artists switched up their sound

There are times when a well-known band, musical act or artist goes off in a different direction from its established sound. Often it's a one-time moment, but it can also usher in a new era for these performers. Here's our list of 20 such songs.

25 Hollywood A-list stars who made improbable comebacks

Hollywood comeback tales are often better than what is scripted in the business. Some of the biggest stars in the world had their down turns, but rose to find stardom again.

The 20 most memorable music rivalries

Even the most famous musicians in the world aren't immune from not getting along with each other. Here's a look at 20 memorable feuds from the world of music.

The 25 most notable prog rock albums

In the realm of progressive rock, the greatness is a vast as the creativity and complexity that goes into the music. Here is our list of the 25 most notable progressive rock albums ever recorded.

The 25 most unlikely Stanley Cup Final heroes

It's not always the stars who come through when the lights shine brightest and the games matter most. Here are 25 unheralded players, at the time, who broke out for some memorable Stanley Cup Final moments.

22 underrated lead singers who deserve way more love

Whether overlooked or underappreciated, here's a look at some of standout lead singers and frontpersons who haven't or never did receive their proper due.

25 iconic songs that were massive hits for more than one artist

Some songs are just so good, they can generate hit-making status for more than one musical artist or group. Here are 25 notable examples.

The 25 most iconic American punk bands

The punk movement might be best associated with England, due to the Sex Pistols and the Clash, but America is represented quite well within the icons of the genre.

The 25 greatest college basketball teams that didn't win a national championship

Sometimes the best college basketball teams, on both the men's or women's side, ended up coming up short when it came to winning a national title. With that in mind, here's a look at the 25 best teams who didn't win it all.

The 25 greatest NCAA men's and women's tournament coaches

Here's a look at 25 of the best -- men and women -- whose NCAA Tournament coaching resumes standout above the rest. Listed in alphabetical order.

The 25 most underrated sitcoms of all time

Throughout the annals of television history, there have been sitcoms that never received the proper amount of praise — whether critical or commercial. Here's our list of 25 underappreciated sitcoms over the years.

The 20 most iconic chase scenes in movies

Anything goes, and any means of pursuit will do, as long as we're entertained.

The 25 all-time unsung heroes of the men's NCAA tournament

One does not need to be a superstar to become a hero of March Madness. Here are 25 under-the-radar players who left a lasting mark on the NCAA Tournament.

The greatest songs that run 10 minutes or more

Sometimes longer is better. Even when it comes to music, and listeners are patient enough to appreciate an epic piece of music. Here's 25 great songs that span 10 minutes or more, and worth the time it takes to listen.