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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

Going places: The greatest bands named after a city, state, country or continent

Showing national, state or town pride is an easy way to name a band. Or maybe it's even more simple than that. Here are 20 notable bands that take their name after such locations.

The 25 greatest junior college basketball players of all time

Players take different routes to the NBA, and doing so via some junior college time remains a popular path. With that in mind, here's our list of 25 star junior college players over the years, listed in alphabetical order.

The 22 all-time greatest college baseball programs

While teams come and go in College World Series, plenty of familiar schools are usually in the hunt for a national championship. Here's our list for the most successful college baseball programs of all time.

The 25 greatest mid-major college basketball players

One does not have to play at a major conference college basketball program to be a star. Here are 25 of the best Division I mid-major players ever to grace a hardcourt, listed in chronological order.

25 iconic high school basketball players from Detroit

Far from an easy task, we tried to select the 25 great prep players from the Detroit metro area, but certainly many worthy candidates were left off. But with that in mind, here's our list of those who have stood out through the decades, listed in chronological order. 

Breaking the ice: The 25 greatest rookie seasons in NHL history

Here's our list of the 25 notable seasons from those with official rookie status, as deemed by the NHL, in reverse chronological order.

The 20 most iconic fictional United States Vice Presidents

Always playing second fiddle to the commander-in-chief, the vice president usually doesn't have much of a real-life storyline. In Hollywood, that's a different story.

20 head coaches who were successful both the NFL and college football

With Bill Belichick taking over the North Carolina program, we wanted to look back at which coaches have succeeded in both college and the NFL. Here's our list in alphabetical order.

Track stars: The 25 most iconic fictional race car drivers

Whether on the track, open road or city streets, it takes a truly special talent to become an elite fictional race car driver. From the big screen to the tube, here's our ranking of the 25 best.

Power of one: The greatest hard rock/heavy metal solo albums

Breaking away from the confines of a band, no matter how legendary, isn't always easy in the hard rock and metal world. Here's a look at some who have done it quite well.

Fast tracks: Great songs that run under 3 minutes

Short and sweet. Often that's the recipe for a classic song. Here's our list of 25 special tunes that clock in less than 3 minutes. 

The 20 greatest Service Academy football teams of all-time

The 2024 season will go down as one of the better years for service academy football, which proved to be an inspiration for a look at the most successful teams in the history of Air Force, Army, and Navy football.

The all-time college football service academy team

The United States service academies (Army, Navy, Air Force) have produced some memorable football talent through the decades. Here's our list of the 25 best.

Pixel perfect: Video game films that aren't awful

Films that are based around popular video games can be truly hit or miss, with most falling into the latter category. But never one misses the mark. These 20 won't leave games feeling disappointed. 

From Homer to Matlock: The 25 best characters on network TV right now

For those who still watch network television (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, WB), there are some pretty good fictional characters on the airwaves. Here's our list of the best.

The 25 most iconic 'SNL' sketches from the 21st centry

'Saturday Night Live' has been a TV institution for 50 years, so what better way to celebrate than to look back at the 25 best sketches since the year 2000?

The most memorable 'Saturday Night Live' musical performances

For 50 seasons, Saturday Night Live  has showcased some of the biggest musical acts and artists in the business. Anybody who is anybody has performed on the famous sketch comedy series.

Musical acts to keep an eye and ear on in 2025

From new or under-the-radar bands and artists to established stars that music fans are in need of an update, there are plenty of acts to keep tabs on in 2025.

The 25 most memorable fictional hospitals

While the characters tend to drive the success of these projects, there are memorable hospitals and medical facilities that come along for the ride.

The all-time most memorable mascot moments

Who doesn't love a mascot? Well, we're sure there are plenty who don't. However, at times, the mascots provide memorable moments at a live sporting event, as well as some notable happenings off the court or field.

The definitive ABBA playlist

In celebration of their legacy, here are our rankings of the top 20 songs in the ABBA catalog. 

Alright, alright, alright: The best Matthew McConaughey roles

For more than three decades, Matthew McConaughey has captivated audiences on screens, both big and small. Now, we look back at the most indelible roles in the career of everyone's favorite Lone Star State slacker.

Notable concert tours to look forward to in 2025

A new year is upon us, and fans of live music — spanning all genres — have plenty of options to please their tastes. Here's a look at some of the more prominent artists who are hitting the road in 2025. 

The definitive Madonna playlist

There are pop stars. Then, there are pop legends and icons. And then, there's Madonna. 

The definitive Chicago playlist

Even through tragedy and various lineup changes, Chicago has persevered with its unique sound, which's been reinvented over the years with a rousing horn section and poignant lyrics.