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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

The definitive Kiss playlist

For six decades, Kiss has brought its beloved brand of rock and roll to the masses — with or without their signature makeup and costumes. Here is our definitive ranking of the 25 best Kiss songs. 

What a Rush: The greatest prog-rock bands of all time

One can trace the roots of progressive rock back to the Beatles and the Beach Boys. Then, some bands found a place in the genre and enjoyed notable success as part of the movement. Here are 20 of the best bands who did just that.

Olympic rivalries to keep an eye on in Tokyo

Here's a look at some established and potential rivalries that could be renewed or brewing at the Tokyo Summer Games. 

The 50 best USA Summer Olympic moments of all time

The Tokyo Olympics are nearly upon us, and plenty of memories are sure to be made for American athletes. As we celebrate these Games, it's time to look back at 50 of the greatest, or most notable, Summer Olympic moments involving athletes from the United States.

2021 Olympic storylines to follow

While things obviously remain fluid with COVID-19 still an issue, there are plenty of storylines to keep an eye on at these Games. Here's a look.

U.S. athletes who can win gold in Tokyo

The United States is likely to again top the medals table during these Summer Games in Tokyo and, also lead the way in gold-medal victories. Here's a look at 20 American athletes who seem to be destined for gold this summer.

25 U.S. Olympians to keep an eye on in Tokyo

The start of the Tokyo Summer Olympics is drawing close and Team USA is obviously expected to enjoy significant success. While there is plenty of talent across the board on the United States' overall roster, here's a look at 25 athletes to pick an eye on from July 23-Aug. 8.

The definitive Foo Fighters Playlist

Here are our picks to fill out the essential Foo Fighters playlist. In order of the way, the songs should be heard.

The best summer camp movies

When summer rolls around, kids around the world head to summer camp — for a good time, t learn, to perform, for athletic purposes, or to get out of their parent's hair for a couple of weeks.

Wave music: Songs to enhance your day at the beach

Whether we're talking about sitting or laying in the sand off an ocean or lake, music should be a big part of the experience. Here are some of the most fitting tunes to enjoy during your time at the beach.

The 30 all-time greatest cast members from 'The Real World'

The groundbreaking reality series about strangers coming together to live in a house and navigate life for a few months in a new city, for most, was a cornerstone of the MTV lineup for years. Of course, what made The Real World appointment viewers for many are the characters.

Every season of 'The Real World', ranked

The first cast, set in New York, has reunited for another go-around. In celebration of that moment, here's our ranking of the 33 seasons of The Real World that have gotten us to this point.

Iconic bands that changed styles after getting new members

Here are some of the more notable bands that changed their sound after adding new members or repurposing existing members.

The definitive Beach Boys playlist

Regardless of the current makeup of The Beach Boys, the legendary band's music will continue to be enjoyed and beloved by generations. Here are 25 of the best Beach Boys songs.

Dance with somebody: The ultimate Whitney Houston playlist

Although the world lost Whitney in February 2012, she's still present. To celebrate her legacy, here are 25 songs everyone needs for the perfect Whitney Houston playlist. 

The 25 most memorable closing tracks in music history

The positioning of a song on a great album doesn't always matter. However, we tend to remember those closing tracks that wrap up a special listening experience. While this is all subjective, here is our ranking of the 25 best album closers.

25 most memorable College World Series moments

The College World Series is one of the great events in all of sports -- amateur or professional. It's been the source of countless memories, even for those baseball fans without a rooting interest in the tournament.

The 25 best Michael Keaton films

Michael Keaton's acting career has spanned six decades. Whether playing a superhero, recovering addict, or a hard-hitting journalist, Keaton has been among the great actors of the modern era. Here are the 25 best movies he's starred in, ranked.

Ain't nothing like real thing: Live takes of songs superior to the studio version

There's nothing better than experiencing music live. In fact, some of the best versions of classic songs are live versions. Here are 21 such examples in chronological order.

The best songs with a day of the week in the title

Every day is a good day for music, but some songs are made for specific days. Here's a list of some of the better and most memorable tunes that feature a day of the week in the title.

25 golfers who could still win their first major this season

There are plenty of big-name golfers still capable of winning majors who have not yet done so. Here's a look at 25 golfers who we feel have a good chance at winning their first major in 2021 (building up to the most likely).

The definitive Soundgarden playlist

Even in the wake of lead singer Chris Cornell's death in 2017, Soundgarden's music still resonates. Here's the ultimate Soundgarden playlist.

20 underrated albums from legendary bands

Even the greatest musicians have an album or two under-appreciated by the masses. But those albums are still special to true fans. Here are 20 albums from legendary bands that might not get enough credit.

The definitive Guns N' Roses playlist

More than 30 years after the release of its massively successful Appetite for Destruction debut, Guns N' Roses is still relevant. Here are 25 songs that encompass what G N' R is all about.