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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

10 college basketball programs on the rise, 10 on the decline

Not every college basketball program can have the perennial success of Duke or Kansas. Recruiting certainly has a lot to do with it, while good coaching also helps.

10 freshmen to watch in college basketball this season

It looks like another season where freshmen just might dominate the landscape of college basketball. We really should not be surprised, as the perhaps unnecessary one-and-done rule gives some of the game's youngest stars a year of seasoning — whether they feel it's needed or not — before fulfilling their NBA dreams.

10 men's college basketball Wooden Award candidates

It's the most prestigious individual award in college basketball. Every player strives for it, but only a few are great enough to receive it. The John

College football's most electrifying players

Being an electrifying college football player doesn't necessarily mean someone who can run fast or make a defender miss a tackle in the most creative of ways.

College basketball preseason top 25

Sure, the usual big names — Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina — will be there. So too will be some programs on the rise and others trying build on success earned from a season ago.

Sports & Politics Intersect: Verdict reveals depth of corruption in NCAA hoop schemes

The first convictions have been handed down in the ongoing college basketball corruption case. What does it mean for the NCAA and college athletics?

College football Week 9 preview

Ranked teams should have their work cut out for them this week. A total of 15 teams in the Associated Press Top 25 will play true road games. Three of those squads will match up with fellow ranked opponents in the SEC, Big Ten and Pac-12.

25 of the best music biopics

It's not easy portraying a legend on television or the big screen. It might be even more challenging for an actor or actress tackling the role of a superstar musician.

The biggest flaw of every top 25 college football team

No team in college football this season is perfect. Not even Alabama. Some teams have more glaring shortcomings than others, and that includes the better teams in the country.

Sports & Politics Intersect: USAG officials tumble as Nassar victims fight to hold those in power accountable

USA Gymnastics has long been in need of an administrative housecleaning. As of this week, it appears one is about to be forced on it.

The 'First defensive player selected in every NFL Draft' quiz

How many of the first defensive players selected in every NFL Draft since 1989 can you name in five minutes?

College football Week 8 preview

As conference races throughout the country begin to heat up, the College Football Playoff landscape is also starting to take shape, as the first rankings of the season loom.  While it again might be a light week involving Top 25 teams, one of the Big Ten's biggest rivalries will be featured.

Top storylines for college football's home stretch

As we dive into the second half of the college football season, we've seen our share of surprise teams (Notre Dame and Florida to name a couple) and disappointments (Auburn, UCLA and Nebraska).

Sports & Politics Intersect: WWE's Crown Jewel loses its sparkle

World Wrestling Entertainment’s 10-year deal with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is getting worse all the time.

College football Week 7 preview

Though it's a somewhat light week in terms of volume of games featuring teams in the Associated Press Top 25, there are several key matchups worth following.  The SEC, Pac-12 and Big 10 all feature games involving two ranked teams.

Top side projects and bands born from other bands

When one door closes, another opens. Is that how the saying goes? For musicians, that's often the case. One band ends, another starts. Some by choice, other times by chance.

Sports & Politics Intersect: Nevada police reopen sexual assault case against Ronaldo

“Don't take another woman's life as you did mine!!" - Kathryn Mayorga, in a letter read to Cristiano Ronaldo as part of a 2010 mediation settlement. 

College football Week 6 preview

As we enter Week 6, a couple of new teams appear in the Top 25, while some familiar ones are back in. All eyes should be on the Cotton Bowl, where another installment of the Red River Showdown takes place.

Chris Cornell: 20 of his best songs from a legendary rock career

It's been well over a year since the music world lost one of its true, great singer/songwriters in Chris Cornell. The Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog and Audioslave frontman had one of the most recognizable voices on the planet, but one that was silenced when he was found dead in a Detroit hotel room on May 17, 2017, from an apparent suicide.

Ryder Cup storylines after day two

Two days down with one to go at the 42nd Ryder Cup. The Americans are certainly up against it, trailing 10-6 heading into Sunday's single matches. A huge task awaits captain Jim Furyk's group as it tries to pull off a minor miracle and prevent a sixth straight loss on European soil.

Ryder Cup storylines after day one

The first day of the 2018 Ryder Cup is in the books, and the U.S. has some work to do. It was a tale of two rounds at France's Le Golf National on Friday.

Most memorable moments in Ryder Cup history

For an event that began in 1927, the lasting images and memories created with the Ryder Cup are some of the greatest in all of golf. The unique team event often allows golfers to show their true selves - good or bad.