Jerlyn Leigh Mardis ’71 ’83, an alumna and longtime Rice University lecturer, passed away recently at the age of 74. Her association with the university started in the late 1960s when she enrolled as an undergraduate. She was elected as the Rice Student Association president, and her presence became a lightning rod of activity during a time of civil unrest. During her time as a student, she was instrumental in bringing activists to campus to speak, including Abbie “Flower Power” Hoffman and the feminist Kate Millett. Once at the university, she never fully left. She worked more than 36 years as a lecturer with the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing, the Program in Writing and Communication, the Wiess School of Natural Sciences and the Jones Graduate School of Business. “Jerlyn’s boundless curiosity about ways to improve her teaching was energizing for her colleagues and made all of us better educators,” said Jennifer Wilson, director of the Program in Writing and Communication and senior lecturer. “She was always thinking, questioning, tinkering in ways that were both thoughtful and exciting. Her generosity of spirit was remarkable; I always looked forward to spending time with her, and I never failed to come away from our interactions with new ideas and plans.” Mardis spent her career serving universities. She developed coursework for the University of Houston and the Texas A&M University School of Law. In addition, she was the owner of Mardis & Associates, a consulting firm she led for over 40 years, where she combined her expertise in communication and education to mentor and inspire countless professionals. Her passion for helping others was infectious. “Jerlyn’s presence enriched every room she entered,” said C. Fred Higgs III, vice provost for academic affairs, director of the Rice Center for Engineering Leadership and the John and Ann Doerr Professor of Mechanical Engineering. “She will be remembered for her dedication to excellence, her kind and supportive nature and her commitment to empowering others.” Mardis was preceded in death by her parents Gerald and Elizabeth McLaren Mardis. She is survived by her husband David S. Merritt, stepsister Elaine Duffy, brother and sister-in-law Jamie and Tanya Mardis, aunt Peggy Thigpen and several nieces and nephews. Details for a memorial of life service for Mardis are pending.
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SonicX, the first TikTok APP Layer developed by Sonic SVM, will airdrop $SONIC tokens to all eligible Tiktok users. Sonic SVM, the team behind SonicX, the TikTok App Layer and the hit tap-to-earn game, has announced that they will airdrop their $SONIC token to all users onboarded through TikTok. This initiative comes after Sonic has seen success onboarding over 2 million users through the TikTok applayer they have developed, and the latest initiative continues the effort to bring 1 billion TikTok users onto Web3. The TikTok onboarding success is attributed to two major factors: seamless onboarding and distribution. By utilizing account abstraction, TikTok users are not required to create and connect a web3 wallet – rather, they can log in with their TikTok account, and the wallet is automatically created. Transactions conducted within the app are gasless, allowing users to perform blockchain actions without signing transactions – providing a seamless Web2 app experience. Combined with account abstraction, the distribution strategy of Sonic has played a major role in the user conversion as well. Multiple members of Sonic, including CEO and co-founder Chris Zhu, has previous experience working at Bytedance – the parent company of TikTok – and utilizing their in-depth knowledge of the social media platform, as well as existing connections with the TikTok team and distribution partners has allowed them to fully tap into the full distribution potential for SonicX. SonicX deploys premium TikTok ads and partners with TikTok creators to have the platform’s algorithm recommend the campaign to users in target regions. Users can directly access Sonic X or Sonic’s TikTok via ad and video links. Sonic also utilizes the official Sonic SVM account for branded challenges, live streams and interactive games – building their TikTok corporate account as a central hub for gaming and blockchain education, providing users with simplified guides and tutorials. The airdrop snapshot has not been announced yet, and additional TikTok users are still able to visit official Sonic SVM account to access SonicX, qualifying for the upcoming airdrop. This initiative is parallel in comparison to the $TON ecosystem initiated by Telegram, a pioneer of the mini-game movement boasting 950 million monthly active users – with its native token $TON reaching a market cap of over $15 billion. In comparison, TikTok, with 1 billion monthly active users and a projected user base of 2.35 billion by 2029, represents a massive, largely untapped market for Web3 gaming, according to Shopify. Capitalizing on TikTok’s potential, SonicX surpassed 1 million players within a month of its debut, as reported by Decrypt’s GG. Sonic SVM aims to build a TikTok Chain through its App Layer, enabling seamless integration for other projects. Sonic recently announced its first game, Mahjong 123, set to launch on SonicX.app, kicking off the expansion of its TikTok Chain ecosystem. The current campaign is the latest announcement signaling the upcoming Token Generation Event (TGE) where eligible users will receive token rewards through the airdrop. About Sonic SVM Sonic is the first SVM chain to launch on Solana, for games and applications. It is powered by Sonic HyperGrid, a framework for orchestrating optimistic Solana rollups. Sonic is the home of SonicX, industry’s first Web3 TikTok App Layer – designed to onboard the next billion users. Website | Discord | Blog | Twitter
SwimSwam Facebook SwimSwam Youtube SwimSwam RSS Feed SwimSwam Pinterest SwimSwam Instagram SwimSwam X SwimSwam LinkedIn Looking for a job in swimming! SwimSwam runs new job listings daily from allover the world in aquatic sports. Current photo via Mike Lewis/Ola Vista Photography La Vladimir Salnikov Cup 2024 si è conclusa a San Pietroburgo, offrendo agli atleti russi l’opportunità di chiudere l’anno con grandi prestazioni. Il due volte medagliato olimpico Cody Miller ha annunciato il suo ritiro dal nuoto professionistico all’età di 32 anni. Gareggerà come Master I Mondiali in Vasca Corta 2024, terminati una settimana fa, hanno visto atleti da tutto il mondo brillare alla Duna Arena di Budapest, Ungheria Tercera en 100 braza y primera en relevos de 4×50 y de 4×100 estilos en una Copa en la que su club ha ampliado su hegemonía con su duodécima Copa consecutiva. Noe Ponti accomplished what many, including himself, had once thought was unthinkable: breaking a Caeleb Dressel world record Farid Abi Raad has been provisionally suspended over accusations that he has abused his power and made threats to influence decisions in the federation. Boglarka Kapas knew that the 2024 Short Course World Champs in her home of Budapest would be her last meet, but that didn’t necessarily make it any easier In total, 32 athletes won NCAA team titles and qualified for the Paris Olympic Games in 2024, with 12 of them taking home medals. December 23rd, 2024 Club, Industry, International, News Looking for a job in swimming! Go here to see 520 Swim Jobs. SWIM COACH FOR PFL AQUATICS, KATY, TX The team is a competitive swim group ages 9-10 years. Team size is 10-15 .The ideal coach will follow the curriculum set by the PFL Head Coach and hold swimmers accountable to the standards of the program every day. Lead Age Group Coach The Chehalem Swim Team (CST) is dedicated and focused to providing a positive competitive swimming experience for athletes as young as six to collegiate aged swimmers. National Assistant Coach We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed National Assistant Coach to join our high-performance team. This role involves working closely with both Malaysia’s National Team and the National Junior Team, playing a key part in shaping the future of swimming excellence in the country. Assistant Swim Coach Part-time, regular Assistant Coach, Men’s and Women’s Swimming is responsible for assisting in the coaching and teaching of students, game and practice preparation and execution, compliance with NCAA and conference rules/regulations, assisting with appropriate recruitment of scholar-athletes, and assisting with general team administrative work. Florida Gators Swim Camp Seeks Coaches The Florida Gators Swim Camp in Gainesville, Fl is looking for coaches to work during June of 2025. The Gators swim camp traditionally host 125+ swimmers per week over the course of 5 sessions. This years camps run 5/29-6/1, 6/9-6/12, 6/14-6/17, 6/19-6/22, and 6/24-627. Other staff will include current UF Coaches, including 2024 Men’s Olympic Coach Anthony Nesty. Georgia Bulldog Swim Camp Coaches The UGA swim camp traditionally host 200+ swimmers per week over two weeks. This years camp will run 2 sessions: June 1st -7th and from June 8th-14th. Other staff will include current UGA coaches, former coach Jack Bauerle, as well as some UGA athletes. Bitterroot Swim Team Head Coach and Assistant Coach Are you passionate about swimming, coaching, and building team spirit in a competitive yet close-knit environment? The Bitterroot Swim Team (BST) in Hamilton, Montana, is seeking dynamic individuals to fill the roles of Head Coach and Assistant Coach for the 2025 summer swim season. Head Coach Eagle Swimming Association is a coach-run program of 200+ in northeast Houston (TX). The LSC (Gulf Swimming) is very competitive and our community is ripe for growing swimming. Our team has a rich age group history at the state level (TAGS), and our high schoolers have shown promise at both club (Zones, Sectionals & Jrs) and interscholastic (high school state) levels. Head Swim Coach – Preserve Piranhas The Preserve Piranhas Swim Team is accepting applications for the position of Head Swim Coach for Summer 2025. Candidates should have a strong background in High School or College Swimming, be well-organized, and be strong communicators to both students and adults. HEAD COACH, SWIMMING ACADEMY & NATIONAL YOUTH TRAINING CENTRE (Singapore Sports School) The Singapore Sports School (SSP) is a specialised independent school dedicated to providing the optimal sports development and academic learning of our talented student-athletes anchored on building strong character qualities of an athlete. Aquatics Coordinator (McBurney YMCA) The YMCA of Greater New York is here for all New Yorkers — to empower youth, improve health, and strengthen community. Founded in 1852, today the Y serves a diverse population of more than half a million New Yorkers who learn, grow, and thrive through programs and services at our 24 branches. Head Swim Coach Are you passionate about swimming and working with youth? Do you enjoy helping young athletes develop confidence and skills in the pool? Aronimink Golf Club is seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Head Coach for our upcoming summer 2025 season. LSC Competition Coordinator (Pacific Swimming) Pacific Swimming is looking for an LSC Competition Coordinator to help tailor the services provided to ensure that we are fully benefiting all LSC athletes. The primary area of focus for this position is to analyze information from swim meets to suggest changes to the meet schedule that increases participation and performance for all athletes. Aquatic Sales Customer Service Manager Daland Swim School is seeking a dynamic and results-driven Sales Customer Service Manager to lead office operations, drive sales growth, and ensure exceptional customer experiences. The ideal candidate is a proactive leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about exceeding sales targets. AGUA Assistant Coach PT Asphalt Green Unified Aquatics (AGUA) is looking to hire an experienced and energetic part-time coach to assist our lead coaches at our Upper East Side location (1750 York Avenue at East 91st St.). AGUA is a USA Swimming Gold Club that has achieved Level 4 Club Recognition and is home to 300+ athletes. Full Time Age Group Coach – Alto Swim Club Alto Swim Club is the premier USA swimming team in the Palo Alto and Stanford area; our mission is to be the best developmental and high performance swim team in the United States. We offer a comprehensive swim program for all athletes, from the beginner swimmer to the Olympian. Head Coach for Summer Team – Swarthmore Swim Club The Swarthmore Swim Club (SSC) Seasharks are seeking an experienced Head Coach for the 2025 Suburban Swim League (SSL) (http://www.ssl-summer.com/) swim season. We are looking for an energetic, motivated individual to lead approximately 125 swimmers of all ability levels in our developmental and competitive summer swim league, as well as coordinate and manage our assistant and volunteer coaches. Innovative Assistant Head Swim Coach We are looking for a dynamic, motivated, professional coach with strong experience working with and developing Age Group swimmers. Experience working with Junior and Senior level swimmers is preferred. This person will work with the Head Coach to develop the stream of AG swimmers, coming from the swim lesson program associated with the team, into a strong Junior and Senior program as well. Competitive Aquatics Director – Harrisburg Area YMCA The Competitive Aquatics Director will deliver association-wide high-quality competitive team programs that promote achievement, create a sense of belonging and foster positive relationships. The Competitive Aquatics Director will provide programmatic and staff leadership, coaching expertise and volunteer activation while ensuring the safety of all participants. Club Swim Coach – Thousand Oaks, California Daland is looking for fun and energetic individuals to join our team. Do a job worth doing! This is a chance to make a difference in someone’s life, to build a personal connection and help kids and adults alike accomplish something significant. Masters Swim Coach – Thousand Oaks, California Daland is looking for fun and energetic individuals to join our team. Do a job worth doing! This is a chance to make a difference in someone’s life, to build a personal connection and help kids and adults alike accomplish something significant. Water Fitness Instructor – Thousand Oaks, California Daland Swim School is seeking a skilled and experienced Water Fitness Instructor to teach groups of all ages and skill levels in water fitness. The instructor will be responsible for conducting safe and effective water fitness lessons that align with the needs and abilities of our swimmers. Assistant Club Swim Coach – Thousand Oaks, California Lucile Cowle is looking for fun and energetic individuals to join our team. Do a job worth doing! This is a chance to make a difference in someone’s life, to build a personal connection and help kids and adults alike accomplish something significant. BAY CLUB PANTHERS | PART-TIME ASSISTANT SWIM COACH NEEDED Under the direction of the Aquatics Director and Head Swim Team Coach, the Assistant Swim Coach is responsible for managing and coaching the year round Panthers USA swim team, coaching upper level athletes, providing oversight to all the swim teams and stroke schools; maintaining a safe and effective learning environment while focusing on the fulfillment of clients’ swimming goals; achieving personal revenue goals; and providing the best customer service and hospitality to members and guests. Kiefer Aquatics Team & Retail Assistant Manager – Roswell The Team & Retail Assistant Manager will assist with aspects of effectively running our Kiefer Aquatics retail store including attending and providing sales and service at related swim meet events and teams affiliated with this location. This is a full-time position, 5 varying days per week. Some weekends will be required. Kiefer Aquatics Team & Retail Assistant Manager – Spring The Team & Retail Assistant Manager will assist with aspects of effectively running our Kiefer Aquatics retail store including attending and providing sales and service at related swim meet events and teams affiliated with this location. This is a full-time position, 5 varying days per week. Some weekends will be required. Assistant Swimming & Diving Coach This position offers the opportunity for a coach to immediately impact the entire aquatics program at De La Salle High School. To enhance the synergy between all aquatic sports (Swimming, Diving, and Water Polo), we are seeking an Assistant Coach who believes in the value of High School Swimming & Diving for athletes at all levels. Head Coach The 661 Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to enabling infrastructure that promotes positive habits, creating and providing access to recreational facilities and activities, and improving community engagement, with a strong emphasis on supporting underserved and underprivileged youth and communities. We offer financial assistance and grants to charitable organizations and individuals, and develop programs that foster education, health, and community development. Head Swim Coach The Village of Pleasant Prairie’s RecPlex, the largest municipal recreation facility in the U.S., is seeking a Head Swim Coach of the Pleasant Prairie Patriots to take charge of our swim program! Nestled on the shores of beautiful Lake Andrea in Prairie Springs Park, the RecPlex offers a vibrant, teamwork-centered environment where your expertise in swimming can make a splash. Caltech Assistant Swimming Coach The part-time, regular Assistant Coach, Men’s and Women’s Swimming is responsible for assisting in the coaching and teaching of students, game and practice preparation and execution, compliance with NCAA and conference rules/regulations, assisting with appropriate recruitment of scholar-athletes, and assisting with general team administrative work. Technical Director (Swimming) Singapore Aquatics is seeking an experienced and visionary Technical Director (TD) to lead the technical development of coaches, athletes, and programs across the nation. The TD will be instrumental in fostering a high-performance environment, enhancing coaching standards, and ensuring a clear pathway for athlete progression. National Training Centre (NTC) Senior Co-Lead Coach Singapore Aquatics is seeking an experienced and dynamic NTC Senior Co-Lead Coach to lead one of our three main squads within the National Training Centre (NTC) Squad. The NTC Senior Co-Lead Coach will play a pivotal role in guiding elite and developing athletes, driving their preparation for national and international competitions such as the Southeast Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and the Olympics. Pittsburgh Elite Aquatics Head Upper St. Clair Site Coach 5+ years of coaching experience, with coaching experience in a leadership role preferred. College swimmers are also preferred. Aquatic Director – Campo Family YMCA Let the next steps in your career be a footprint in the sands of sunny Tampa Bay, Florida. Come join out team! Age Group Coach Time commitment TBD based on group: 3-6 practice sessions per week after school and/or Saturdays, 60 to 120 minutes per session. Additional practice for the Summer Season, including possible AM sessions Graduate Assistant, Swimming and Diving Responsible for the usual and customary duties associated with assisting in the coaching of an athletic program; responsible for knowledge and skills entailed in the sport being represented. Part-Time Senior Assistant Coach – Long Island Aquatic Club Long Island Aquatic Club is a Nationally ranked competitive swimming club that operates out of Eisenhower Park in the Freedom Pool and the Nassau County Aquatic Center. LIAC has consistently been the top-performing New York City Metropolitan Area swim club for the past 20 years. Recognized as one of the most elite competitive swim programs in the United States, we consistently field one of the top 10 teams in USA Swimming’s Virtual Club Championships, and our teams have won Junior National, Sectional, Senior Metropolitan, and Junior Olympic titles. Open Water Program Lead Swimming is Australia’s most successful Olympic and Paralympic sport and there has never been a more exciting time to join our sport. Following a successful Paris campaign and with the green and gold runway to Brisbane 2032, we have created this new role to lead the design and delivery of Swimming Australia’s High Performance Endurance and Open Water strategy. Team Manager – Alto Swim Club Alto Swim Club is seeking a Team Manager / Administrator. This is a full-time position. The Team Administrator will assist with all team and business administrative responsibilities. Assistant Swim Team Coach The Upper Valley Aquatic Center is seeking a Full Time Assistant Coach. We are a member of the New England Swimming LSC and operate our own 25y by 25m pool with 11scy lanes and upper deck bleacher seating for 400. The facility includes an updated gym plus specialized fitness rooms and classrooms which the team has full access to. We host multiple meets throughout the year. Lakeside Swim Team Seeks Lead Coach For The Developmental Group Lakeside Swim Team in Louisville, KY has been a nationally prominent swim team since 1928, producing 12 US Olympians and being named a Gold Medal Club 20 times. The team currently has 400+ members and strives to provide outstanding instruction and training to all levels of swimmers. For more information on our program https://lakesideseahawks.org/ Full Time Age Group Coach – Alto Swim Club Alto Swim Club is seeking a full-time coach. Alto Swim Club is the premier USA swimming team in the Palo Alto and Stanford area; our mission is to be the best developmental and high performance swim team in the United States. We offer a comprehensive swim program for all athletes, from the beginner swimmer to the Olympian. Head Men’s and Women’s Swim Coach at Centenary College Head coach is a full time position and has one full time assistant coach and one volunteer assistant currently. There are 25 swimmers on roster with 85% of those freshmen or sophomores. Assistant Men’s & Women’s Swimming Coach – COLLEGE Assistant Swim Coach Location: 3700 Coldwater Canyon Avenue, Studio City, CA, USA Los Angeles Swim Club is a Bronze Medal Club in the Studio City area of Los Angeles Assistant Women’s Swimming Coach The assistant coach is charged with working with the head coach in many facets of the program, including the recruitment of prospective student-athletes, game-day coaching and practice preparation, the maintenance of the program’s budget and the development and implementation of a strategic plan for fund raising activities to supplement the operating budget of both the program and the Department of Athletics. Aquatics Supervisor Are you passionate about aquatics, water safety, and inspiring others? We’re on the lookout for a dynamic Aquatics Supervisor to lead our vibrant MAC Swim School and Lifeguard programs! This is your chance to make a splash in a role that combines leadership, community engagement, and skill development in a fun, energetic environment. The Race Club Seeks Full Time Swim Coach The Race Club teaches the most advanced science-based swimming technique using the most advanced technology. We achieve this through our swim camps, online subscription (consultation) and private lessons. We are currently seeking a full time coaching position. This unique coaching position primarily entails teaching swimmers ages nine and up of all abilities through camps, private instruction and online coaching. The position requires basic computer skills, daily social media engagement on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Youtube with incentives for achieving channel growth goals and being a positive team player who brings creative energy to the table. Executive Director COM Aquatics Center is seeking an Executive Director to lead and manage all aspects of the aquatic and physical therapy facility. This dynamic individual will drive strategic initiatives, foster community engagement, and ensure operational excellence. The Executive Director will collaborate with stakeholders, staff, and the board to enhance the center’s impact and uphold its mission. The fee to submit a Swimming Job is very low, only $125, and SwimSwam leverages the Swim Job to social media, @SwimSwamNEWS Twitter (with 117,000+ followers) and SwimSwam Facebook (with 726,000+ fans) and @SwimSwamNEWS on Instagram(with 436,000 followers). Follow Swim Jobs on Instagram at @SwimJobs. I also leverage Swim Jobs on @GoldMedalMel (with 28,000+ followers) and GoldMedalMel Facebook (with 352,000+ fans). We’ve learned Swim Jobs are important to our audience. They like knowing what jobs are available in our big swimming family. ***Disclaimer: Because we have included the Swim Jobs above, it does not mean they are all available. Many swim jobs are filled very quickly. If you want to be a part of the swimming community, you have to act fast. Good luck with your Swim Job search. Comments are closed.
MEL STEWART Jr., aka Gold Medal Mel, won three Olympic medals at the 1992 Olympic Games. Mel’s best event was the 200 butterfly. He is a former World, American, and NCAA Record holder in the 200 butterfly. As a writer/producer and sports columnist, Mel has contributed to Yahoo Sports, Universal Sports, … More from Gold Medal Mel Stewart See All Subscribe to our newsletter and receive our latest updates!
The atmospheres in South Bend, Happy Valley, Austin and Columbus were “electric and it’s an experience unlike anything college football has ever seen”Getty Images
The first games of the inaugural 12-team CFP this weekend “landed with all the fanfare of a pigskin with a puncture,” as all four first-round games “degenerated into a one-sided blowout,” according to Laine Higgins of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. The “slew of lopsided results raises questions about the format, seeding and selection criteria of the expanded playoff” (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 12/22). The AP’s Eddie Pells noted the average final score of the four games was 36-17. This “bold, new experiment was supposed to bring more programs from more parts of the country into the loop of a largely regional sport” that had been “dominated by about a half-dozen teams for the last decade.” Meanwhile, one part that felt like a success “was that the stands were full in all four stadiums” (AP, 12/22). In D.C., Patrick Stevens wrote the set of results “should not be construed as a reason to condemn the playoff expansion.” In another year, with another set of teams, first-round contests “could deliver riveting games.” But there is “no reason to pretend these matchups turned out to be all that electric” (WASHINGTON POST, 12/22).
GIVE THINGS SOME TIME TO SETTLE IN: In Las Vegas, Adam Hill wrote even after a “few first-round duds,” the expanded CFP “is a great thing and will only get better.” There will be “plenty of great playoff games going forward and in the future.” Do not “overreact to the first round of the first year” (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 12/21). In Birmingham, Kevin Scarbinsky writes one-sided games “have become a feature, not a bug,” of college football’s playoff system, and that is a “larger problem that didn’t start Friday and Saturday.” There have been 34 postseason games since the four-team CFP started in 2014, and 22 of those games “have been decided by at least 14 points.” Seven of the 10 CFP national championship games “have been decided by 15 or more points” (BIRMINGHAM NEWS, 12/23). USA TODAY’s Dan Wolken wrote college football on Friday “became a real, big-boy sport with an actual postseason.” When “it’s real, you get what you get — and sometimes that’s a lopsided competition.” Wolken: “Calm down everyone” (USA TODAY, 12/21). In Dallas, Kevin Sherrington reported the first-round results “weren’t all that much different from the semis in the four-team playoffs.” This is “how it goes in playoff football.” A close game “is an anomaly” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 12/22).
DID EVERYONE BELONG? USA TODAY’s Matt Hayes wrote Indiana’s inclusion in the CFP “was a monumental mistake” and there has “never been a bigger miss … by the selection committee in the 11 years of the playoff.” Notre Dame beat Indiana 27-17 — though IU scored 14 points in the final 90 seconds — and while there have been other playoff blowouts, “rarely were there times when those teams didn’t deserve to play in the games, or didn’t play a schedule worthy of inclusion” (USA TODAY, 12/21). However, THE ATHLETIC’s Joe Rexrode wrote IU “absolutely should have been here, based on the information that was available.” The CFP selection committee “got this one right,” though they will “get other ones right that will look wrong in retrospect” (THE ATHLETIC, 12/21). Meanwhile, despite SMU losing 38-10 to Penn State, THE ATHLETIC’s Justin Williams wrote a terrible performance doesn’t negate the body of work that got them to this point.” Williams: “Though there might be some flaws in this inaugural 12-team Playoff format, SMU’s bid is not one of them” (THE ATHLETIC, 12/21).
NEED TO PROTECT THE QUALITY: In San Jose, Jon Wilner wrote the “in-stadium atmosphere was fantastic” around the four games, but it was “bad television.” That in turn is “bad for college football.” There were plenty of blowouts in the semifinals during the playoff’s four-team era, but “limiting the number of blowouts is vastly more important now than it was under the four-team format.” Wilner: “Why? Because the semifinals were typically played on New Year’s Day, which belongs to college football.” The opening-round games on the weekend before Christmas have “direct competition … from the NFL.” It is “tough enough for the sport to compete head-to-head with the king.” So lopsided games on a “regular basis will only exacerbate the situation” (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 12/22). Meanwhile, in Chicago, Paul Sullivan emphasized there “really aren’t 12 teams good enough to compete for a national title.” Which led to “four boring games in which the announcers spent much of the fourth quarter rationalizing the losing teams’ presence in the CFP and overhyping the teams that handily beat them.” The games had the “feel of another bowl game once the novelty of playing in a non-bowl stadium wore off” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/22).
ON-CAMPUS GAMES A WINNER: CBSSPORTS.com’s Will Backus wrote the home playoff games are an “incredible addition” to the CFP. The atmospheres in South Bend, Happy Valley, Austin and Columbus were “electric and it’s an experience unlike anything college football has ever seen” (CBBSPORTS.com, 12/22). THE ATHLETIC’s Scott Dochterman notes a “whirlwind 36-hour journey” to the two night games at Notre Dame and Ohio State “revealed some of the best pomp and circumstance that college football has to offer” (THE ATHLETIC, 12/23). In D.C., Chuck Culpepper wrote that the fresh wrinkle of on-campus playoff games “did seem a hit,” especially in Columbus, where Tennessee fans “gobbled up enough tickets that they changed the tenor and color of the city and the stadium” (WASHINGTON POST, 12/22).
A SPECIAL FRIDAY NIGHT IN INDIANA: YAHOO SPORTS’ Ross Dellenger wrote IU-Notre Dame on Friday delivered “spectacular history to millions across the country: an on-campus playoff game.” This is where “college football’s postseason belongs.” This is where “college football lives, where it thrives.” We have “never seen this before — a true college football postseason clash on a college campus.” Dellenger: “How many years were wasted? How many seasons now gone?” We “could have had this so much sooner.” The NFL, “their grand stadiums, their big cities, their subways, has nothing on this.” But the atmosphere, the wintry weather, the pageantry of it all — “that’s where it’s at” (YAHOO SPORTS, 12/21). THE ATHLETIC’s Stewart Mandel reported the first on-campus Playoff game kicked off at Norte Dame Stadium and you “didn’t have to be in the 25-degree South Bend weather to get the chills.” Anyone watching on TV “could appreciate the magnitude of this moment for a sport that has only ever played its postseason at bowl games and neutral sites” (THE ATHLETIC, 12/22). Start your morning with Buzzcast with Austin Karp: How did the First Round of the CFP perform? The PGA of America taps a new leader, NASCAR is non-committal about the future of Chicago street racing and JuJu Watkins vs. Paige Bueckers lives up to the hype. Shareable URL copied to clipboard! https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/12/23/cfp-first-round-games-on-campus Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/12/23/cfp-first-round-games-on-campus Register for a free SBJ account to unlock one extra article per month.
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 04: Wes Anderson attends the “The French Dispatch” Italian preview photocall … [+] at Fondazione Prada on November 04, 2021 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Lorenzo Palizzolo/Getty Images) In an increasingly digitized and informal world, the simple two-piece suit has been relegated for many to only a few occasions—office meetings, weddings and funerals. But, more and more, stylish men are playing with the formality of a suit to create casual, everyday outfits with their jackets and trousers. In fact, with the right elements, a suit’s potential extends far beyond a courthouse or boardroom and might be one’s go-to outfit for getting groceries, getting together with friends or having a lazy Sunday at home. When talking about dressing down a suit, it’s not a suggestion that there is no place for formality—quite the opposite. What’s needed is a shift in perspective about the approachability of suits, recognizing more opportunities to wear them than a few times a year. As society leans further into casual dressing, wearing a black or navy suit with a crisp white shirt can feel almost outdated. At the same time, there’s a growing emphasis on self-expression through fashion. This has led men to reimagine formality, experimenting with how to style suits in ways that reflect their personal preferences—whether for casual outings, creative ventures or anything in between. Nathaniel Adams, a New Orleans-based tailor and owner of his eponymous brand Natty Adams, sees—and practices—this trend himself. “Now that most people don’t have to wear suits for work that means they get to wear suits for pleasure or comfort. Wearing a suit casually is a great way to do this; in the summer I like to go for a mod look with a slim cut single-breasted suit and a polo shirt. In winter I like a soft flannel double-breasted suit with an unconstructed chest canvas and a crew or turtleneck sweater underneath.” A major factor on what makes for a casual suit option is fit and construction. The suit you’d wear to a wedding isn’t necessarily the same sort of suit you’d want for a Sunday around the house. This is partially due to the fit of the jacket and pants. Generally speaking, a formal suit should be more structured and tailored to the body while a more casual suit will give you a bit of leeway. To achieve this, look for suits with jackets that aren’t structured with a tailored waist, which tends to nip in at the sides and doesn’t allow for much extra room to relax in. Additionally, choose a jacket with unstructured shoulders for a softer, more casual drape against the natural curve of the body, like the relaxed wool-blend double-breasted blazer from COS or the Graduate Blazer in Italian wool flannel from Buck Mason. PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 25: A guest wears black sunglasses, a white t-shirt, a white pearls necklace, a … [+] pale green / white / brown print pattern silk scarf, a pale gray oversized blazer jacket, pale gray large fringed pants, white leather shoes , outside the Casablanca show, during Paris Fashion Week – Menswear Spring/Summer 2023, on June 25, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images) Fabric is as important as fit. Of course, suits come in a wide variety of fabrics for an equally varied assortment of circumstances. When thinking about how to wear a suit more casually, consider fabrics that aren’t restrictive and are a bit durable, too. One fabric that comes to mind for the ultimate casual look is corduroy. Not only is corduroy already perceived as a more casual fabric than a premium Italian wool, for example, it has the added benefit of being a bit insulating and can put up with a lot of day-to-day wear and tear. Given the bulkier weight of corduroy, many suits made out of this particular fabric are naturally a tad bit boxier, giving one ample room to move in. Further, as corduroy is a twill fabric made from cotton, it will naturally stretch with extended wear and conform more to the body for even more comfort. Brands like Alex Mill have utilized corduroy to create one of their most popular suiting options, made even more appropriate for the casual suit wearer by the small design details like a pleated pant and softer shoulder. If you’re looking for even more of a comfortable wear, Land’s End’s stretch corduroy suit has a bit of elastane built into the fabric for extra stretch and fully lined for added warmth. On the flip side of corduroy, linen may be the best bet for summer. Lightweight and breathable, linen is able to toe the line between formal and relaxed seamlessly. What’s more, linen is a natural fabric that will wrinkle, providing a built-in excuse to lounge comfortably without fussing over wrinkles. With films like La Chimera and Queer heavily featuring linen suits as part of the main characters’ wardrobes, there has been a renewed interest in this fabric as a contender for summertime favorites. Both Dandy Del Mar and Quince offer inexpensive options that can easily withstand the steamy days of Mexico City or the cool nights in Tuscany. MILAN, ITALY – JUNE 18: Daniel Toni Jais wears a dark gray and beige print pattern silk small scarf, … [+] a pale gray linen blazer jacket, matching pale gray linen suit pants, a matching pale gray linen shirt, a white latte matte leather crossbody bag, a black and gold bracelet, gold rings, a white latte matte leather belt, a watch, outside the Emporio Armani fashion show during Milan Fashion Week Menswear S/S 2023 on June 18, 2022 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images) Since suit colors are typically neutral, consider them a blank canvas. It’s not about competing with—or even acknowledging—the innate formality of a suit. Instead, the best approach to build an everyday outfit around a suit is to go with what you already know. As Natty Adams mentioned above, seasonality plays a large role in how we dress a suit down. Opting for polos—or even a t-shirt—in the summer keeps things breezy and light. For the winter, a turtleneck under a nice wool suit creates a flattering silhouette on most men. One will still look put together without having to default to the tiresome suit-and-tie combo. Another way to keep things casual when wearing a suit is to play with fabrics, not just garment choices. For instance, a nice flannel button-down shirt under a wool suit plays with pattern and structure, while keeping one nice and cozy throughout the day. Being able to balance the interplay between fabric options can help set a less formal tone when building an outfit. Finally, consider the entirety of the outfit. For example, a pair of sneakers is a tried-and-true way of approaching a suit without fussiness (but, be careful of where your trousers break, meaning where the hem meets the shoe, which can appear awkward with certain shoe styles.). Replace a dressy Rolex with a more irreverent Casio. Wear a patterned belt instead of a go-to black leather one. Have a white sock peek out of a pair of black loafers—you get the idea. The main thing isn’t to play into the preconceptions of formalwear, but to chip away at them to find a personal style that works for you. American actress Gwyneth Paltrow, wearing a black turtleneck outfit with a long necklace, and … [+] American actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who wears a striped suit of a white collarless shirt, attend the 65th Annual National Board of Review of Motion Pictures Awards at the Equitable Center in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, New York, 28th February 1994. (Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)
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