Zach Bigalke (he/him/his)
@zbigalke.bsky.social
Husband
Puppy papa
Former pro cook
Unapologetically profane sport historian
Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor
Penn State Kinesiology
Secretary
Society for American Soccer History
Book Review Editor
Sport History Review
NSHOF voter
Puppy papa
Former pro cook
Unapologetically profane sport historian
Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor
Penn State Kinesiology
Secretary
Society for American Soccer History
Book Review Editor
Sport History Review
NSHOF voter
Pinned
So I dusted this off this week and set it up for the 2025 season.
Here's how things rank out after last weekend's games. The ranking uses game results from all games between Division I teams, dropping any games against D-II, D-III, and NAIA competition.
More details in this thread...
🧵 1/x
Here's how things rank out after last weekend's games. The ranking uses game results from all games between Division I teams, dropping any games against D-II, D-III, and NAIA competition.
More details in this thread...
🧵 1/x
I am publishing the full rankings of all 265 Division I teams here each week, if you wish to see where everyone ranks (and give me shit about where your favorite team landed this week): sites.psu.edu/zbigalke/col...
I'll be updating the rankings each Sunday through the regular season.
I'll be updating the rankings each Sunday through the regular season.
Everyone famously knows that, before ChatGPT, films only had a maximum of seven characters per script.
January 17, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Everyone famously knows that, before ChatGPT, films only had a maximum of seven characters per script.
They didn't put me on anything stronger than novocaine or whatever they used to numb me up, but I was apparently a bit out of it after that dentist appointment yesterday. Completely forgot to send something out to students.
Well, looks like that deadline is getting extended, since it was my fault!
Well, looks like that deadline is getting extended, since it was my fault!
January 17, 2026 at 12:04 PM
They didn't put me on anything stronger than novocaine or whatever they used to numb me up, but I was apparently a bit out of it after that dentist appointment yesterday. Completely forgot to send something out to students.
Well, looks like that deadline is getting extended, since it was my fault!
Well, looks like that deadline is getting extended, since it was my fault!
Reposted by Zach Bigalke (he/him/his)
I can't trust politicians who are anti-trans. Not because I'm "only searching for perfection" which is what centrists will be accusing me of for the rest of my life, it's because if you're not pro-trans you'll be garbage on lots of other issues too. Being anti-trans NEVER exists in a vacuum.
January 17, 2026 at 9:42 AM
I can't trust politicians who are anti-trans. Not because I'm "only searching for perfection" which is what centrists will be accusing me of for the rest of my life, it's because if you're not pro-trans you'll be garbage on lots of other issues too. Being anti-trans NEVER exists in a vacuum.
The worst part of a tooth extraction is always the point when you start to get hungry but don't want to put anything in your mouth.
January 17, 2026 at 1:17 AM
The worst part of a tooth extraction is always the point when you start to get hungry but don't want to put anything in your mouth.
This is precisely why I teach sport history -- you cannot divorce sports from the societies that play the games.
And boy, will this be something to teach down the road...
And boy, will this be something to teach down the road...
Minneapolis Parks and Recreation has canceled youth sports because ICE is terrorizing our community
January 17, 2026 at 12:52 AM
This is precisely why I teach sport history -- you cannot divorce sports from the societies that play the games.
And boy, will this be something to teach down the road...
And boy, will this be something to teach down the road...
Reposted by Zach Bigalke (he/him/his)
They are canceling youth sports across the city in Minneapolis this weekend because lawless masked armed federal paramilitaries are targeting the children and families.
Minneapolis Parks and Recreation has canceled youth sports because ICE is terrorizing our community
January 16, 2026 at 6:39 PM
They are canceling youth sports across the city in Minneapolis this weekend because lawless masked armed federal paramilitaries are targeting the children and families.
Reposted by Zach Bigalke (he/him/his)
If you punch a bully in the mouth, he backs down. If you cower and try to pretend things are ok, he’ll keep taking your lunch money.
Just in case anyone needs to hear this.
Just in case anyone needs to hear this.
January 17, 2026 at 12:20 AM
If you punch a bully in the mouth, he backs down. If you cower and try to pretend things are ok, he’ll keep taking your lunch money.
Just in case anyone needs to hear this.
Just in case anyone needs to hear this.
I love this George Woodbridge interpretation of Andy Griffith's "What it Was, Was Football" in MAD #40 (July 1958, p. 44-47)
January 17, 2026 at 12:38 AM
I love this George Woodbridge interpretation of Andy Griffith's "What it Was, Was Football" in MAD #40 (July 1958, p. 44-47)
Just had the tooth right below my left eye extracted a few hours ago, and my face, well... it doesn't hurt, per se, but boy does it feel weird as hell.
January 16, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Just had the tooth right below my left eye extracted a few hours ago, and my face, well... it doesn't hurt, per se, but boy does it feel weird as hell.
Normally I try to schedule dentist appointments as early as possible, usually at 7am right when they open.
Today they couldn't get me in until 10:30 and it is driving me bonkers.
Today they couldn't get me in until 10:30 and it is driving me bonkers.
January 16, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Normally I try to schedule dentist appointments as early as possible, usually at 7am right when they open.
Today they couldn't get me in until 10:30 and it is driving me bonkers.
Today they couldn't get me in until 10:30 and it is driving me bonkers.
Reposted by Zach Bigalke (he/him/his)
Californians are NOT going to vote for Gavin Newsom. They're telling you now, with YEARS to go before the election. Fair warning. Please support better candidates, there will be many to choose from.
January 16, 2026 at 5:39 AM
Californians are NOT going to vote for Gavin Newsom. They're telling you now, with YEARS to go before the election. Fair warning. Please support better candidates, there will be many to choose from.
I imagine every major airline will be pulling shit like this soon.
Might be time to sort out how I'm driving to NASSH this year, because I really have zero desire to fly.
Might be time to sort out how I'm driving to NASSH this year, because I really have zero desire to fly.
It’s been reported locally, but I’m not sure how much national notice this has gotten. As part of this invasion by shithead goons, they are putting ICE agents in jetbridges and other parts of the airport at Minneapolis-Saint Paul. If you are flying Delta via MSP, you are putting yourself at risk.
ICE agents to begin checking documents at MSP airport, patrol jet bridges - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will begin checking documents of travelers and workers at MSP airport, with patrols inside jet bridges.
www.bizjournals.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:01 PM
I imagine every major airline will be pulling shit like this soon.
Might be time to sort out how I'm driving to NASSH this year, because I really have zero desire to fly.
Might be time to sort out how I'm driving to NASSH this year, because I really have zero desire to fly.
Reposted by Zach Bigalke (he/him/his)
María Corina Machado Parisca:
Terrible recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, or the MOST terrible recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize?
Terrible recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, or the MOST terrible recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize?
Grinning like a 5-year old getting his participation trophy at the post-season T-ball pizza party.
January 16, 2026 at 10:29 AM
María Corina Machado Parisca:
Terrible recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, or the MOST terrible recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize?
Terrible recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, or the MOST terrible recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize?
If @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social and @schumer.senate.gov had any integrity, they'd be rallying the troops to guarantee that ICE doesn't get a single dime.
Of course, in the real world their lack of integrity means we're going to see another goddamn budget increase for the Gestapo.
Of course, in the real world their lack of integrity means we're going to see another goddamn budget increase for the Gestapo.
January 16, 2026 at 10:27 AM
If @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social and @schumer.senate.gov had any integrity, they'd be rallying the troops to guarantee that ICE doesn't get a single dime.
Of course, in the real world their lack of integrity means we're going to see another goddamn budget increase for the Gestapo.
Of course, in the real world their lack of integrity means we're going to see another goddamn budget increase for the Gestapo.
Reposted by Zach Bigalke (he/him/his)
"We aren't going to do shit to protect you or say shit while the current administration terrorizes you." - Dem leadership
"You need to vote for us." - also Dem leadership
"You need to vote for us." - also Dem leadership
January 15, 2026 at 10:54 PM
"We aren't going to do shit to protect you or say shit while the current administration terrorizes you." - Dem leadership
"You need to vote for us." - also Dem leadership
"You need to vote for us." - also Dem leadership
These four simple words should be coming out of the mouths of every Democrat in office and every one running for office, for that is the only way to moderate this mayhem.
ICE must be abolished. It has become a lawless, rogue agency. Federal law enforcement agencies must follow the law, if they're going to have any credibility enforcing it.
We are demanding justice for Renee Good and the prosecution of ICE agent Jonathan Ross for her murder.
We are demanding justice for Renee Good and the prosecution of ICE agent Jonathan Ross for her murder.
January 15, 2026 at 10:54 PM
These four simple words should be coming out of the mouths of every Democrat in office and every one running for office, for that is the only way to moderate this mayhem.
Reposted by Zach Bigalke (he/him/his)
The "children as human shields" rationalization deployed for decades against Palestinians now being turned on Americans.
they’ll blame you for being in their way even when they’re the ones who invaded the neighborhood where your baby was sleeping inside your home
January 15, 2026 at 10:35 PM
The "children as human shields" rationalization deployed for decades against Palestinians now being turned on Americans.
Why does it feel like we're living in a society governed by adherents of the Gospel of Lovejoy?
January 15, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Why does it feel like we're living in a society governed by adherents of the Gospel of Lovejoy?
The extraordinary times in which we live have been extraordinarily difficult for someone with a decades-long history of dealing (successfully so far!) with anger management issues.
January 15, 2026 at 8:37 PM
The extraordinary times in which we live have been extraordinarily difficult for someone with a decades-long history of dealing (successfully so far!) with anger management issues.
Fuck @theguardian.com for publishing completely irresponsible puff pieces like this. Just an abject dereliction of duty on their part. Total fucking schlock that should make every editor on their staff die of embarrassment... or would, of course, if their editorial staff had an ounce of integrity.
AI as a life coach: experts share what works, what doesn’t and what to look out for
AI as a life coach: experts share what works, what doesn’t and what to look out for
It’s becoming more common for people to use AI chatbots for personal guidance – but this doesn’t come without risks
www.theguardian.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Fuck @theguardian.com for publishing completely irresponsible puff pieces like this. Just an abject dereliction of duty on their part. Total fucking schlock that should make every editor on their staff die of embarrassment... or would, of course, if their editorial staff had an ounce of integrity.
Reposted by Zach Bigalke (he/him/his)
What works: not using AI
What doesn't work: AI
What to look out for: news outlets promoting AI slop in a desperate attempt to keep the bubble from bursting because all of their investors have gone all in on it and are shitting themselves now that it's 2026 and still not profitable
What doesn't work: AI
What to look out for: news outlets promoting AI slop in a desperate attempt to keep the bubble from bursting because all of their investors have gone all in on it and are shitting themselves now that it's 2026 and still not profitable
January 15, 2026 at 8:19 PM
What works: not using AI
What doesn't work: AI
What to look out for: news outlets promoting AI slop in a desperate attempt to keep the bubble from bursting because all of their investors have gone all in on it and are shitting themselves now that it's 2026 and still not profitable
What doesn't work: AI
What to look out for: news outlets promoting AI slop in a desperate attempt to keep the bubble from bursting because all of their investors have gone all in on it and are shitting themselves now that it's 2026 and still not profitable
Reposted by Zach Bigalke (he/him/his)
How the hell did a New York Times reporting team destined for Minneapolis even end up in Nisswa?
Imagine trying to inform your readers about a situation in Chicago by interviewing someone at a bar in Logansport, Indiana.
Imagine trying to inform your readers about a situation in Chicago by interviewing someone at a bar in Logansport, Indiana.
NYTimes has truly outdone itself with this latest in its "ask white guys in diner" genre. Thank goodness we get a perspective on what's happening in Minneapolis from people in **Nisswa** who probably mean Brainerd when they say they "prefer not to go the city anymore" www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/u...
One State, Two Very Different Views of Minneapolis
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:44 PM
How the hell did a New York Times reporting team destined for Minneapolis even end up in Nisswa?
Imagine trying to inform your readers about a situation in Chicago by interviewing someone at a bar in Logansport, Indiana.
Imagine trying to inform your readers about a situation in Chicago by interviewing someone at a bar in Logansport, Indiana.
Reposted by Zach Bigalke (he/him/his)
(When we abolish ICE, we should abolish the Department of Homeland Security too.)
January 15, 2026 at 7:44 PM
(When we abolish ICE, we should abolish the Department of Homeland Security too.)
Fascists will always try to spin the lie that perpetrators are actually advocates.
Israel will honor Charlie Kirk with award for fighting antisemitism
Israel will honor Charlie Kirk with award for fighting antisemitism
Israel will honor Charlie Kirk with award for fighting antisemitism
www.independent.co.uk
January 15, 2026 at 7:42 PM
Fascists will always try to spin the lie that perpetrators are actually advocates.