The 9 Songs No Guy Will Admit to Owning

It’s true, at the end of a long day it’s absolutely mandatory to close off the rest of the world and blast some Taylor Swift tunes. We play these songs at the gym, in our dorms, apartments, and in our cars (windows completely rolled up).  Who knew that so many dudes out there secretly listened to the exact same music as their girlfriends?

1. ‘You belong with me’ By Taylor Swift

Miss Swift plays two characters in this video. A guy I know told me he would love to go out with the “Marching Band Taylor Swift.” Right… but that doesn’t explain why he listens to it on his iPod.

2. ‘What is love’ By Haddaway

A night at the Roxbury wasn’t the greatest movie ever made (okay that’s an understatement), but this song is very memorable.  Remember the head-bobbing that goes with it? Yeah, try not to break your neck while doing it.

3. ‘Burning Up’ By Jonas Brothers

When the Jonas Brothers were on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine every guy was shaking his head. That’s why it came as a shock to me when I saw this on a few of my friends’ iPods. But I guess even the manliest of men need to blast a little tweener music when they’re driving.

4. ‘Baby’ By Justin Bieber

Undeniably catchy and Ludacris is in it?! And it’s easy to sing to! Who cares that we were graduating high school when he was born.

5. ‘I want it that way’ By Backstreet Boys

‘I want it that way’ made the top five in VH1′s 100 greatest songs of the 90′s.   Whether it was the most played song on the radio in grade school or the most requested at the eighth grade dance, you have to admit that eleven years later you still get emotional as you belt out this song.

6. ‘Mmmbop’ By Hanson

Why Hanson? Why not? Who doesn’t secretly wish he were a Hanson? Who doesn’t at least wish that he could grow his hair past his shoulders and still be considered a sex icon?

7. ‘Sexy Back’ By Justin Timberlake

Whether you really are sexy or just wish you were, this is hands down the BEST song to listen to at the gym.  Ironically, no one at the gym is usually bringing sexy back.

8. ‘Don’t stop believing’ By The Cast of Glee

The commercials are kind of annoying and you might think the show is pretty stupid (slash have it tivoed), but this song makes up for it. And be honest with yourself, you were getting a little sick of fist pumping to the Journey version at the bars every Friday night.

9. ‘Single Ladies’ By Beyonce

It’s the ex-girlfriend anthem! More importantly Kanye loved it enough to destroy boost Taylor Swift’s career.

Miss COED: Sara Balint

It takes a special woman to be able to heat up Toronto in the winter. 22 year old Sara Balint seems like the woman for the job. Speaking of which, I’m sure she could get me up for a job too. She credits herself as ambitious and driven, so watch out. This FHM Hometown Hottie might be popping up all over the place soon.

Check out 6 additional sexy Sara Balint Miss COED photos at our Facebook group!

5 Best Dressed Players in the NBA

In the spirit of the NBA Playoffs, I thought it’d be appropriate to acknowledge the off-the-court swagger of some of the best athletes in the business. I’m not going to pretend I know a lot about fashion, but even I can tell when a guy is rocking some fresh gear. Ever since David Stern implemented the dress code for NBA players to follow, there’s been a silent competition across the League as to who can look the freshest for the TNT cameras as they do their countdown to tip off. Here’s my list of the 5 best dressed athletes.

5. O.J. Mayo

Mayo looks more like a young Nobel prize winner than the highest recruited baller out of high school since Lebron. Rocking the beige three-piece suit with some professor frames and a fat Rolex, he looked like the #1 overall pick on Draft night.

4. Kobe Bryant

Kobe rolled up to the MTV Movie Awards looking like Kid Cudi would at the Princeton University Spring Concert. The sweater makes the outfit, and I’m sure that’s probably because it’s a $2500 custom color, hand-made cashmere jumpoff made by Mr. Gucci himself.

3. Chris Paul

Chris Paul is one of the classiest guys in the NBA and he dresses the part. This past February, Paul donated his third playground-style basketball court to the city of New Orleans in his effort to help rebuild the city. Simple, classy, and sponsored by Jordan.

2. Lebron James

Mr. James doesn’t need any introduction. He’s about to win his second straight NBA MVP — this time probably by unanimous vote. In 3 months, he’ll become the highest paid player in the game (and probably in its history) so it’s no surprise he’s got the best stylists in his entourage. I mean if I wouldn’t look like a complete douchebag, I would rock this exact outfit (sans leather bag). And I’m pretty sure he’s holding a cell phone in his right hand and has one still clipped in his belt buckle. I think the one in is hand is Donnie Walsh’s private line.

1. Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade is my pick mainly because of his versatility and creativity. In the yellow vest, he looks like an underground rapper that would be featured in one of Kanye West’s music videos. In the second, he looks like a mafia don from the 70s straight out of American Gangster. Either way, the dude is always the freshest dressed in the room

Top 5 College Charity Events

Yeah, college kids like to party, drink, and have fun. But sometimes we do actually like to help out those less fortunate than us. Skeptical? Well, here are five of the biggest charities run by students. Try not feeling inspired after reading about these selfless kids! Then again, you might not think they’re so selfless after hearing about how much fun they’re having being charitable.

Undie Run Challenge

Take off the clothes. Donate the clothes. Run wild. he event was created by UCLA students back in 2002 and quickly caught on at campuses around the country.  It has become an amazing way for students to celebrate a successful academic year while donating their discarded clothes and helping out their local community. This year, students from 10 colleges will be participating in the AXE Undie Run Challenge, including Arizona State University, University of Wisconsin, University of Texas and University of Maryland. They’ll be competing against each other to see which student group can donate the most clothes for charity. AXE, the guys’ grooming brand, is also making a collective donation of $50,000 to the charities. Think about it as a genuinely good-natured bikini contest/pajama party: you can run around half-naked and you’re helping to clothe those in need. Philanthropy just got a whole more naked.

Relay for Life

Twenty five years ago a colorectal surgeon, Dr. Gordy Klatt, walked around a track for 24 hours to raise awareness and money for cancer research. His determination has led to a nationwide event at over 350 colleges. Students form teams, raise money, and spend up to 24 hours walking around a track in a continued effort to remember loved ones who have battled cancer as well raise even more money for their cause. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life attracts over 3.5 million people from 20 different countries to participate in this spectacular event that has helped the ACS raise money to fight cancer. With corporate sponsors helping out as well, the American Cancer Society has been able to raise tens of millions of dollars. Just last year, corporate sponsor UPS sent 89 teams of volunteers that raised up to $181,000.

Thon

The annual Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, known as THON, raises money and awareness for pediatric cancer. What started in 1973 as a small group of students dancing through the night grew into a huge philanthropy event attracting over ten thousand students. THON has over 15,000 student volunteers and have eclipsed raising over $61 million for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children’s hospital. The Four Diamonds Fund provides cancer patients and their families with money that insurance companies do not cover and also helps fund research grants at the hospital’s research institute.  In 2010 they raised $7,838,054.36. Not too shabby for a little late night dancing.

St. Judes Up Till Dawn

One night. One cause. Our campus. The Up ‘Till Dawn motto sums up the event that works to raise awareness and money for pediatric cancer.  Students spend weeks raising money and preparing for the final night where they stay up all night in honor of those children that battle cancer every day. And if there’s one thing college students are good at, it’s pulling all-nighters. Some do it playing video games, others because they have a 15-page paper due at 9am — but whatever the reason usually is, staying up participating in games and activities all night to raise money for cancer research is a nice change for college students. What started as a one campus event has now spread to over 250 campuses across the country. After 10 years in action, the Up ’til Dawn program now raises up to $5 million every year.

The Big Event

Everything is bigger in Texas, including Texas A&M’s student-run service project, the Big Event. The yearly day of service sends students out into the local community to help out in whatever way they can. Not only are they proud to be helping out their neighbors, but they’re also happy to say they’re the largest student-run day of service in the country. The projects include yard work, window washing, and painting for members of the community. They also help plant new trees at public parks and patching up  roofs on residential homes. With a student body of over 48,000, the surrounding community can accomplish weeks worth of work in just one day with the help of the Aggies.

5 Greatest SportsCenter Commercials

It seems like SportsCenter commercials haven’t changed at all since they began advertising. The “This is SportsCenter” ads that we’ve become so familiar with always take place somewhere in the ESPN studios, involve an athlete and/or mascot, one of the anchors, and have a perfect air of sarcasm that only true sports fans can understand. I’ve dug into the archives (aka Youtube) and compiled a list of  the 7 best Sportscenter commercials ever.

7. “Rookie Camp”

Love the sheer irony of the ad. Taped in 1996, the year Keyshawn Johnson and Kobe Bryant were drafted, there was no way ESPN could foresee the brilliance of this commercial. These two guys turned out to be among the cockiest dudes in their respective sports, maybe because they had Kenny Mayne and Stuart Scott (rocking a fantastic mustache) teaching them how to “be the man.”

6. “Rain Delay”

I’m sure everyone’s seen the umpire crew call a baseball game on account of rain. This is a great parody of it, especially the clip with John Anderson doing the hat-levitation move I used to do on the field trip bus in 4th grade.

5. Big Buddy

If Stuart Scott’s block at the end isn’t enough to make this one qualify, Kenny Mayne puts the icing on the cake when the injured kid is crying on the floor: “Walk it off! You’re parents signed the permission slip, get up man.”

4. The Machine

This spot isn’t even funny. The only thing cool about this spot is that we finally learn why Albert is the best hitter in baseball….

3. Betrayal

Anyone who watches as many Yankees-Red Sox games as me can appreciate the authenticity of this commercial. For some reason, the Red Sox organization encourages its players to have the crustiest hats and batting helmets in the MLB. It’s like if you don’t marinade your batting helmet in pine tar overnight you can’t be in the lineup the next day.

2. Chris Paul

I still think Chris Paul is the best point guard in the NBA. A man who fills all the stat sheet with absurd numbers. Personally, I’m not surprised he went with the Kung Pao.

1. Gheorghe Muresan

I mean…Gheorghe Muresan! Enough said. This one doesn’t need much explanation, but it’s a nice reminder about the man who decorated our framed Upper Deck cards from 3rd grade. Muresan is arguably the least talented basketball player ever to play in the NBA, but at 7’7″ he must be more athletic than I thought because those dance moves are stellar.

Playboy Model Unveils U.S. World Cup Jerseys

Playboy just made it a whole lot easier to get excited for the 2010 World Cup. If this somehow model doesn’t make you fall in love with the new jerseys, just remember they’re made of recycled plastic — so we’re going sexy and green! The design is a throwback to the style the U.S. Team used in the 1950 World Cup, the year they beat England 1-0. And just so happens, we’re playing England in the first round again this year. Want to support the U.S team, but unsure of how to do it? Check out our guide to being an American soccer supporter. And don’t forget to stay up-to-date  on all the action by following our favorite players on Twitter.

5 Tips for Betting on the NBA Playoffs

The NBA Playoffs, simply put, are awesome. In the next two months you’ll see more action than Mark Sanchez after an SNL afterparty. That being said, even more action will take place in the Vegas Sportsbooks who are salivating at the thought of two straight months of unpredictable, competitive basketball. For those of you who hope to crack the books, here are a couple of tips going into the trenches.

1. Home court actually means something
In the playoffs, every game has a college basketball atmosphere: its loud, rowdy and sold-out, the only difference is the fans are older and drunker. Home court is huge in the NBA Playoffs. For example. the Utah Jazz are the 5 seed with a 53-29 record, but they are 32-9 at home and just 21-20 on the road. Their first round opponents are the Nuggets, who boast a 34-7 home record and 19-22 record on the road. Look at the match-ups, and though bookmakers will build these factors into the lines, try to get the best value out of your wagers by investing in teams with a good track record.

Quick Stats:
Jazz: 48-29 against the spread, 23-17 at home.
Thunder: 26-15 ATS on the road.
Celtics: 12-28 ATS at home.
Magic: 46-34 ATS overall.

2. They’re called money players for a reason.
Although their teams might not have the best records against the spread, going with the superstars in the playoffs is always a safe bet because a.) they will play most, if not the entire, game and b) they’re giving %110 every night. Lebron James, D-Wade, Carmelo, Kevin Durant, Kobe at %110 is unfair for most opposing teams.

3. Whenever there is a game in Phoenix, take the OVER.
I don’t care what the record says (Suns are 19-21 on the over/under at home), there is something about that building in Phoenix that just inspires offensive onslaught. Maybe it’s the purple lights or maybe it’s the desert heat, but you just don’t want to sit there hoping that Steve Nash & Co., who have 4 players that shoot better than 42% from three, won’t score. Defense is ramped up in the playoffs, but the Suns have too many weapons.

4. Bet against the Celtics at home.
Don’t be intimidated by this team. This team is the polar opposite of what they were in 2007 when they won the championship. They’re older, they play worse defense, and Rasheed Wallace has cursed this team with his laziness. Boston is 12-28 ATS at home this season, and the spark they’ve been waiting for all season never kicked in. They could get past the Heat in the first round, but Lebron and the Cavs will eat them alive.

5. Sleepers
At this point they’re probably not sleepers, but the Atlanta Hawks and the Denver Nuggets are two teams that if they start playing well can beat the best teams in the league on any night. They both have a young core, but two seasoned veterans at point guard (Mike Bibby and Chauncey Billups, respectively) that can control games and manage the clock. In certain match-ups, don’t be afraid to take them to win straight up with a favorable payout possibility.

Note the magical purple lights...

In Defense of Yankee Fans Everywhere

There’s no better feeling for a fan at the beginning of a new season to be a loyal follower of the defending champions. Any trash talk can be shrugged off with a mere, “Well, you’re not getting rings on Opening Day” and your hopes for a repeat are high.

But being a Yankee fan is completely different. It’s a full-time job. Anyone who is not a Yankee fan hates the Yankees.  It’s gotten a little cliché to hate them, but honestly, I’m fine with it. The truth of the matter is Yankee haters don’t really have much to say because they all have the same argument: “Enjoy that championship you bought,” or “If you didn’t win ,it would have been the biggest disappointment ever.” Wow. Real original, bro.

I’ve put together my case in defense of Yankee fans and encourage any Yankee haters to tune in.

Argument #1: “The Yankees Buy Championships”
My answer: “Don’t hate the player, hate the game.”

It’s not the Yankees’ fault that there’s no salary cap in baseball. It’s also not their fault that they have won the most World Championships in any of the four major sports. They can’t control that they reside in the biggest city in the U.S., that their population is more or less obsessed with baseball, or that their tradition dates to just before the T-Rex went extinct .
We are living in the 21st century, the Yankee franchise is over 100 years old and thus we are witnessing the results of decades upon decades of legendary players, managers, general managers, owners and fans.

As fans, we’re the one’s that are paying $10 for a Bud Light, $7.50 for a hot dog, and $75 to sit in the upper deck, so Cashman & Co. better go out and put together a team worth that kind of cash. The Yankees drew 3,674,495 fans during the regular season last year, averaging 45,364 per game, second only to the Dodgers. Haters will point to teams like the Royals, Pirates, and Nationals as small-market teams that “will never have a chance” because of teams like the Yankees. The Royals draw an average of 22,473 per game, the Pirates 19,479 and the Nationals 22,715. Maybe if you showed up to the games, your team would have more money and then they could go out and “buy” some players. How about becoming a real fan and supporting your team and then you can talk trash.

True, the Yankees used an absurd amount of money to sign free agents last off-season, but they were worth it. All they did since 2000 was purchase washed-up veterans like Kevin Brown, Gary Sheffield, Randy Johnson (the list goes on) and never won. In 2009, they purchased wisely. Each player on a team is an investment, and last year their investments paid dividends.
Let’s glance at the 2004 World Series champion Red Sox’s roster and salaries.

Manny Ramirez – Free Agent acquisition — $20,409,542
Pedro Martinez – Traded for then signed – $17,500,000
Curt Schilling – Acquired via Trade – $12,000,000
Johnny Damon – Free Agent acquisition – $8,000,000
Jason Varitek – Home grown – $6,900,000
David Ortiz – Free agent acquisition – $4,587,000

Considering the biggest Yankee haters are Red Sox fans, I’m going to use them as my target. These numbers seem to suggest that the Red Sox are quite practiced in “purchasing” championships as well. On opening day this year, the only home-grown players in the Red Sox starting lineup were Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkillis. The Yankees had Derek Jeter, Nick Johnson, Robinson Cano, Jorge Posada and Brett Gardner. Let’s put things in perspective. The Red Sox are purchasing talent as well, maybe not as expensive this year as last, but they’re still doing it.

My point is this: if your team had the bankroll that the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Dodgers, or Cubs do, you would want your front office to do the exact same thing these clubs are. So stop whining and start showing up at the stadium. Get some beer, a portable grill from Target, and some chips and dip and make a day out of it.

Argument #2: “Front-runners/Bandwagon Jumpers.”
My answer: “Not the real Yankee fans.”

There is nothing I hate more than someone who claims to be a Yankee fan and hopped the bandwagon during their World Series run in the late 90s or because they like New York City.

The true Yankee fans are the one’s who remember Joey Cora stealing 2 straight bases in the ALDS in 1995, the one’s who remember Sandy Alomar’s home-run in the ALCS in 1997, and remember going to the Stadium when they were 6 years old and would see Luis Polonia in left field.

After following the Yankees my entire life, the 2009 championship felt special in its own right for different reasons than the ones in the late 1990s. For the first time in a decade, they signed the right players. Yes, they were among the top free agents out there, but they also fit right into the Yankee uniform. Classy guys who are all business, but know how to have fun too. Burnett throwing pies in anyone’s face who hit a walk-off, Sabathia taking the team out to steak dinners, and Swisher saluting the Bleacher Creatures before every game. This team seemed like a group of humans that we could relate to with super-human baseball talent, not a bunch of has-beens put together in a conference room of money hungry businessmen.

You guys can keep talking trash, but us Yankee fans will continue to laugh it off and the real ones….we know the truth.