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The Rules of Playing Knockout

The Rules of Playing Knockout Full-court basketball games require at least 10 players, five on each side, while teams competing in the National Basketball Association (NBA) maintain 15 roster spots to account for substitutions and injuries. Players can engage in several basketball-related games when they do not have the necessary numbers for a traditional, full-court game, including knockout. Knockout is one of the simplest basketball games players can engage in. Youth basketball coaches can integrate games of knockout into practice to maintain a fun atmosphere while working on shooting mechanics in a competitive setting. Knockout can be played with as few as two players, though the game will end soon after the first player is eliminated. To play a game of knockout, one player stands at the free throw line with a ball. A second player stands a few feet behind this player and holds a ball while the remaining players wait in a single-file line. The game begins as soon as the first player shoots the ball, though some games require the ball to make contact with the net, rim, or backboard before the second player can shoot. If the first player’s shot is good, they must quickly recover the ball, pass or hand it to the third player in line, and run to the end of the line of players waiting to shoot. If the player misses their first shot, they must run to the ball and attempt to score as quickly as possible. After the initial shot from the free-throw line, players can shoot the ball from any location, including a simple layup under the basket. A player is eliminated from the game or knocked out when someone standing behind them in the shooting line sinks their basket before the top player scores. The game proceeds in this fashion until only one player remains. There are several variations coaches can instill to make a game more skill-based, stamina-based, or a fun recreational activity for players to engage in after a long, difficult practice. For instance, coaches can require players to make their first shot from beyond the three-point line and their second shot, if needed, from the free-throw line, before attempting to score with a layup. In terms of endurance training, it is not uncommon for coaches to set up two games of knockout at the same at adjacent baskets. Instead of elimination, players knocked out of one game join the line of shooters in the other, allowing both games to continue indefinitely. Coaches can further the physical demand by setting up games on opposite ends of the court, requiring players to spring the floor length to switch between games. On the other hand, coaches can promote a more recreational atmosphere by embracing the secondary namesake of knockout. Players can use this rule variant to knock another player’s ball out of the air with their shot. For example, if two players are standing near the basket shooting layups, one could instead aim at their opponent’s ball, knocking it out of play and giving themselves more time to shoot. Other popular basketball games include around the world, HORSE, and taps. Players can also adjust the game’s normal rules to play a game of three-on-three or half-court basketball. via WordPress https://farooqshahzad.wordpress.com/2022/12/02/the-rules-of-playing-knockout/

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The History of the Rose Bowl

The History of the Rose Bowl The college football season culminates in a series of bowl games with more than 80 teams competing across three NCAA divisions. There are more than 40 Division I bowl games, including the Holiday Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl, and Las Vegas Bowl. Six of those bowl games rotate as College Football Playoffs semifinal matchups, and are collectively known as the New Year’s Six. The Rose Bowl, first played in 1902, is the oldest college football bowl game. Also known as the Tournament of Roses football game, the inaugural game was played on New Year’s Day in 1902 at Tournament Park and featured the Michigan Wolverines and Stanford Cardinals. Michigan won the game 49-0. Because of the lopsided score, Tournament of Roses organizers (Valley Hunt Club) decided to replace the football game with chariot races the following year. Football has been the permanent attraction since 1916, however. Washington State defeated Brown University 14-0 in the second-ever Rose Bowl Game in 1916. The New Year’s game gained momentum and popularity over the next few years, leading to the construction of the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. Now known as “America’s Stadium,” the venue hosts the Rose Bowl Game every year and has also hosted five Super Bowls as well as Olympic soccer matches in 1984 and the 1999 Women’s World Cup. The University of Southern California (USC) defeated Penn State 14-3 in the first-ever Rose Bowl Game at Rose Bowl Stadium in 1923. USC won its second Rose Bowl in 1930, and leads all college football programs with 25 titles. It last won in 2017, defeating Penn State 52-49. Michigan and Ohio State are tied for second with eight titles each, although Michigan also has the most Rose Bowl losses with 12. USC and Michigan have played eight times in the Rose Bowl, most recently in 2007. During its early years, the Rose Bowl typically featured a team in the Pacific Coast Conference against a top-ranked opponent in the Eastern US. Since the introduction of the College Football Playoff in 2014, the Rose Bowl functions as a national semifinal game every three years. The Oregon Ducks defeated Florida State 59-20 in the first Rose Bowl national semifinal game in 2015. The Rose Bowl has twice been hosted outside of California. It was played in Durham, North Carolina in 1942 due to concerns of a Japanese attack on the West Coast. The game was played in Arlington, Texas, in 2021 after California Governor Gavin Newsom announced fans wouldn’t be allowed in the stadium due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The winner of the Rose Bowl Game is awarded the Leishman Trophy. The trophy was named in honor of the father-son duo of William L. Leishman and Lathrop K. Leishman, who served as Tournament of Roses presidents in 1920 and 1939, respectively. While there have been several memorable moments in Rose Bowl history, few games if any have matched the excitement and intrigue of the 2022 Rose Bowl between Ohio State and Utah. The Buckeyes defeated Utah 48-45 in a historic matchup. Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud finished the game with 573 passing yards and six touchdowns, both of which were Rose Bowl records. Wide receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Marvin Harrison Jr. also tied Rose Bowl records with three receiving touchdowns each. via WordPress https://farooqshahzad.wordpress.com/2022/11/22/the-history-of-the-rose-bowl/

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An Overview of the Heisman Trophy

 Created in 1935 as a Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for collegiate football players competing “east of the Mississippi,” the Heisman Trophy is now the most prestigious national honor in modern college football. The Downtown Athletic Club of New York City developed the award and named it after John Heisman, a successful coach during the turn of the century. The trophy is an award for all-around performance, giving equal weight to skill, effort, and integrity. John J. Berwanger, a running back out of the University of Chicago, became the first Heisman Trophy winner in 1935. Looking back, Berwanger’s win may seem underwhelming: his team finished the 1935 season with a 4-4 record, including a 2-3 record in the Big Ten conference. That said, the running back still demonstrated his versatile skill set, connecting on a 33-yard touchdown pass in a 31-0 victory over Carroll and a 78-yard kick return in a game against Wisconsin. Berwanger became the first-ever National Football League (NFL) draft player. However, he would ultimately never join the NFL due to salary disagreements. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Marcus Allen’s 1981 season is often regarded as one of the most impressive individual campaigns in the history of collegiate football. A highly recruited running back who ultimately joined the University of Southern California as a safety in 1978, Allen surpassed the 200-yard rushing eight times throughout the 11-game season. He finished the season with 2,342 yards and 23 touchdowns, plus almost 30 receptions, despite playing as a running back. The USC Trojans ended the season with a 9-2 record. Allen received player of the year honors from various sources beyond the Heisman Trophy committee. The Oakland Raiders selected him as the 10th overall pick in the 1982 NFL draft. He had one of the finest professional careers for a Heisman Trophy winner, winning 1984 Super Bowl MVP honors and being named MVP of the league the following season. He retired in 1997. Other highly touted Heisman seasons include Sam Bradford’s campaign with USC in 2008, Early Campbell’s 1977 season at Texas, and Howard Cassady’s 1955 season with Ohio State. The Ohio State Buckeyes program is tied with the Oklahoma Sooners for most overall Heisman winners at seven awards each. While there have been several impressive Heisman seasons dating back to 1935, Ohio State University running back Archie Griffin is the only two-time winner in the award history. Griffing played a key role in leading Ohio to a 10-1 record and a No. 3 national ranking during the 1974 season, his junior year, rushing for 1,6695 yards and 12 touchdowns. His rushing decreased to 1,450 yards in his senior year, but his receiving yards more than doubled. Archie nearly won the trophy three years running, finishing fifth in the Heisman Trophy following his sophomore season. The most recent Heisman Trophy winners include quarterback Bryce Young in 2021 and wide receiver Devonta Smith in 2020. Smith was the first receiver to win the award since Desmond Howard in 1991. via Blogger http://farooqshahzadwi.blogspot.com/2022/11/an-overview-of-heisman-trophy.html

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A Few Tips for Fuel-Efficient Driving

A Few Tips for Fuel-Efficient Driving Gas prices hit an all-time high in the United States in 2022, with the national average surpassing $5 per gallon. In August, a barrel of oil cost $120, a 100 percent increase over costs in 2021. While gas prices ebb and flow based on various external factors, drivers should always be vigilant of fuel costs and efficiency. Drivers who want to optimize their gas mileage should follow a few helpful steps. To start, motorists should research various cars and trucks and determine the most fuel-efficient make and model that meets their driving needs, including affordability. While individual drivers may have specific standards for fuel economy, an automobile is typically considered fuel efficient if it can drive approximately 100 miles on no more than four gallons of fuel. Investing in a fuel-efficient vehicle is one of the most effective ways to save money on fuel over the long term. Consider a car that requires five gallons to travel 100 miles. Assuming fuel costs of $4 per gallon, drivers would pay $20,000 per 100,000 miles traveled. By improving to a fuel-efficient standard of four gallons per 100 miles, a driver saves $4,000. Drivers can enjoy even more significant savings by purchasing hybrid or electric vehicles; those these types of vehicles have their associated costs and requirements. There are other steps drivers can take to optimize fuel efficiency regardless of the car or truck they own. For example, drivers that do not maintain proper tire pressure can expect their fuel expenses to increase, in addition to other problems such as an increased rate of flat tires. Drivers should check their tire pressure every two to four weeks, though inclement weather, long trips, and heavy hauls are reasons to check tire pressure more regularly. Drivers should know that under-inflated and over-inflated tires can harm a vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Techniques motorists use while actively driving a car can also impact fuel efficiency. For instance, vehicles use extra fuel to accelerate, compared to driving at a fixed speed. The stronger the acceleration, the more fuel is consumed. Individuals should spend five seconds or more to accelerate from rest to an average speed of 15 miles per hour. It can be helpful to imagine a hot cup of coffee resting on the dashboard as drivers accelerate, attempting to keep the imaginary cup in place. Driving at a consistent speed is not just a matter of acceleration. A driver may think nothing of varying between 55 and 60 miles per hour on the highway. However, changing between these speeds every 18 seconds for an hour increases fuel costs by 20 percent. On a related note, drivers should understand that most cars are not designed to be driven at their top speeds. The closer a car travels at its maximum speed, the more fuel it will use per mile. Finally, drivers should avoid idling whenever possible. The average car uses half a gallon of gas per hour of idling. This minor expense can add up over time. Whenever a driver anticipates sitting in a parking lot or waiting in a parked position for more than 60 seconds, turning the car off is more fuel efficient than allowing the engine to idle. via WordPress https://farooqshahzad.wordpress.com/2022/11/01/a-few-tips-for-fuel-efficient-driving/

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An Introduction to Playoff Rules in Golf

 Most modern golf tournaments are played over multiple days, requiring players to complete four rounds of 18 holes. A certain score is used after each round. Players who fail to make the cut are eliminated from the competition. If two or more players finish the final round with the same score, a playoff decides the tournament winner. On the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) tour, a playoff consists of at least three holes, at the end of which the player with the best overall score from those three holes is declared the winner. If the score remains tied after three holes, the playoff enters into sudden death, at which point play will continue until one of the golfers wins a hole outright. There have been several unique playoff scenarios throughout the PGA tour. Before exploring unique playoff records, such as the longest playoff of all time or the most players to compete in a playoff, golf enthusiasts should be aware that the tour has adjusted how playoffs are scored on several occasions. The current format was introduced in 2000. Between 1977 and 2000, golfers tied at the end of the fourth round immediately entered into a single-hole, sudden-death scenario. On the other hand, ties before 1977 were determined by the fifth round of 18-hole golf, adding an extra day to the competition. The longest playoff in golf history took place at the US Open in 1931. Following 72 holes of regulation golf, Billy Burke and George Von Elm found themselves tied with one of the sport’s most prestigious titles. As sudden death playoff scoring had yet to be introduced, Burke and Von Elm returned for the fifth day of competition, intending to settle matters with another round of golf. Instead, the players complete two full rounds of golf on the fifth day of competition, a total of 36 extra holes. Unbelievably, the competitors remained tied. The 1931 US Open moved into an unprecedented sixth day of live competition, but the seventh round of golf was not enough to separate the two. An eighth and, ultimately, the final round was played between Burke and Von Elm, and it still came down to the wire: Burke took the prize after 144 holes, beating Von Elm by 589 strokes to 590. The US Open was one of the last tournaments to move away from traditional playoff scoring, embracing the sudden death format in 2018. The decision came a decade after Tiger Woods defeated Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines following 18 playoff holes and a 19th sudden death hole to decide the championship. When looking purely at the sudden-death playoff format, the record for the longest playoff belongs to Peter Thomson and Graham Marsh. Competing as players on the Japan Golf Tour in 1976, the pair started a playoff alongside Brian Jones and Shozo Miyamoto. However, Miyamoto was eliminated after the first hole and Jones after the fourth. However, Thomson and Marsh continued for nearly a full round of play, with Thomson ultimately prevailing after the 14th sudden death hole. The PGA record is comparable, with Lloyd Mangrum and Cary Middlecoff playing 11 sudden-death holes at the 1949 Motor City Open before being declared co-winners due to darkness. via Blogger http://farooqshahzadwi.blogspot.com/2022/11/an-introduction-to-playoff-rules-in-golf.html

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Simple Tips for Running a Gas Station and Convenience Store Business

Simple Tips for Running a Gas Station and Convenience Store Business There are a number of tips business owners should keep in mind when it comes to effectively operating and managing a gas station. Efficiency becomes all the more important when individuals must also oversee activities at an attached convenience store. When it comes to running a successful gas station, business owners should prioritize all factors related to fuel, from quality of fuel to the cost of the supply chain. Fuel, and all other aspects of a service station, must be kept up to local, state, and federal standards, while also adhering to standards set by organizations such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Similarly, gas station owners must keep track of a station’s tank amounts. It is advisable to take inventory of tank amounts, along with counter-vendor sales, at the end of each shift. As owners secure their fuel situation, they must also focus on the operation of the business itself. When it comes to setting hours of operation, owners should consider the importance of early morning commuters. Opening later in the day not only results in missing out on these sales, but also impedes the development of a regular customer base. On a related note, owners should strive to hire punctual, responsible employees who treat customers with respect, further encouraging repeat business. Finally, owners should focus on the proper management of a gas station cash register. In addition to taking inventory and register reports at the end of each shift, employees should log all shift totals in a running ledger. The ledger can also serve as a source of information regarding tank amounts, sales inventory, and receipts from the register. Cash from the register should be deposited on a daily basis. Several tactics for running a successful gas station overlap with good convenience store practices, such as hiring reliable employees and carefully managing inventory and cash register deposits. That said, business owners must also be prepared to manage a number of unique convenience store responsibilities. For example, convenience store owners should maintain the cleanliness of their restrooms. Many customers associate the cleanliness and upkeep of restrooms with the quality of the store itself and are unlikely to return if they find a messy or inoperable toilet. Owners should keep employees equipped with cleaning supplies, schedule daily cleanings, and have a system in place for spot cleanings. Soda and food areas should also be cleaned as often as necessary. Business owners running convenience stores attached to gas stations should not overlook the importance of proper exterior lighting. A GasBuddy and Cuebiq study found that customers are 50 percent more likely to stop at a station with high-quality forecourt lighting. Customers typically associate well-lit parking lots and stores with safety and security, especially at night. Owners investing in new forecourt lighting should look into the cost-effective benefits of LED technology. Finally, convenience store managers should not be afraid to occasionally test new products. If a new drink or snack item is gaining attention in the market, business owners can acquire a set amount for a limited time. If a new product is popular, owners can continue to restock. via WordPress https://farooqshahzad.wordpress.com/2022/09/29/simple-tips-for-running-a-gas-station-and-convenience-store-business/

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An Overview of Winless Seasons in the NFL

An Overview of Winless Seasons in the NFL Since the start of the National Football League (NFL) in 1920, the 1972 Miami Dolphins and 2007 New England Patriots have managed to complete regular seasons without suffering a single loss. By comparison, five teams have finished an NFL season without winning a game. The first winless season occurred in 1960 and involved, surprisingly, “America’s team,” the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys have won five championships since forming ahead of the 1960 NFL season. Unfortunately, the franchise did not get off to a strong start, losing 11 of 12 games during the team’s inaugural season and securing one tie. Dallas lost 10 games in a row to start the season, including three games decided by a single score. That said, the team also suffered major defeats, including a 48-7 loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 4. The Cowboys best showing was a 31-31 tie during a road game against the New York Giants. The franchise would continue to struggle for several years, but went on to win at least four games over each of the next five seasons before going 10-3-1 in 1966. The 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers became the second NFL team to finish a season without a win. Unlike the Cowboys, the Buccaneers finished the year without any ties. That said, the teams shared another thing in common: The 1976 season was Tampa Bay’s first in the league. Tampa Bay failed to score in four of the team’s 14 games, including 20-0 and 23-0 losses to start the season. A four-point loss in Week 3 and a three-point loss in Week 6 were the team’s only real chances at victory. Like Dallas, Tampa Bay struggled for several seasons as an expansion team. The Buccaneers posted a winning season in the franchise’s fourth year, going 10-6 and making the playoffs for the first time. The team did not win a Super Bowl until 2002. The 1982 NFL season was shortened to nine games because of a player’s strike. This proved fortunate for the Baltimore Colts, who had finished 1981 with a 2-14 record. The Colt’s fortunes did not improve in the shortened season, losing eight games and tying one. Unlike Dallas and Tampa Bay, Baltimore was an established franchise, with two NFL Championships and a Super Bowl victory. The franchise relocated to Indianapolis in 1984, but did not win another Super Bowl until 2006. In 2008, the Detroit Lions became the first team in league history to finish the year with an 0-16 record. Detroit’s defense proved particularly ineffective, allowing at least 20 points in 15 games. The franchise went 2-14 the following season as part of a 4-year stretch that involved 15 wins and 49 losses. Most recently, the 2017 Cleveland Browns finished the year with an 0-16 record. The Browns also finished the 2015 season with a 3-13 record and nearly went winless in 2014, eking out a 20-17 victory over the San Diego Chargers in the second-to-last game of the season to finish 1-15. Although the team didn’t win any games in 2017, it lost five games by four points or less. via WordPress https://farooqshahzad.wordpress.com/2022/09/21/an-overview-of-winless-seasons-in-the-nfl/

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The Greatest Golf Courses around the World

The Greatest Golf Courses around the World Golf enthusiasts in the United States should schedule at least one tee time at the nation’s finest courses, which include Pine Valley Golf Club in Clementon, New Jersey; Augusta National in Georgia; and the course at Cypress Point Club in Virginia Beach. Dedicated golfers should also consider booking a flight to some of the most celebrated golf venues around the world. Royal County Down Golf Course in Newcastle, County Down, Northern Island, is considered one of the finest golf courses in the world. In fact, the course jumped from No. 4 to No. 1 on the Golf Digest list of the World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses in 2016 and retained that position in 2022. The 7,186-yard, par 71 course was initially designed by Old Tom Morris in 1889, but has undergone a dozen redesigns since then, including a Donald Steel renovation in 1998. Set against the backdrop of Dundrum Bay and the Mountains of Mourne and surrounded by golden dunes of gorse, Royal County Down is regarded as one of the loveliest courses in the world. That said, the course challenges golfers with a slew of blind shots and sturdy bunkers. Developed by Tom Doak and Brian Slawnik in 2015, Tara Iti Golf Course in Mangawhai, New Zealand, is one of the newest courses to make an impact on the global golfing stage. A relatively short course at 6,840 yards, Tara Iti plays more like a links-style course compared to the nation’s traditional coastal courses, the result of Doak and Slawnik’s careful removal of pine trees and reshaping of the underlying soil into hummocks and sand dunes. Analysts have described Tara Iti as New Zealand’s take on Pebble Beach. Scotland is the traditional home of golf and the country hosts several renowned courses, none more celebrated than the Championship course at the Royal Dornoch Golf Club. Old Tom Morris designed “the most natural course in the world,” according to sportswriter Herbert Warren Wind. Over the decades, the course has received updates from the likes of George Duncan, Donald Steel, and Tom Mackenzie. The Championship course is known for its dunes and the North Sea shoreline’s persistent winds. The winds are particularly vexing for golfers familiar with bounce-and-run play, as the famous Dornoch’s greens sit precariously on flat plateaus. Australia is home to several of the world’s most beautiful courses, including the West course at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Black Rock. Doak updated Alister MacKenzie and Alex Russell’s 1931 creation as recently as 2016. Interestingly, many golfers play the West course as a “composite” course, switching out holes 8, 9, and 13 through 16 with six courses from Royal Melbourne’s East course, which itself ranked No. 19 in the world on Golf Digest’s 2022 list. Finally, Tom Simpson designed the course at Morfontaine Golf Club in France in 1927. Kyle Phillips remodeled the course in 2004, though he retained the timeless quality of Simpson’s initial design. Many have compared the course to the heathland courses of London, but with narrower fairways. Other highly rated international golfing experiences can be found at Cape Kidnappers Golf Course in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand; Victoria, Australia’s Kingston Heath Golf Course; and Cabot Cliffs in Iverness, Canada. via WordPress https://farooqshahzad.wordpress.com/2022/09/13/the-greatest-golf-courses-around-the-world/

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The Most Valuable College Football Programs in America

College football is highly popular in the United States, not to mention a lucrative business. In 2021, television ratings for various college games were watched by an audience of 15 million. By comparison, the 2021 World Series averaged just 11.75 million viewers. The top three most valuable collegiate football programs in the nation were valued at least $1 billion in 2018. The University of Texas football program (the Texas Longhorns) are the most valuable college football team in the nation, with an estimated value of $1.1 billion. The team generates annual revenue of nearly $164 million. Unsurprisingly, the Texas Longhorns are one of the most accomplished teams in the United States. Established in 1902, the program has won 30 conference championships, as well as national championships in 1963, 1969, 1970, and 2005. The Longhorns have enjoyed a number of undefeated seasons over the course of more than 120 campaigns, including 11-0 and 13-0 marks in 1969 and 2005, respectively. The program won four consecutive bowl games between 2017 and 2020 under coach Tom Herman. The program has seen a number of talented individuals pass through the University of Texas. Heisman Trophy winners Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams, both running backs, played for the Longhorns. Campbell won the trophy in 1977, while Williams received the honor 21 years later. Notable players to represent the Longhorns in the National Football League (NFL) include quarterback Bobby Layne, running back Priest Holmes, and linebacker Tommy Nobis. Ohio State is the second most valuable college football program in the country at $1.04 billion, with just under $137 million in annual revenue. However, the program was valued at more than $1.5 billion as recently as 2017. Established just 2 years after the Texas Longhorns, the Ohio State Buckeyes football program has won 40 conference championships and eight national championships. One of the winningest programs in the US, the Buckeyes had an adjusted record of 822-261-36 prior to the start of the 2022 season. While Ohio State has enjoyed many successful seasons, five of the program’s national championships came between 1954 and 1970. The school has enjoyed more recent victories on the national stage in 2002 and 2014. In fact, the program has experienced only one losing season since 2000, while posting double-digit wins 16 times. The program has also won 12 bowl games during that time. Ohio State has produced Heisman Trophy winners on seven occasions, tied with Oklahoma and Notre Dame for most all-time. The program’s most recent winners came in 2006 (quarterback Troy Smith) and 1995 (Eddie George). Buckeyes that have excelled in the NFL include running back Ezekiel Elliott and linemen Johnathan Hankins, Cameron Heyward, and Joey Bosa. Finally, the University of Alabama Crimson Tide football program is the third most valuable in the US. Unlike Texas and Ohio State, Alabama saw its value rise between 2017 and 2018, from $930 million to just over $1 billion. The school also had a higher annual revenue than Ohio State, at $140.8 million per year. The Crimson Tide program has produced national champions 15 times, to go along with 29 conference championships and 927 wins. Notable players to come out of the school include quarterback Joe Namath and running back Derrick Henry.   via Blogger http://farooqshahzadwi.blogspot.com/2022/09/the-most-valuable-college-football.html

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The Longest Winning Streak in College Football

The Longest Winning Streak in College Football The all-time record for longest winning streak for a Division I football program belongs to the Oklahoma Sooners, who logged an unprecedented 47 consecutive victories from 1953 to 1957. The Sooners had already established a winning program prior to the streak. Under head coach Bud Wilkinson, Oklahoma finished the preceding five seasons with a record of 47-5-1. The Sooners ended the 1953 season with nine wins, one loss, and one tie, finishing with a perfect conference record of 6-0. They were ranked No. 4 in the nation by the Associated Press (AP). The Sooners began the 1953 campaign with a narrow 28-21 loss to top-ranked Notre Dame, followed by a 7-7 tie in Week 2 with Pittsburgh. A seemingly innocuous 19-14 win over No. 15 Texas in Week 3 not only righted the ship for the season (which ended in an Orange Bowl victory over No. 1 Maryland), but also launched the program’s historic win streak. Oklahoma finished the 1954, 1955, and 1956 seasons with perfect records, a streak of 31 games. The 1954 season was nothing short of dominant for Oklahoma’s defense. The team achieved four shutouts and had seven games in which opponents scored just one or no touchdowns. Highlights included a 65-0 win over Kansas and a 40-0 defeat of Iowa. The season ended with a 14-0 victory against Oklahoma State, with the Sooners finishing the season as the No. 3 team in the nation. The following season (1955) proved even more successful, with the Sooners finishing as the top-rated program in the country. The final five games of the year saw the Sooners outscore opponents 186-6. No. 3 Maryland only managed two field goals in an Orange Bowl win for Oklahoma. The third lossless season for Oklahoma involved the largest margin of victory in the streak, a 66-0 win over Kansas State. The team once again finished the season as the nation’s top ranked team. While Oklahoma finished the 1957 season with another perfect 6-0 mark in the Big 7 Conference, the season marked the team’s first loss in over 3 years. That being said, the Sooners opened the year with seven straight wins, including an opening 26-0 win over Pittsburgh and a 47-0 shutout of Kansas in Week 4. The streak ended on November 16, 1957, in a home game against Notre Dame, the last team to have beaten the Sooners. Notre Dame managed to stifle the Sooners’ defense, with a single touchdown determining the winner. Oklahoma recovered from the loss, scoring 32, 53, and 48 points in the final three games of the season, which included a win over No. 16 Duke in the Orange Bowl. The program went on to finish the 1958 and 1959 seasons with a combined record of 17-4. Other notable college football win streaks include Washington’s 40 consecutive victories from 1908 to 1914 and Yale’s record of 37 straight wins, a record the university set twice: first from 1887 to 1889 and again from 1890 to 1893. The two win streaks were broken up by a single loss to Princeton, preventing Yale from achieving what would today be the all-time record of 74 straight wins without a loss or tie. via WordPress https://farooqshahzad.wordpress.com/2022/09/05/the-longest-winning-streak-in-college-football/

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The History of the First Super Bowl

The History of the First Super Bowl The modern Super Bowl is the largest television event in the United States. The annual National Football League (NFL) championship game has drawn a minimum of 90 million viewers every year since 2005. Nine of the 10 most watched programs in television history and 30 of the top 32 most watched programs ever are Super Bowl games. In terms of Super Bowl success, no NFL teams have fared better than the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers. Both franchises have won the Super Bowl on six occasions. Pittsburgh’s first and most recent wins came in 1974 and 2008, respectively, while all six New England victories came under head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady between 2001 and 2018. Other top Super Bowl performers include the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys, with five wins each, and the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants, who have each won four Super Bowls. Despite the significance of the Super Bowl in the modern television landscape, the game was not always a staple of the NFL season. In fact, the first Super Bowl was not played until 1966, nearly 50 years after the formation of the league. The first NFL season took place in 1920, though the league operated as the American Professional Football Association for its first two years. During the league’s first season, 14 teams competed against one another, though no official schedule or standings were maintained. The Akron Pros finished the season undefeated, though the Decatur Staleys and Buffalo All-Americans, each with one loss and a tie against Akron, lobbied for co-championship status. The Pros were ultimately declared champions by the league. The NFL did not host its first championship game until 1933, when an estimated crowd of 25,000 watched the Chicago Bears edge out the New York Giants by a score of 23-21. Playing at home, Chicago scored a touchdown in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter to claim victory in the league’s first championship game. While the NFL’s popularity climbed over the decades, rival leagues posed varying degrees of opposition, most notably the American Football League (AFL). However, prior to the start of the 1966-1967 NFL season, the leagues announced a merger, establishing what would become the most successful professional sports league in the United States. For the first 4 years of the merger, the AFL and NFL maintained separate schedules, with plans to fully merge in 1970. Despite this fact, the merger was signaled by a new championship game: the Super Bowl. Super Bowl I was played between the NFL’s Green Bay Packers and the AFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. In what would become a foundational tradition, the game was played before a neutral crowd at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Nearly 62,000 fans watched as Green Bay drubbed Kansas City, which was held scoreless for three quarters on its way to a 35-10 defeat. Green Bay, and by extension the NFL, repeated as winners the following year, defeating the Oakland Raiders by a score of 33-14 at the Orange Bowl in Miami. The 1969 Super Bowl was also held at the Orange Bowl, although the results were rather different. In what is still considered one of the greatest upsets in American sports, the 10-3 New York Jets defeated the 13-0 Baltimore Colts, 16-7. It was the first Super Bowl win for the AFL. Kansas City defended the AFL’s title the following year, defeating the Minnesota Vikings 23-7 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans. Super Bowl V, the first championship game to cap off a fully merged AFL-NFL schedule, involved the Baltimore Colts and Dallas Cowboys. The Colts, now playing in the American Football Conference, defeated the Dallas Cowboys (of the National Football Conference) 16-13, following a furious 10-0 comeback in the fourth quarter. via WordPress https://farooqshahzad.wordpress.com/2022/08/26/the-history-of-the-first-super-bowl/

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Travel and Hotel Industry Outlooks for 2022 and Beyond

Travel and Hotel Industry Outlooks for 2022 and Beyond The successes and struggles of the global hotel industry are directly linked to those of the travel industry. While the overall outlook for the travel and hotel industries in 2022 and beyond have improved, certain destinations and demographics have proven more attractive and willing to spend than others. Specific travel trends have developed in leisure, business, and holiday travel. Leisure travel recovered in 2021, with approximately 42 percent of Americans stating they would take at least one trip that included a flight or paid overnight lodging between Memorial Day and September 30. According to Deloitte, these figures are comparable to travel rates in 2019, when just over four out of 10 Americans had summer travel plans. Industry analysts have already observed “revenge travel” trends in nations like China. The term refers to the fact that many countries have experienced travel restrictions in recent years, and as these restrictions are scaled back, travel rates have surged. That said, American travelers remain focused on health, with 41 percent of non-travelers citing medical concerns as the main reason they have not taken a flight or planned an overnight trip. By comparison, only 30 percent stated financial reasons for lack of travel plans. Holiday travel trends in 2021 were remarkably similar to summer travel statistics, with about four in 10 Americans planning to drive, fly, and rent hotels or private spaces in anticipation of the holiday season. High-income travelers were more willing to travel, with 53 percent of households making more than $100,000 in holiday travel plans. One-third of those households had plans for at least three separate trips. Looking to 2022 and beyond, industry analysts believe corporate travel will increase at an accelerated rate over the year. Various industries return to in-person conferences and events after years of remote work. According to CBRE Hotels Research, daily rate, occupancy, and revenue per available room (RevPAR) should surge to above-average levels by Q4 2022. These improvements are not expected to develop solely due to increased travel. For example, a below-average supply growth rate will allow hotel owners to increase room rates. While CBRE analysts have expressed confidence in these predictions, industry insiders and travelers must be wary of various geopolitical risks and the pressures of inflation. That said, CBRE has forecasted RevPAR to return to standard 2019 levels by Q3 2022 in optimal conditions, having initially set these predictions for Q3 2023. December 2021 marked the first month to surpass 2019 RevPAR levels. Similarly, hotel occupancy rates have been projected to reach 2019 levels in 2022, with a potential year-over-year increase of 19 percent. The yearly occupancy rate for 2022 has been forecasted at 63.4 percent, compared to just 44 percent in 2020. A key trend driving increased travel, RevPAR, and hotel occupancy levels is the “new” traveler concept. New travelers are most known for their interest in “bleisure” travel, a combination of business trips and leisure vacations. One study found that 89 percent of business travelers were interested in expanding or adding a personal holiday to their professional travels. With this in mind, hotels can attract travelers by improving digital functionality and investing in new technology. via WordPress https://farooqshahzad.wordpress.com/2022/08/09/travel-and-hotel-industry-outlooks-for-2022-and-beyond/

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Neighborhood Blight Causes and Solutions

Neighborhood Blight – Causes and Solutions Residents are the life’s blood of a community. If residents start to move out and no one comes in to replace them, the properties they leave behind can fall into disrepair. Likewise, as the tax base for the area declines, there is less funding for maintenance and community development. Over time, the lack of investment can create blight, which is the deterioration of a community. While blight is commonly associated with cities, it can occur in any neighborhood. For example, many rural and suburban communities were developed or expanded to support a specific industry or company. Residents may have difficulty finding another accessible job if the businesses leave the area. The community then becomes undesirable and vulnerable to population decline and blight. In urban areas, blight may be the result of underfunding. The issue is particularly common in cities with a historical reliance on industry, such as Detroit and Cincinnati. As factories and other manufacturing centers closed, many workers migrated out of these areas. City governments could not maintain their large infrastructure with the decreased tax base. This reduced the funding for essential services like schools, thus driving more residents out. Commercial blight is most commonly found in suburban areas. As consumers turn to online shopping, many brick-and-mortar retailers have been driven out of business. In some areas, entire strip malls and retail complexes have lost all of their renters. Real estate experts predict that a quarter of all shopping malls will close their doors by 2025. Blight causes a multitude of negative impacts. Vacant and abandoned properties tend to bring down the value of adjacent lots and homes. Since many homebuyers view their home as an investment, buyers may be discouraged from purchasing in an area with low property values. This is especially true if the area doesn’t have access to a strong job market or a high-quality school system. Blight can also increase crime. Abandoned areas can become bases for criminal activity, as the property is not actively monitored or policed. Since high crime rates also deter people from moving into an area, the blight issue worsens over time. Addressing blight requires a coordinated effort from state and local governments, property developers, residents, and community-based organizations. Governments can pass laws that make it easier for people to keep their homes and slow displacement. Planned demolitions performed with residents’ input can also reduce blight’s effects. Research shows that demolishing a blighted property coincides with a slight reduction in the local crime rate. Community members can also work together to address blight. Residents can work together to clean up and reclaim abandoned lots. Cities often give grant funding to neighborhood organizations for revitalization projects, such as community gardens and playgrounds. Private companies and developers can invest directly in blighted communities by purchasing and renovating blighted properties. Investing in businesses and commercial properties can also revive a blighted area’s economy by introducing capital, increasing job opportunities, and attracting new residents. As revitalization efforts can sometimes price out long-term residents, communities can collaborate with private investors to form land trusts and affordable housing projects that ensure lower-income residents can also benefit from neighborhood improvements. via WordPress https://farooqshahzad.wordpress.com/2022/08/04/neighborhood-blight-causes-and-solutions/

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Self-Storage Units A Growing Business

Self-Storage Units – A Growing Business The self-storage business has many perks for experienced and first-time entrepreneurs. The industry is projected to grow by more than two percent by 2026. Further, running a self-storage unit doesn’t require a lot of overhead. Most units can manage unmanned containers, requiring few updates or repairs. Most importantly, the demand for self-storage units is on the rise. Experts attribute this to several factors. First, skyrocketing rental prices have forced many people to downsize or move, and storage units provide an affordable alternative to renting a larger apartment. Storage units are also important for households undergoing a home renovation or pest control process requiring them to remove their belongings temporarily. People are also a lot more mobile and tend to move more frequently. Storage units facilitate the relocation process and enable renters to hold onto more possessions as they move around the country. As of 2022, one out of every 10 American households rents a storage unit. Private businesses also use storage facilities to house their excess supplies. As remote work and hybrid workplaces become more popular, businesses downsizing their office spaces are turning to self-storage facilities as an economical solution for holding furniture. Investors across the spectrum are noticing the growth in the self-storage industry, and the entry of institutional firms has increased market values. Entrepreneurs who purchase a facility now may see tremendous returns based on the increase in the value of the business alone. The first step in opening a storage facility business is finding a location. Facilities that are accessible to areas populated by middle and upper-income residents tend to do well. Investors must also ensure that a storage facility does not already service the location and if there is enough demand if there are existing competitors. While the operation costs of a self-storage unit tend to be low, they require a sizeable upfront investment. Building a facility from the ground up can cost upwards of $2 million. This includes the cost of purchasing land, constructing the property, taxes, and office equipment. Storage franchises will also lend their name, branding, and marketing to a new storage facility. If an entrepreneur doesn’t have millions of dollars on hand to invest in a facility, they can take out a business loan. The Small Business Administration offers loans to cover construction costs. Loan applicants must have good credit and at least 10 percent of the total costs in cash. Banks can also provide loans, but their requirements tend to be more stringent. Once the construction is complete, the biggest task is finding long-term occupants. However, nearly 40 percent of renters hold on to their units for at least 12 months and a sizeable percentage use storage units as a permanent solution for their lack of space. Most facilities can earn a profit at a 70 percent occupancy rate. Yet, the average storage facility rents 90 percent of its available units. For this reason, well-placed storage facilities are among the best business investments. Less than 10 percent of all storage unit businesses fail. The odds are very good for potential investors. via WordPress https://farooqshahzad.wordpress.com/2022/07/27/self-storage-units-a-growing-business/

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J.T. Poston Wire-to-Wire Winner at John Deere Classic

  J.T. Poston shot 21-under-par at the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois, from June 30 to July 3, to win his second career PGA Tour title. Poston, who shot a 9-under-par 62 in the first round, led all players throughout the tournament and became just the third wire-to-wire winner in the history of the John Deere Classic, which began in 1971. Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Emiliano Grillo finished tied for second at 18-under-par. Poston, Bezuidenhout, and Grillo all qualified for The Open Championship. Poston is also just the third wire-to-wire winner on the PGA Tour this season, joining Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele (Zurich Classic of New Orleans), and Joaquin Niemann (The Genesis Invitational). David Frost (1992) and Scott Hoch (1980) are the only other wire-to-wire winners at the John Deere Classic. Lucas Glover won the 2021 John Deere Classic, while other past winners include Dylan Frittelli (2019), Bryson DeChambeau (2017), and Jordan Spieth (2013 and 2015). Poston tied his career-low round score with his 62 in the first round. He also shot a 62 in the opening round of the Travelers Championship the week prior but finished runner-up in that tournament. He shot a 65 in the second round and held a three stroke-lead entering the final round after scoring 67 in the third round. Poston made three consecutive birdies, accentuated by a deep putt made just off the green, to start the fourth round and extended his lead over the rest of the field to five strokes. His lead shrunk to two strokes after scoring a pair of bogeys, but he recorded 10 consecutive pars (and barely missed a 67-foot putt for birdie) to maintain a two-stroke lead. He made birdie on the 17th hole to extend the lead back to three and, ultimately, secure the victory. Admitting it was challenging mentally to play the entire tournament with the lead, Poston said he was particularly nervous during the final round on Sunday: "I think there were a lot of nerves, a lot more than the first few days. I was battling through them." Christopher Gotterup and Scott Stallings tied for fourth at 17-under-par to round out the top five finishers. The top 10 included Callum Tarren, Denny McCarthy, Maverick McNealy, and Patrick Flavin. A 29-year-old native of Hickory, North Carolina, Poston has been playing on the PGA Tour since graduating from Western Carolina University in 2015. He has made nearly $10 million in prize money during that time and has 14 top-10 finishes in addition to two-third- and second-place finishes. He won his first tournament in 2019 at the Wyndham Championship. Ranked No. 66 in the FedEx Cup standings following his victory at the John Deere Classic, Poston has one of the best seasons of his career, although it didn't start that way. He missed the cut at six consecutive events to begin the season but has since registered four top-10 finishes. In addition to his success at the John Deere Classic and Travelers Championship, Poston tied for third at the RBC Heritage and was a top-10 finisher at the Wells Fargo Championship. via Blogger http://farooqshahzadwi.blogspot.com/2022/07/jt-poston-wire-to-wire-winner-at-john.html

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Important Aspects of Golf Etiquette

Important Aspects of Golf Etiquette Golf is often described as a game of etiquette. Players are expected to treat one another with respect and observe all tenets of good sportsmanship in both loss and victory. There are also a number of additional “unwritten rules” that should be adhered to while golfing in a recreational setting. Certain elements of golf etiquette simply involve good manners. Players should always arrive early for their tee time, ideally 20 minutes or more. Rushing onto the course at the last minute to start on time will likely have a negative impact on one’s game. And if a player shows up just a few minutes late, their tardiness can snowball and impact parties for the rest of the day. More importantly, inadequate preparation before a round of golf can lead to increased risk of an injury. Golfers should also remember to follow any posted signs on the course, such as those describing cart paths and cart regulations. Failing to do so may not only inconvenience other drivers, but can also lead to an accident or injury. Of course, many components of golf etiquette are more specific to the sport itself, such as the concept of “playing through.” In addition to arriving and starting on time, players must remember that there are constantly new parties starting their rounds on the course, so a lackadaisical or unfocused pace can impact every player on the course. If one group of players has caught up to another and seems to be playing at a faster pace, there are a few options. Proper golf etiquette maintains that the leading party should temporarily step aside and let the other party play through, meaning they play the hole first and continue on, advancing past the other group (which resumes the hole they were on). That said, the leading party is under no obligation to do this, and the second party should not force the issue or cut ahead without permission. Good etiquette involves the first team calling back to the second team about plaything through, rather than the other way around. In the event that a party is playing extremely slow and refuses to let other teams play through, trailing parties can either skip the hole in question altogether or speak to a course official about the matter. Finally, golfers are expected to take the health and safety of other players into consideration. This is never more evident than when a golfer makes an errant shot and loudly announces “Fore!” to warn others in the area. Players should make the call as loudly and clearly as possible and should continue making the call until the ball has landed. Furthermore, golfers should point out the ball as it travels through the air or direct the “Fore!” call towards golfers in the direction the ball is headed. Additional aspects of good golf etiquette include refraining from talking or making noticeable gestures when someone is hitting the ball and following the specific dress code at each course. Anyone who is confused or concerned about an aspect of golf etiquette should speak to experienced golfers, pros, and course officials at their preferred golfing location. via WordPress https://farooqshahzad.wordpress.com/2022/07/12/important-aspects-of-golf-etiquette/

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  Players in the National Football League (NFL) can score points in a number of ways, including six-point touchdowns and three-point field goals. Teams that score a touchdown have the option of kicking a short field goal for an extra point or running a play in an attempt to score two points by making into the end zone. If a defensive team manages to tackle a ball carrier in their own end zone, the defensive team scores a two-point safety. The 2021 NFL season saw its largest scoring drop in more than four decades and the second largest drop since the NFL merged with the American Football League. Following years of steadily increasing offensive outputs, league-wide average scoring fell from 24.8 during the 2020 NFL season to 23 in 2021. A two-point drop from 1976 to 1977 is the only comparable decrease in the sport’s history. There are several possible reasons for this reduction in scoring average. For one thing, numerous starting quarterbacks missed time with COVID-19-related absences. That said, COVID-19 was an issue during 2020 as well, suggesting that the more influential factors involved improved defensive stats and an increase in holding calls. Finally, the 2021 season saw fans return to NFL stadiums without restrictions, making it more difficult for opposing teams to communicate over raucous home crowds. Despite an upward trend in scoring over recent years, the drop brings NFL scoring closer to the historical norm, as teams averaged 22.8 points per game from 2013 through 2019. Teams during the 2020 season averaged nearly 5.8 touchdowns per game. Prior to that season, 2018 was the only year over the past two decades in which teams averaged more than 5.2 touchdowns. In comparison, teams scored an averaged of 4.6 touchdowns per game in 2000. Scoring statistics change somewhat when taking into account all scoring metrics. For instance, there have been nine seasons since 2000 (including 2020) in which teams averaged more extra points than they did in 2018. As one might imagine, there were more two-point conversions in 2018 than any other season since 2000. NFL teams have not averaged fewer than 20 points a game since 1994, when scoring jumped from 18.7 to 20.3 points per game. Scoring was far lower during the early days of the sport, with teams averaged single-digit scores in 10 of the league’s first 12 seasons. The 1926 season (the NFL’s fifth season) was the lowest scoring season of all time, with teams averaging 7.6 points per contest. This means the average game saw each team score a single touchdown and perhaps one additional extra point. The highest scoring NFL game of all time was a 1966 meeting between the New York Giants and Washington Football Team, which Washington won by a score of 72-41, for a total of 113 points. Super Bowl XXIV in 1990 was the highest scoring championship game, with the San Francisco 49ers blowing out the Denver Broncos 55-10. On the other hand, six of the seven lowest scoring Super Bowls occurred during the first nine NFL seasons. That said, the lowest scoring Super Bowl ever was Super Bowl LIII, in which the New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. via Blogger http://farooqshahzadwi.blogspot.com/2022/07/players-in-national-football-league-nfl.html