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.
Today officially marks the start of my last term as @ussoccerhistory.org secretary before I term out. It's been a great experience and I'll be finding other ways to serve the organization after this year, but for now let's make 2026 the best year yet for SASH!
Interested in joining?
Interested in joining?
SASH Membership
Annual SASH Membership
www.ussoccerhistory.org
February 7, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Today officially marks the start of my last term as @ussoccerhistory.org secretary before I term out. It's been a great experience and I'll be finding other ways to serve the organization after this year, but for now let's make 2026 the best year yet for SASH!
Interested in joining?
Interested in joining?
Reposted by Zach Bigalke (he/him/his)
I'm sorry the guy changing the rules on the fly is named what
I stand with County Executive Calvin Ball as he signs emergency legislation today prohibiting privately owned buildings from being used as ICE detention centers.
Howard County chose dignity, accountability, and its people. Tune into our event now:
bit.ly/4a2VtHw
Howard County chose dignity, accountability, and its people. Tune into our event now:
bit.ly/4a2VtHw
Redirecting...
bit.ly
February 7, 2026 at 2:34 PM
I'm sorry the guy changing the rules on the fly is named what
THIS. I have absolutely zero ethical obligation or even inclination to try to humanize techno-gimmickry.
people should NOT “be nice” to your fucking chatbot and you can eat a pile of sand for even bringing it up
I thank my tools. I don’t know what the “evil” content in BG3 is like. I am polite to objects.
But your little fascism-powered mimic can go chug piss on a loop
I thank my tools. I don’t know what the “evil” content in BG3 is like. I am polite to objects.
But your little fascism-powered mimic can go chug piss on a loop
February 7, 2026 at 1:39 PM
THIS. I have absolutely zero ethical obligation or even inclination to try to humanize techno-gimmickry.
I think it's time to re-read Ron Smith's Pay to Play... or at least the first chapter of that work, in terms of what's relevant to the chapter I'm currently writing for my own book.
I also need to dig into the 1879 championship debate a bit further and see if the language mimics what I see in 1880.
I also need to dig into the 1879 championship debate a bit further and see if the language mimics what I see in 1880.
February 7, 2026 at 1:37 PM
I think it's time to re-read Ron Smith's Pay to Play... or at least the first chapter of that work, in terms of what's relevant to the chapter I'm currently writing for my own book.
I also need to dig into the 1879 championship debate a bit further and see if the language mimics what I see in 1880.
I also need to dig into the 1879 championship debate a bit further and see if the language mimics what I see in 1880.
I wrote 1441 words yesterday about the 1880 championship debate... let's see how much further I can flesh out this chapter today.
February 7, 2026 at 1:05 PM
I wrote 1441 words yesterday about the 1880 championship debate... let's see how much further I can flesh out this chapter today.
This is way better than anything that a generative AI slop machine ever has or ever will produce.
Posting this again to remind you you dont have to be an amazing artist to draw comics!
February 7, 2026 at 10:14 AM
This is way better than anything that a generative AI slop machine ever has or ever will produce.
Fanon would slap down this condescending hack's interpretation of poverty.
For an alleged English professor, they've got nothing but logical fallacies down the entire thread.
For an alleged English professor, they've got nothing but logical fallacies down the entire thread.
February 6, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Fanon would slap down this condescending hack's interpretation of poverty.
For an alleged English professor, they've got nothing but logical fallacies down the entire thread.
For an alleged English professor, they've got nothing but logical fallacies down the entire thread.
I've been poor at various points of my life. This is a disgustingly condescending interpretation of the choices available to poor people.
The whole thread is morally bankrupt pablum designed solely to make this person feel better about embracing the plagiarism bot.
The whole thread is morally bankrupt pablum designed solely to make this person feel better about embracing the plagiarism bot.
February 6, 2026 at 6:46 PM
I've been poor at various points of my life. This is a disgustingly condescending interpretation of the choices available to poor people.
The whole thread is morally bankrupt pablum designed solely to make this person feel better about embracing the plagiarism bot.
The whole thread is morally bankrupt pablum designed solely to make this person feel better about embracing the plagiarism bot.
Things to do this Friday:
- committee meeting
- grade a couple of assignments
- work on this book chapter
- walk the pup [depending on weather]
- committee meeting
- grade a couple of assignments
- work on this book chapter
- walk the pup [depending on weather]
February 6, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Things to do this Friday:
- committee meeting
- grade a couple of assignments
- work on this book chapter
- walk the pup [depending on weather]
- committee meeting
- grade a couple of assignments
- work on this book chapter
- walk the pup [depending on weather]
Reposted by Zach Bigalke (he/him/his)
Local news update. Note: contrary to the headline and the claims made in the article, the research has *not* been restored to the website, at least of the time of this post. (See screenshots, to follow)
UD restores collection of research on slavery, history following report
University of Delaware has restored elements of student research, work and academic materials on slavery and Newark history taken offline.
www.delawareonline.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Local news update. Note: contrary to the headline and the claims made in the article, the research has *not* been restored to the website, at least of the time of this post. (See screenshots, to follow)
Man, I wish I hadn't slept like shit last night. I'm already starting to drag today, and I haven't even taught yet.
I've had food, so I'm not bonking. I've had caffeine, so it isn't that. I'm in pretty good spirits, even, all things told.
I'm just wiped out and dragging ass and want only to nap...
I've had food, so I'm not bonking. I've had caffeine, so it isn't that. I'm in pretty good spirits, even, all things told.
I'm just wiped out and dragging ass and want only to nap...
February 5, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Man, I wish I hadn't slept like shit last night. I'm already starting to drag today, and I haven't even taught yet.
I've had food, so I'm not bonking. I've had caffeine, so it isn't that. I'm in pretty good spirits, even, all things told.
I'm just wiped out and dragging ass and want only to nap...
I've had food, so I'm not bonking. I've had caffeine, so it isn't that. I'm in pretty good spirits, even, all things told.
I'm just wiped out and dragging ass and want only to nap...
Reposted by Zach Bigalke (he/him/his)
This week I wrote about how lucky we all were to live at the same time as Catherine O'Hara through a review of Waiting for Guffman (1996).
O'Hara, Levy, Guest, Willard, McKean, Shearer, and Posey? I'm so glad these brilliant, funny people found each other and made such perfect films about humanity.
O'Hara, Levy, Guest, Willard, McKean, Shearer, and Posey? I'm so glad these brilliant, funny people found each other and made such perfect films about humanity.
Catherine's Talent isn't O'Fair-a – Black and White and Read All Over
A Contemporary History Approach to Waiting for Guffman (1996)
blackwhiteandread.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:27 PM
This week I wrote about how lucky we all were to live at the same time as Catherine O'Hara through a review of Waiting for Guffman (1996).
O'Hara, Levy, Guest, Willard, McKean, Shearer, and Posey? I'm so glad these brilliant, funny people found each other and made such perfect films about humanity.
O'Hara, Levy, Guest, Willard, McKean, Shearer, and Posey? I'm so glad these brilliant, funny people found each other and made such perfect films about humanity.
I will forever assert that any editor who tries to assert that "politics are tangential to sports" is someone too stupid to edit material about sports, full stop.
Yesterday I had an editor ask me to remove a quote from a story I was writing because she believes “politics are tangential to sports” and I need you to know they are absolutely not and this little rinkside photo-op is a show of power & intimidation tactic from the anti-trans faction.
February 5, 2026 at 4:25 PM
I will forever assert that any editor who tries to assert that "politics are tangential to sports" is someone too stupid to edit material about sports, full stop.
If you're the kind of person to earnestly consider going to a bootlicker fiesta like this, reevaluate your choices in life and make better ones ASAP.
Holy crap.
This is real.
And the crafty devils stuck Taylor Swift on their list of “good” billionaires.
marchforbillionaires.org
This is real.
And the crafty devils stuck Taylor Swift on their list of “good” billionaires.
marchforbillionaires.org
February 5, 2026 at 4:18 PM
If you're the kind of person to earnestly consider going to a bootlicker fiesta like this, reevaluate your choices in life and make better ones ASAP.
I can't say I'm that surprised about Briatore showing up in the files, but wasn't necessarily expecting Todt.
Epstein files: Football, F1, and NFL bosses kept links after sex conviction
Senior figures in sport maintained personal contact with Jeffrey Epstein, while others were discussed regarding potential deals.
www.bbc.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:12 PM
I can't say I'm that surprised about Briatore showing up in the files, but wasn't necessarily expecting Todt.
Reposted by Zach Bigalke (he/him/his)
when people talk about how "age of consent laws have changed" and how 14 year olds are "mature," I feel sick to my stomach, because I think of all the times I read child marriage cases in the 19th century Indian archive, of bodies torn apart by violent men, and minds broken.
Its always grotesque.
Its always grotesque.
February 5, 2026 at 3:48 PM
when people talk about how "age of consent laws have changed" and how 14 year olds are "mature," I feel sick to my stomach, because I think of all the times I read child marriage cases in the 19th century Indian archive, of bodies torn apart by violent men, and minds broken.
Its always grotesque.
Its always grotesque.
Reposted by Zach Bigalke (he/him/his)
Recently the @historians.org Council vetoed member resolutions that would have committed AHA to defense of academic freedom. In doing so, the org relayed their stance that its federal underwriters-not historians themselves-determine our discipline's limits. 🔗⬇️
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
Historians Must Reclaim AHA (opinion)
Two recent vetoes by the association’s governing council raise the question of who defines what counts as “history.”
www.insidehighered.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Recently the @historians.org Council vetoed member resolutions that would have committed AHA to defense of academic freedom. In doing so, the org relayed their stance that its federal underwriters-not historians themselves-determine our discipline's limits. 🔗⬇️
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
If it isn't rat's milk, it isn't genuine Malk.
February 5, 2026 at 2:47 PM
If it isn't rat's milk, it isn't genuine Malk.
1880 was a weird year for college football.
The sport took a more uniform shape around amendments passed at that year's Massasoit House meeting of the Intercollegiate Football Association — which established 11 players, a line of scrimmage, and a snap from center to start plays as standards.
1/x
The sport took a more uniform shape around amendments passed at that year's Massasoit House meeting of the Intercollegiate Football Association — which established 11 players, a line of scrimmage, and a snap from center to start plays as standards.
1/x
February 5, 2026 at 12:24 PM
1880 was a weird year for college football.
The sport took a more uniform shape around amendments passed at that year's Massasoit House meeting of the Intercollegiate Football Association — which established 11 players, a line of scrimmage, and a snap from center to start plays as standards.
1/x
The sport took a more uniform shape around amendments passed at that year's Massasoit House meeting of the Intercollegiate Football Association — which established 11 players, a line of scrimmage, and a snap from center to start plays as standards.
1/x
Reposted by Zach Bigalke (he/him/his)
In less than a week the Kennedy Center has effectively closed and our local DC paper has been gutted, both by billionaires.
I don’t think immigrants are our problem in this country.
I don’t think immigrants are our problem in this country.
February 4, 2026 at 5:38 PM
In less than a week the Kennedy Center has effectively closed and our local DC paper has been gutted, both by billionaires.
I don’t think immigrants are our problem in this country.
I don’t think immigrants are our problem in this country.
Reposted by Zach Bigalke (he/him/his)
They won’t let the science stop them from doing nazi style purges of trans folks from public life. It’s never been about evidence or data.
What's that you say!
It was all just fear pushing by bad faith groups and that trans women pose no threat to cisgender women.
www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
It was all just fear pushing by bad faith groups and that trans women pose no threat to cisgender women.
www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
Trans athletes may not have fitness advantage in women’s sport, landmark study finds
Findings suggest physical performance in trans women converges toward that of cis women over time
www.independent.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 1:58 PM
They won’t let the science stop them from doing nazi style purges of trans folks from public life. It’s never been about evidence or data.
Set. This. Shit. On. Fire.
AI “deadbots” aim to replace the dead—and raise plenty of ethical issues, Charley Burlock argues. “Perhaps the biggest question is how such a product might shift our experience of personal grief and collective memory.”
The AI Companies Trying to Make Grief Obsolete
You can buy an AI version of your lost loved one. But should you?
bit.ly
February 4, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Set. This. Shit. On. Fire.
The idea that every sport needs a tournament broken down by national identities is patently ludicrous. In most cases, it makes sport actively worse and less interesting.
If we're organizing sport this way, sporting nationality should be completely decoupled from citizenship.
If we're organizing sport this way, sporting nationality should be completely decoupled from citizenship.
Aroldis Chapman was not approved to pitch for Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic because his lineage-based documentation did not prove eligibility, per @ChrisCotillo
Chapman received an offer from the team in June and planned to accept it
Chapman received an offer from the team in June and planned to accept it
February 4, 2026 at 12:40 PM
The idea that every sport needs a tournament broken down by national identities is patently ludicrous. In most cases, it makes sport actively worse and less interesting.
If we're organizing sport this way, sporting nationality should be completely decoupled from citizenship.
If we're organizing sport this way, sporting nationality should be completely decoupled from citizenship.
Okay, I think the book review submissions I got for Sport History Review this go-around are all in, edited, and ready to go.
If you're interested in reviewing, I've got some books that need coverage for the next issue down the road... and I'm also looking for people interested in revewing podcasts!
If you're interested in reviewing, I've got some books that need coverage for the next issue down the road... and I'm also looking for people interested in revewing podcasts!
February 4, 2026 at 12:26 PM
Okay, I think the book review submissions I got for Sport History Review this go-around are all in, edited, and ready to go.
If you're interested in reviewing, I've got some books that need coverage for the next issue down the road... and I'm also looking for people interested in revewing podcasts!
If you're interested in reviewing, I've got some books that need coverage for the next issue down the road... and I'm also looking for people interested in revewing podcasts!
Much of local policing completely lacks accountability. Much of local policing should ALSO be abolished.
Using this as your baseline is not exactly the good negotiating tactic you think it is, buddy...
Using this as your baseline is not exactly the good negotiating tactic you think it is, buddy...
Democrats want commonsense reform for ICE:
End the roving patrols and racial profiling.
Take accountability and abide by the same rules as local police.
Masks need to come off, body cameras need to stay on—no secret police in the United States of America.
End the roving patrols and racial profiling.
Take accountability and abide by the same rules as local police.
Masks need to come off, body cameras need to stay on—no secret police in the United States of America.
February 4, 2026 at 10:40 AM
Much of local policing completely lacks accountability. Much of local policing should ALSO be abolished.
Using this as your baseline is not exactly the good negotiating tactic you think it is, buddy...
Using this as your baseline is not exactly the good negotiating tactic you think it is, buddy...