#for men in the US soccer is less popular than football basketball baseball hockey golf tennis NASCAR

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Each time I try to give men’s soccer a chance, the diving/flopping turns me off. Just pathetic. Grown men falling like they’ve been hit by a sniper on the roof.

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Sports make us fit, fight stress and give us an overall feeling of well-being. We play sports because they’re fun, and because our brains tell us to! Scientists have found that sports help our minds cope with future conflicts and unforeseen circumstances, as well as develop our social skills. That’s why both kids and young animals engage in so much playtime. Modern sports have strict rules and regulations, and they’ve become a multimillion dollar enterprise for grownups, but at heart they’re still an adult version of goofing around. People have been tossing balls around for centuries, and today we’ll learn how these activities went from simple child’s play to national pastimes.

#1 Basketball Basketball came into being as a necessity, rather than by evolving from an existing game. The inventor, Dr. James Naismith, had to come up with an indoor sport capable of replacing the outdoor activities at the YMCA Training School in 1891, and he had to do it in a hurry. Being a sports coach and having a great interest in physical activities and athletic psychology, Dr. Naismith drew inspiration from his childhood memories and came up with a sport that requires the accuracy and dexterity of football or lacrosse but can be played on a small indoor court. Basketball had 13 rules and looked quite different back then. Players weren’t allowed to dribble or run with the ball in any way, while the actual baskets had bottoms and were made out of wood. It instantly caught on around the country, and Dr. Naismith was able to see his creation become part of the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin.

#2 Soccer / Football Here’s a subject of endless debate! Why do Americans call it soccer while most of the world knows it as football? First, Americans already had a sport called football, and second, because of the British. Up until the 19th century, before strict rules and regulations were imposed, people were playing all sorts of games involving a ball, and almost all of them were called football. Then, in 1863, the Football Association was established and a standardized form of the game was created. The term “soccer” derives from the word “association,” plus the suffix “-er.” Association football, or soccer for short, was the official name of the sport until it became more popular with the British lower class and changed its name back to football. Its true beginnings are shrouded in mystery, as people all across the globe were playing a variation of the game in one form or another. Evidence can be traced back as far as 1000 BC, but in Europe the Celts were the first to introduce it. Over the centuries the game was banned by several English rulers, including Edward II, Edward IV and Oliver Cromwell, for being a catalyst of “evil behavior.” That sounds absurd, but football back then was very different, and much more violent, from what it is today. Teams made of entire towns and villages competed to bring an inflatable pig’s bladder to markers within a town’s square by any means possible. Any means.

#3 Sumo The popular Japanese national sport of sumo can trace its roots back 2000 years. It began more as a ceremony than a sport, a form of celebration to appease the gods and generate a good rice harvest. Its strong ties with the Shinto religion filled sumo with symbols and rituals that usually go unnoticed by the average Western viewer. These rituals include stomping the feet right before the beginning of the match in order to fend off evil spirits, and salt being thrown by the wrestlers to purify the ring and prevent injury. The canopy over the arena resembles the roof of a Shinto temple, while the four tassels hanging at each corner represent the four seasons (green is spring, red is summer, white is autumn and black is winter). By the coming of the Nara and Heian periods (794-1192 AD) in Japan, sumo began to be performed at the imperial court in front of the Emperor. During the Edo period (1603-1868), the sport began to evolve to resemble present day sumo. That’s when the official 48 wrestling moves were established and the circle ring was introduced. It’s also the time when sumo went from being a ceremony to an organized and professional championship.

#4 Rugby The historical origins of rugby are very similar to that of soccer. However, sources indicate that the Chinese were playing a similar type of sport almost 2000 years ago, and so did the Greeks and Romans. But the year when rugby branched off from other football-like pastimes in Britain and became a separate sport was 1823. That’s when a young school boy named William Webb Ellis, studying in the town of Rugby, England, first picked up the ball in his hands and started running with it. This only became a written rule years later, in 1845. By 1871, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) was created and rules were made standard nationwide. The modern RFU named their rugby world cup the William Webb Ellis Trophy, in memory of the game’s “discoverer.” The American version of football has its origins in a combination of both rugby and soccer.

#5 Hockey Nothing screams Canada more than hockey, but historical evidence dating back to the 1600s shows Dutch people playing a sort of golf-like sport on ice. In the Americas, northern Indians were engaging in an activity similar to present day lacrosse, but on frozen ponds and lakes. Hockey isn’t the invention of a sole individual or a small group of people, but rather an accumulation of local pastimes from both the Old World and the New. Hockey as we know it originated in Canada — in Nova Scotia to be exact, in the small town of Windsor around 1800. Kids had modified the game of hurling (a cross between soccer, baseball and lacrosse) and made it playable on ice. Soldiers stationed in Windsor liked the game and took it with them to Halifax, and from there it spread throughout the entire country. By 1875, ice hurley became known as ice hockey and was exhibited in Montreal on March 3rd. Two years later, firm rules were put in place. Many people acclaimed the new sport, while others were appalled by its violence.

#6 Curling Curling is also known as the Roaring Game, not because of its fans or pace but because of the noise made by the 44 pound stone sliding on the ice. Obviously, curling has its origins in the northern hemisphere, mainly Scotland. The earliest stones discovered date back to 1511 around the towns of Stirling and Perth. Parish ministers from 18th century Scotland make mention of curling as one of the most anticipated and respected pastimes amongst themselves and their parishes. Around 1830, curling arrived in the United States and spread like wildfire from Michigan to Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota. Today over one million people curl, and 90% of them live in Canada.

#7 Baseball If we could trace back baseball’s origins to whenever the first round-ish object was thrown by one man and hit with a club by another, we would go back as far as the dawn of mankind. Evidence of a specific game played with bats and balls can be found in ancient Egypt, dating back more than 2000 years. A more recent ancestry of the sport can be found in Europe, from where it most certainly immigrated to the United States. Baseball bears a significant resemblance to English pastimes such as rounders and cricket. We also know of a similar game played by French monks around the 1330s, and the sport of oina played in Romania. And in the United States, similar games like town ball, stool ball and old cat are known to have been enjoyed by children as early as the 1700s. The first ever mention of baseball in an official document was found in a dusty courthouse archive in Massachusetts. It’s from the small town of Pittsfield and dates to 1791. The document was a bylaw prohibiting people from playing “Wicket, Cricket, Football, Baseball, Batball or Cats and Fives” within 80 yards of the new Meeting Hall to prevent broken windows. Baseball as we know it evolved from many of these  games during the middle of the 18th century on America’s east coast.

#8 Boxing Historically speaking, men have always been punching each other. And other men have always gathered around to cheer them on. Boxing could easily be called the most natural sport known to man. The earliest form of organized boxing can be found on Mesopotamian clay tablets dating back 7000 years. The Greeks and Romans were also famous for their love of combat sports. Homer mentions it in the Iliad, and boxing was introduced to the ancient Olympics in 688 BC. Back then the fighters wore nothing but leather straps on their knuckles and forearms, and matches could be fatal. For unknown reasons, boxing disappears from references and historical documents and only resurfaces in England in the late 17th century. James Figg, born in 1684, became the first boxing champion in recorded history. It’s reported that he only lost one fight in his entire career, and in 1992 he was introduced into the Hall of Fame as the Father of Boxing. However, real credit must be given to Jack Boughtonis, as he’s the man who introduced the first rules to the sport in 1743, making boxing significantly less dangerous while still retaining its fundamental violent appeal.

#9 Tennis Nobody really knows how far back tennis goes. Some frail evidence suggests ancient Egypt or Greece, but stronger facts point to 10th century France. When French monks were playing the game of jeu de paume (game of the hand) over a rope or against monastery walls, they would shout out “tenez” (to take) every time one of them served the ball. By the 13th century the game became very popular among the French, who built over 1800 indoor courts throughout the country. When played indoors, je de paume looked a lot like present day squash, but players were facing each other and not standing side by side. It became so famous that King Louis IV and even the Pope tried to ban it, but to no avail. From France, the game crossed the English Channel and became an instant hit with the British as well. Before the discovery of rubber, tennis balls were made out of wool, wrapped in string or leather and were struck with bare hands. By the 1500s the first racket was made out of wood and sheep guts. Since the balls had little spring in them, courts were quite small compared to what we’re used to. All of this changed in 1850, when Charles Goodyear discovered vulcanized rubber and the game finally moved its venue outside. In 1874 Major Walter C. Wingfield established the rules of tennis (very similar to present day ones) and the sport began to go international. The first Wimbledon tournament was held in 1877, with women joining in 1884.

#10 Golf Early forms of golf were played by the Romans and the Chinese as far back as 100 BC. The Dutch, the Belgians and the French were also known for engaging in different activities involving “sticks and balls.” In fact, it’s possible they were the ones who introduced the game to the British Isles via trade. The origins of the term “golf” can be found in the Scots language in different variations such as goff, goif and gowfe, which meant “to strike.” All of these terms find their roots in the Dutch word “kolven,” meaning “club.” The term “golf” has been in use since at least 1457, when King James II of Scotland banned it because it was a too big of a distraction for his soldiers. Golf as we know it today was developed by the Scottish. They dug the first hole, and it was in Edinburgh in 1744 where all 13 rules were written, most of which are still in use today.

Source: TopTenz

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James Madison University Admissions: Everything You Want to and Need to Know

Overview of James Madison University

James Madison University is a public research university situated in Harrisonburg, Virginia. JMU has 74 undergraduate degree programs and high retention and graduation rates. A healthy student/faculty ratio backs students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations.

Enrollment

Total Enrollment: 21,787 (19,923 undergraduates)

Gender Breakdown: 42 percent male/58 percent female

95 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

Tuition and Fees: $11,576 (in-state); $28,790 (out-of-state)

Books: $1,056

Room and Board: $10,582

Other Expenses: $3,982

Total Cost: $27,196 (in-state); $44,410 (out-of-state)

Financial Aid Information

Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 63 percent

Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid

Grants: 30 percent

Loans: 43 percent

Average Amount of Aid

Grants: $6,998

Loans: $6,082

Academic Programs Offered

Most Popular Majors: Health Professions and Related Programs; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Social Sciences; and Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

Retention and Graduation

First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 90 percent

4-Year Graduation Rate: 60 percent

6-Year Graduation Rate: 84 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Golf, Soccer, Tennis

Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball

In athletics, the JMU Dukes play in the NCAA Division I Colonial Athletic Association and Eastern College Athletic Conference

Overview of James Madison University Admissions

James Madison University is a selective public university. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application, and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside the admission offices’ mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the next steps of the application process. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data                        

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, James Madison University had an acceptance rate of 71%.  for every 100 students who submitted applications, 71 students gained admission, making James Madison’s admissions process somewhat less competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 74% of admitted students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals to us that of the JMU students who provided scores, most fall within the top 35% on the SAT. 50% of students admitted to James Madison scored between 570 and 650 For the evidence-based reading and writing section, while 25% scored below 570 and 25% scored above 650. 50% of students scored between 550 and 640 on the math section, while 25% scored below 550, and 25% scored above 640.

ACT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 21% of admitted students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that of the JMU admitted students who provided scores, most fall within the top 31% on the ACT test. The middle 50% of admitted students received a cumulative ACT score between 23 and 28, and 25% scored over 28, and 25% scored under 23.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for James Madison University, it should be easy for you to gain admission to the schools below. If James Madison University is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

Ohio University, University of Alabama, Pace University, University of North Texas, California State University Long Beach, Florida Gulf Coast University, Washington State University

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for James Madison University, you should have an equal chance of gaining admission to these schools.

Temple University, Seton Hall University, Howard University, University of Houston, San Diego State University, University of California, Riverside, University of Arizona

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than James Madison University. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, you’ll be a competitive candidate.

Stony Brook University, University of Texas at Dallas, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Syracuse University, Penn State University Park, United States Military Academy

Applying to James Madison University

Application Deadline: January 15

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://www.jmu.edu/admissions/undergrad/index.shtml

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://www.jmu.edu/admissions/apply/apply-online.shtml

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://www.jmu.edu/grad/index.shtml

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://www.jmu.edu/grad/prospective/how-to-apply.shtml

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Brown University Admissions: Everything You Want to and Need to Know

Overview of Brown University

Brown University is a selective Ivy League institution, located in Providence, RI. The institution has a large selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to choose from. A robust student/faculty ratio backs students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations.

Enrollment

Total Enrollment: 10,257 (7,043 undergraduates)

Gender Breakdown: 46 percent male/54 percent female

96 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

Tuition and Fees: $58,504

Books: $1,632

Room and Board: $15,332

Other Expenses: $2,122

Total Cost: $77,590

Financial Aid Information

Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 60 percent

Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid

Grants: 45 percent

Loans: 25 percent

Average Amount of Aid

Grants: $42,652

Loans: $7,251

Academic Programs Offered

Most Popular Majors: Computer Science; Econometrics and Quantitative Economics; Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies; Biology/Biological Sciences, General; and Engineering, General

Retention and Graduation

First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 95 percent

4-Year Graduation Rate: 85 percent

6-Year Graduation Rate: 95 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Wrestling

Women’s Sports: Basketball, Hockey, Golf, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Wrestling, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field

The Brown Bears play at the NCAA Division I level.

Overview of Brown University Admissions

As a charter member of the Ivy League, Brown University is exceptionally selective. This institution has a robust admissions process that involves a multitude of academic measures. A persuasive essay and glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. It also requires at least one supplemental essay. Your essay needs to convey your unique qualities and abilities. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range.

Admissions Data

The school had an acceptance rate of 6.6% for the 2018-2019 school year.

SAT Requirements and Scores

For the Brown class entering the university in the 2018-19 academic year, 63% provided SAT scores. Concerning national SAT score data, scores for most Brown students are in the top 7% of all test-takers.  50% of students were admitted at Brown scored between 700 and 760 on the evidence-based reading and writing part of the SAT. This reveals that 25% of students scored a 700 or lower, and the upper 25% of students scored a 760 or higher. Math scores were slightly higher.  50% scored from 720 to 790, so 25% had a 720 or less, and the upper 25% scored either 790s or 800s.

ACT Requirements and Scores

The ACT is less popular than the SAT—49% of applicants provided ACT scores. Brown’s mean ACT scores are like the ACT scores for other Ivy League schools. Applicants will need a score in the 30s to be competitive candidates. National ACT score data tells us that Brown students usually score among the upper 4% of all test-takers. For students who gained admission to Brown University in the 2018-19 academic year,  50% of students had overall scores between 29 and 34. This reveals that the upper 25% of applicants had scores of 34 or 35, and the lower 25% had scores of 29 or below.

GPA

Brown does not publish GPA data for incoming students, but 96% of students who entered Brown in the 2018-19 academic year were ranked in the top 10% of their graduating high school class.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Brown University, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If Brown University is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York University, Boston University, Boston College, Villanova University

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Brown University, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Princeton University, Carnegie Mellon University, Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College, Northeastern University, University of Michigan

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Brown University. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Chicago, Harvey Mudd College, Columbia University, Harvard College

Applying to Brown University

Application Deadline: January 1

Undergraduate Admissions Website: https://www.brown.edu/admission/undergraduate

Undergraduate Application Link(s): https://www.brown.edu/admission/undergraduate/apply

Graduate Admissions Website: https://www.brown.edu/admission/graduate

Graduate Application Link(s): https://www.brown.edu/academics/gradschool/apply

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Albright College Admissions: Everything You Want to and Need to Know

Overview of Albright College

Albright College is a private liberal arts institution with an acceptance rate of 61%. Situated on a 118-acre site in Reading, Pennsylvania, Albright College is associated with the United Methodist Church. The institution has a predominantly undergraduate focus but also offers graduate degrees in education. Their most popular undergraduate programs span a wide range of disciplines, including business, education, psychology, biology, and sociology. Students are supported by a 14 to 1 student/faculty ratio, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Exemplary students might consider the Albright College Honors Program for a more discussion-centered approach to learning and a range of co-curricular opportunities. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations.

Enrollment

Total Enrollment: 1,934 (1,912 undergraduates)

Gender Breakdown: 40 percent male/60 percent female

99 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

Tuition and Fees: $25,642

Books: $1,000

Room and Board: $12,480

Other Expenses: $2,260

Total Cost: $41,382

Financial Aid Information

Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 98 percent

Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid

Grants: 99 percent

Loans: 90 percent

Average Amount of Aid

Grants: $27,450

Loans: $7,177

Academic Programs Offered

Most Popular Majors: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Psychology; Visual and Performing Arts; Social Sciences; and Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Retention and Graduation

First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 68 percent

4-Year Graduation Rate: 44 percent

6-Year Graduation Rate: 51 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

Men’s Sports: Swimming, Football, Soccer, Track & Field, Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Lacrosse, Baseball, Tennis, Cross Country, Tennis

Women’s Sports: Swimming, Football, Soccer, Track & Field, Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Lacrosse, Baseball, Tennis, Cross Country, Tennis, Cheerleading, Field Hockey, Softball, Volleyball

Overview of Albright College Admissions

Albright College, which admits less than half of applicants, boasts a competitive admissions process. However, Albright also has a holistic admissions process and is test-optional, and admissions decisions are based on more than numbers. The primary admission factors include high academic performance in a rigorous high school curriculum and participation in meaningful extracurricular activities. Optional application materials, including an essay or graded paper and recommendation letters, can bolster your application. The institution is looking for students who will contribute to the institutional community in profound ways, not only individuals that have outstanding grades.  Albright requires interviews for students who apply test-optional. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of Albright’s mean range.

Admissions Data

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, Albright College had an acceptance rate of 61%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 61 students gained admission, making Albright’s admissions process competitive.

SAT and ACT  Requirements and Scores

Albright College is test-optional and does not require SAT or ACT scores for admission. Albright requires admission interviews for students who choose not to submit standardized test scores.

Applicants who submit SAT scores should  Albright College takes part in the score choice program, so your admissions officer will use your best score from each subtest across all SAT dates. Albright College does not require the optional writing portion of the SAT. Albright does not provide information about the school’s ACT policy.

GPA

In 2019, the mean 50% of Albright College’s incoming class had high school GPAs between 3.00 and 3.75. 25% had a GPA over 3.75, and 25% had a GPA under 3.00. This information suggests that admitted students to Albright College have B+ grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Albright College, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If Albright College is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

Post University, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, La Salle University, University of Texas at El Paso, University of California, Merced, California State University Sacramento, California State University Northridge

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Albright College, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Florida Gulf Coast University, University of Texas at San Antonio, Hampton University, Washington State University, East Carolina University, Texas State University, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Albright College. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

United States Military Academy, Temple University, Seton Hall University, Quinnipiac University, Ohio University, University of Alabama, Pace University

Applying to Albright College

Application Deadline: Rolling

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://www.albright.edu/admission-aid/first-year-students/

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://www.albrightapplication.org/freshman/

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://www.albright.edu/school-professional-studies/graduate-degrees-post-baccalaureate-teacher-certification/ 

Graduate Application Link(s):  https://admission.albright.edu/apply/

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