Sports, Politics, and Music by Ryan Kantor

Finding Unity in Sports is an Important Part of American Culture

This terrible pandemic has deprived us of sports for far too long. In these months without live sports I’ve contemplated where they fit in society. At times, I’ve wondered if they’re too important. Do we put them too close to the center of our life and derive too much of our self-identity from them? Are … Continue reading →

Optimism for Fall Football Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

Nearly every American has been impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Sports fans have missed March Madness and at least to-date the NBA and NHL playoffs. MLB’s opening day and the Masters have also suffered lengthy delays. More importantly, over 75,000 Americans have died and over 33,000,000 have become unemployed as a result of lockdowns … Continue reading →

A Look Back at Some of My Favorite Clemson Football Players (#5 – #1)

I previously posted my #12 through #6 favorite players. That list included Grady Jarrett, Austin Bryant, Mitch Hyatt, James Davis, CJ Spiller, Hunter Renfrow, and Christian Wilkins. Now we’ll take a look at my five favorite football players in Clemson football over the Dabo-Swinney era. #5 Deshaun Watson (QB 2014-2016) The first three-year player to … Continue reading →

For Marketing Researchers, Data Cleaning Requires Integrity

Note: This blog post is for marketing research professionals and those who work with quantitative data regularly. Research is only as good as the data behind it. In the process of drafting a research plan, building a questionnaire, reviewing documents with teammates and clients, programming the survey, analyzing data, and putting together the report, a … Continue reading →

A Look Back at Some of My Favorite Clemson Football Players (#12 – #6)

I recently wrote two blog posts (2011-2015; 2016-present) about my favorite Clemson football memories of the Swinney-era. Writing those naturally made me think of the student athletes that made them happen. As such, now I’d like to highlight some of my favorite Clemson players of the Swinney-era. Putting together this list was extremely challenging. Many of … Continue reading →

Looking for Something to Read in Quarantine? My Book List

At the start of 2019, I made the New Year’s resolution to read at least 12 books over the course of the year. It is probably the only resolution I’ve bothered to make and keep. I don’t bother to make new ones anymore, I just renew this one each year. In doing so, I’ve read … Continue reading →

Easter in a Pandemic: Christians Should Do What Loves Requires of Them

We’re in about our fourth week of social distancing to slow the spread and “flatten the curve” of this pandemic. We’re all hoping it ends when the calendar turns to May or shortly thereafter, but we don’t really know. So far, 20,000 Americans have lost their lives and over 16 million have lost their jobs. … Continue reading →

2019 Clemson Football Season Preview: Evaluating Potential College Football Playoff Opponents

In a previous post, I broke down Clemson’s regular season schedule and discussed the challenge each opponent could present the Tigers. The season starts with a bang as Clemson an ACC team – Georgia Tech – on a Thursday, then faces Texas A&M in Week 2, and then takes a road trip to Upstate New … Continue reading →

Sports, Politics, and Music by Ryan Kantor

Home Runs, Apple Pie, and Rock 'n Roll

Finding Conversation in a Sound Bite Society: Objections to God

If the College Football Playoff Ever Expands, Here’s the Conference Realignment That Should Accompany It

We Bid Farewell to Clemson Football Alumni

Assessing the Greatest Clemson Football Coaches of All Time

My Journey Touring College Football Stadiums

Book Review: Coolidge by Amity Shlaes