Inspired by a jubilant DEN staff, I have compiled a list of sports movies (selected for many different reason) that everyone must experience.

Note: these movies are in no particular order. Not alphabetical. Not by favorites. I promise, the first movie on this list was placed there at random.

Over the Top (1987) – When people list the greatest sports movies of all-time, this never appears on the list. But it should. If you want to see Sly Stallone play Lincoln Hawk, a trucker who arm-wrestles to earn his son’s respect then this is for you.

The Mighty Ducks (1992) – This movie was the start of a youth movement for me. I grew up on Coach Bombay, Jesse Hall and Charlie Conway. There are three movies in the series, and according to Opinion Editor Dan Cusack the rank of awesomeness goes D2, D1, D3. I agree – D2 is probably my favorite sports movie of all-time. You be the judge.

Blue Chips (1994) – Want to learn the pressures of being a college basketball coach? Check this movie out. It teaches you how to secretly pay your athletes in order to get them to come to your school. Shaq and Penny Hardaway make this movie great.

Breaking Away (1979) – The movie might not look good at first glance, but you shouldn’t judge a movie by its cover. Sure, it’s a bicycling movie, but Dennis Quaid was in his prime during the filming of this.

BASEketball (1998) – The Professional Baseketball League is as real as the NFL, NBA, MLB, or NHL in this movie. The Milwaukee Beers are better than the Brewers or Bucks, no doubt. If you want your mind to start thinking creatively, watch this movie. I just now got an idea: they should teach this sport in gym class.

Little Big League (1994) – Have you ever received something from somebody’s will? A sweater, dirty socks, the Minnesota Twins? Billy Heywood inherits the Minnesota Twins. Yeah, I know. The fact that Ken Griffey Jr. and Randy Johnson are in this movie makes it that much better. And the fact that I can’t find it on VHS, let alone DVD, is ludicrous. This is Cusack’s favorite sports movie of all-time.

Major League (1989) – The first time I watched this movie is when I decided that Willie Mays Hayes was the greatest baseball player of all time. Move over Ken Griffey Jr. I remember my struggle to see this movie for the first time. It was rated R and my parents would not let me see it. Then, I grew up.

Fight Club (1999) – Do you want to argue with me that this isn’t a sports movie? I will fight you. We don’t talk about Fight Club. We do talk about Jennifer Aniston, though.

Space Jam (1996) – Michael Jordan is the star of the movie, but Bill Murray is like the Rudy. He’s the underdog, and when his voice cracks at the end – “Let’s go bulls!” – it’s priceless.

Slap Shot (1977) – This is a quintessential hockey movie. Fighting is a crucial part of this movie, helping a hockey team succeed. The characters are hilarious. If you have never seen Paul Newman in a movie, watch this movie.

The Fan (1996) – Would you like to see Robert De Niro in a sports movie? “Sure.” O.K., watch this movie. You just need to experience this movie. At the end of it, ask yourself, “Why,” and see what happens.

Rounders (1998) – This is my brother’s favorite movie. If you are a poker player, please watch this movie. Everyone loves Matt Damon and Edward Norton, and they are great in this.

Bring It On (2000) – This is my shout out to all the women who love this movie. Yes, it is a must see. Deal with it guys, I caught myself watching it the other day in my dorm room. Photo Editor Danny Damiani is a witness.

Whip It (2009) – This is the most recent movie on this list. If you haven’t seen it, see it. Ellen Page is really good in it. It’s about roller derby. If that isn’t unique enough to rent the movie, then I don’t know what is.

Cool Runnings (1993) – The true story of a Jamaican bobsled team. Yes, it’s that good. We were all young once, we all saw this on Disney Channel. Watching Jamaicans get into a fight at a bar during Country Night was well worth the price of the Disney Channel.

Little Giants (1994) – Give me Bruce Smith in any movie and it’s going to be a classic. To add to Smith’s cameo, there is John Madden and a genius that comes up with the Annexation of Puerto Rico play. Genius.

Angels in the Outfield (1994) – Finally, when you wave your arms in an angel-like motion, people know what you are doing.

Jerry Maguire (1996) – If Top Gun counted as a sports movie, it would easily replace this movie as “The One Tom Cruise Movie on the Sports Movie List.” The little kid is worth the price of the movie.

Field of Dreams (1989) – James Earl Jones as Terence Mann is one of the wisest characters in sports movie history. Kevin Costner plays a smart farmer who plows his crops to build a baseball field.

Friday Night Lights (2004) – Please don’t confuse this with the TV show. This is a great high school football movie based on a great book by Buzz Bissinger.

This is where I stop. Granted, the list we, the DEN staff, came up with is probably 50 movies long, but I would much rather you go start your movie marathon then read blurbs about the best sports movies.

For the sake of those who want to keep reading, here is an honorable mention section: Caddyshack (1980), Kingpin (1996), Varsity Blues (1999), Happy Gilmore (1996), Kicking & Screaming (2005), Any Given Sunday (1999), Rudy (1993) and The Sandlot (1993).

Alex McNamee can be reached at 581-7944 or ,a href=”mailto:admcnamee@eiu.edu”>

admcnamee@eiu.edu.