NBA Players and Shoes

Some of the best NBA players to have ever played have taken their legacy to households around the world in the form of shoes. Michel Jordan and Lebron James are two of the most popular players to have their own line of shoes. Aspiring basketball players as well as others, who like them for fashion purposes, regularly purchase Jordan’s and Lebron’s.

Air Jordan’s were first designed in 1985 and came in a back and red model. There are over 25 different models of Jordan shoes each with its own design and release date. Jordan’s are made by Nike who signed Micheal Jordan to endorse the “Air Jordan” shoe for $2.5 million contract for 5 years.

Nike not only used Jordan, they also signed James with a $90 million contract for 7 years beginning in 2003. According to Jordanzone.com, Nike has released several models of the Air Zoom Lebron series of basketball shoes along with Lebron Air Force Ones and special edition shoes as well.

Jordan and James have made millions playing basketball but they have made even more by giving their name to Nike in order to endorse these shoes.

Many players in today’s game choose to only wear one type of shoes to play in. With all of the different models, styles and colors to choose from they could wear a different pair for every game.

Nike even makes basketball shoes for toddlers and women, so there is a basketball shoe for everyone, find one that is right for you. Visit Jordanzone.com for more in depth information and history of Air Jordan and Lebron shoes.

Fall Fashions for Your Feet

As the leaves begin to change colors and fall to the ground you may want to think about dusting off your boots in the back of the closet. Tis the season for boots and there are so many to choose from for the fall of 2009.

The buzz for fall seems to be over the knee boots according to Elle Fashion, you can pair them with a mini dress and an oversized satchel to get that ultimate in fashion look for a night on the town. These boots come in the basic black and brown and should be worn as a specialty item.

Another hot trend is high-heel ankle boots. These are boots that stop right at the ankle. They come in a very wide variety of colors and styles. Designers have experimented with the shapes as well as colors to give each pair its own unique flare. With all of the differnt styles there is a pair to match every outfit in your closet.

But if you’re not into the high heals, like me, Ugg boots are flat boots that come in all colors with or without fur that go well with any outfit. You can even wear them with a pair of sweats or shorts.

Try out any of these hot new trends for your feet and you will be walking on sunshine through the fall season and into winter. Visit shefinds.com for more ideas on fall fashion for you feet as well as where the best place to find them.

Annual Dare to Compare: Fitness Five Scheduled for Oct. 1

On Thursday, Oct. 1 2009, the University of the Cumberlands Health, Exercise and Sport Science Department will host a Health and Fitness Fair at 9 a.m. called “Dare to Compare: Fitness Five” in the O. Wayne Rollins Center and the James H. Taylor II track and football field.

The University of the Cumberlands Department of Health, Exercise and Sport Science and the Cumberland River Comprehensive Care Center annually co-sponsor the event.

The fitness fair is free to anyone and will include the chance to win door prizes as well as learn your fitness level.

“Our program is designed to help our campus and community learn more about their health and fitness in order to live a happier and healthier life,” said Dr. Cindi Norton, Professor and Chair of the Health, Exercise and Sport Science Department.

Junior Whitney Blankenship not only attended the Dare to Compare: Fitness Five in past years, she has also worked the event. " I really like Dare to Compare, it is fun for everybody." said Blankenship.

The Dare to Compare: Fitness Five has a number of stations each devoted to all aspects of good fitness. Some of the different booths include checks for: blood pressure, height and weight, blood glucose, cholesterol screening, body fat calculation, push-ups, sit-ups, 10-minute run/walk and many more. All of these are free to the public, just show up at the designated locations.

According to Norton, the event began in 2001 with two events each year, one in April and another in October. Around 400-500 students, faculty and senior citizens attend the program. “Everyone has a place at Fitness Five!” said Norton.

Is it Influenza or the Dreaded H1N1 Virus?

An epidemic is sweeping across college campuses, not only the University of the Cumberlands, but also at colleges nation wide. More commonly know as the flu, the influenza virus has spread to many of the students here on campus.

Some of these students have been asked to go home in fear that they may spread the virus. Sophomore Hannah Moore was diagnosed with type A influenza, and was asked to vacate the dorms and not return until Friday of this week. Moore said “ I understand that I am a hazard to the campus and my team so it is better for me to stay at home this week.”

Freshman Niclas Rigbrandt said, “I felt really sick, with fever and a sore throat but I didn’t go to the doctor. I feel much better now though” Both of these students have seen the epidemic first hand. Rigbrandt was not diagnosed with the flu, but he believes that he did have the virus.

The H1N1 virus however is a much more serious virus that also has the same basic symptoms as the regular influenza. Known as the Swine Flu, it has caused a greater disease burden for people who are under the age of 25. This age range is very common for students in college and high school. Many students in some of the larger colleges have been sent home due to this virus.

Millsap College located in Jackson, Mississippi, reported 44 cases of the swine flu, and said their numbers were growing daily. The college has yet to close, but if they have many more cases it may be the colleges' only option according to the daily updates on Millsap College’s website, on Sep. 8, 2009

The flu is most often identified with the symptoms of fever, body ache, sneezy and runny nose, cough, tiredness, vomiting, and sore throat. Every year around 36 thousand people die from flu related complications as well as 200 thousand hospitalized according to the CDC.

There are some things that can be done to prevent the spread of both of these viruses. The CDC recommends these things in order to prevent the spread of influenza. First of all it is important to wash your hands with soap and water especially if you have sneezed or coughed, avoiding sick people, and covering your nose and mouth if you cough or sneeze.

Athletic trainer here at the University of the Cumberlands Brina Strebeck said, “ Lysol and hand sanitizer are your best friends.”