Rain Rain Rain Boots?

I couldn't tell you how many times this semester that I have traipsed to class in the pouring rain only to arrive with wet feet and socks. I think that it may be time for an investment in some functional but stylish rain boots.

I have seen a number of styles on students here at the University of the Cumberlands. Junior Whitney Blankenship has a pair of rain boots that she wears on those rainy dreary days. “My boots are purple and yellow with flowers on them,” says Blankeship. “I wear them so I can tuck my jeans in them so the don’t get wet”Even though rain boots have been thought of as bright yellow “wellies” in the past, times have evolved.

They don’t just come in yellow anymore. Pink, purple and polka dotted are just a few of the cute options that Target has to offer. With over 45 different colors and patterns to choose from at a very reasonable price, Target is a great place to make your investment in rain boots.

Rain boots have gone from practical foot protection to a surging fashion trend. I think I will find a pair for myself to keep my tootsie warm and dry.

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.”

From Golf to God, Hole in One Every Time

By: Katie Akins

It is a Sunday afternoon and Alli Burton has just lay down on the comfortable Holliday Inn hotel bed fresh off the golf course with a noticeable red face from the suns harmful rays. Burton is the number four seed golfer on the University of the Cumberlands Women’s Golf team, but golf is not what makes this blonde haired blue-eyed girl tick. “I don’t think I could get out of bed, if it was not for my walk with Christ” says Burton.

Burton entered college with low expectation about golf, but once she established a good relationship with the Lord her golf game came around. “Once I realized that I could do all things through him and quite relying on myself he would carry me through it” Burton is an active member of a local church in Corbin called Immanuel Baptist. Burton also is the head of a small group bible study on campus, the small group meets on Thursday nights at 8 p.m.

“I didn’t become a Christian until I was a Junior in High School and I played golf since I was in 5^th grade but I didn’t know that the two could go together.” She described how her golf game would suffer from anxiety of her rebellious life. "I would not be focused when I was playing golf my mind was always somewhere else." She found out through a spiritual search that success found her, but only through her with her relationship with God. She spends each day praying for herself and her team and does her part for her teammates on and off the course.

As Burton was sitting on that old hotel bed, I could hear the excitement in her voice as she described to me her life as a college Christian athlete. She seems to have found true joy and wishes nothing but to share it with others. “At every tournament, I make a point to share the love of Jesus with the girls I’m playing with. I don’t do it because it’s an obligation or anything like that. I do it because I want everyone I come into contact with to have the same feeling I have! I want them all to know they are loved!”

With her expectations not so high Burton finished out the season playing in every tournament qualifying above many of her teammates. Her season average is at an all time low of an 89. Burton says that she has enjoyed her first season as a Lady Patriot golfer, but she has enjoyed sharing Christ with other golfers more. She is fully devoted to both golf and the Lord, and she says “I’ve never felt more content in my life”.

Luke Fitzgerald, More than a Yellow Flash

By: Katie Akins

It is a warm March afternoon and you can hear the roar of the yellow scooter Fitzgerald is riding. It looks like a giant, on a baby toy. With Fitzgerald standing six foot seven inches weighing in at 250 pounds, it is hard for him to be inconspicuous. “I ride because I enjoy it and it gives me piece of mind.” Fitzgerald says.

You may recognize Fitzgerald as the guy on the yellow scooter, but he has a very different side on the basketball court. He has proved to be one of the best players to come through The University of the Cumberlands men’s basketball program.

Fitzgerald attended one of Cumberlands big men camps during the summer before his senior year of high school and got to know a little bit about the school. When he attended the big man camp he had only been playing basketball for one year, and was four inches shorter. Patriots coach Don Butcher said “ I had no idea who he was, but after the first session, I knew he was a very good player with a nice career ahead of him.”

When Fitzgerald returned home to Cleveland and began his senior year of basketball the unimaginable happened. “ I broke my tibia, and missed six weeks of school, and only got to play six games” according to Fitzgerald. After only playing one full season of basketball, and a broken tibia, Coach Butcher decided he wanted Fitzgerald. “ I signed to play here in January of my senior year, I was still on crutches.” Says Fitzgerald.

During his freshman year at Cumberland Fitzgerald did not play, he red-shirted, and his sophomore year he was limited in play because there were other post players ahead of him. “Luke lived in the weight room and went through many quick-feet drills.” Says Butcher. Fitzgerald worked hard his freshman and sophomore to make up for the years that he missed in high school.

Fitzgerald started to make a name for himself his junior year. He was named to the Mid-South Conference all tournament team along with several player of the week honors. Fitzgerald was also named third team All American his junior season. When Fitzgerald returned to Cleveland he played in several summer league basketball teams allowing him to stay in good shape and prepare for his final season as a Patriot.

His final season as a Patriot proved to be one of many accolades. The thing that Fitzgerald remembers first about his senior season was being number one. “ It was new, something that I had never experienced I could say we were number one.” The Patriots opened their season with a number one ranking in the nation. The Patriots stayed number one for about a month during Christmas break, but after the loss on the road to Mountain State they fell in the polls.

Throughout Fitzgerald’s senior season he received once again several player of the week honors. However that was not the most exciting award he got. While attending the Mid-South Conference tournament banquet, he received one of the most coveted honors a player in the NAIA could receive. Fitzgerald was named Mid-South Conference player of the year. There are 12 conferences in the NAIA, and each one have a player of the year. Fitzgerald is one of very few to receive this honor. “ It was an honor and privilege.” He says.

Now after his final season as a Cumberland Patriot is over he is busy talking with his contacts overseas many of them being former Patriots themselves. “Luke is a player that can continue his career after college.” Says his coach Mark Vernon. Fitzgerald hopes to find a team to play professionally for, somewhere overseas. “It is a good possibility that I will play in Germany or Australia, but we will have to see”. Says Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald admits that he has enjoyed playing here at the University of the Cumberlands. Who knows maybe one day our very one Fitzgerald will be playing in the NBA making millions of dollars. Fitzgerald says “It would be nice to not have to work a day in my life, and if I can play basketball I will.”