Sunday 31 October 2010

ASU pep band

a clip of our first pep rally...............with some comments from sum marching hornets



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0Xd6sgCtCU&hl=en

Saturday 30 October 2010

Relocating to Birmingham

When it comes the Gulf States, Birmingham is a classic southern city. If you are considering relocating to Birmingham, here is a snapshot of the city.

Birmingham is a medium sized city located in Jefferson County, Alabama. This city has a population of 242,820 residents, and is on the decline - with a loss of 8.5% of its numbers in the last ten years. Home to several famous residents, including politician Condoleeza Rice and Courteney Cox, actress, this city is a densely populated region (taking up 149.9 square miles). Birmingham is also known for its unique racial profile.

When relocating to Birmingham, there are a few facts to be considered. The median age of the residents in this city is 34.3 years, slightly younger than the median age of the rest of the United States. The median yearly household income in Birmingham is $26,735 - below the national average. Housing costs are below average as well, both for the state of Alabama and for the rest of the US. The cost of purchasing a home in Birmingham is, on average, $62,100. Many residents of the city choose to rent their housing, with monthly rates averaging $348.

The racial makeup of Birmingham, Alabama is unlike the rest of the state or of the United States. Here, 73.5% of the residents stated that they were Black, while only 23.5% stated that they were white/non-Hispanic. 1.6% of the residents indicated they were Hispanic. Only about 2.1% of the population is foreign-born, coming from outside of the US. 18.5% of the adult residents of Birmingham indicated they held a Bachelor's Degree or higher, and 38% of the adult population stated they were married as of the last census.

Also to be considered when relocating to Birmingham are the crime and weather conditions. The climate in Birmingham is similar to that of the rest of Alabama. Average high temperatures in the city reach about 90ºF throughout the summer months, and average low temperatures fall to around 32ºF in the winter. Precipitation (in the form of rain) is slightly more than average in the city of Birmingham, with amounts reaching up to six inches per month in the springtime. Crime is a problem in Birmingham, although not as bad as in some other urban areas. The national average on the crime index scale is 325.2, and Birmingham rated a score of 803.1.

Birmingham, Alabama is also in an area that receives a lot of tornado activity - tornadoes occur in the city about 197% more frequently than they do in the rest of the United States. Universities and colleges are located both within the city limits and nearby, with the University of Alabama at Birmingham being the largest. Birmingham is a large city, and the next nearest larger city is Chicago, Illinois (578.2 miles away).

Thursday 28 October 2010

Michigan State's Javon Ringer Scores Five Times in 42-10 Victory Over Eastern Michigan

Mark Dantonio's Michigan State Spartans logged their first victory of the season Saturday (9-6-08) behind 5-foot-9, 202-pound senior Javon Ringer, who rushed for 135 yards on 34 carriers (almost 4 yards a carry) and scored 5 times as the Spartans crushed Eastern Michigan 42-10.

Ringer scored twice in MSU's opening 38-31 loss at California, so he now has 7 rushing touchdowns on the year. It is a tall order, but if Ringer can score twice a game for the next 10 games, the Spartans may be able to improve on their 7-5 record from last year.

Ringer was either missed or bypassed by the Ohio State coaching staff when he graduated from Chaminade-Julienne Catholic High School in Dayton (OH). One would think that Ringer might want to stick the ball in some interesting places when the Spartans hook up with the Buckeyes on the third Saturday in October.

It appears that MSU's passing attack behind 5th year senior Brian Hoyer is going nowhere fast. Let's just say that teams are not planning their whole defensive strategy around the play-making ability of Hoyer.

There is a reason that Hoyer was 8-for-12 for 148 yards (translation = don't screw up) against Eastern Michigan, which was 4-8 last year, losing while Bowling Green and Central Michigan were winning in the Mid-American Conference.

Unlike the Spartans, teams who play the Washington Huskies do plan their whole defensive strategy around containing the play of redshirt sophomore quarterback Jake Locker. National analysts and commentators are quick to recognize that Locker could be outstanding as a quarterback, running back, receiver or strong safety. Locker has the talent and play-making ability that Hoyer does not.

A stout, lockdown defense and a strong running game will take Michigan State farther than Hoyer's arm and field leadership. A running game eats up the clock and keeps your opponent's offense off the field

I suggested that the Spartans should ride the Eastern Michigan Eagles like Seabiscuit at Pimlico, and they did. Michigan State scored touchdowns in each quarter and scored two TDs in both the 2nd and 4th quarters. Ringer scored on runs of 4, 6, 2, 1 and 2 yards. He could have had a 6th TD had he not fumbled 3 yards from pay dirt on Michigan State's opening drive.

Last year I watched the Spartans crush the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) 55-18 in their opener, and MSU looked unstoppable and unbeatable, running over, around and through UAB for 298 yards.

Then they played better competition and started looking more beatable every week. MSU gave up a ton of points last year while losing to more developed programs at Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin. Michigan State's biggest win last year came at home against an 8-4 Penn State team, 35-31.

The Spartans host Florida Atlantic (1-1) next, not exactly a powerhouse but a 7-5 team last year (just like MSU's record last year), co-champions of the Sun Belt title with Troy at 6-1, and winners of the New Orleans Bowl over Memphis, 44-27.

The Spartans could and should win this home game by 3 touchdowns, otherwise, tougher opponents on their schedule might get the idea that Michigan State is not that big of a deal.

Copyright © 2008 Ed Bagley

Wednesday 27 October 2010

Tuesday 26 October 2010

Land Surveying in Alabama

Land Surveying in Alabama has a long history, dating back to colonial times. At one time, there were British, French, and Spanish settlements in the area of present-day Alabama, all at the same time. Its borders changed over and over from its first settlement in 1663 until Alabama became a state in 1821. With so many changes in Alabama's borders over time, it is no wonder that land surveying played a large role in the state's development.

In fact, the first officially surveyed boundary of the United States, conducted by Major Andrew Ellicott from 1798 to 1800, ran through Alabama territory along the 31st parallel North. The only stone monument set by Major Ellicott during this survey, known as the Ellicott Stone, sits today in Mobile County, Alabama, along the North bank of the Mobile River. The Ellicott Stone is also the initial point for all Public Land Survey System surveys conducted in the Southern parts of Alabama and Mississippi during the early and mid nineteenth century.

Today, land surveyors continue to play an important role in Alabama's development. Because of the long history of land surveying in Alabama, many surveys conducted today are known as "retracement" surveys, in which a modern surveyor retraces previous surveys to determine the pre-established boundaries of a plot of land.

Land surveyors in Alabama must follow strict requirements, in part to prevent such land disputes that required so many surveys in Alabama's past. All surveyors must certify that their maps, plats, and drawings are completed in accordance with the current Standards of Practice for Surveying in the State of Alabama. These standards are required by the Alabama State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors; if they are not followed, the land surveyor may lose their license. In addition to state requirements, Alabama land surveyors must also comply with standards set by federal and local government agencies.

Surveyors in Alabama must use up-to-date equipment and methods for the smallest possible margin of error in their measurements; there are minimum accuracy requirements set by the state for all surveys. All boundary surveys must be accompanied by physical monuments marking the corners; these boundary monuments themselves must meet a set of standards set by the state of Alabama. Regulations govern every aspect of surveys conducted within the boundaries of Alabama, from initial measurements to the final plat map.

Many Alabama land surveyors join the Alabama Society of Professional Land Surveyors, a professional organization dedicated to supporting the interests of surveyors in the state of Alabama. This organization holds periodic Alabama Standards of Practice seminars to ensure that all licensed land surveyors in the state understand and follow these regulations. The entire Standards of Practice can also be found on the ASPLS website. Other meetings and conferences held by the Society, as well as an online message board, keep surveyors up to date on news in their field. The ASPLS has been instrumental in establishing a Surveying and Geomatics Sciences program at Troy University, providing aspiring surveyors with a foundation for becoming licensed professionals.

Monday 25 October 2010

2008 Elite 11 National Quarterback Camp

I am a former Quarterback that was 8th round draft pick with the Buffalo Bills and I want to talk about the future NFL QB's that are currently high school stars.

After the twelve 2008 regional tryout QB Camps were held, this is the list that made the cut. These 12 high school Quarterbacks are the cream of the crop and will be all going to major college football programs.

At the invitation only camp they will be taught Quarterback Passing Drills, QB Footwork Drills Quarterback Accuracy drills.

At night they do film sessions and are taught how to read defensive pass coverages. At the end of the 3 day camp they will have a QB passing competition to see who is the best.

EA Sports 2008 Elite 11 Quarterback Camp Roster.

#1 Bryn Renner, 6-3, 192: Signed with North Carolina

#2 Tom Savage, 6-4, 219: Signed with Rutgers

#3 Tajh Boyd , 6-0, 205: Signed with West Virginia

#4 Aaron Murray : 6-1 199: Signed with Georgia

#5 Andrew Maxwell , 6-3 195: Signed with Michigan State

#6 Allan Bridgford , 6-4, 212: Signed with California

#7 Richard Brehaut , 6-2, 205: Signed with UCLA

#8 Raymond Cotton , 6-4, 215: Signed with Auburn

#9 Garrett Gilbert , 6-4, 199: Signed with Texas

#10 A.J. McCarron , 6-4, 191: Signed with Alabama

#11 Zack Mettenberger , 6-5, 224: Signed with Georgia

#12 Eugene Smith, 6-2, 190, Undecided

High School players, parents and coaches fans love to talk about the Elite 11 Quarterback Camp, which is an annual clinic designed for the most promising young quarterbacks in the nation. It takes place this year July 21-23 in San Juan Capistrano, California.

Every year, it holds the best young arms in the nation. It was designed in the belief that quarterbacks are made, not born.

There are regional QB tryout camps that take place in the spring and summer. From those 12 tryout camps 12 top high school quarterbacks are invited. This is the most prestigious Quarterback Competition in the USA.

As soon as I have the 2009 Elite 11 Regional Tryout Quarterback Camp schedule, I will publish it on my website listed below.

If you would like to learn about these same Quarterback drills taught at the Elite 11 Camp see my website listed below.

Sunday 24 October 2010

2010 University of Alabama Million Dollar Band Elephant Stomp

Million Dollar Band marching down Colonial Drive from Bidgood and Carmichael Halls to Bryant Denny Stadium on September 4, 2010 prior to the Alabama vs. San Jose State football game.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0EYLZqL9QY&hl=en

Saturday 23 October 2010

Andre Carr and Da BAMA Girlz performing live.

Andre Carr and Da BAMA Girlz at McCandles Hall on the campus of Athens State University.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6DANerUY3g&hl=en

Friday 22 October 2010

Thursday 21 October 2010

Weightlifting Tips Specifically For Football Players

As a former Collegiate and NFL player, I can attribute much of my success on the field to countless hours I spent in the weight room each week. This article, along with 10 others are going to give a glimpse to each young and aspiring professional football player the type of lifting and conditioning that is needed to be a GREAT player. Much of the information that I will share was taught to me by a number of excellent strength and conditioning coaches, I feel it my responsibility to share this information to help each young player to take their game to the next level.

Making weight lifting an integral part of your daily and weekly personal preparation is a must for every young player dreaming of making it to Division I or the NFL. Much of this has to do with what I like to call, "The Other Guy Syndrome". Each player, Pop Warner to the NFL, has to play against "The Other Guy", both daily during practice and weekly during each game. That "Other Guy" is preparing as hard or harder than YOU to beat and dominate YOU. Therefore, you should always think to yourself during your off season and in season preparation, "What can I do to better prepare myself to beat the 'Other Guy'?" One critical aspect of this preparation is the manner in which you prepare yourself in the weight room.

In this article you will be presented with 5 points that are key reminders and pointers that can assist you in total DOMINATION over the "Other Guy".

#1 You Don't Have to Lift the Most Weights to Be the Best

One major misconception for most young athletes today is that they have to bench press, back squat and general lift a lot of weight to be a GREAT player. That type of thinking is completely FALSE in today's game. Being strong physically and playing strong are two different things. or example, while playing at Utah State University I had a left tackle that was 6'9'' and weighed 330 pounds. He was a very committed to getting stronger and spent a lot f time in the weight room, however, there were Linebackers, Running Backs and Wide Receivers on the team that could out lift him in the bench press by 50-100 lbs and back squat more that 100 lbs. than him. Did this mean he couldn't be a good football player because he wasn't stronger than a Running Back 130 pounds lighter than him? NO!

On the football field he would absolutely crush people. He would drive defensive ends into the ground and completely "pancake" Linebackers on a regular basis. Shear weight lifting strength had nothing to do with his dominance. He was able to do much of it based upon technique and maximum personal strength. No matter how hard he worked he could not get as strong as much of the team. But he was extremely strong for his stature and build.

The key principle here is that you need to push yourself as hard as YOUR potential allows you. Be as strong physically as YOU can. Don't worry about the other guy, or how much they are lifting. Your body is different than anybody else on this planet. Workout so you are maximizing your abilities. If you try to lift too much during a set or workout, you will do more to make yourself less strong than you would thinking it will make you stronger. Always remember this tip: Only workout with an amount of weight that makes it difficult but not impossible to do every rep of a set!

#2 Your Lifting Motion Should Be Slow and Fluid

Another common mistake young athletes make when they lift weights, is they move the bar and weight too FAST. I know that sounds a little strange, but moving the weight fast does LESS to strengthen your body than moving the weight slowly.

The first thing you should do if you feel that the bar and weight is moving too fast, is make sure you are lifting the right amount of weight. Sometimes, you may need to put more weight on the bar. However, be careful you don't put so much weight on the bar you cannot do all the repetitions the set is requiring you to do.

Next, count the downward movement of every repetition for three seconds, for example, "ONE one thousand, TWO one thousand, THREE one thousand". Between the 2nd and 3rd second you can begin to move the bar upwards. This counting method will give your muscles the necessary amount of time to get its maximum output in order to increase strength. Be careful, if you can do every repetition of each set while using this counting method, and not even break a sweat, you need to increase the weight amount. However, if you can only do a portion of the repetitions, obviously you will need to take off some weight.

#3 Do Not Sit Down to Rest Between Sets

This concept was taught to me while I was playing at the University of Wyoming. Many strength and conditioning coaches call this the "Active Rest". Really it is a simple principle, it is a way to train your body to rest and catch your breathe without sitting down. For example, think about during the course of long offensive drive, or a defensive stand during a game, the trainers or coaching staff does not bring out benches and chairs to rest on in between plays. You do that in the huddle while the play is being called in.

In essence, this technique is a way to prepare your body during the course of a game. It is simple but you will notice greater endurance and faster recovery while walking around and standing in between sets.

#4 Be Patient. Results take Time.

I am sure many of you at some point have worked out or done a series of pushups and immediately went to the mirror to see if your muscles have already grown. Unfortunately, after looking into the mirror, you immediately notice really no change has occurred and you get discouraged and quit. Believe me this has even happened to me when I was younger. But through my development through High School college and the pros, I came to realize only through strict dedication and persistence would I see results.

For most lifting programs and even those shared in this website, to notice increase strength and muscle mass, you must be completely dedicated to that program for at least 6 weeks without missing a single workout. For example, if you look at Olympic weigh lifters they start preparing months in advance to achieve personal bests in certain lifts. They know they cannot get stronger by just lifting for a week then maxing out. It can only happen through strict obedience of a work out plan and dedication through the end.

#5 Dedicate Yourself To Weight Lifting Year Round

Unfortunately many young athletes tend to focus on lifting weights only during the season and parts of the off-season. Sometimes, they will take a month off to "recover" or they will do nothing until the official off season program starts in the summer. This form of thinking and mentality is very damaging if a player is wishing to be GREAT.

Weight lifting has many forms, strength building, maintenance, and recovery. All three cycles should be used annually. Through personal experience I recommend that you should take off no more than 1 week of lifting every 6 months. No matter the circumstances you should always be strength training.

Wednesday 20 October 2010

Let's Look At Bill Parcells

With a career record of 172-130-1 and two Super Bowl victories, Bill Parcells will go down as one of the better head coaches in modern time. Famous for his gruff demeanor and no nonsense approach, Parcells was routinely either loved or hated by his players.

Bill Parcells finished his football playing days as a linebacker for Wichita State University back when it was known as the University of Wichita. He then immediately proceeded to the coaching ranks. Parcells had a long career as a college assistant, having spent time at: Hastings, Wichita State, Army, Florida State, Vanderbilt, and Texas Tech before becoming the head coach at Air Force.

Ray Perkins was the head coach of the New York Giants in 1979 when they hired Bill to be the defensive coordinator. This lasted exactly one year before he left to become the Patriots linebackers coach, this position also lasted one year and in 1981 Bill returned to the Giants as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Head coach Perkins announced in 1982 that he was leaving the Giants to become the coach at the University of Alabama and the Giants announced that Parcells would succeed him.

Parcells start with the Giants was rocky at best when they went 3-12-1 in his first season after controversially benching quarterback Phil Simms in favor of backup Scott Brunner. The following season Parcells returned Simms to the starting quarterback position and the Giants improved dramatically. In 1986, his fourth as head coach of the Giants, Bill Parcells led the team to a franchise best record of 14-2 and a victory in Super Bowl XXI over the Denver Broncos. The Giants would go on to win another Super Bowl following the 1990 season when they defeated the Buffalo Bills while utilizing a backup quarterback (Jeff Hostetler) and a 33-year-old veteran running back who had been rumored to have been long past his prime (Ottis Anderson).

Following Super Bowl XXV, Parcells retired and took a job as a studio analyst for NFL games with NBC. In 1992, Parcells agreed to become head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but then changed his mind and backed out of the verbal commitment. He would be lured to the sidelines again in 1993 when he became head coach of the New England Patriots who had fallen on tough times as a franchise. Four seasons later Parcells had the Patriots in the Super Bowl where they lost to the Green Bay Packers. Due to differences with Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Parcells would leave the Patriots following that year.

Without taking a year off, and after a compensation deal was worked out by Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, Parcells became the coach of the New York Jets in 1997. The woeful Jets had an immediate turnaround and in his second year with the team they made it all the way to the AFC Championship Game before losing to the eventual Super Bowl champions the Denver Broncos. Following an injury marred 1999 season, Parcells retired from coaching but would stay on one more year as General Manager of the Jets.

After spending four years analyzing football from a network studio position, Jerry Jones lured Parcells out of retirement to coach the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas had suffered through three consecutive 5-11 seasons and in their first season with Bill Parcells at the helm the team went 10-6, making the playoffs before losing to the eventual NFC Champions Carolina Panthers. In his four seasons with the Cowboys, the team would make the playoffs twice. Parcells was responsible for drafting and signing some of the young talent that would go on to excel after he left the team following the 2006 season.

After leaving the Cowboys, Parcells returned for a fourth stint with ESPN before accepting a position as Executive Vice-President of Football Operations with the Miami Dolphins during the 2007 season.

Bill Parcells leaves a large legacy in the NFL and this is illustrated by the number of his former assistants that have gone on to be NFL head coaches in their own right: Bill Belichick, Ray Handley, Eric Mangini, Al Groh, Tom Coughlin, Sean Payton, Romeo Crennel, and Chris Palmer. Not to mention others who have coached in the college ranks.

Two Super Bowl Championships, the only coach to lead four NFL teams to the playoffs, an 11-8 playoff record, and more. Bill Parcells will definitely go down as one of the all-time greats.

Tuesday 19 October 2010

PC Documentary Part 2.wmv

Phenix City: "The Wickedest City" Directed and Narrated by Joey Smajd for Dr. Gardiner's 6145G course at Columbus State University. A short documentary with live interviews from 1954 and 2009 about Phenix City, Alabama in 1954. The film when Albert Patterson was assassinated b/c he stood up to the mob that ran "Sin City" USA and controlled every aspect of the government hierarchy from the ballot box to the jury box, from the sheriff to the mayor. The rise and fall of America's wickedest city. "20:47 min:sec run time." Dedicated to John Luttrell.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyNMDgIeyqg&hl=en

Monday 18 October 2010

MTSU RAIDERS VS TROY Alabama

Middle Tennessee State University VS TROY Alabama unfortunately MTSU lost this game, 20 by 21 half time performances



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL8Yu8ak5sk&hl=en

Saturday 16 October 2010

Considering An Online MBA - An Investigation Into Accreditation and Pricing for 10 Programs

Introduction

It should come as no surprise that the Master of Business Administration (MBA) is highly coveted by many business professionals. And for good reason. Earning an MBA can potentially lead to more responsibility and greater income. Based on surveys conducted by the Graduate Management Admissions Council, MBA graduates tend to experience a 41 percent salary increase on average after receiving the degree. However, it should be noted that additional factors, such as job function, industry, location, and job-related experience also heavily influence salary increases when combined with an MBA degree.

Popularity

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, business majors comprise the second largest academic discipline for graduate degrees after education majors. During a 25-year period spanning 1980 until 2005, business-related graduate degrees increased by 114 percent. In an August 2007 BusinessWeek article, the publication noted that over two-thirds of existing part-time MBA programs reported more application submissions from domestic students than in 2006.

B-School Accreditation

First, an understanding of business school (B-school) accrediting can prove useful in better assessing the quality of a college or university's business curriculum. Business schools are usually accredited by one of three agencies: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). U.S. institutions must also hold regional accreditation.

AACSB, founded in 1916, is the oldest and largest such accrediting agency. The most prestigious B-schools in the United States - Harvard, MIT, the University of Chicago, and all flagship state universities - hold AACSB accreditation. Of 551 collegiate B-schools listed in the AACSB-accredited directory, 94 reside outside the U.S. AACSB-accreditation is widely regarded in academic circles as the gold standard for B-school approval.

ACBSP began operations in 1988 as an alternative to the AACSB. Of the 403 member institutions, 297 have received accreditation. Noteworthy schools with ACBSP accreditation are Kent State University, Norwich University, Troy University, and the University of Toledo.

IACBE, having formed in 1997, is the most recent addition to the list of B-school approving entities. The organization claims more than 200 domestic and international members. Aside from locally known institutions, perhaps the most recognizable IACBE member is the now-independent University of Maryland University College (UMUC). UMUC was begun in 1947 to provide an extension for the AACSB-accredited University of Maryland.

Shopping for an Online MBA Program

If used correctly, internet search engines can function as effective tools when shopping for an online MBA program. However, prospective students are urged to exercise caution. Aside from numerous offerings by a variety of colleges, many unaccredited schools can also display in search results. The key is to determine if a selected MBA program could provide an efficient Return On Investment (ROI).

Ten Online MBA Programs - A Comparison

A survey of tuition rates was conducted for ten online MBA programs listed below. Programs are divided into two groups. For this survey, tuition rates are based on general or management MBA degree concentrations.

Group I includes American InterContinental University, Capella University, Kaplan University, University of Phoenix, and Walden University.

Group II universities are Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Mississippi State University, Morehead State University in Kentucky, University of South Dakota, and Western Kentucky University.

Group I - The first five MBA programs are heavily advertised by for-profit schools and frequently appear in Google or Yahoo search results.

- American InterContinental University (AIU)

Regional Accreditation: Yes. Professional B-school Accreditation: None. Hours required: 48 credit hours. Cost per credit hour: $645.33. Total Tuition Cost Based on Present Rates: $30,975.

- Capella University

Regional Accreditation: Yes. Professional B-school Accreditation: ACBSP. Hours required: 48 credit hours. Cost per credit hour: $605. Total Tuition Cost Based on Present Rates: $29,040.

- Kaplan University

Regional Accreditation: Yes. Professional B-school Accreditation: None. Hours required: 52 quarter credit hours. Cost per credit hour: $395. Total Tuition Cost Based on Present Rates: $20,540.

- University of Phoenix

Regional Accreditation: Yes. Professional B-school Accreditation: ACBSP. Hours required: 39 credit hours. Cost per credit hour: $612. Total Tuition Cost Based on Present Rates: $23,868.

- Walden University

Regional Accreditation: Yes. Professional B-school Accreditation: None. Hours required: 36 semester hours. Cost per credit hour: $685, includes textbooks. Total Tuition Cost Based on Present Rates: $24,660.

Group II - The next five online MBA programs are offered by public universities, and listed for comparative purposes. When comparing degree options, it is important to note tuition costs and accreditation.

- Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Regional Accreditation: Yes. Professional B-school Accreditation: AACSB. Hours required: 33 semester hours. Cost per credit hour: $402 in-state/$416 out-of-State. Total Tuition Cost Based on Present Rates: $13,728.

- Mississippi State University

Regional Accreditation: Yes. Professional B-school Accreditation: AACSB. Hours required: 30 semester hours. Cost per credit hour: $473 in-state and out-of-state. Total Tuition Cost Based on Present Rates: $14,190.

- Morehead State University (Kentucky)

Regional Accreditation: Yes. Professional B-school Accreditation: AACSB. Hours required: 36 semester hours. Cost per credit hour: $355 in-state and out-of-state. Total Tuition Cost Based on Present Rates: $12,780.

- University of South Dakota

Regional Accreditation: Yes. Professional B-school Accreditation: AACSB. Hours required: 33 semester hours. Cost per credit hour: $269.35 in-state and out-of-state. Total Tuition Cost Based on Present Rates: $8,889.

- Western Kentucky University

Regional Accreditation: Yes. Professional B-school Accreditation: AACSB. Hours required: 30 semester hours. Cost per credit hour: $421 in-state and out-of-state. Total Tuition Cost Based on Present Rates: $12,630.

Program information current as of September 17, 2007. Data collected from respective university websites.

Conclusion

As evidenced above, accreditation and cost differences between programs are dramatic in some cases. For example, the most expensive program in Group II (Mississippi State) costs $6,000 less than the least expensive program (Kaplan) in Group I. American InterContinental University's $30,000 online MBA is almost 3 1/2 times more expensive than a similar online offering through the University of South Dakota that goes for roughly $8,900. Not one of the more expensive online MBA programs in Group I holds AACSB accreditation.

Prospective students are strongly advised to conduct as much research as possible before choosing a program. A few hours spent critically examining various schools and asking questions can potentially save thousands of dollars.

Friday 15 October 2010

Auburn University (AU) Tigers Football Players Taken in the 2010 NFL Draft - Two Selected

There were two Auburn University (AU) Tigers football players taken in the 2010 NFL Draft that was held in New York City in April. The two men from the Alabama based campus selected by National Football League (NFL) Teams are:

• Ben Tate (running back) who was picked by the Houston Texans in the second round with the 58th overall pick
• Walter McFadden (cornerback), selected with the 138th overall pick in the 5th round by the Oakland Raiders

Ben Tate hopes to follow in the footsteps of other successfully Auburn running backs that have entered the NFL in the last few seasons. Most recently that list includes impact players Ronnie Brown of the Miami Dolphins and Carnell "Cadilac" Williams of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. When football fans go further back in time they notice that the great Bo Jackson was actually a running back product of the Auburn football program.

Ben Tate, born is 1988, is listed as a 5'11" 218 pound back that has a desirable combination of power and speed. Originally from Woodbridge, Virginia Ben grew up in Maryland and attended Stephen Decatur High School where he set a high water mark for the state in terms of rushing yards for a single season with 2,886.

After earning all-state honors his junior season Tate transferred to Snow Hill High School (also in Maryland) for his senior year of high school. As the tailback for the Snow Hill Eagles he led the squad to a second place in the state finish for the football team. Tate chose to follow up his impressive prep football career with the Auburn Tigers after declining athletic scholarship offers from powerhouse football programs the University of Florida and Penn State just to name a couple.

Walter McFadden was selected by the Oakland Raiders to play cornerback and while Walter has no relation to Raiders running back Darren McFadden (a 2008 first round draft pick by Oakland) Walter does have an older brother in the NFL. The older brother of Walter also plays cornerback.

Walter is the younger sibling of Bryant McFadden who played his college football at Florida State University before being selected in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft to play cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bryant was on both Steelers teams that won Super Bowls after the 2005 and 2008 seasons.

The younger McFadden is a 6'0" 177 corner with quick feet and an upside that the Oakland Raiders are excited about. The Raiders expect to find some versatility in Walter as an asset both on defense and on special teams during his rookie season.

Thursday 14 October 2010

Financial Aid For Moms - Learn About Obama's Moms Return to School Scholarship

Do you want to go back to college? If you are a single mom is working that would like to go back to school but cannot afford to do so because of the difficult times that we are in. Currently, there are many opportunities for single mothers to find their way back into college and into a substantially higher paying career. One of these methods is through using Obama's scholarship program that will help mothers get back to school as soon as this year.

The main problem with most colleges today is the skyrocketing fees that it costs to go to college, including the cost of each unit, the cost of books, and also travel time or the necessity of moving to where ever the college is. Obama has stated that he would like everyone to have a chance to go to college and receive financing to do so that is convenient and affordable to pay back.

What is great for women today is that any of them looking to return back to college will have an easier time getting free money through this new administration's program that wants moms to return back to school. Never in history of our nation had the ability to obtain free scholarships and low-interest loans to return to school being easier. What you need to do is to get online, find out what is available, and most definitely look up information that you can find on this administration's stimulus package and how it relates to you and your situation, especially if you are a mom looking to return to school this year.

Wednesday 13 October 2010

Tuesday 12 October 2010

The National Security State [Robert Higgs]

AnInstructional Seminar presented at the Ludwig von Mises Institute, Auburn, Alabama, May 26-31, 2002. This program is modeled on the Mises University and presents a reinterpretation of the history of liberty from the ancient world--an ambitious agenda but a wonderfully succesful conference. mises.org Robert Higgs is an American economist of the Austrian School and a libertarian anarchist. He currently serves as a Senior Fellow in Political Economy at the Independent Institute and is an adjunct faculty member of the Ludwig von Mises Institute and is an adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute. Mr. Higgs is also a regular contributor to LewRockwell.com. His writings in economics and economic history have most often focused on the causes, means, and effects of government growth. Some of the books he has authored include, Crisis and Leviathan Critical Episodes in the Growth of American Government; Resurgence of the Warfare State: The Crisis Since 9/11, and Depression, War and Cold War: Studies in Political Economy. He is also the editor of the collections, Re-Thinking Green: Alternatives to Environmental Bureaucracy; The Challenge of Liberty: Classical Liberalism Today; and Opposing the Crusader State: Alternatives to Global Interventionism. Related links: www.independent.org www.lewrockwell.com DISCLAIMER: The producer of this audio presentation, the Ludwig von Mises Institute, has given permission under the Creative Commons license to publicly repost as long as credit is ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfljMJFiy2Y&hl=en

Monday 11 October 2010

Saturday 9 October 2010

George Aaron Broadwell, Part III

George Aaron Broadwell of State University of New York at Albany presents a paper for the Language Variety in the South (LAVIS) III Conference: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives, held at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa April 15-17, 2004. "Some Aspects of Verbal Morphology inTimucua and the Gulf Languages " Part 3 of 3



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neoKKJrMRDk&hl=en

Friday 8 October 2010

UAPB GG's @ ASU

Golden Girls halftime show at Alabama State University



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAT1Q1GT7CU&hl=en

Thursday 7 October 2010

Adjuster Licensing in Florida - Become a Florida Insurance Claims Adjuster

Residents of the State of Florida, and non-residents of states that do not require adjuster licensing, are eligible for the Florida All Lines Independent or Company Adjuster license if:

1. You are 18 years or older;
2. An online application is completed and the $55.00 application fee is paid;
3. You are a US citizen or a legal alien with a work authorization;
4. Fingerprints are submitted at one of the sites authorized by the Florida Department of Financial Services (Out-of-state applicants will receive a fingerprint card from the department for completion);
5. You successfully complete the Accredited Claims Adjuster Designation through the University of Central Florida, or one of the other authorized licensing designations, or you pass the state licensing examination.

Florida also maintains a reciprocal licensing arrangement with the following states.

Alabama - Independent adjusters only
Alaska - Independent adjusters only
Arkansas - Independent adjusters only
Connecticut - Independent, Public, and Company adjusters
Georgia - Independent and Public adjusters only. (Does not require licensure for Company adjusters)
Idaho - Independent adjusters only
Illinois - Public adjusters only
Kentucky - Independent, Public, and Company adjusters
Maine - Public and Independent adjusters
Michigan - Public and Independent adjusters
Mississippi - Independent adjusters only
New Mexico - Independent and Company adjusters
North Carolina - Independent, Public, and Company adjusters
Oklahoma - Independent, Public, and Company adjusters
Oregon - Public and Independent adjusters
Pennsylvania - Public adjusters
South Carolina - Independent and Company adjusters only
Texas - Independent and Company adjusters
West Virginia - Independent, Public, and Company adjusters
Washington - Public and Independent adjusters
Wyoming - Independent, Public, and Company adjusters
Utah - Public and Independent adjusters

States that do not require adjuster licensing include Colorado, District of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

LICENSING DESIGNATION

Florida first approved the Accredited Claims Adjuster designation in 2003. This designation provided the first and original exemption from the state licensing examination. The course became available as a distance learning course through Florida Insurance University in Partnership with the University of Central Florida in 2004. One out of four adjuster licenses in Florida have been approved using the ACA Designation.

Although other providers are now offering claim adjuster designations, over 250 insurance and adjusting companies use the ACA Designation for licensing resident and non-resident adjusters. The ACA Website may be located at http://www.ce.ucf.edu/insurance

The ACA Designation consists of a series of open-book, multiple choice tests and a written assignment. Students will learn to read and research policy questions, identify claim issues and, at the conclusion of the course, will received a University of Central Florida certificate of completion which will excuse them from the state licensing exam.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Every FL adjuster is required to complete 24 hours of CE every two years to retain licensure. The 24 hours must include state approved courses for 2 hours-Ethics; 10 hours-Law; 12-hours-Optional.

All required courses are located on the UCF website and all work may be completed online at:
http://www.ce.ucf.edu/ASP/insurance

Sunday 3 October 2010

Booker T Washington's Influence on the Course of African-American Life Through Education

Booker T. Washington who had only managed to get a primary education that allowed his probationary admittance to Hampton Institute after his emancipation from slavery through the 1865 proclamation by Abraham Lincoln, proved such an exemplary student, teacher, and speaker that the principal and founder of Hampton Samuel C. Armstrong  recommended him to Alabamans who were trying to establish a school for African Americans in their state to lead them in their effort.

But Washington preferred to become a teacher first in his home town in Tinkersville, West Virginia.  He served there for  three years. In 1878 he left to attend Wayland Seminary in Washington DC, but stayed on for only six months. In 1879 Armstrong asked him to return to Hampton Institute as a teacher. Washington did so.

In 1881, upon the recommendation of Hampton University founder Samuel C. Armstrong and Tuskegee's governing body, even though such positions had always been held by whites up until that time, he was hired as the first principal of a similar school being founded in Alabama,. the new normal school -teachers' college- in Alabama called Tuskegee Institute. It was founded under a charter from the Alabama legislature for the purpose of training teachers in Alabama.

They found the energetic and visionary leader they sought in Washington. Washington thus became the first principal of the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute. July 4, 1881,  the first day of school at Tuskegee Institute, was a humble beginning, The new school was initially using space rented from a local church with two small buildings, no equipment, and very little money. The next year, Washington purchased a former plantation, which became the permanent site of the campus.  He built it into a center of learning and industrial and agricultural training. in Tuskegee, Alabama. Tuskegee's program provided students with both academic and vocational training. The students, under Washington's direction, built their own buildings, produced their own food, and provided for most of their  basic necessities. The Tuskegee faculty utilized each of these activities to teach the students basic skills that they could share with African American communities throughout the South.

Even though Tuskegee provided an academic education and instruction for teachers, it placed more emphasis on providing young black boys with practical skills such as carpentry and masonry.Under Washington's care both the school and Washington grew to be world famous, making lasting and profound contributions to the South and to the United States.

One of Booker Washingron's main problems was always finding enough money to keep the institution running. The support he received from the state was neither generous nor stable enough to build the kind of school he wanted. So he had to raise the money himself by going on speaking tours and soliciting donations. As head and founder of the  Institute, he traveled the country unceasingly to raise funds from blacks and whites alike. Soon he became a well-known speaker. He received a lot of money from white northerners. For they were impressed with the work he was doing and his non-threatening racial views.He thus lured industrialists like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller who would donate money on a regular basis.

Booker Washington spent the rest of his life improving the school so that when he died, in 1915 the Tuskegee Institute boasted 100 buildings, 1,500 students, a variety of programs and $2 million. By then Tuskegee's endowment had grown to over $1.5 million, compared to the initial $2,000 annual appropriation.

The institute illustrates Washington's aspirations for his race. For during his lifetime, many African Americans who were former slaves and who did not have an education were  provided  with opportunities to learn vocational skills and obtain an education. He thought former slaves would gain acceptance through education and financial independence. His theory was, that by providing these skills, African Americans would play their part in society thus gaining acceptance by white Americans. He believed that they would eventually gain full civil rights by showing themselves to be responsible, reliable American citizens.

In 1895, Washington was asked to speak at the opening of the Cotton States Exposition, an unprecedented honor for an African American. His Atlanta Compromise speech explained his major thesis, that blacks could secure their constitutional rights through their own economic and moral advancement rather than through legal and political changes. Although his conciliatory stand angered some blacks who feared it would encourage the foes of equal rights, whites approved of his views. Thus his major achievement was to win over diverse elements among southern whites, without whose support the programs he envisioned and brought into being would have been impossible.

Although not everyone agreed with Booker, he became a respected leader who helped many schools and institutions gain donations and support from the government and donors. From this position of leadership he rose into a nationally prominent role as spokesman for African Americans.

It was these non-threatening racial views that gave Washington the appellation "The Great Accomodater". He believed that blacks should not push to attain equal civil and political rights with whites. That it was best to concentrate on improving their economic skills and the quality of their character. The burden of improvement resting squarely on the shoulders of the black man. Eventually they would earn the respect and love of the white man, and civil and political rights would be accrued as a matter of course. This was a very non-threatening and popular idea with a lot of whites.

Saturday 2 October 2010

Jacquie Cruz - it took a miracle - Rock Rapids Iowa

First want to apologize for the shaky camera work; I left my tripod at the house. Jacquie Cruz is a recent 2010 college graduate of the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University located in Columbus, GA. Jacquie is an aspiring vocal performer whose talent is undeniable. This charitable concert was held in Rock Rapids Iowa at the First Reformed Church on June 15 2010. Jacquie has also sung concerts in Texas, Florida, Alabama, and recently Iowa. Her biggest role model is Sandi Patty who's a well known artist in Christian Music Ministry. We want to wish Jacquie good luck in her career and thank God for blessing her with the talent to sing and evangelize to others through song.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBms6oWj0HA&hl=en

Friday 1 October 2010

George Steinbrenner Coached Ohio State Football With Woody Hayes & Won a National Championship

George Steinbrenner is famously known the world over as the owner of the New York Yankees but very few people realize that in the 1950s George Steinbrenner actually served as an assistant coach under legendary Buckeye icon Woody Hayes at Ohio State University (OSU for short). In fact, George was even part of the 1954 Ohio State national championship team that went undefeated.

The New York Yankees organization that Steinbrenner has owned for decades has been valued by Forbes magazine as a $1.5 billion organization which makes it one of the five most valuable sports teams in the world across all sports. Before making his fortune in the family shipping business he lived a somewhat pedestrian life that included college, a stint in the Air Force, marriage, and a brief spell as an assistant football coach at Ohio State. In some regards George Steinbrenner has had an almost Forest Gump type life that has involved playing on his college football team, joining the armed forces, falling in love, making a fortune, numerous chance encounters with historically iconic figures, and a variety of unique business ventures.

Born in Rocky River, Ohio on the northern edge of the state the area that is now an affluent suburb of Cleveland is the area where George grew up before attending a military school in northern Indiana. After graduating from Williams College in Massachusetts in 1952 and spending a couple of years in the Air Force based in Columbus, Ohio at Lockbourne Air Force Base the Ohio native decided to stay in the area following his honorable discharge in 1954. Over the next two years Steinbrenner earned a master's degree in physical education from nearby Ohio State University.

While doing graduate work at Ohio State George Steinbrenner signed on to help the football team as a graduate assistant where he happened to coach under legendary college football coach Woody Hayes. During the one season that George was with the Buckeyes the team went undefeated with a perfect 10-0 record that included a 20-7 Rose Bowl victory over the University of Southern California (USC) on January 1, 1955.

By capping off a perfect season with a sound Rose Bowl victory Woody Hayes, George Steinbrenner, and the rest of the Ohio State Buckeyes edged out number two ranked UCLA to capture the second football national championship for the Buckeyes ever. In addition to the seven World Series victories (1977, 1978, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2009) that George Steinbrenner has been a part of as an owner of the New York Yankees since January 3, 1973 the man who was born back on July 4, 1930 can also claim a college football national championship from the 1954 season with iconic College Football Hall of Fame coach Woody Hayes.