Soledad O’Brien Visits UA and Impacts Students

On Wednesday, November 9^th, I had the privilege of listening to CNN journalist and anchorwoman Soledad O’Brien talk about diversity and encourage students to stand up and be an advocate for yourself and others. Mrs. O’Brien began her talk by explaining her struggles in advancing in her journalism career. She was criticized for her name and denied a job opportunity because she was not physically “dark enough” to fill the one anchor position available for African Americans on this particular news staff. 

Although Mrs. O’Brien has faced many struggles she has prevailed in her field. As a Harvard graduate, she has unveiled several documentary series focusing on “telling the stories that would otherwise not be heard”. 

She encouraged the audience to be a voice to those that may not have a voice, to always pursue your dreams regardless of what others may say or regardless of the failures you may face. From hearing her stories of overcoming odds in her career, dealing with the identity struggles of being multiracial, and seeing how she managed to travel around the world and still be involved with her family, Mrs. Soledad O’Brien is a true inspiration. It was a pleasure to also view a preview clip of her new documentary, Black In America, that aired this past Sunday on CNN. I am grateful to the Ferguson Center and all the other sponsors of this event for having the opportunity to meet Mrs. O’Brien and listen to her speak. It was truly a wonderful and enlightening experience. 

Sydney L. Page

Sophomore

Major: History; Minors: Blount Liberal Arts & Education

SGA Senator – Arts & Sciences

It Takes Less Than You Think....To Read This Blog

So, we lost on Saturday.

There. It’s said. Now we can all look past that and remember that that was one heck of a game to watch, and we played it well.  (I don’t even like football, and I can tell that!)  And we can remember that there was a whole bunch more to Saturday than the game—like the entire morning and afternoon, for example.

And speaking of Saturday afternoon, who checked out the Rising Tide Tailgate I mentioned? 

If you did go, I do not need to bother saying how completely intimidating it was at first to see so many people there.  But, initial shock being processed, it was so much fun to see everyone pumped up for the game, talking about anything and everything, and of course, breaking out into shouts of ‘ROOOOOLLLLLLLLL TIIIIIIIIIIDE ROLL!’ every couple of minutes.

 And aside from the school spirit pumping through everybody’s system, the free Moe’s burrito bar, and the live band pumping out tunes, I even got to learn a little while I was there.

As it turns out, the student-based LessThanUThink campaign, www.LessThanUThink.org , was there helping put on the alcohol-free tailgate (which I really liked, as I am no fan of the smell of spilled beer all over the place). They were giving out yellow hammers that said “RAMMER JAMMER” (nifty!) and really working hard to get their name out there for students to hear about.

Believe it or not, this tailgate was the first I’d heard of LessThanUThink. Their big thing is about educating students about the consequences of drinking even just a little too much, and it’s not like they’re trying to tell anybody what they should and shouldn’t do. It just seems like they care enough to want students to just play it smart.  You know we’ve all seen some poor soul make themselves ridiculous because they just didn’t know when to stop themselves.  The idea of LessThanUThink, or at least the idea that I got, was ‘Be smart enough to not be that guy.’ 

--Dominique Duerr

Life Got You Down...Roll Tide

Congratulations to Spencer Morris for winning the EA Sports NCAA Football Challenge held on the Ferg Plaza, November 4th, 2011!

Here is the exclusive Winner's Interview:

The atmosphere in Tuscaloosa was like no other campus we’ve visited so far on the tour.  Tour buses, RV’s, and campers were already parked at the stadium 3 days in advance for the matchup between BAMA and LSU.  Parking spaces were limited on and around campus.  BBQ smokers, tailgating tents, as well as the largest pot of gumbo ever prepared blanketed the campus for the big game and the EA Sports NCAA Football Challenge was also part of the festivities.  

We crowned our next campus champion, Spencer Morris who can’t wait to represent BAMA at the Rose Bowl in January.  Ladies and gentlemen...Spencer Morris... 

Q&A

• Commish - Two words...Rose Bowl
• Spencer - I know man...unbelievable!  This is amazing and indescribable...I never thought that it would happen.  I never had an idea that I would play today.  I was simply walking past and decided to register so that I can get the t-shirt, and decided to play a few games before my next class.  Next thing I knew...it was the final game for the Rose Bowl  
• Commish - Not a bad trade-off...class vs. winning a trip of a lifetime.  What’s your major by the way? 
• Spencer - Biology
• Commish - You may have missed your Biology class but you had no problems dissecting the competition today.
• Spencer - You got that right!  It was pretty easy and came naturally for me actually.
• Commish - Let’s jump off subject a little bit.  The atmosphere on campus is electric right now.  I don’t believe that I’ve ever experienced something like this for a college football game.
• Spencer - Yes, this is huge for us.  Some are calling this the game of the decade.  But, believe it or not, this is the normal atmosphere for a BAMA game against any SEC team.  We’re pretty serious about our football around here.
• Commish - Any predictions on the game?  
• Spencer - LSU has a really good team and they’re playing good ball this year.  However, I believe that we’re a little stronger than them right now.  It’s simply not happening.  Coach Saban has us playing on another level right now.
• Commish - Les Miles...more Saban huh?
• Spencer - That’s right!  I believe that Coach Saban will come out throwing the ball a lot more than people think tomorrow night.  
• Commish - I don’t know...you guys have a great running game that hasn’t been stopped as of yet.

• Spencer - That’s true, but you can’t count out the passing game either.  We lost some pieces in our passing game but we also have a great defense that factors in as well.
• Commish - I wish you guys luck tomorrow and also wish you luck in Pasadena.
• Spencer - Thank you...Roll Tide!

Football in the south is like religion as they say.  This game will be one to remember regardless of the outcome.  

 --Shared by Game Live Events

The World's Largest Pot of Gumbo!

Prior to kickoff on Saturday, November 5th, former Crimson Tide player Bob Baumhower, alongside renowned chefs from both Alabama and Louisiana, created the world’s largest pot of gumbo to raise money for charities helping with tornado relief.

The event, called the “LouisiBama Gumbo Bowl,” took place between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. outside of the Ferguson Student Center. Attendees received a cup of seafood gumbo after it had been post-certified by Guinness World Records to ensure the world record was reached.

All funds raised will benefit the Nick’s Kids Fund, a nonprofit charity started by head coach Nick Saban and his wife Terry to promote and support children, family, teacher and student causes and Caring Days, a day program for adults with memory disorders.

The gumbo recipe called for 750 pounds of shrimp, 450 pounds of catfish fillets, 100 pounds of claw crabmeat, 50 pounds of white crabmeat, 200 pounds of alligator meat, 25 pounds of Louisiana crawfish tail meat, 10 gallons of oysters with liquid, 200 pounds of diced onions, 75 pounds of diced celery, 100 pounds of diced green bell peppers, 150 pounds of sliced okra, 50 pounds of dehydrated garlic and 20 pounds of butter.

YUMMY.

--Natalie Beck

Pre-Game Hype: Bama v. LSU

“Get ready for the biggest football weekend of the season!”

At least that’s what everyone seems to be telling me.  I don’t know about you, but all this hype around this weekend’s LSU game has even gotten me to look up from my study guides and syllabi to see what all the hoop-la is about.

And, since my last tailgate experience was totally over the top (Parent’s Weekend Tailgate), I’m still wanting to snag a glimpse of that guy with all the UA tattoos,  and seeing as how this is THE game to see, I am heading to the Rising Tide Tailgate on Saturday.

The party kicks off three hours before kick-off, and from what I’ve heard about the Rising Tide Tailgates, there’s a bunch to look forward to.  It’s a UA students only tailgate with free food (YES!), live music and giveaways. On top of that, it’s right on the Quad where all the other action happens!

So, come out to the Quad with me anytime from 1:30-5:00 and get in on all this awesomeness going on!  The atmosphere is guaranteed to be amazing, seeing as how this is such a big-deal game and everyone has been pumped for it for days (and I mean everyone, two of my professors made attendance optional on Friday), free stuff (as I’ve said before) is amazing and will almost never do you any harm, and the cherry on top will be the amazing fall weather.

See you there! ROLL TIDE!    

--Dominique Duerr