AU = Sports School? What (March) Madness

For years, decades, and perhaps centuries, American University has been an unknown outside of the academic realm. With the exception of a few athletes, including Kermit Washington and wrestler Josh Glenn, American University is an unknown to the sports universe. The sports world though may be in for a big surprise if the Eagles basketball team can win a few more games and capture the Patriot League crown thus receiving a bid to the illusive NCAA tournament.

If AU makes it to the tournament, the publicity would be huge, because we would more than likely be playing a number one seed. A number one seed is a university that has figured out that reputations can be assisted by a strong athletic showing that the entire nation can witness. That same display of ability also creates strong school spirit, something AU badly needs. School spirit cannot be forced onto a campus but rather the campus has to feel excited about whatever is going on. Nothing says excitement like the NCAA tournament except perhaps an instate rivalry which we do not have since we aren’t even in a state for starters. As an advertisement to the entire nation, and a reminder of who we are here at AU, playing a game in the tournament is something that AU will remember and bask in for a long time.

The Eagles play Navy this Wednesday in Annapolis so come out and support the team if you can. Also the Golden Compass won an Oscar tonight for Achievement in Visual Effects, so apparently the Academy agrees, that bear fight was awesome!

Two Kennedys + One Obama = One Crazy AU Monday (Updated)

Coming off a rather impressive win in South Carolina, Barack Obama is coming to AU on Monday to collect the endorsements of one important, and cursed, family.               

Caroline Kennedy, the only daughter of JFK, endorsed Obama the other day in an op-ed, but will attend the rally to show that she is not kidding around. Coming with Caroline is her uncle, Senator Ted Kennedy, who has yet to officially endorse any candidate. This Kennedy coming out party of sorts could give Obama the added legitimacy he has been vying for and give him an additional boost going into Super Tuesday.             

Doors of Bender open at 10:30 AM. If you know anything about the types of parties and shenanigans the Kennedy family is used to then you do not want to miss this. If we are really lucky maybe the real star of the Obama campaign will be there, Oprah!       

*** We came, we stood, we sat, we cheered, we kodak’d, we left. An estimated 12,000 tried to see Obama, creating a line  no one expected. All in all, for those who made it in, it was an experience to see three Kennedys and Obama standing up on stage together. To get a sense of the massive-ness of the line, take a look at the picture below. ***

HOLY SHIT LASER TAG IN BENDER! (UPDATED)

 Update: Jeff Hanley of the SG said the following on the Jolt.

“The first round will begin at 7 PM. It will be 5 on 5 throughout the night. The event is free, you have to swipe your AU ID at the fitness center to enter the gym. Advice Before Coming: Try to group yourself with a team of 5 or 10 friends, it will help you start playing a lot faster.”

If this really happens, it’ll be the best moment of my life at AU. All I know is that this (facebook link) showed up on my newsfeed and I freaked out big time. So far, no reports on the Daily Jolt or the SG website, but surely there are more details to come. The event says that it’s the Tuesday after thanksgiving break, from 7:30 to 9:00. Have class or work? Might have to call in with sickness—laser sickness.

photo courtesy of flickr user Mike McCallum

Mental Health Advocate and AU Alum Speaks

Tonight, as Keynote Speaker for National Alcohol Awareness Week, AU Alum Ross Szabo will speak in Bender at 8:15. According to AU’s website, Szabo, 29, is a motivational speaker and director of youth outreach at the National Mental Health Awareness Campaign.

“In 1996, after two months at American University, I was forced to take a medical leave of absence following a relapse with bipolar disorder. After battling mental illness for five years of my life, I returned to American University as a student with a clear message for teaching others about mental illness,” explains Szabo.

This guy is unusual in what he has accomplished for advocacy at such a young age, and he comes from AU: he knows exactly what we all deal with daily. Szabo has just written his first book, “Behind Happy Faces: Taking Charge of Your Mental Health (a guide for young adults),” and will be signing copies after his speech.

photo courtesy of Dave Stone for The Eagle