United States Sports Academy - "America's Sports University"

New Academy Website

The Academy unveiled its new website on 18 November 2008. The new homepage features four main buttons in the upper left-hand side titled "Academics," "Admissions," "Alumni & Friends," and "Continuing Education." One of the new features of the site is the Quick Links bar located at the bottom left corner. This search tool can be used to find any related material about the Academy. Current students can login to their courses by selecting the "Academic" button and then selecting the "Course Management System" link. Links pertaining to mentorships, the online writing lab, catalogs, and academic calendars can also be found under the Academic button.

Student Academy Email

All Academy students are assigned an Academy e-mail address before beginning their first course. Students must use their Academy e-mail address for all course work. Students are responsible for checking their assigned accounts regularly for any information including notices, newsletters, and official communications. Student e-mails can be found at: http://mail.students.ussa.edu.

Policy Change-USSA Student Photo

Students who have been accepted into one of the Academy's degree programs must submit a passport-type portrait photo to student services. The photo requirements include the entire upper torso, neck, and head. Photos must be a minimum of 2 inches x 2 inches and must have a resolution of 72 dpi x 72 dpi. Student must email the photo in a .jpg format to studentservices@ussa.edu .

Policy Change-Release of Grades and Student Portal Login/Password Information

Students can view their grades online. Grades will no longer be given over the telephone. Students receive Student Portal login and password information in their admissions acceptance letters. The login and password may be given over the phone only if the student can provide self-identifying information. Students who request information via e-mail will receive a letter to his or her request through the mail in 5-7 working days after the email is received.

Doctoral Comprehensive Examinations Reminder

Doctoral students are reminded that they must sign up for their comprehensive examinations thirty (30) days prior to the administration of the examinations. The next scheduled doctoral comprehensive examination dates are 7-9 January 2009. This means that students wishing to take their comprehensive examinations then must register by 8 December 2008.

Application for comprehensive examination registration is online at the Academy's website:
https://secure.ussa.edu/onlineforms/applications/DoctoralComprehensiveExamApplication.asp.

On-Line Tutorials Can Help Student Writing

For those who want or need additional help in preparing their written assignments whether this be academic standards or writing mechanics, we offer the Academy Center for Collegiate Excellence and Student Success (ACCESS). ACCESS is an online writing lab of tutorials and exercises on the various requirements of collegiate writing, to which you may refer in whole or in part at any time during your academic career at the Academy.

Additionally, your instructor may suggest that you complete one or more of the tutorials to assist you in improving your writing skills. The pay-off for this is better grades down the road. There is no charge for this service, which can be found on the course management system homepage.

Another advantage to the online tutorials in ACCESS is for Mentorship students. The tutorials in Section 5, Professional and Technical Writing, can assist students in preparing resumes, letters of inquiry, and professional vitae.

The Academy Help Desk

The Academy is committed to serving its students with excellence and providing them with convenient access to educational resources. If you have any questions about any course, test, or program policy-or any other aspect of the Academy's Program-Please contact the Academy Course Management System (CMS) Help Desk via e-mail at cmshelpdesk@ussa.edu or via telephone at (251) 626-3303 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. central time).

Study Finds Many Americans Lack Adequate Firewall Protection

According to a study conducted by the National Cyber Security Alliance and Symantec, many Americans lack adequate security tools to defend their personal information on their PCs. The role of anti-virus software is easily understood and most people use it but that is only half the equation. Also needed is a good firewall and almost half of all home PCs do not have firewall protection. Firewall protection should not be overlooked. Students should take precautionary measures to ensure that their firewall protection is up-to-date.

Mentorship Opportunities

IJGA Tournament Administration Internship

The Illinois Junior Golf Association (IJGA) is looking for qualified interns to serve and assist the Director of Administration in managing the 2009 IJGA season. The intern will receive valuable training in Tournament Administration and will work with the revolutionary BlueGolf Tournament and Association Management system. Please send a resume, with a minimum of three references, and a cover letter to: Debbie Jacobson, Manager of Administration, Illinois Junior Golf Association (IJGA), Midwest Golf House Complex, 11855 Archer Ave, Suite 200, Lemont, IL 60439, e-mail: djacobson@ijga.org.

IJGA Tournament Coordinator Internship

The Illinois Junior Golf Association (IJGA) is looking for qualified applicants to serve and assist the full-time staff as Tournament Coordinator interns for the 2009 IJGA season. The intern will travel extensively conducting junior golf tournaments under the supervision of the Director of Tournament Operations. Please forward resumes to: Illinois Junior Golf Association (IJGA), c/o Matt Vandenbergh or Ryan Skaggs, 11855 Archer Ave, Suite 200, Lemont, IL 60439, e-mail: matt@ijga.org.

Free Social Networking Website Promotes Top Sports Jobs

The Sport Business Education Network (SBEN) is a free resource dedicated to providing sport-specific resources and information and a central point for job seekers, professors, students, and employers to network - potentially leading to employment! This site features hundreds of free sports job listings. You'll find constantly updated team sports jobs, coaching jobs, recreation jobs, college athletics jobs, sports internships, and graduate assistantships. Visit www.sben.org for more information.

Publishing Opportunities

All students are encouraged to present articles for publication in the Academy’s two on–line publications: The Sport Journal and the Sport Digest. Check with your professor about this opportunity or go to the Academy website and click the link for either The Sport Journal or The Sport Digest. More information can be found at The Sport Journal or The Sport Digest.

APA Tip of the Week

Elements of a reference to an entire book should contain the following items (in order): Book authors or editors, date of publication, book title (italicized), and publication information. For example:

Smith, T. (2007). Coaching youth sport: Myths and theories. Baltimore, MD: Johnson-Smith
Publications.

Library Tip

In among the Gale databases, you will find LegalTrac. In Gale's own words: "Drawing on a wide variety of the most highly regarded legal publications, LegalTrac provides indexing for more than 1,400 titles including major law reviews, legal newspapers, bar association journals and international legal journals. Each title included in LegalTrac is selected on the basis of criteria provided by a special advisory committee of the American Association of Law Libraries. LegalTrac also contains law-related articles from over 1,000 additional business and general interest titles."

Did You Know…

Navigation to the Online Writing Lab Begins at the Course Management System homepage. First, select the "Click Here for ACCESS Tutorial1" link under the Course categories section. Next, select the "Click Here for Academy Center for Collegiate Excellence and Student Success (ACCESS)" link. This navigation process will take you to the ACCESS online writing lab anytime you wish to review materials or complete suggested tutorials.