Please, just put down the keys and step away from the vehicle!

After a hard day in class, you and some buddies head up to Cooter Brown's (hey, I work there, gotta grab a plug!) for a few drinks. After a few drinks you guys decide to have a few more and then head home.

But wait!

Did any of you really think about how you would be getting home?

Everyone has been drinking and there is no one to come pick you up. What now?

As you hop behind the wheel, the thought never crosses your mind that you might not make it home.

Many people do not take the time to consider the consequences of getting behind the wheel of a car after they have been drinking. They feel invincible and never think 'it' will happen to them. Guess what? It does happen to someone and it could very easily be you.

Did you know that in 2005 there were 16,885 fatalities from crashes where alcohol was involved? That breaks down to one death every 31 minutes.

In 2005 Alabama alone had 423 deaths from alcohol related accidents, which was 37% of total accidents in the state.

Another result of drunk driving can have you arrested and headed to jail for the night and sometimes longer than that.

The legal limit for Alabama is .08 and depending on your size, for some that can mean only one drink will put you over the limit. Having a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) does not look cool and can really hurt you, emotionally, physically and financially.

Something to remember when you are heading out for a night on the town: have a non-drinking friend drive you or even take a taxi. Paying $20-30 for a cab is a lot easier on your wallet than paying for a DUI.

So, we at The Chanticleer ask you to please be careful and make the choice to not drink and drive. You could just save someones life, including your own.

For more information on drunk driving or how to prevent it, go here

JSU Homecoming! Party like a Gamecock!

It's that time of year again. Campus organizations are busy working on their floats by filling chicken wire with tissue paper, designing and painting a banner and campus offices are decorating their doorways in anticipation of this Saturday.

It's Homecoming! The time when alums crowd the town and relive the happy memories of their alma mater. It is a crazy and hectic time in Jacksonville and I love it! There are few other times during the year when school spirit is as high as it is on Homecoming.

I have to be honest, when I first heard the theme for this year ("Party like a Gamecock") I had to laugh. Though JSU used to be ranked among the top party schools in the nation, recent years have seen a decline in the party scene of Jacksonville. Blame it on house parties, police cracking down or even JSU being a 'suitcase' college. Whatever the reason, the Gamecocks of late have not been the biggest party animals in the barn. Then I realized something. It is not just current Gamecocks in town this weekend to attend the game. It is past, present and future Gamecocks here to celebrate a time honored tradition. So maybe we can all set the example this year and show Tennessee Tech exactly what it means to "Party like a Gamecock."

Don't Forget!!

There are five beautiful ladies up for the coveted title of Homecoming Queen. You can read more about them here. Though the bonfire was cancelled due to the recent drought situation, the Queen will still be announced Thursday, Oct. 18th at 8 p.m. in Paul Snow Stadium.

For a complete list of the Homecoming week activites, click here

Also, I would like to welcome and thank all the alumni who are returning to support the Gamecocks this weekend. Be safe and have a great time!

GO GAMECOCKS!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Yesterday, I had the privilege to meet Jane Robinson, a JSU alum, who recently overcame breast cancer. She was small, spunky and literally full of energy!

She made me think of all the women who have had and who currently do have breast cancer. I can't imagine receiving the news that could change your life completely, but Robinson took it all in stride.

Did you know that 182,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and that 43,300 of them will not survive? Did you also know that men can get breast cancer? Though its more rare, 1,600 men are diagnosed each year and all but 400 survive it.

Doctors are still unsure what exactly causes breast cancer but a few risk factors they have found are: simply being a woman, age, family history, race, not having children (or having them later in life), birth control pills and even being overweight.

Interestingly enough, around 70 percent of cases are found through self exams. Click here to learn how to perform one at home.

For more information on breast cancer, click here or try here .

There are some really great breast cancer networks like the Susan G. Komen foundation or The Breast Cancer Research foundation or The National Breast Cancer foundation .

Next week, The Chanticleer will have more information on Robinson and her fight with with breast cancer, so stayed tuned!

Intramurals

With multiple sports going on across campus, intramurals can easily be overlooked. But this is the thing that many can come out and watch, no matter what their schedule is. Whether at the intramural field or at Paul Snow stadium, there is always room for spectators.

Bringing out students and some faculty, intramurals can be exciting for everyone. It gives everyone a way to become involved without the hectic schedule of collegiate sports.

Depending on the season, there are a variety of sports offered. Such as: basketball, beach volleyball, bowling, dodgeball, flag football, golf, inner-tube water polo, racquetball, softball, tennis, ultimate frisbee and whiffleball, among others.

Though many of the fall sports have already begun play, two that have no started are inner-tube water polo (the forms are due Oct. 19th) and indoor volleyball (the forms are due Oct. 26th). More information and entry forms are available in Stephenson Hall Rm 215 or see their website at http://www.jsu.edu/depart/recsports/intramurals.html .

So, what are you waiting for? Let your competitive spirit out and get involved!

GO GAMECOCKS!