University of Phoenix Madison hires associate director academic affairs

University of Phoenix Madison campus has announced the hiring of Tamera Wagner as associate director academic affairs.

In her new role, Wagner brings 27 years of leadership experience to the campus where she will assist in directing and overseeing the academic affairs activities of the Madison campus. She will also work closely with Madison area businesses to identify their professional development requirements and how the University can assist in meeting those needs.

Wagner received a doctorate of psychology and master of science degree, specializing in educational psychology, from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minn

Arizona Christian University begins inaugural baseball season this weekend

Arizona Christian University will begin its inaugural baseball season this weekend with a three-game series against Wayland Baptist University at Phoenix Pinnacle High School.

The teams will play a doubleheader at 11 a.m. Saturday and a single game Sunday at noon.

ACU, formerly Southwestern College, will play a 50-game schedule with 21 at home, split among several sites including Pinnacle and Scottsdale Stadium, while the university builds an on-campus stadium for the 2012 season.

"We believe baseball in Arizona is a natural combination, and Christian athletes will be drawn to ACU for the opportunity to play competitive college baseball in a great environment," university President Len Munsil said.

Glendale vs. Scottsdale: Which Benefits Most from BCS Tourism?

SCOTTSDALE - Glendale is getting ready for college football's biggest game, the BCS National Championship at University of Phoenix stadium.

The game kicks off Monday night, but the festivities are already underway. Thousands of fans from both teams, the Oregon Ducks and the Auburn Tigers, are descending on the valley.

Even though the game is in Glendale, the hub of the pre-game action is happening in Scottsdale.

At the Scottsdale Waterfront, there is a giant replica field. There are musical acts, food vendors, and other activities.

Many fans chose to stay in Scottsdale because of all the resorts and nightlife. So it's a tale of two cities -- the city hosting the game, and what appears to be the city hosting the fans.

The game is expected to bring in an estimated $420 million to the local economy. So which one is truly reaping the economic benefits of the big game? Where are fans spending their cash?

Glendale spent millions of dollars building Westgate City Center to attract big events like this, but somehow, still can't drum up the reputation as the valley's hot spot.

The party has started in Scottsdale, and that's where the main event is, at least on Friday night. The restaurants and bars are staying busy.

Across town at Westgate, the party may not be as crazy and the crowds may be thinner, but that didn't stop some fans.

FOX 10's Andrew Hasbun has more.

Weekend Bowl Events

Bud Light Fiesta
Through Jan. 9, 11am - 9pm
Scottsdale Waterfront
7025 E. Via Soleri Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Free admission
For tickets & event listings, go to www.budlightfiesta.com

College Football's Biggest Party
Jan. 10, 12:30pm - 5:30pm
Glendale Youth Sports Complex
1 Cardinals Drive,
Glendale, AZ 85305
For tickets and more information, go to www.fiestabowl.org

BCS National Championship Tailgate Party
Jan. 10, 12pm - 6:30pm
Westgate City Center
Waterdance Plaza
Loop 101 & Glendale Ave.
Glendale, AZ
www.westgatecitycenter.com

'Fired-up' Ducks land in Arizona

The Oregon Ducks arrived safely in Phoenix, Ariz., on Sunday, and will practice on Monday to continue preparation for the BCS national championship game Jan. 10 at University of Phoenix Stadium in nearly Glendale.

"The kids are fired up to be here to represent the University of Oregon," coach Chip Kelly said during a news conference at Sky Harbor International Airport. "Getting a chance to play in the national championship is what these guys have worked for since last January when we came back from the Rose Bowl."

Players and coaches and support staff got through the trip without any problems, although Kelly joked, "Besides coach (Nick) Aliotti's two hips, where he's got to get wanded through, we were pretty good." Aliotti had double hip replacement surgery several years ago.

Kelly says the 12-0 Ducks, who face 13-0 Auburn, are approaching it as "a business trip." They won't be relaxing in Arizona.

"Our guys know we keep the same schedule when we leave the 'Cas' (Casanova Center) 'til we get to the Eugene airport 'til wheels up," he adds. "It's just like any other away game for us in terms of how we traveled today. We've just got a couple more players with us than we normally do on a travel squad." Postseason games allow for expanded rosters.

The Ducks haven't reflected too much on their epic season, given the date ahead with the Cam Newton-led Tigers.

It'll be the first BCS title game berth for the Ducks, who had to settle for the Fiesta Bowl in January 2002 after finishing the regular season 10-1 – and then whipped Colorado to conclude the previously best season in school history. And, in 2007, the Ducks were cruising along with the BCS title game in their sights when QB Dennis Dixon went down with a knee injury, and several losses followed.

"I knew we had something special, and I've said it before, during spring practice," Kelly said. "We had 15 practices in the spring and we didn't have a bad one." The coach added that keeping an eye on the program's "vision" and fueling things with hard work paved the way to Glendale.

A reporter asked Kelly about how dealing with the media ranked in his priorities.

"It's No. 1 in my book," he said to laughter.

The Ducks' practices will be closed this week. Players and coaches will do media interviews starting Wednesday, with a full media day scheduled for Saturday.