CALENDAR

MAACCE NEWSLETTERS

Conference Speakers

Keynote Speaker:
MR. NEIL SMITH
Nebraska Cornhusker All-American and Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Famer

Neil Smith was born April 10, 1966 in New Orleans, Louisiana but now makes Kansas City his home and is an active figure in the sports scene of Kansas City. Neil is considered one of the best pass rushers Nebraska Cornhusker's history and in 1987 he earned All-America honors from the Sporting News. All-Big 8 according to the Associated Press and United Press International, he was a second-team All-American on both AP and Football News.

Drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1988, Neil became one of the bedrocks upon which the Chiefs defensive dominance of the '90s was built. Smith was paired with LB Derrick Thomas to forge one of the most feared pass rushing duos in NFL history. Neil accumulated 86.5 sacks and 29 forced fumbles in Kansas City - totals that both rank second in Chiefs history behind only Thomas - in addition to blocking five FGs... He registered double-digit sacks for four straight seasons from '92-95, leading the team or tying for the team lead with Thomas each of those years. Neil played in 138 regular season games for Kansas City, accumulating 546 tackles (403 solo), three INTs with one TD, 13 fumble recoveries with one TD and 22 passes defended. Sadly, he departed Kansas City following the '96 campaign and won a pair of Super Bowl rings with the Denver Broncos, but it was in Kansas City where his legacy as one of the NFL's most dominant defensive performers of the '90s was clearly solidified.

Smith finished his 13 NFL seasons with 105 sacks, 12 fumble recoveries, 19 return yards, and 1 touchdown. He also intercepted 4 passes, returning them for 68 yards and a touchdown. Smith's trademark sack celebration, which consisted of him pantomiming swinging a baseball bat, was invented in tribute to another Kansas City sports hero, Hall Of Famer George Brett. There was a rule created in his name. The "Neil Smith" rule, enacted in 1998, prevents a defensive lineman from flinching to induce a false start penalty on the offense.

Neil Smith is Co-Owner of the Kansas City Brigade, a team in the Arena Football League. Neil Smith's motto has always been "the more I can do the better I will become." As a legendary Blackshirt at the University of Nebraska and one of the NFL's most dominant defensive players, Smith never took a play off and always did the little things to help his team. Smith's famous motor has not stopped since he left the playing field after the 2000 season. Smith's role on the Brigade is diverse. He is involved in community relations, football operations and even works with the defensive line.

Neil Smith is a dynamic speaker who will touch and humor you. His ambition in life and success on and off the field is inspirational. He will touch you in connecting his experiences with the experience of you and your students. Once you leave the session, you will feel the infectious optimism that surrounds him and take away a sense of purpose in your endeavors.

Conference Capstone Presentation:
"THE REAL MAGICIANS"
JIM LYSAGHT

Whether working on your G.E.D. or doctorate, continuing adult education is what keeps us in the game. On a global level we have to work smarter, not harder. If primary and secondary education can instill a life-long love of learning, continuing adult education becomes automatic. Until that happens, the task is clear. An entire generation of young people wants what their parents have or more as soon as they finish high school or college, when amazingly it took their parents thirty years to get there. Continuing adult education has a lot of work to do for us to compete in the global economy. So let's step up to the plate and hit it out of the park so that our work force can stay in the game.

Join Jim for his witty and entertaining look at our field and our students. His mixture of humor and magic will keep you entertained and provide a positive message to take home with you about education and the wonderful work you do.