Nike will celebrate the Ducks’ return to the Rose Bowl with the debut of its latest Nike Pro Combat system of dress – the most advanced football uniform system ever assembled. Read more after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »
photo by Larry Luk
One of the most prominent features of the University of Oregon’s Matthew Knight Arena is Kilkenny Floor which was designed by Tinker Hatfield, Nike’s VP of Creative Design and named after former Oregon Athletic Director Pat Kilkenny. Called “Deep in the Woods”, the floor’s design gives the impression of being lost in a Pacific Northwest forest, gazing towards the sky. The charge for Hatfield was to design something that echoed the “Tall Firs” nickname of the 1938-39 Oregon Ducks men’s basketball team, winners of the inaugural NCAA basketball championship as well as providing an iconic television presence for the University of Oregon. What do you think of the floor’s design. Do you think it provides the Ducks with a home court advantage?
Last week, I experienced Nike’s new SPARQ Sensory Performance innovations in action. I have no doubt in my mind that this new approach to vision training in conjunction with all other aspects of physical training will give an edge to the athletes who utilize these advancements. What’s most interesting is that vision training can be used by athletes of all levels to increase focus, reaction times & anticipation in any sport. I could rattle off a list of athletes off the top of my head that could use vision training immediately: Ahem… Josh Hamilton… Ahem…
SPARQ Sensory Performance is a system of technologies, products and programs designed to assess, analyze and improve an athlete’s visual and sensory performance. It’s another step in Nike’s nearly 40-year legacy of delivering game-changing innovations to help athletes perform at their peak.
“Sensory training is at the cornerstone of how we can build better athletes,” said Paul Winsper, SPARQ Performance Director. “With SSP we’re able to integrate both sensory and physical training together. This performance philosophy has resonated with some of the top athletes, teams and clubs throughout the world.”
photo by Briana E. Heard
Photo from the Oregon vs. USC tailgate with my homies from the Nike Training media group. Thanks to Morgan, Brian, Brandan, Heidi, Lexie, Cindy, & Mario for setting me up with the experience! I’m having the best time.
It’s going down here tomorrow night… Oregon vs. USC. How do y’all like my fake tilt-shift photo?
Seven days ago, if somebody would have said to me, “Joe Paterno will be fired within the week because of a sex scandal,” I would have told them to hop back on their unicorn and beam themselves up. Well, unicorns don’t exist and “Joe Pa” is toast.
Calling all sports fans! Please take a moment to check out this new website, The Sportsfan Journal; written by 2 of my good friends, Ed Maisonet III & Kenny Masenda. I’ve know these 2 cats for a few years now, and I believe their form of journalism is a refreshing take on sports. I find myself reading their articles more than I do from the mainstream sports media on the bigger websites. Take a look for yourself here.
Reggie Ball, one of my favorite GT players in recent memory sent over an autographed picture to the crew (via @RuelVaz). Thanks Reggie!
Today, Nike unveiled the Pro Combat uniforms & cleats that the Oregon Ducks will be wearing during their National Championship game against Auburn on January 10th, 2011. Coach Chip Kelly was consulted by Nike’s designer Todd Van Horne who stated, “We worked with him and designed something that will actually look like blur on the field.”
That highlighter accent on the carbon fiber helmets, jerseys, and the socks will definitely (and hopefully) scald the eyeballs of the Auburn Tigers/War Eagle (can they just decide if they are a bird or a cat?)
As if his portfolio wasn’t extensive enough, Tinker Hatfield pushes the boundaries with the University of Oregon’s new basketball court design. I’m not surprised one bit with his though process and graphic result. There’s no denying the perks of being a student athlete at Oregon.
