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.”

Nike SPARQ Sensory Stations

As the first step in improving an athlete’s performance, the SSP “assess” phase uses the Nike SPARQ Sensory Station, an interactive touch screen device, to evaluate athletes on 10 sport-relevant visual and sensory performance skills. The personalized station then translates that raw data into next steps for the athlete, which can guide a training program. The resulting SPARQ Sensory Performance profile compares an athlete’s results to others in their sport, position and skill level to provide a roadmap for improvement.

I underwent these tests and compared my results to all other professional soccer defenders in Nike’s database and I’ll post my results as soon as I get over my embarrassment at my scores. Welp, it seems that countless hours spent pushing pixels isn’t great for my vision or health.

Once the assessment and analysis are complete, Nike SSP provides two key tools designed to help an athlete improve: The Nike SPARQ Sensory Training Station and Nike SPARQ Vapor Strobe Eyewear. Athletes at any skill level can integrate both into their training programs to hone their sensory skills.

Nike SPARQ Vapor Strobe Eyewear

Following visual testing to evaluate different aspects of the athlete’s visual skills, a crucial tool to improve key areas is the Nike SPARQ Vapor Strobe Eyewear. By blocking or disrupting vision using a strobe or flicker effect that can be varied in speed, an athlete can develop quicker reaction times and motor skills. The strobe effect improves reaction time by switching between clear and blocked vision, which trains the brain to anticipate what‘s coming when the eyes are blocked. Features include an adjustable head strap for a secure fit and liquid-crystal lens technology with variable speeds for different levels of training.

“After years of tireless testing, we’ve discovered an innovative way to help increase athletic performance,” said Dr. Alan Reichow, Global Research Director of Nike SPARQ Sensory Performance and Vision. “The SSP ecosystem of testing and products allows our team to serve the athlete with a clear and actionable plan that helps them see sport better.”

The system is already proving effective. Two recent studies* showed that training with the Nike SPARQ Vapor Strobes improved:
1) The ability to pick up subtle motion cues
2) Visual information processing
3) Timing of motion

When looking at the list of athletes that participate in SPARQ Sensory Performance training, I’m not surprised that they’re at the top of their game. Kevin Durant, Larry Fitzgerald, Greg Jennings, Misty May-Treanor, A.J. Pierzynski all get an edge.

“I catch balls for a living. What I do is eye-hand coordination, so any way that I can improve my eye-hand coordination is going to be pivotal throughout my career. The Nike SPARQ Vapor Strobes are a total game changer, a training game changer. You take vision for granted, you take catching the ball for granted but the Vapor Strobes force you to focus on the fundamentals.” -Greg Jennings

Nike SPARQ Sensory Training Stations use software-based training modules to improve multiple sensory performance skills. The stations can be used regularly as an integrated part of training programs for athletes at all levels. Top collegiate and professional programs have purchased the Nike strobe eyewear and stations, with a full global rollout now in action.

The Nike SPARQ Vapor Strobe Eyewear is $300 USD and available Internationally at NikeStore.com. Both the Nike SPARQ Sensory Station and Nike SPARQ Sensory Training Station are available through the Nike SPARQ Sensory Training Help Desk (1-855-870-6778 or NSSTsupport@nike.com).

* Duke University Study: Appelbaum LG, Schroeder JE, Cain MS and Mitroff SR (2011) Improved visual cognition through stroboscopic training. Front. Psychology 2:276. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2011.00276

* Southern Utah University Study: Smith, T.Q. (2011) Sensory Training: Nike Strobe (Master’s thesis). Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT.

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.

Foremost, my heart goes out to the victims and their families. What happened is a complete tragedy and I will try to explain not only why there is a division of opinion within Penn State, but what those opinions truly are (something the media has not grasped). The only way to get a true sense of this is by taking a look at social media. That is where the voices are and that is where you can see a divide between two camps within Penn State. The mainstream media has not reached into social media enough (if at all) to capture the emotion and reasons behind those who want Joe Paterno to coach one more game and those who believe the university made the right decision to fire him. Heck, the biggest story from a social media standpoint is that Ashton Kutcher turned his Twitter account over to a PR agency because he defended Paterno on Twitter.

As many witnessed on ESPN Wednesday evening after Paterno’s firing, there was a riot at Penn State where a news van was flipped over and a few individuals got to express their opinion on national TV, which, for better or worse, gave the public a look inside at what students are feeling. While I’m not a rioter (I’ve had multiple shoulder operations and can’t throw anything more than 10 feet), I do understand their rage, confusion, sorrow, embarrassment, shame and every other emotion that comes with this tragedy. I don’t support violence and destruction of property, but this news van didn’t stand a chance. Let me explain why.

When ESPN interviewed the first student during the riot (this scandal has also left us wondering what a “riot” really is) he was well-informed, knew the details of the case and explained in a concise 15 – second clip why he was angry. He left ESPN broadcaster Stuart Scott noticeably stunned because of his complex answer. He said he was angry not because Joe Pa was ousted, but because the university fired a man over the phone who had done nothing illegal (given the evidence) and given so much to the school, community and charities over the years. He listed other supporting reasons, but that was the take-home point. At that moment, you could see in Stuart Scott’s body language the media beginning to “get” how personal this is to everyone who ever had anything to do with Penn State.

Why? Well, when the head football coach has spent the last 50+ years building the standard of “Success with Honor” that encompasses Penn State and he is fired within days of a sex scandal that blindsided the nation, the identity of being a “Penn State Alumni” that people across Pennsylvania, America and the world spent their tuition dollars and years of their lives earning is vaporized. Poof. Evidence of this reputation lies in this Wall Street Journal article touting Penn State graduates as the most desirable candidates for positions by recruiters because they are “Bright, well-rounded students…with the core competencies we desire.” I’m not patting myself on the back (I can’t even reach that far because of the previously cited shoulder operations), I’m simply demonstrating what this university built for itself.

Contrary to the belief of Jon Stewart, this isn’t about football. This is about defining what the words “The Pennsylvania State University” mean. They used to mean honor, dignity and success. We’ve now lost that and everyone holding a Penn State degree must work to redefine those words.

This is where Penn State faces a major turning point and the barriers are clear with a glance at social media. The Penn State Board of Trustees made a monumental first step by relieving Paterno and Spanier of their duties because of their inability to lead. However, Penn State is facing major backlash from the public for the scandal as well as a divided community of its own over the handling of Joe Paterno. This is the core the media is ignoring. Sure, they’ve shown both Joe Pa supporters and people who think the board made the right decision to fire him. But what they haven’t shown is the divide in the Penn State community that’s being displayed on social media which explains, firsthand, why people feel the way they do. Anyone who has a lot of Penn State friends on Facebook knows what I’m talking about.

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.

Thank you Steve Jobs for your vision. Thanks for creating the tools by which I make a living. I’m not saying that I couldn’t be a graphic designer without Apple, but many of your creations are the tools of my trade. These tools are luxuries which have allowed me to efficiently execute my concepts, which gives me time to spend with my friends and family; to live life. These tools have knocked down countless barriers for all creatives in my industry. For that, I couldn’t be more appreciative. I’m not about to go back to setting lead type by hand… Rest in Peace knowing you truly changed the world.

Congrats to Noah Young of Atlanta, GA for winning our Enduro MMXII “Conquest” Bike Giveaway! We definitely feel the love from everyone who participated in the contest and we want to thank everyone involved. We shipped Enduro MMXII tees to our supporters all over the country. Thank you so much!

Noah, we’ll be in touch to arrange for the bike to be delivered! #FistBump

One of my favorite bartenders in Atlanta, Evan Hawkins, was crowned the National Champion of the 2011 United States Bartenders Guild Drinks & Ink Competition presented by Tuaca. This not-so-usual take on a bartender competition combined the intersecting cultures of bartenders and tattoos with bartenders being judged on their Tuaca bold shot recipe and the overall craftsmanship of their tattoo.

Hawkins captured his first national bartender competition by beating out eight other finalists from the around the country to win a Tuaca photo spread in this month’s Inked Magazine.

“I’ve competed in several bartender competitions and Drinks & Ink was one of the most different and fun ones I’ve ever experienced,” said Hawkins. “I’m proud to have been recognized for both my Pura Vida body art and Tuaca bold shot and am stoked up to be featured in Inked.”

Hawkins won his first national bartender competition with his Pura Vida bold shot recipe and a tattoo featuring a sugar skull with the words “Pura Vida” under it. Pura Vida means pure life in Spanish and the skull is a candy given out on the “day of dead” ceremony in Mexico. For Hawkins, it means to celebrate your life and live the best you can before the end comes.

Tattoo by Danielle Distefano of Only You Tattoo. Evan’s baseball cap by We Are the Process.

During last week’s Team USA showcase at Radio City Music Hall, I asked Coach K, “Which is sweeter: Winning your 1st NCAA College Basketball Championship or winning a Gold Medal at the Olympics?”

His response was, “It’s nice to have a lot of sweet drinks!”

What a joker! It’s nice that he’s humble enough to play off the question in such a humorous way. By spending a few minutes in his presence, you can tell that he loves coaching and really enjoys teaching groups of young men to be successful on and off the court.

Coach K and Team USA are currently preparing for the 2010 FIBA World Basketball Championship in Turkey. Starting August 28th. If anyone wants to get together to watch the USA games, holler!

Here’s another sneak peek into what we have been working on lately. This is a fake news paper that we put together for the rebranding of Epidemik Coalition. If you have been to our other site lately, ECDESIGNCO.com, you might have noticed that it’s under construction. Check back in 2 weeks and see what we have been up to. Promise you won’t be disappointed.

…but it’s awesome to see the Atlanta Hawks in the #1 spot! They have 3 home games this coming week. Who wants to check out a game or two?

Congrats to Portfolio Center‘s, Hank Richardson, for being the recipient of The Art Director’s Club‘s Grandmaster Award. Hank is an amazing teacher and mentor to anyone looking to have a career in design. However, I’m not really grasping what the term “grandmaster” really means here. Maybe it means Hank gets black tees and John Lennon spectacles for life?

Seriously though, (I think I can speak for most people who have gone through the Portfolio Center curriculum), Hank has been one of the most influential figures in my life. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life until I randomly met Hank one day. After talking with him for several hours, I decided to take a risk, leave my job, and go to school at Portfolio Center.

Over the next few years, I was frequently subjected to his unorthodox teaching style which included 6am classes, weekend classes, marathon 12 hour classes, and the destruction of countless sketchbooks. I learned a tremendous amount from him on how to work hard, work smart, develop concepts, talk to clients, draft logos, work with type, and most importantly, believe in my abilities. He even invited me to return to Portfolio Center to teach a class of my own. I’m now teaching the class that I always wanted to take while I was at PC, Music Industry/Album Cover Design, and I’m having a blast doing so.

The above photo of Hank and I was taken by a classmate, Roger Wong, a few years ago when I was working with a live client on wine bottle designs while I was still a student. I have Hank to thank for setting up that experience, guiding me through the initial stages of the project, and letting me fly on my own. That bro totally changed my life!