Another Peek

Posts Tagged ‘athletics’

8. Ole Miss to compete for the SEC. I really like this team this season because of a relatively weak division (save for Florida), and the fact that I do think they can actually beat the Gators, though not every time out. Snead seems to have Tebow’s number and I see this team making the Sugar Bowl.

7. Virginia Tech. A bit under the radar this year after a letdown in 2008, as the team lost four games. However, there’s really not much competition in the ACC and the Hokies should start out at number seven for that reason. A tough schedule may force them to sink in the rankings.

6. Ohio State Buckeyes. This is a team that could definitely compete for the national title if things fall the right way. They have a pretty tough schedule, but some easy match-ups to go with them and Terrell Pryor should be a major force this season. I see this team making the Rose Bowl at worst.

5. Alabama. It looks like Alabama has a good shot at the national title game this season. The only real things that stand in the way are LSU, Tennessee, and Ole Miss. Still, this team could easily finish with two losses or less.

4. USC. A very young team, but possibly the most talented one in football. The inexperience makes it difficult to believe they’ll go all the way, but an early match-up against Ohio State will set the tone for the season. I expect good things either way.

3. Big 12′s – Oklahoma. Oklahoma Sooners are a big favorite to upset Texas and represent the Big 12 in the Championship game. With returning Heisman winner Bradford and a returning receiver lineup that put up record numbers last year. Oklahoma has a tough schedule including BYU, Miami, Kansas, Kansas State, Nebraska, and Oklahoma St, whom allthey should defeat.Oklahoma’s only speed bump and possible detour will be Texas in week 6. The winner of that game will represent 1 half of the BCS title game. If they miss the Title game they will more than likely play in theFiesta Bowl against the ACC or Undefeated WAC/MAC team.

2. Big 12′s – Texas. Texas Longhorns are the other big favorite to represent the Big 12 in the title game. They have essentially the same schedule as Oklahoma and are returning most of their starters on offense, including standout QB Colt McCoy,and defense. Week 6 against Oklahoma will determine which bowl game they will reserve in January, the Orangeor BCS title game. Likely to lose one game in an upset.

1. Florida. Tim Tebow is back yet again, and Florida will be a favorite to win with his presence. Additionally, most of their defensive core from last year remains in place, as well as their offense. The biggest loss is Percy Harvin, but this team should be just fine – especially with an easy schedule.

You’ll find Nike shoes worn by all different types of people all over the world. From a little kid on his first day of school all the way to professional athletes. Most people are so familiar with the brand that they don’t take the time to consider the fact that the company actually came from humble beginnings. Nike shoes are sold everywhere and their swoosh logo seems almost as well known as the peace symbol.

The original swoosh logo was originally designed in 1971 by a student studying graphic design at Portland State University. Carolyn Davidson was paid $35 for the famous design but some sources say that the co-founder of Nike, Phil Knight, later bought her a diamond ring engraved with the Nike logo and also an undisclosed amount of Nike stock after she left the company in 1983. It’s interesting to note that Knight originally wasn’t too impressed with Davidson’s work. He said, “I don’t love it, but it will grow on me.”

In 2008 Nike made a net income of $1.9 billion dollars. Not bad for a business that started with a couple of guys selling sneakers out of the back of their van. This is the perfect example of capitalism in action and what can happen if you set goals and work hard. As of late, the company has received bad press due to claims associated with poor working environments and human rights issues with workers overseas.

The name Nike comes from the Greek goddess of victory, and like many other successful companies, had a humble beginning. Philip Knight was a track athlete at the University of Oregon and joined up with his coach, Bill Bowerman, in 1964 to sell shoes out of their cars at track meets. At that time they called themselves Blue Ribbon Sports.

Originally, the duo sold shoes developed by a Japanese manufacturer but ended their relationship with the company in 1971. In 1971 they developed their own line of footwear made especially for football and decided to call it Nike. Soon they introduced more lines of shoes. In 1978, they dropped the Blue Ribbon Sports name and by 1980, 50% of shoes sold in the United States carried the Nike brand.

Nike continues to call Oregon home and also owns rights to numerous other sports apparel brands including Converse and Umbro. At one time Nike also owned rights to Bauer Hockey and Starter.

Even though Nike has received a lot of bad press recently you can’t argue with the fact that the co-founders certainly put a lot of hard work into making the company the huge success that it is today. They certainly are entitled to every bit of the $1.9 billion dollars they earned last year. Nike continues to be a favorite among professional athletes, sport fans, and everybody else in between.

Nike shoes come in a wide variety of styles and colors. They are worn by professional athletes as well as everyday folks who just want to make a fashion statement. You can find Nike sneakers at just about store that sells shoes. The famous Nike swoosh logo is probably one of the most recognized company logos of all time and is seen displayed around the world.

Nike’s co-founder, Phil Knight, was less than thrilled with the original design of the Nike swoosh logo. He said, “I don’t love it. But it will grow on me.” Carolyn Davidson was a student studying graphic design at Portland State University and created the logo for $35 in 1971. This probably doesn’t sound like much money for a logo that is currently recognized worldwide. However, some claim that Knight later bought Davidson a diamond ring engraved with the swoosh as well as an unknown amount of Nike stock after she retired in 1983.

Nike currently employs more than 30,000 people around the world and makes other sports apparel and equipment besides shoes. Recently the company has been under some scrutiny because of concerns associated with human rights and poor working conditions. It’s estimated that in 2008 the company made a net income of around $1.9 billion dollars.

As previously mentioned, the huge Nike company you know today came from rather humble beginnings. A lot of people don’t realize the kind of work it takes to build a company from nothing to $1.9 billion dollars a year. Philip Knight was a track runner and partnered up with his coach, Bill Bowerman, to sell sneakers out of their cars during track meets at the University of Oregon. Originally the company was known as Blue Ribbon Sports.

Blue Ribbon Sports started developing their own personal line of shoes in 1971. Before that they sold shoes manufactured and produced by a Japanese company. In the beginning they specialized in shoes designed for football and eventually began making other types of shoes. The Blue Ribbon Sports name was dropped in 1978. By 1980, fifty percent of shoes sold in the U.S. were Nike.

The Nike company still has headquarters in Oregon and currently owns several subsidiaries including Umbro and Converse. At one time, Nike also owned Bauer Hockey and Starter.

Even though Nike has received a lot of bad press recently you can’t argue with the fact that the co-founders certainly put a lot of hard work into making the company the huge success that it is today. They certainly are entitled to every bit of the $1.9 billion dollars they earned last year. Nike continues to be a favorite among professional athletes, sport fans, and everybody else in between.