1957

• Bill Bowerman is quietly building a track-and-field empire at the University of Oregon in Eugene.
• Phil Knight, a middle-distance runner on the U of O track team, begins a relationship with Bowerman that will change sports and fitness.

• Jeff Johnson becomes the first full-time employee of Blue Ribbon Sports, the company Knight and Bowerman form to distribute Tiger shoes in the United States.

• The Cortez, made to Bowerman's specifications, becomes Tiger's best-selling shoe.

• Steve Prefontaine, who never loses a race in four years at the U of O, embodies the competitive spirit of the new NIKE brand.

• The Waffle Trainer® featuring Bowerman's unique Waffle® outsole, becomes the best-selling training shoe in the country.

• NIKE establishes Athletics West, a "safe house" for world-class athletes to train for Olympic competition.

• John McEnroe signs his first endorsement contract with NIKE. The match is a natural.

• The Tailwind® shoe introduces NIKE-AIR® cushioning to the world.

• Alberto Salazar wears NIKE shoes on his way to a new world record in the New York City Marathon.

• Promotion reaches new heights (and sizes) with billboards, part of the Olympic Cities Campaign.

• Joan Benoit wins the first women's Olympic Marathon in Los Angeles.

• A young NBA Rookie of the Year signs with NIKE. AIR JORDAN® is born.

• The Air Trainer High® defines a new fitness phenomenon, cross-training.
• The Air Max® shoe gives the world its first view of NIKE-AIR® cushioning. Visible excellence.

• Bo Jackson emerges as the world's greatest athlete.
• The Air Stab® shoe reveals a new technology, the Footbridge® stability device.

• Andre Agassi explodes onto the tennis scene with an aggressive look and style of play.

Just Do It becomes a call to action for a generation of fitness enthusiasts.

1991

• Huarache Fit technology changes the rules about footwear design.
• The Women's Print Campaign earns unanimous critical and popular praise for its realism.
• Mike Powell shatters a 23-year-old record with a long jump of 29' 4 ½".

• NIKE assumes the lead in apparel technology with NIKE F.I.T. fabrics, built for comfort and protection during high-intensity outdoor workouts.
• In an Olympics marked by surprise, Quincy Watts accelerates out of the pack to take the gold medal in the 400 meters.
• An exclusive agreement between NIKE and The Athletics Congress puts every USA Track & Field team in NIKE competition gear for the rest of the century.
• Six NIKE athletes help win the Olympic gold medal in basketball.
• Long-time NIKE athlete Lynn Jennings becomes the first athlete to win three consecutive World Cross-Country Championships. She follows the feat with an Olympic medal.

• First visible in the Air Max® running shoe in 1987, NIKE-AIR technology goes a step further in 1993 offering 30 percent more cushioning than ever before and an unprecedented view of the Air-Sole® unit.
• Michael Jordan leads the Chicago Bulls to three straight NBA championships, a third MVP title, and his seventh consecutive scoring title before retiring.
• NIKE's Reuse-A-Shoe breaks ground by recycling old athletic shoes into material for resurfacing sports courts.
• He corrals more than 50 major league records before injury ends the 27-year career of Nolan Ryan at age 46.

• NIKE launches P.L.A.Y. - Participate in the Lives of America's Youth - a call to action for everyone to help kids get and stay active.
• Romario is one of 10 flamboyant soccer players representing Brazil and NIKE in winning the 1994 World Cup.
• The Air Deschutz® sandal is the best-selling shoe in the company, leading NIKE Outdoor on its path to category dominance.

1995

• Pete repeats at Wimbledon.
• Monica Seles is back...in the U.S. Open finals.
• Cal Ripken, Jr. breaks Lou Gehrig's record for consecutive games at 2,131.
• Jerry Rice becomes the all-time leader in reception yardage.
• German tennis star Michael Stich joins the Nike ranks.
• Mark Allen wins his sixth Ironman Triathlon.
• Nike sponsors the USA Women's Basketball Team.
• Hideo "The Tornado" Nomo is named Rookie of the Year.

• Nike signs nine of the top ten NFL draft picks.
• Nike Golf hooks up with Nick Price, Michael Campbell and Tommy Tolles.
• The Nike skate debuts at the NHL All-Star Game.
• Dallas does it again.
• Picabo Street wins the World Cup Downhill.
• Kenya runs away with the World Cross-Country Championships.
• 70,000 fans see Jorge Campos lead the Los Angeles Galaxy to victory in its MLS debut.
• Uta Pippig redefines courage at the Boston Marathon.
• Damon Stoudamire is named Rookie of the Year.

Information from Nike research packet. 1995 and 1996 information from 1996 Nike Annual Report

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