By Rich Gonzalez
Editor, DyeStatCal
        CULVER CITY, Ca. -- Nike Inc.'s latest efforts to become more intimately involved with the high school coaching community on the local track and field scene included a visit from two Beaverton, Ore.-based representatives who teamed with local Nike "Ekins" in hosting a special social for coaches on Tuesday night. An estimated 90 coaches braved early-evening traffic to turn out for the once-a-season event, which offered up guest speakers, a viewing of Nike's newsest and soon-to-be-released competition and training shoes, free "schwag" for all registered attendees, as well as food and drink in a casual setting.
        With coaches coming from near (Loyola High's distance coach making the 4-mile drive) and far (a coach arrived from Lodi HS -- a trip well over 300 miles -- as well as coaches from McFarland HS making the multi-hour drive), attendees opened the evening interacting with others in their profession in one of the meeting rooms at the new Nike offices in Culver City.

World-class 800m star Khadevis Robinson of Nike

        With Nike's Meirav Sakalowsky and Vida Rabizadeh serving as local hosts, coaches were treated to a presentation from elite 800-meter distance runner Khadevis Robinson and a sports performance coach Anne Merrem. Both covered various areas of athlete coaching, including philosophy, self-motivation, goal-setting and various other topics.
        From there, Nike's John "Wildhorse" Truax and Mike "Mike D" Donnelly shared a bit about the Nike philosophy and history as it ties into running, which is where the footwear mega-company initially carved its niche. Truax also spoke to  Nike's renewed commitment and recent improvements in training shoes, emphasizing the Bowerman Line, which has caught on in popularity and acceptance with many teens in the past two years.
        Truax then unveiled some competition spikes from Nike's current and pending lines, with the presentation of the Nike Jasari II drawing the most interest from those in attendance.