How a star athlete became a major player at Nike

BOWLING GREEN, O.—Howard “H” White, vice president of the Jordan Brand for Nike Inc., will visit Bowling Green State University on April 16 to discuss how success on the basketball court became the foundation for his success in the business arena.

His presentation begins at 7 p.m. in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union Theater (Room 206).

White, a standout player at the University of Maryland, led his team to victory in the 1972 National Invitation Tournament and to the final eight of the 1973 NCAA Tournament. A knee injury ended his playing career but did not sideline White. Instead, he turned what he’d learned as a player into his ticket to discipline, a college education and career opportunities.

White joined Nike in 1978 and in 1984 helped launch the Air Jordan brand. His business acumen and personal relationship with Michael Jordan helped elevate Nike and Jordan to global icon status and generated $200 million in annual sales for the line.

Today, White is the vice president of Jordan Brand, a separate business unit that includes cutting-edge footwear and apparel that sport the Jumpman logo. He’s also the founder of the Nike “Believe to Achieve” program, an innovative, traveling seminar designed to encourage youth to believe in themselves and make things happen to pave a road to success.

White is the author of “Believe to Achieve: See the Invisible, Do the Impossible,” a handbook for those trying to reach a personal goal or who want to help others discover their gifts.

The campus organization Black Intellects Group is sponsoring White’s presentation in conjunction with support from Dr. Sidney A. Ribeau and Dry Dock.

The talk is free and open to the campus community and interested members of the public.

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(Posted April 09, 2008 )