Sneaker Culture Shared at UTA Libraries

Students around campus shared their enthusiasm about sneakers and the culture connected with them at the For the Love of Sneakers event held at the UTA Central Library Tuesday, Feb. 14. 

Milaun Murry, an Experiential Learning librarian, gave students at the event a history of sneakers and how they have grown in popularity over the years. She shared that popularity grew with the introduction of the Converse All-Stars and professional sports.  

“With the advent of professional basketball, these shoes, the All-Stars, were the standard in the NBA for 20-plus years. However, Converse was not designed for basketball. You saw the introduction (of specifically designed basketball) shoes in the 1980s and 1990s,” Milaun said. “Sneakers were then evolving into a way to express who you are as an individual.” 

Milaun shared that in schools in the 1980s and 1990s, you saw this form of self-expression through the artwork on a person’s sneakers or the colored laces that they used. She encouraged students to think about how sneakers have impacted culture. 

As part of the For the Love of Sneakers event, multiple pairs of vintage shoes were displayed for people to view and hold along with learning about their history. Some pairs included the iconic Air Jordan 1 that was first introduced in 1985. This sneaker was designed for use by Chicago Bulls basketball player Michael Jordan. This line of shoes continues with a loyal fan base, with the 37th edition of the shoe released in 2022.

Several representatives from the Commodities shoe store in downtown Arlington brought part of the store’s vintage sneaker collection to be enjoyed by students. 

Jesse Avila, store partner, and UTA student, stated that events like For the Love of Sneakers showcase the different career paths this type of fashion can bring to a person. 

“When I heard about the event, I thought that it would be nice to display sneakers to allow people to see sneakers that they normally don’t see every day,” Jesse said. “More than anything, I wanted to show the impact that people could have as a fashion designer and even working with technology.” 

Jesse stated that events like this allow people to learn more about sneakers and their culture by getting the chance to hold a piece of history in their hands while creating a memory at the same time. 

Rodrigo Linapes, an International Business major and member of the Movin’ Mavs wheelchair basketball team, stated that his interest in shoes started with watching Michael Jordan on the court growing up. 

“Looking at how Michael Jordan shot the ball and was able to be crafty was just poetry in motion,” Rodrigo said. “Seeing how he played and made a sneaker culture with the Jordan 1’s, I wanted to invest myself in that, too.” 

Rodrigo stated that when he looks for a pair of sneakers to add to his collection, he looks at not necessarily the popularity but the story behind the laces. 

Calvin Mauldin, a CAP student, stated his interest in shoes grew from a young age when he noticed what sneakers people wear. He shared that he likes seeing how designers use the materials that make up sneakers in different ways to create something entirely new.