Nike Dunk High

History of the Dunk High

In 1985 the Nike Dunk model was introduced. The released Dunk High was initially created in colors to match the top seven NCAA Division I teams in the United States. The Nike Dunk High were marketed with the legendary Be True to Your School campaign.

The choices were Univesity of Kentucky, University of Michigan, University of Iowa, Villanova, Syracuse, St. John’s and UNLV. Nike has closed its advertising campaign. It provided sponsorship for the most popular university basketball teams.

The Dunk High has become a staple of nearly every sneaker subculture over the past 40 years, from skateboarding to basketball. Over nearly four decades, the Nike Dunk shoe has penetrated well beyond its initial use on the court.

The model was created by Peter C. Moore, the same man who designed the Air Jordan 1. The Dunk High was offered as an alternative to Michael Jordan’s signature model.

Hit among skaters

The shoe provided comfort and traction thanks to the leather from which it was made. This meant that the shoes could easily withstand battering and scratching. Now it’s easy to understand why the Dunk High was a hit among skaters.

Early skateboarding groups such as the Z-Boys, as well as emerging figures such as Stacey Peralta and Mark Gonzales, were fans of the Nike Dunk High.