Adidas Heaven and Back

Ever since high school I have had a mad infatuation with the adidas brand. I don't know where it came from, I don't know why it is (was) so strong, but for the longest time, I have always loved everything adidas. A lot of the obsession has worn off in recent years, but adidas still holds a prominent place in my heart. So much that in the past:

1. My first email address was: ohadidasgirl@hotmail.com
2. My password I used to use most often was a version of the word "adidas".
3. All of my workout gear, with the exception of shoes, were adidas and I violently shunned everything Nike.
4. Anytime I saw an adidas logo I had to take a picture in front of it.
5. Since I couldn't find any adidas stickers I made my own (they were pretty dope).
6. At the Olympics and at the World Cup I stalked the adidas reps to learn about their jobs and to score swag.

My friend Holly (Sellers) Chamberlain from college tells a story about me that I only mostly remember, and every time I hear it, I just laugh at myself.

We lived together sophomore and junior year at BYU in Provo, UT. In Draper, UT, just 24 miles north is a pathetic outlet mall with one awesome redeeming quality, an adidas store. For me, it was a sanctuary and regularly "to get away" from college life, I would drive there just to bask in adidasness. Yes, it was quite ridiculous.

Holly was used to me working out all the time and seeing me in my workout clothes. I guess one day I came home from school and went to my bedroom. I came out into the living room head to toe in adidas gear and grabbed my keys. She asked me what I needed my keys for since I usually just go running, to which I replied, "I'm going to the adidas outlet."

"Are you working out?" she asked.

"No."

"What are you buying?"

"Nothing."

"So you put on all of your adidas stuff just to go there?"

"Yes."

It was laughable at the time.

I have always had this dreamy little cloud in my head of working for the company that I have obsessed over for so long. Part of my coming to Oregon was decided with that pipe dream in mind.

As I was applying for school in March, I made contact with a key individual at adidas whom I have hoped would make those dreams a reality. In reading an article about sports business, I came across the name of an individual at adidas whose job title encompassed the kind of work I wanted to do. I Yahoo'd her name and was able to track down her email address. After a couple of email exchanges, we ended up chatting on the phone for a short informational interview. Turned out she was an alum of my program and graduated with my current academic director.

This past Friday I had the opportunity to meet with her and I can only say that it couldn't have gone better. We had a good chat and she seemed confident in my dedication and abilities and offered to help in obtaining an internship and even a job.

Going to the adidas campus was almost overwhelming. When I first pulled into the parking lot, I really couldn't believe I was there. There was a small little soccer field in between two of the four main buildings of the office campus. Murals of prominant athletes looked down on me as I walked into the visitor's lobby. Adidas logos surrounded me. It was quite awesome to be there.
As I waited in the lobby for my new friend to find me, I absorbed as much of the atmosphere as I could. Everything was bright, open and light. The newest shoe and apparel products lined the corridors and the spiral center stairs. It was like a candy shop and fluffy pet store all in one. Heaven!

After my meeting, I was given the privilege of shopping at the adidas employee store. I could have passed out. As a guest for the day, I would receive anything I bought for half price. Had I the money, I totally would have gone to town! Everything was so cool! Instead, I was able to limit myself to a couple of shirts and some cute little pink adidas booties for my new little niece.

It was a pretty great day. I wasn't wearing anything adidas for my visit, but basking in the wonder adidas was kind of like a dream come true. I am looking forward to see where I will land this summer, hopefully adidas will be it.