Ian Stonebrook
Reebok Shaqnosis
I’ve scanned my memory before and with exception of about three years, I can recall every first day of school outfit from third grade through high school. While I have fond and funny memories of my sartorial choices, I feel pretty good about my sneaker resume. The shoes that stand out and really kicked everything off are the Reebok Shaqnosis. After rocking with Olajuwon jerseys and kicks – thanks to my cousin Ty for the majority of second grade – Shaq became my guy moving forward and thus I had to have his signatures. My mom and sister surprised me with a pair of his striped sneakers during the summer of ‘96 down in Indiana, and they got the first-day treatment for the start of 3rd grade. That was a really important first day for me because it marked my first day at a new school (my sister and I did Montessori for kindergarten and early elementary) and a new group of friends. My Edgewood Eagles debut saw a ‘Life is Good, Basketball is Better’ tee, jean shorts and the famed sneakers. The kids on the playground used to call me ‘Zebrafeet’ which I never took as a bad thing and always embraced. I’m happy to say I was available to avoid the sophomore slump, ala Street Dreams, with the flashy Nike Zoom Flight Vs and a brash AND1 trash talk tee combo on the first day of fourth grade. Even so, my Shaqnosis debut will be the one that my family and friends will always remember.
