Bill Bowerman: Biography and Story of Nike Founder

Bill Bowerman is known as one of the founders of Nike, a world-famous sports equipment company. Nike’s founders are known to consist of two people, namely Bill Bowerman and Phill Knight. This time what we will discuss is the biography of Bill Bowerman who was one of the founders of Nike.

Bill Bowerman Biography

His full name is William Jay “Bill” Bowerman. He was born on February 19, 1911 in Portland, Oregon, United States and died on December 24, 1999. His job before founding the Nike company was athletic trainer. Stay up-to-date with Deltsapure! Provide accurate and updated news for readers.

Nike Founder’s Childhood

Bill Bowerman’s father is former Oregon Governor Jay Bowerman, his mother grew up in Fossil. His family went back to fossils after his parents divorced in 1913. Bowerman had an older brother and younger brother and a twin brother, Thomas, who died in an elevator accident when he was 2 years old.

Bill Bowerman attended Medford and Seattle schools then returned to Medford to attend high school. He played in band at his school and also played for the football team.

Bill Bowerman first met young Barbara, the woman he would later marry while still a student at the same school in Medford.

In 1929, Bill Bowerman attended the University of Oregon majoring in journalism and also played football for the University. He is a member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.

After graduating from college he then taught biology and coached football at Franklin High School in Portland in 1934. In 1935, Bowerman moved back to Medford to teach and become a football coach.

Compulsory Military Service

Bill Bowerman then married Barbara Young on June 22, 1936. Bowerman then served in the military and entered the ROTC and Army Reserve.

Dan then joined the United States Army as a 2nd Lieutenant within days of the Pearl Harbor attack.

He was assigned to Fort Lawton in Washington and was previously assigned to the 86th Infantry Regiment at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado. Bowerman’s job was to provide logistics for the troops and also raise donkeys used to carry supplies in the mountains.

On December 23, 1944, the division arrived in Naples, Italy and immediately moved north into the mountains of northern Italy and During his time in service, Bowerman was promoted to commander of the First Battalion of the 86th Regiment with the rank of Major.

Bill Bowerman, For his role in the military, Bowerman received four Bronze Star Medals, and a Silver Star. He was honorably discharged in October 1945.

Become a Sports Coach at School

After the war, Bowerman returned to his position as a teacher and coach at Medford High School. Bowerman’s third son, Tom, was born May 20, 1946. The family then moved to Eugene, Oregon, United States.

He became head coach at the University of Oregon on July 1, 1948. Bowerman coached team members from Norway, Canada, Australia, and the United States.

History of the Founding of the Nike Company

The history of the founding of the Nike company began when the American Athletics Team was formed by Bill Bowerman, whose members were Phil Knight, one of the founders of Nike who would later become his partner in building the company.

That’s where the creation of Nike shoes began. Bowerman is the shoe creator and Knight, who is a graduate of Stanford Business School, is the management and marketing manager.

They both deposited capital of 500 dollars each at that time. Bill Bowerman and Knight formed Blue Ribbon Sport, the forerunner to Nike, in 1968.

Designing Nike Shoes

The waffle-like shoe sole design used in Nike shoes is Bowerman’s creativity. He was inspired by his wife when making waffles. In fact, he designed the shoes with his wife’s waffle maker in mind. The collaboration between these two people made Nike continue to grow little by little.
Why is it called ‘Nike’?

Nike is taken from the name of the Greek goddess which means “Victory”, Nike was founded in 1964 when an Oregon athlete and businessman named Phillip Knight, initiated the idea of importing running shoes from Japan to compete with German brands such as Adidas and Puma which then dominated the United States market.

The advantage is that Japanese shoes are cheaper because labor is cheaper in Japan. They began selling shoes around targeting athletic stadiums, where sales slowly but surely increased dramatically.

Nike Company Development

In the 1970s, Knight and his growing company saw the beginning of the jogging revolution and began marketing products to non-professional runners as well. He then immediately opened a wider market and changed the image of running shoes into fashion shoes and attracted everyone from children to adults to wear them.

Starting with a shoe product called Cortez which was produced in 1972, the Nike brand with the motto Just Do It became known in the world of US athletics.

By 1979, Nike was able to control 50% of the running shoe market in the US. By 1979 Nike had controlled half the market in the US and had revenues of US $ 149 million.

In the mid-1980s the company’s position seemed unshakable, but suddenly there was an attack from rivals, namely Reebok. But in 1990 Nike returned to leading the company.

Promoted by Famous Athletes

This was mainly due to the introduction of the “Air Jordan” shoe which was endorsed and promoted by basketball star Michael Jordan. Air Jordan shoes have become a phenomenal product and are loved all over the world.

Indeed, Michael Jordan as a Nike advertising star at that time was experiencing his glory days. It is believed that Knight was the person who managed to tie a contract with the legendary US basketball player.

In 1984, Michael Jordan was still a rookie with the Chicago Bulls. However, Knight could already see Michael Jordan’s great potential as a sports icon who was useful for marketing Nike products.

Bill Bowerman Dies

On December 24, 1999, Christmas Eve, Bill Bowerman died in his sleep at his home in Fossil, Oregon at the age of 88. Bill Bowerman left the Nike company, a world-famous sports equipment and equipment company.

Nike is now one of the largest American shoe, clothing and sports equipment companies in the world.

They are famous for sponsoring some of the world’s most famous sportsmen such as Tiger Woods, Ronaldo and Michael Jordan. Apart from that, Nike also sponsors many world famous football teams such as Manchester United, F.C. Barcelona, Arsenal, Juventus, etc