UNI alumnus wins Nike design contest

A golf-loving graduate of UNI has a lot to brag about this year. Dane Thompson, a 2012 alumnus, designed the Nike golf shoe Tiger Woods has been wearing on the tournament circuit this spring. Thompson entered the design contest in December and was stunned when Woods announced him as the winner on Twitter. He says his red, white and blue color scheme was inspired by the Winter Olympics, Ryder Cup and U.S. Open.

"When I saw the contest and that it was for Tiger Woods, I knew I had to come up with something fitting," Thompson told GolfChannel.com in an email. "The patriotic theme kind of hit home when thinking about specific events affecting Tiger coming up in 2014."

Thompson, an avid golfer, grew up playing sports with his father and brothers in his hometown of Cedar Falls. His love of athletics continued at UNI where he played on UNI's Club Baseball team while earning a degree in business management. Currently the general manager of the Other Place American Sports Grill & Pizzeria, Thompson hopes to eventually land a job that combines his passions.

"I'd love to work on the business end of a golf course or in a sports management office," he said. "Or even, after this contest, working for a place like Nike would be a dream job."

News & Events

The UNI School of Music and the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center is hosting the Midwest International Piano Competition through Saturday, June 7.  The competition features exceptional pianists from around the world, with a first place prize of $10,000 and a recording contract with the Blue Griffin record label.  Tickets for the finals are $10 for the junior division and $25 for the senior division.