WASHINGTON, D.C. - Aziah Hudson remembers those chilly mornings when she would wake up early and wait in long lines outside of her favorite footwear store for the opportunity to earn a raffle ticket that would allow her to purchase a pair of Jordan sneakers.
Those were fun times for Hudson, a Howard University 5 foot, 6-inch graduate transfer guard who estimates she owns about 50 pairs of Jordan sneakers.
With a closet resembling a colorful sneaker warehouse, what with the many pairs of iconic Jordan-brand sneakers in clear cases neatly stacked against a wall, Hudson enthusiastically collects sneakers. Some of her Jordans are rare gems.
Hall of Fame basketball player Michael Jordan popularized the sneakers. She is also knowledgeable about the history of her Jordans, and each pair means something special to Hudson.
"I have always loved Jordan's since I was a kid," Hudson said. "My family introduced me to the sneaker world, specifically Jordan's, and I fell in love ever since. I have a variety of Jordan's. Different color ways and numbers in my collection. I am always trying to get the new releases and doing anything I can to get them."
Imagine the euphoric feeling that Hudson experienced while representing the Howard University women's basketball team as part of a Live In Forum panel discussion on the popular SNKRS app recently.
Live In Forum is a space for women to cultivate ideas, create connections, and continue the work of redefining sneaker culture. Hosted by Howard alumna Nya Lorraine, the panel featured Hudson, a streetwear enthusiast, and Kaviar Sundays, co-founder of the Hoop For All Foundation.
"During my interview, we discussed my experiences so far here at Howard," Hudson said. "I also discussed what made me want to come to Howard, how I started playing the sport I love, and opinionated questions about Jordan's and black excellence. I feel that the topic of discussion was how Jordan is partnering with an HBCU for the next 20 years, which everyone is excited about."
The SNKRS App provides insider access to Nike's latest launches, hottest events, and exclusive releases.
"My top two Jordan sneakers that I love the most would have to be the bred 11s and the flu game 12s," Hudson said. "I say this because these are classic sneakers, and the history behind the flu game 12s with Jordan has always stuck out to me."
The Flu Game is officially known as Game Five of the 1997 NBA Finals when a weakened Jordan scored 38 points – including the go-ahead 3-pointer -- to help the Chicago Bulls beat the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City. The Bulls won their fifth NBA title two nights later.
A criminology and sociology major, Hudson joins Howard after graduating from Old Dominion, where she played 85 contests for the Lady Monarchs. In her sophomore year, the New York native was named 2020 Conference USA co-Sixth Man of the Year after making 48 3-pointers.
Hudson, whose career goal is to be a detective for special victims, has been playing basketball since second grade and is excited to add to Howard's championship culture.
Last season was memorable for the Bison.
Howard won 21 games, including the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament championship. The Bison earned its first NCAA Tournament victory in program history with a win over Incarnate Word. The MEAC tournament championship was Howard's 11th in program history and first since 2001.
Hudson will be rocking a pair of Jordans when Howard opens its 2022-23 season by hosting La Salle at Burr Gymnasium on Monday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m.
"I felt great representing my team on this panel," Hudson said. "The Howard women's basketball team is special that I feel should be recognized and supported as much as possible. Therefore, representing my team was very important to me. I am very excited to be at Howard because of the culture, and the black excellence Howard has to offer. Furthermore, it feels even better being a student-athlete here at Howard. I am excited to call myself a women's basketball player and represent such a great program."
Rob Knox is an award-winning professional. A member of the Lincoln (Pa.) Hall of Fame, Knox currently serves as the Senior Director of Strategic Communications for the Thurgood Marshall College
Fund. Knox enjoyed a distinguished career as an athletics communicator for Lincoln, Kutztown, Coppin State, Towson, and UNC Greensboro. He also worked at ESPN and for the Delaware County Daily Times. Recently, Knox was honored by the NCAA with its Champion of Diversity award. Knox is a graduate of Lincoln University and a past president of the College Sports Information Directors
Association of America (CoSIDA).
