Philip Knight
Philip H. Knight, Nike founder and Chairman, is a champion in more ways than one. A consistent top ranker in the most exclusive lists in sports and business, he also distinguishes himself in his dedication to his philanthropic work.
When he was younger, Phil Knight became a legend for his track (the sport Track and Field) record at the University of Oregon (Class of 1959, B.S. Business Administration). He ran middle-distance for his school at his 4:10 mile best. Upon graduation, he went to Stanford University for his MBA, which he secured in 1962.
Kicking off from his Master’s required marketing paper on Asian athletic shoe manufacturing, Philip Knight took a trip to Japan to study Asian culture and religion, as well as to pay homage by climbing Mount Fuji. While there, he was greatly moved by the culture and practices he observed. The most significant experience, however, would be his visit to Kobe, where he encountered the Onitsuka shoe factory. At that time, it was producing quality and cheap shoes called Tigers, and he sealed its distribution when he went back to the United States in 1969.
Five years earlier, he started Blue Ribbon Sports with his former track and field coach, Bill Bowerman. Each gave a $ 500 investment. In 1971, he retired from his accounting day job, and made his shoe company priority one. Phil Knight also saw it as the perfect time to rebrand it, and upon fellow runner Jeff Johnson’s revelation from a dream, it came to be known as Nike, after the famed Greek winged victory goddess. A $35 design commission resulted to what will become one of the most well known logos internationally – the swoosh.
The Oregon Sports Hall paid due recognition to Philip Knight by inducting him into its hall of individuals who have made Special Contribution to Sports in 2000. For 2007, he gave back to his alma mater, the University of Oregon. The contribution was $100 million for the further development of its athletic department. Phil Knight also supports his high school’s, Portland-based Cleveland High School, new gymnasium, football field, and of course, track field.
The Knight Management Center broke ground in September 2008, a product of his $105 million gift to Stanford University Business School. Together with his wife, Penny, he contributed $100 million to the OHSU Cancer Institute in Portland. His most recent donation in 2009 was worth $5 million for Willamette University.