(Editor’s Note: Authentically Speaking welcomes writer and longtime sports apparel industry researcher and developer Jared Wheeler to our lineup. Based out of suburban Philadelphia, Jared will provide his unique take and insight on the world of sports, uniforms, and associated lifestyle elements.)
By Jared Wheeler
In the Harlem section of New York City, bounded within a chain linked fence, sits the hallowed concrete court of Rucker Park.
The court loudly echoes the evolution of the game of basketball, serving as the backdrop to the play of some of the game’s best. It is stages like Rucker Park, which are scattered throughout the five borrows of New York City, where the game of pick up basketball is played out.
Since the 1950’s players have been showcasing their skills on the pick up basketball courts of New York City. Bobbito Garcia and Kevin Couliau capture the historic, cultural and social importance of pick-up basketball in NYC in their documentary Doin It In the Park.
Doin’ It In the Park was featured in Philadelphia in late July at the AWESOME FEST Outdoor Summer Series on Race and Columbus Blvd. It will be playing throughout the summer on concrete venues in cities as far away as Cape Town, South Africa. It is a must see for anyone who loves the game.
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Authentic Store Buzz: The new Nike Eagles “T” among the products arriving for the start of football season along with the Jets Darrelle Revis jersey (pictured above).
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Authentically Speaking Trivia Time: With talk of a new uniform making its debut September 1 for Penn State, between what years did the Nittany Lions wear numbers on their helmets? Answer on Thursday.
Tuesday’s answer: The three teams who have worn white jerseys at home only twice in their history: The Detroit Lions in 1961 (Green Bay) and 1970 (Oakland, Green Bay in 1989 (Tampa Bay and New Orleans) and Oakland 2008 and 2009 (San Diego) with the latter game an AFL white throwback jersey worn by the Raiders.
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