Trevon Bowens of Akron is an admitted “sneakerhead.”
That is what he calls himself — with a little pride.
The 15-year-old sophomore at East High School was in line outside a West Akron store on Saturday night. hoping to win a raffle that would enable him to add to his growing shoe collection by buying Akron native LeBron James’ newest athletic shoe.
His quest? The new limited edition LeBron X Cork shoe with cork uppers. The cork is an acknowledgement of the champagne corks that went flying last year to mark LeBron James’ first NBA championship, according to Nike.
Bowens said he hoped to add the latest LeBron shoe, but there was no guarantee. It all depended on the outcome of the raffle held later that night at the Akron Next store in Highland Square.
Store officials were not saying how many pairs of shoes would be available to lottery winners.
“I like collecting,” Bowens said.
He said he started collecting in 2010.
He said he owns about 20 pairs of Michael Jordan sneakers and once had LeBron No. 1 through No. 6, along with 20 pairs of other sneakers.
Michael Ferguson, 19, of Canton has about 30 pairs of athletic shoes in his collection. That includes all the LeBron shoes, he said.
He started collecting in the seventh grade.
He said he intended to keep the LeBron cork shoes, should he get to purchase the $250 shoes.
“I just like shoes and I’m a big LeBron fan,” he said.
Aaron Satina, 13, of Akron, said he has about a half-dozen pairs of shoes in his collection.
“I’m after the shoes just to have them,” he said.
Mohammad Barrak, 21, of Parma, said he has about 75 pairs of shoes in his collection that started six years ago.
His plan is simple: to keep the shoes in their box.
He said the $250 price tag did not faze him.
He drove 45 minutes with girlfriend Krista Osborne, 24, also of Parma, for the chance to perhaps buy the cork shoes.
Krista, he said, was his “good luck charm but we drove 45 minutes for a chance.”
Alan Ternosky, 32, and his brother, Dave, 37, both of Akron, saw James play in high school at Akron St. Vincent St. Mary High School and later with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Collecting shoes is not easy, said Alan Ternosky, who has about 10 pairs of athletic shoes in his collection.
Limited releases like Saturday night make it tough when luck factors in as to who gets shoes and who doesn’t, he said, surveying the line of about 85 individuals lined up outside the store.
“Worst-case scenario, we go across the street and have a beer, if we don’t get shoes,” he said.
Bob Downing can be reached at 330-996-3745 or bdowning@thebeaconjournal.com.
