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Nike, St. John's University
and Jim Keady
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Since the "sweatshop" controversy gained prominence in the summer of 1996, scores of newspaper stories and TV exposes have drawn attention to Nike's brutal contractors. Students on many campuses have begun to protest deals which university administrators have negotiated with Nike, often relying on information provided by Press for Change.
One of those students was project leader Jim Keady. Keady is a former assistant soccer coach from St. John's University. While coaching, Keady was also doing a research paper on Nike's labor practices for his MA in theology. Citing their use of sweatshop labor, Keady began to publicly protest the university's relationship with Nike. He also refused to wear the equipment that Nike provided the University. On May 12, 1998 Keady was given an ultimatum by university officials, "Wear Nike and drop this issue publicly or resign." Keady was forced to resign. Since this event, Keady has been intensively active in the anti-sweatshop movement.
In the past two years, Keady has been invited to speak on the issue of sweatshops and Nike's relation to college athletics at: University of Notre Dame, Princeton University, St. John's University, St. John's University Law School, St. Joseph's University, St. John the Baptist Parish, New York University, Fordham University, Union Theological Seminary, University of Connecticut, Holy Cross College, The Socialist Scholar's Conference, Christian Brothers Academy, the Catholic Worker, Wheeling Jesuit University and the Campus Ministry Leadership Institute.
His story has been featured on CBS News, NBC News, ABC News, FOX News, WB News ESPN Sports Center, NBC'S Extra, WBAI/PACIFICA Radio, National Public Radio, Australian Broadcasting Company, and HBO Sports. Articles and editorials on his actions have been published in the New York Times, NY Daily News, NY Newsday, NY Post, National Catholic Reporter, America Magazine, Catholic Worker Newspaper, USA Today, CNN/Sports Illustrated, Boston Globe, and hundreds of local and college newspapers via syndicated stories by the Associated Press.
News Shows
"One Man's Fight Against Nike" - NBC's Extra
HBOs Real Sports with Bryant Gumble
ESPN's Sports Center
News Articles
"Just Doing It" – CNN/Sports Illustrated
"About New York; God And Swoosh At St. John's" - NY Times
"Ex-Student Sues St. John's Over Contract for Nike Gear" - NY Times
"Love of Soccer Turned Him into a Political Football" - Newark Star Ledger
"At St. John's 2 Idealists Urge Nike: Just Do Right " - NY Newsday
"College Sports Turning Sleazy" – Westchester Journal News
"Made in the USA" - Joel Joseph
Radio Programs
Democracy Now
Sam Greenfield Show
Mike Gallagher Show
Other Resources
Read Jim's Research Paper
Read Jim's Speech Outside Niketown
Read "the Nike Letters"
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