University Red Dunks: A Comprehensive History of an Iconic Sneaker

The Nike Dunk, born in 1985 as a basketball shoe, has transcended its athletic origins to become a cultural icon. The "University Red" colorway, in particular, holds a special place in the hearts of sneaker enthusiasts. This article delves into the history of the University Red Dunks, exploring its evolution from college basketball courts to the forefront of skateboarding and streetwear fashion.

The Birth of a Legend: The Original Nike Dunk (1985)

Designed by Peter Moore, the Nike Dunk drew inspiration from other popular Nike models such as the Air Force 1 and the Terminator. Introduced in 1985, the Nike Dunk was designed as a highly functional basketball shoe. The silhouette's clean lines and simple design made it a blank canvas for colorways, leading to the iconic "Be True to Your School" campaign. This campaign saw the Dunk released in color schemes representing various college basketball programs, instantly embedding the shoe in sports culture. This release saw the shoe released in color-coordinated products for college programs. The "University Red" colorway quickly became a fan favorite, paying homage to teams like the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). This edition blends an upper of neutral white leather with overlays of university red. Grab this slick take on a timeless silhouette to claim a piece of footwear history.

An Unexpected Turn: The Dunk and Skateboarding

While the Air Jordan I and other newer models eventually overshadowed the Nike Dunk on the basketball court, the silhouette found a new audience: skateboarders. The Dunk's durable construction, supportive ankle, and flat sole made it ideal for skating. Skaters gravitated towards the shoe's affordability and availability, unknowingly laying the foundation for its future in skate culture.

Nike SB: The Dunk's Skateboarding Renaissance (2002)

Recognizing the growing popularity of the Dunk within the skateboarding community, Nike officially launched Nike SB (Skateboarding) in March 2002. This marked a turning point for the Dunk, solidifying its connection to skate culture. Nike smartly positioned the Nike SB Dunk as a shoe with street cred in the skateboarding community. Sandy Bodecker's impact on the evolution and success of the Nike Dunk SB is hard to overstate.

Upgrading the Dunk for Skateboarding

The original Nike Dunk silhouette received skater-friendly upgrades to enhance its performance on the board. These included:

A fat tongue: Provided added cushioning and protection.
Additional padding: Increased comfort and impact absorption.
Elastic straps: Offered a more secure fit.
Zoom Air soles: Delivered responsive cushioning and board feel.What many people forget is that the Dunk altered its design makeup yet again after Boston came on-board, where he helped make the silhouette even more skate able by adding in more cushioning at the back of the heel to keep the shoes from slipping off, while the softer compound in the outsole ensured an even more pronounced grip.

Collaborations and Limited Releases

Nike SB strategically partnered with individuals and brands that embodied the skate culture ethos, releasing collaborations through local skate shops. This approach fostered authenticity and exclusivity, driving hype and demand for the Nike SB Dunk.

The Original Nike SB Team

The first Nike SB Dunks were released in partnership with the company’s inaugural skate team:

Danny Supa
Gino Ianucci
Richard Mulder
Reese Forbes

Each skater received their own signature colorway, further cementing the Dunk's place in skateboarding history. And if one wasn’t enough, Nike didn’t waste any time on giving several of the aforementioned multiple colorways - some of which that would even introduce the high-top offerings of the iconic skate shoe.

Nike SB Dunk Low "Richard Mulder": Mulder’s inspiration behind his exclusive colorway drew influence from his first pair of Nikes, which were white and blue tennis shoes. Not only was he a member of the first four team riders, but his shoe was also the first Dunk SB ever.
Nike SB Dunk Low "Danny Supa": Danny Supa’s colorway of the SB Dunk Low was the second iteration of the “Colors By” series, which utilizes East Coast team color blocking that pays homage to the skater’s roots in New York City.
Nike SB Dunk Low "Reese Forbes": Similar to Richard Mulder, Reese Forbes also wanted to create a colorway that mirrored another shoe. In his case however, he drew inspiration from a suede workboot. On top of that, he substituted the traditional cow suede for pig suede, which creates the soft textured aesthetic.
Nike SB Dunk Low "Gino Ianucci": Gino Iannucci’s colorway of the SB Dunk Low was the final installment of the “Colors By” series. Gino’s inspiration for his rendition came from his affinity for dark colors and wanting the midsole to match the upper. Add in some butter soft perforations on the underlays and it becomes one of the most coveted Dunks of all time.

Groundbreaking Collaborations

A string of buzzy releases followed throughout the aughts, including collabs with Futura, Diamond Supply Co., Chocolate, Zoo York and more. Shortly after the boom the Supreme releases and the signature color palettes of the original four team riders, other natural collaborations with skate brands, Zoo York and Chocolate would follow suit. It wasn’t long before the idea of co-branded partnerships would forge a new meaning, welcoming the idea of artist series and even special projects with acclaimed sneaker boutiques.

Supreme x Nike SB Dunk Low: Later that same year, the legendary first Nike SB Dunk collab with streetwear brand Supreme dropped, marking the first appearance of the Jordan 3 elephant print on another shoe. Supreme was Nike SB’s first official collaboration after branching out into its own division in 2002 and its held up as the Holy Grail for many collectors after all this time. This was the first time in history that the Black Cement colorway from the Air Jordan 3 had appeared on another shoe. Needless to say , this would become a ground-breaking maneuver that would allow both brands to reach new milestones.

The "Pigeon" Dunk and Mainstream Hype (2005)

In 2005, the release of the Jeff Staple ‘Pigeon’ Nike Dunk SB catapulted sneakerhead culture into the mainstream. The release of the Jeff Staple ‘Pigeon’ Nike Dunk SB catapulted sneakerhead culture into the mainstream.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

The Dunk's Enduring Appeal: A Resurgence

While the 2010s saw a dip in the style’s popularity, Nike Dunks came back in a big way in 2020.

Notable Collaborations

Off-White x Nike Dunk Low: These rare Off White Dunks, from the 2019 collab between Nike and Virgil Abloh’s design label Off-White, pay homage to the original UNLV colorway from 1985. Reimagined as a low top, the Off White Dunk Lows echo the school’s colors with leather uppers in University Red and Wolf Grey. Abloh puts his signature spin on classic Nike Dunk detailing, with an orange-tabbed Swoosh, bright orange flywire overlacing and Off-White branding on the medial side.
Grateful Dead x Nike SB Dunk Low: One of our favorite 2020 collaborations, these rare Grateful Dead Dunks are packed with psychedelic details. The yellow Dunks’ tongues feature the band’s signature dancing bears, a Bob Thomas illustration from the 1973 album, “History of the Grateful Dead, Volume 1 (Bear’s Choice).” Continuing the bear theme, the upper toe, mid panel and collar of the Grateful Dead Dunks are dressed with plush faux fur detailing, and the jagged blue Swoosh mimics the bears’ collars.
Civilist x Nike SB Dunk Low Pro QS: An ultra-exclusive Quickstrike release from 2020, the Civilist SB Dunk continues Nike’s legacy of choosing collaborators with cachet. For this Nike SB Dunk Low Pro QS, Nike partnered with the Berlin-based skate shop and exhibition space Civilist to really turn up the heat.

Nike SB Dunk High "Strawberry Cough"

Nike SB Dunks have long embraced stoner culture. In 2004, Nike SB dropped its first 4/20 release, beginning a beloved - and highly collectible - tradition. These Strawberry Cough Dunks from 2021, named for the Strawberry Cough strain of cannabis, are the latest Nike SB Dunk Highs to celebrate the holiday. Designed by illustrator and SB legend Todd Bratrud, the Strawberry Cough Dunks mimic the look of an actual strawberry with uppers in textured red leather and green suede.

The University Red Dunk Today

The University Red Dunk remains a highly sought-after sneaker, coveted for its classic design and connection to both basketball and skateboarding history. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the Dunk's timeless appeal and its ability to transcend generations. Whether you're a seasoned sneakerhead or a newcomer to the culture, the University Red Dunk is a must-have addition to any collection.

The shoe’s timelessness and simplicity has allowed it to remain relevant in a world of ever-changing trends and tastes, while its connection to sport and fashion makes it one of the most recognisable styles on the planet. One of the most sought-after colourways from the range, red Nike Dunks have topped wishlist for decades. Typically crafted with premium leather, the shoes feature signature Swoosh branding on the sidewalls, tongue and lining. Breathable perforations deliver functionality, while underfoot cushioning stays true to the sneaker’s sporting roots. Available in an array of shades and styles, there’s a red Nike Dunk for every collection.

Key Red Nike Dunk Releases

Nike SB Dunk Low Chicago: Dressed in a colourway made famous by Michael Jordan, the Nike SB Dunk Low Chicago adopts elements from the original design. Black, red and white hues dominate the upper, supported a padded tongue and perforations for comfort.
Nike Dunk Low Next Nature White Gym Red Womens: A women’s exclusive style, the Nike Dunk Low Next Nature White Gym Red Womens puts sustainability at the centre of the design. Made with at least 20% recycled materials, bright red tones adorn the sidewalls, toe box and heel.
Nike SB Dunk Low x eBay Multi: Reimagining the limited-edition release from 2003, the Nike SB Dunk Low x eBay Multi pays homage to skateboarding and Nike legend Sandy Bodecker.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

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