This year’s Cinderella team is lead by the tournament’s most impressive player, Stephen Curry. He has had a ridiculous tournament, scoring 30, 40, and 33 points respectively. The ‘Curry Powered’ Davidson team has added flavor to the tournament. Their basketball program was virtually unknown nationally prior to March Madness, but the team’s incredible run has spiced up the month of March.
Now, the nation is watching. LeBron James was in attendance (near the Davidson section) at the Sweet Sixteen games in Detroit. Ironically, many of the Davidson fans were wearing the Nike, ‘I am a Witness’ t-shirt. As a fan at Ford Field Friday night, I sported my Davidson t-shirt and watched in amazement as the brand story of Stephen Curry unfolds.
Every personal brand has a story and Stephen Curry is no different. He started out as the son of a NBA sharpshooter and volleyball mom who was overlooked by major D-1 basketball programs and now he is the ambassador of the ‘The Davidson’ brand. As a personal brand Stephen Curry has put his permanent stamp on the Davidson basketball program, the NCAA, and college sports. Stephen Curry is one of four college players to ever score 30-points or more in their first four NCAA tournament games (including last years game against Maryland).
How far will the ‘Curry Powered’ Davidson Cats go? Only time will tell….
To Stephen, keep shooting the lights out and destroying NCAA brackets!!!
Stephen Curry Originally uploaded by j_visser
Hajj, how easy is it to talk about athletes and their personal brands! There is no denying the significance of their personal brand, their target audience, and the visibility they have! I guess the challenge for an athlete is to get the OTHER elements of their personal brand across to their target audience; so they are known for more than simply ’shootin hoops’ I am an avid and nationally ranked athlete, but still believe sport is the salt and pepper of life at best!
Luke Harvey-PalmerApril 12th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Luke, I really appreciate your comment. There is no question that athletes are easy subjects to use, there is typically a lot of public interest in connection to anything they do. We will all have that moment in life when people will become aware and interested in who we are. The challenge for every person will be how to maximize that moment, position themselves and permanently establish their personal brands.
Hajj FlemingsApril 12th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Harry Convict
Bravo! Finally a great blog.
Harry ConvictApril 27th, 2008 at 1:06 am