On Monday, September 1, 2008, Thomas Bata passed away. His company, Bata Footwear, may not be as well known to the current generation of sneakerheads, but in 1977, his brand partnered with Wilson to release a Coach John Wooden (who won nine NCAA chips with UCLA) signature high top.
The shoe was one of the most coveted releases of the decade to true sneaker connoisseurs, worn by Magic Johnson at Michigan State as well as a number of NBA players. With a polyurethane outsole and nubuck uppers, it was actually ahead of its time design wise. Peep this ESPN It’s The Shoes I did where Magic himself reminisces about wearing the Bata. It comes in around 6:00 minutes in . . .
Rest In Peace, Mr. Bata, and thank you for putting out a very hot shoe 30 years ago.
September 8th, 2008 at 1:36 am
The Illest CC says:
Best interview of all time where the interviewer tells the interviewee “I hated you!”
September 8th, 2008 at 6:17 am
Kevin Couliau says:
Maybe the U.S sneakerheads don’t know about Bata, but in Europe it’s still a big company. Especially in France where we have Bata shoes stores in all the cities.
Bata’s founder, Tomas Bata created the company in 1894 in Czechoslovakia and died in 1932- he was the grand father of Tomas Junior Bata who died recently.
September 8th, 2008 at 7:30 am
illest says:
it was ill seeing some of the cats on The White Shadow rockin the batas.
September 8th, 2008 at 8:47 am
funkalot says:
Sad news, as I wore “Bata Bullets” in college, they were stylish and light.
Bob, do you have any connects for a Bata retro pair purchase?
“funkafied feet fetish”
September 8th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Teddy "Doowop" says:
Yo Bob, what are the odds that there is a neverworn pair of original Wilson Bata’s out there? My uncle had a pair when I was mad young and they were beautiful. Probably my favorite sneaker of all time. Ive contemplated doing a documentary where I try to track down one.
Dope interview, nice Mighty Mi beat!
September 8th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Jeremy Ripley a.k.a. Cheesecake says:
This interview, the Biz Markie joint, or maybe the Baron Davis spot had to be my favorites from the “It’s the Shoes” seasons. All dope.
DooWop–You know Bob has a deadstock pair, chilling on ice!
Otherwise, the chances of finding a crispy pair are slim to none. The John Wooden Batas, and many other shoes from the era, implemented a polyurethane midsole that degrades after some time.
R.I.P. Mr. Bata, thanks for the shoes!
September 8th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Teddy "Doowop" says:
Very true Rip. However, I’ve seen some hold up surprisingly well. Ive also got an old italian shoemaker around the way who does some pretty amazing things with soles and what not.
September 9th, 2008 at 1:08 am
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
i have an old italian shoe maker around my way that makes a mean pasta. my wilson batas are falling apart, peoples. the outsole cracked in half on one side, and they have yellowed ridiculously. they were the final shoe photographed for my book, found by matt of get on the good foot in toronto. i didnt’ think i’d ever see another pair, so it felt like a miracle when he mailed them to me. they still on ice, but way too big for me . . .
September 9th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
PFTB says:
I remember when I was a little kid in the late 60’s early 70’s Batas were the sneakers we wore in Jamaica (West Indies)brown ones,but I don’t remember exactly how they looked.Those were my first pair of “name” sneakers. R.I.P TB.