Reebok Tailgate Tours visit Alto
BY LELAND ACKER STAFF WRITER

Alto Head Coach Keith Gardner and Assistant Coach John Paul Dixon show off the t-shirts given away by the Reebok Tailgate crew. Reebok visited Alto on Oct. 12. PHOTO: LEANN JONES

The Alto Yellowjackets joined the ranks of the New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Texas A&M Aggies and the Oklahoma Sooners on Oct. 12 as the Reebok Tailgate Tours made a visit to Alto High School.

Principal Donald Patton said the Reebok crew attended the pep rally before the Oakwood game, then traveled to Oakwood to take footage of the Jackets playing the Panthers.

The Reebok Tailgate Tours is a marketing strategy by Reebok to show support for good football teams while introducing their new DMX shoes, according to the Web site, www.creativemag.com.

"Our goal is to generate excitement and communicate the benefits of the DMX Run and DMX Series 2000 technology to our consumers by offering them the opportunity to try on the footwear," said Jo Harlow, VP Reebok Brand Marketing.

Footage from tailgate tour stops are routinely used in Reebok commercials aired during college and professional football games.

"There were 10 (crew members) here," Mr. Patton said. "They said, 'We've heard good things about Alto.'"

Mr. Patton said the Reebok Tailgate Tours also visited the New England-Dallas game and will attend the Texas A&M-Nebraska game.

"They recognized us and came to visit," Mr. Patton said. "They were impressed, they enjoyed themselves and even drove to Oakwood."

Mr. Patton said the Reebok Tailgate Tour crew distributed t-shirts to the student body and faculty members.

He added that it is a real possibility to see Alto footage on television after Reebok's visit.