Philadelphia Students Get Free Sneakers

February 1, 2007 (WPVI) -- Hundreds of students in the Philadelphia School district will be sporting some fancy new sneakers thanks to a giveaway at Franklin Mills Mall.

New York Knicks superstar, Stephon Marbury, created the sneakers.

They are called "Starbury 1". 1,644 pairs of the sneaker went free of charge to every member of the Philadelphia School District's high school boys' and girls' basketball teams.

Students from the Northeast High School girls' basketball team and the Engineering and Science boys' basketball team attended the giveaway.

Almost anyone can afford these sneakers.

The Knicks star point guard endorsed his new sneaker line in the fall of last year, at the low cost of $14.95. He wanted to break the long-standing, high-priced trends of celebrity-supported sneakers.

Steve and Barry's University Sportswear launched the line.

Marbury told us that he remembers growing up poor in Coney Island, and being unable to afford the latest sneakers.

Not only does the Starbury meet a lower budget, but it's also got major appeal because he wears them on the court.

Howard Schacter, CPO and brand manager of the Starbury Collection, read a letter to the students from Marbury. All the students will receive a copy with their shoes.

Philadelphia is not the only city receiving the giveaway. The Starbury collection is being donated to other public school districts across the country.

Of course Air Jordans and Iverson's sneakers sell for $100 and up! The hope is that more athletes will follow the lead of Stephon Marbury, and endorse more affordable merchandise.

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