CONVERSE and Thrasher Magazine Present Texas Style Death Match

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass., March 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today CONVERSE Inc., in partnership with Thrasher Magazine, will open a new, specially created skate ramp to host the Texas Style Death Match Wednesday, March 16th – Saturday, March 20th at The Scoot Inn. The four-day event will be a free, interactive experience and engage the global Team Converse skate ambassadors, emerging alternative bands and the local skate community in Texas.  Incorporating two music stages, best trick competitions and open skating, the Texas Style Death Match will once again be the only integrated music and skate event open and accessible to all during one of the largest music festivals in Austin.  

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110315/LA65173LOGO)

Participating in this year's Texas Style Death Match is Team Converse skate ambassador, Nick Trapasso, whose new CONS Trapasso Pro skate shoe was recently released.  

"I'm so excited to join Converse and Thrasher for this year's skate event," said Trapasso. "I'm even more excited about my CONS Trapasso Pro skate shoes...they're essential."  

Nick Trapasso's effortless style and easygoing character was the inspiration for his first signature shoe. The hero model, an all-black suede mid, comes with a popped green flamingo sock lining - a nod to Nick's laid-back, vacation-like attitude. More information on the CONS Trapasso Pro skate shoe can be found at www.converseskateboarding.com and is currently available at finer skate shops globally for MSRP $60-70.

Other Team Converse skate ambassadors who will be on-site include Kenny Anderson, Sammy Baca, Angel Ramirez, Rune Glifberg, Tom Remillard, Julian Davidson and from Converse's China skate team, Ling Chao, Xu Ying, and Du Meng Gen.  The pro skaters will participate in competitions and interact with local skaters during open skate.  Thrasher Magazine editor Jake Phelps will be on-site hosting the skate events and participating skaters will be eligible for prizes.

The Texas Style Death Match will be accompanied by a live soundtrack, provided by two stages. Converse will present day and night music performances on both an indoor and outdoor stage from noon to 2:00 a.m. showcasing dozens of emerging bands on a variety of labels including Das Racist, Kokayi, Trap Them, Night Horse, Lecherous Gaze, Naam, True Window, Danava, Eagle Twin, Main Street Gospel, Buffalo Killers and more.

Thrasher Magazine celebrates their 30th anniversary this year, which is a huge milestone both for them and for skateboarding culture as the magazine has blazed a trail documenting skateboarding since 1981. Converse is proud to be associated with Thrasher Magazine which shares its history in fostering creativity and performance, and its support of young artists.

About Converse

Converse Inc., based in N. Andover, Massachusetts, is a wholly owned subsidiary of NIKE, Inc. Established in 1908, the Converse brand has built a reputation as "America's Original Sports Company"™ and has been associated with a rich heritage of legendary shoes such as the Chuck Taylor® All Star® shoe, the Jack Purcell® shoe and the One Star® shoe. Today, Converse offers a diverse portfolio including premium lifestyle men's and women's footwear and apparel. Converse product is sold globally by retailers in over 160 countries and through 58 company-owned retail locations in the U.S. For more information, visit Converse on the web at www.converse.com.

SOURCE CONVERSE Inc.