Nike SPARQ combine on Jan. 28


Athletes for the 2012 school year are invited to attend the Nike SPARQ rncombine on January 28 at Saint Louis School from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

According to a press release, the combine is free of charge and open to Class of 2013 graduates and underclassmen high school football players.

Registered athletes participating in the combines will:

> Qualify for a chance to compete in the SPARQ Rating National Championship as part of "The Opening", to be held in July at the Nike World Headquarters.

> Receive a Nike Pro workout shirt. (Athletes still must bring appropriate workout gear: shorts, sweats, football cleats and training shoes.).

> Be measured by height and weight, and photographed.

> Receive a proper, supervised dynamic warm-up.

> Be tested in: the 40-yard dash (twice, fastest time kept), vertical jump (highest jump kept), the 20-yard shuttle (twice, fastest time kept) and the kneeling power ball throw (twice, farthest throw kept). If players are not satisfied with their results, they may scratch them so they are not reported.

> Receive a SPARQ rating based on a calculation of their testing scores.

> Be eligible for consideration for the next step in Nike's off-season plan, attending a Nike Football Training Camp, a top-tier national football camp tour. (Selection is based on overall performance and participation is free.).

> Get a chance to compete and be evaluated in a professional environment against others on your team, in your league, in your state and around the nation with the standardized SPARQ testing results and rating.

For more information or to register, log on to espnhs.com