About Us
Curtis Medlen (right), basketball enthusiast, inventor/designer of the HOOP SAQ and company founder in 1995, talking with Rob Smith (left) the Production Manager at an industrial sewing facility located in the Spokane Industrial Park in Spokane Valley, Washington. Curtis was there doing quality control inspection on 5,000 bags (a mix of HOOP SAQ and SOCCER SAQ) that he had contracted Rob's company to produce. After that, beginning in early 1996, the company started importing bags from overseas.
From Concept to Production
In the spring of 1994, Curtis and company, then called Courtside Products, Inc., after searching high and low for a local seamstress with industrial sewing experience, just happened to find the perfect person, Gail Roberds. Gail, who was conveniently located within just 5 minutes from his office, not only had industrial sewing experience working with heavier materials - like the materials used in athletic bags/backpacks but she also had been a Quality Control Inspector for a large U.S. backpack company, Jansport, for over 8 years.
Curtis and Gail hit it off immediately and began working together to refine Curtis's concept (prototype) into a production-friendly design. Gail was very good at all aspects of production, including sampling and pattern creation. She taught Curtis all she knew. Then, Curtis commissioned Gail, and her small team of local sewers, to build the first 750 HOOP SAQ bags in April of that year. The rest is history!
Our Team
Curtis Medlen
Cedric Smiley, Director of Promotions
Mike Hollis, Vice President
As the visionary leader of the company, Curtis possesses over 30 years as a pioneer in sport-specific athletic bag design, manufacturing and marketing. His set of skills runs the gamut - from design/pattern making and manufacturing, to marketing, promotions and sales, to business management. Growing up, Curtis dreamed of being a professio
As the visionary leader of the company, Curtis possesses over 30 years as a pioneer in sport-specific athletic bag design, manufacturing and marketing. His set of skills runs the gamut - from design/pattern making and manufacturing, to marketing, promotions and sales, to business management. Growing up, Curtis dreamed of being a professional football player, and then, as he got older (and taller), basketball captured his heart, and never let go. He continued to play basketball recreationally until he was in his early '40s. And he could even dunk! Curtis is our Founder/President and Chief Marketing Officer.
Mike Hollis, Vice President
Cedric Smiley, Director of Promotions
Mike Hollis, Vice President
Mike grew up playing soccer as a boy in Spokane, WA, then put his powerful kicking leg into action as a professional kicker in the NFL for nine years - most notably as a Pro Bowl kicker for the Jacksonville Jaguars and later the Buffalo Bills. Anyone that knows Mike, or meets him for the first time, is automatically drawn to his infectiou
Mike grew up playing soccer as a boy in Spokane, WA, then put his powerful kicking leg into action as a professional kicker in the NFL for nine years - most notably as a Pro Bowl kicker for the Jacksonville Jaguars and later the Buffalo Bills. Anyone that knows Mike, or meets him for the first time, is automatically drawn to his infectious smile and positive energy! Mike is also the Founder of ProForm Kicking Academy in Jacksonville. He is our Vice President and Director of Football and Soccer.
Cedric Smiley, Director of Promotions
Cedric Smiley, Director of Promotions
Cedric Smiley, Director of Promotions
Cedric (Ced) is originally from Phoenix, Arizona and attended Arizona State University. He has been in the streets of America for more than 40 years promoting everything from regional/national consumer brands to concerts and comedy shows. He also has one of those smiles that light up the world! Ced has been a friend of Mr. Medlens since h
Cedric (Ced) is originally from Phoenix, Arizona and attended Arizona State University. He has been in the streets of America for more than 40 years promoting everything from regional/national consumer brands to concerts and comedy shows. He also has one of those smiles that light up the world! Ced has been a friend of Mr. Medlens since he was first shown the idea for the HOOP SAQ on a napkin in 1993. Ced is our Director of Promotions.