Sneaker Geek Can’t Kick the Habit

By IVAN MORROBEL

Frankellys Sanchez had his first payday planned when he worked as an intern for CBS and decided to run to Footlocker to get his hands on a pair of the Air Jordan 1 Retro High “Bred” as soon as his workday ended. That’s when his sneaker collection sprouted to where it’s at today at 24 pairs.

“Once you get your first pair, you wear it so much that you get tired of it and want to switch it up,” he said.

Many sneakerheads have that one pair of sneakers that propels them to want more and it gets to a point where enough is enough as other responsibilities become significant.

Sanchez, 17, is a senior at Cristo Rey, a New York City high school, and he’s gearing up for life as a college student.

“I plan on going to college, and things have to change. I need to be more selective with what I waste my money on,” said Sanchez.

Though his hobby began when he was able to afford it, Sanchez received a pair of the Nike LeBron Soldier 7 as a gift from his parents when he was in middle school, and that gave him the feeling of being a big shot.
Sanchez admits that his parents have become fed up with his fetish for sneakers, which led to his mom giving away quite a few pairs to family in the Dominican Republic.

“We’ve had that talk,: he conceded. “My father is a smart man, and he told me that if I would’ve saved the money that I spent on sneakers, I could’ve had a car. But I’m 17 and I don’t know what’s going to happen next.”

Two years after buying the Air Jordan 1 with his hard-earned money, he hasn’t quite lost his taste for collecting.

However, he has two problems as he keeps more than half of his collection at his grandmother’s house and isn’t allowed to wear any of them to school due to a dress code that his school enforces.Cristo Rey is a Catholic high school, after all.
“I only wear my sneakers when my school has dress down day or on weekends,” he said.

As he prepares for life as a young adult, Sanchez is focused on finishing high school strong with hopes of being accepted into John Jay College of Criminal Justice to study Forensic Science.

Sanchez keeps his 24 pairs and counting inside of translucent containers. He named the Air Jordan 1 Retro High “Court Purple” and adidas Yeezy 700 V3 “Azael” his favorite sneakers released this year.

The mania lives!