A spectator following hamstring surgery, Solinsky's back on the run
ADAM MERTZ | Wisconsin State Journal | [email protected] | 608-252-6474 | Twitter: @Adam_Mertz Saturday, December 31, 2011 12:00 pm

A couple of times during his three years as a professional runner for Nike, Chris Solinsky has parked his car near that of company founder Phil Knight at the office, but he's never had the courage to summon up more than a quick pleasantry before moving along.

Should Solinsky's beloved University of Wisconsin football team win the Rose Bowl, however, there's a good chance that Knight, a major University of Oregon backer, will want to have words with him.

That's because the 2012 Olympic hopeful is kicking the tires on the notion of donning Badgers gear to Nike headquarters in Portland in the aftermath of the Jan. 2 matchup in Pasadena, a no-no not just because it's Ducks country but because it's produced exclusively by an archrival.