Why Division One Basketball Leaders Choose Precision Fit Footwear

Leaders Who Move: Al Boatright

Leaders Who Move is IAMBIC’s interview series with founders, coaches, and executives whose lives are built on constant motion. Each feature explores how precision, preparation, and daily movement shape their work and how the MODEL T supports long days on the move with custom fit and executive level style.

Al Boatright is the General Manager and NIL strategist behind LIU men’s basketball, a Division One leader whose day blends coaching, culture building, executive planning, and community engagement. Known for his clarity of communication and meticulous preparation, he navigates long hours on the move and sets the standard for professionalism within the program. His perspective reflects the demands placed on leaders who never stand still and who rely on precision fit footwear to support every step.

A Conversation with Al Boatright

You have built a career across branding, business, and basketball. What connects those worlds for you?

People. In one word, it is people. Creating relationships is the same no matter where you are or what industry you work in. When you build relationships with like minded people, they want to grow together. My ability to communicate is what has taken me from basketball to boardrooms. My life has been a journey of communication and developing relationships.

How do you define preparation and precision in your own work?

Preparation starts with knowing your goal. Once you understand your goal, you can prepare for all the nuances around it. In sports, you have to be prepared for the unexpected, so you plan for the things you can control and also respect that there will be things outside of yourself.

When I used to run, my routine began long before the workout. I woke up at five in the morning and cooked my oatmeal instead of using one minute oats. Taking out the pot, running the water, watching it cook, that taught me patience. Athletes often use routine as their meditation. From the time you open your eyes to the time you close them, every small step builds your mindset.

Coaches and general managers are expected to look sharp on the sidelines and stay ready to move. How do you balance professional polish with function?

I grew up in a shirt and tie. I went to a private school and we played football in the street in our school clothes. That taught me early that I needed clothing that could move with me. My parents would buy thicker pants because they knew I would rough them up. They chose off color shoes so they would last.

As I got older, that carried over. I want jeans that can handle a full day and shoes that can work in multiple environments. As a coach, you are always expected to be professional. Whether you wear a quarter zip or a suit jacket, you are setting a standard for your staff. Your personality often shows through your shoes, and those shoes might be part of an endorsement or they might simply be the pair that lets you move and stay comfortable at the same time.

What do you look for in footwear that has to keep up with your day?

Durability and versatility. You need to be able to walk, run, and jog. You might be running late for a flight or running late for tip off. That shoe has to move with you.

Many coaches travel with two or three pairs of shoes because they cannot get utility and style in one pair. I travel not only for games, but also for daily work on the streets of Manhattan and Brooklyn and flights to build relationships. I usually have one pair on my feet and another pair in my backpack so that I can move comfortably, then switch into a different look when I need to.

How intentional are you about what you wear for a day that moves between kids, families, administrators, and staff?

Very intentional. A lot of people are stressed and feel that what they wear is insignificant, but the truth is that your day will test what you put on in the morning. If you walk outside and the temperature drops, you suddenly care a lot about that choice.

My day includes young kids who see me as a guide, administrators I might disagree with, and families that see me as a beacon of hope for their child. I need a universal level of respect from everyone I meet. Your first impression is what you wear.

What was your first impression when you unboxed your IAMBICs?

The packaging stood out first. When a shoe comes in a dust bag, that usually signals quality. I have purchased all kinds of shoes from luxury brands and I associate that experience with a higher level product.

When I took the shoe out, I noticed the weight. I said, this is a real shoe. It reminded me of hard bottom shoes I used to buy when suits and wingtips were the standard. You wanted quality materials, a solid sole, and something that could take a good shine. The MODEL T brought me back to that feeling of real craftsmanship.

How did the idea of “Edition of One” land with you?

It makes you feel special. When someone tells you that you are one of one, it reminds you how unique you are. No one else in the world has this exact shoe. It is like your fingerprint.

I talk to athletes about this all the time. Nothing is standard when you are talking about special. Not everyone has had the chance to get a custom made suit or custom made shoes. IAMBIC makes that experience accessible. When you give someone that opportunity, they understand the uniqueness and value of it.

“This is an accessible way to get something bespoke made just for you. You do not want to pass up that opportunity.”

— Al Boatright

From your perspective, what stood out about the craftsmanship and finishing of the shoe?

Nothing about it felt standard. There is a story behind every part of the shoe. The tread, the feel, the leather upper, the design, all of it tells you this was not mass produced in a generic way, it was crafted to specific measurements and standards.

I love poetry, and I think of shoes as instruments. If music is what you live, your shoes are the instruments that carry you. The MODEL T felt like that, something designed to express precision and care with every step.

What was your reaction to IAMBIC’s use of smartphone scanning and AI in the process?

Cutting edge. When I saw that you could use a smartphone and AI to build a shoe, the first thing I thought was that this is where the world is going. Everyone is talking about artificial intelligence and how it can simplify and improve experiences.

The process itself was easy. The most impressive part was actually the questionnaire. All of the questions about my gait, how I move, what surfaces I am on, and how often I wear the shoes made me feel that this was worth something. You say you are one of one, and with that much data, it is hard not to be.

At first I answered quickly, then I started going back and rethinking my responses because I began to realize how much my daily activities, my feet, and my shoes are connected.

You mentioned that in sports, data drives improvement. How do you see that idea reflected in your experience with IAMBIC?

You learn through data. I am not going to make the same mistake tomorrow that I made today. That is true in athletics and in life. You take the information, you adjust, and you progress.

Before I started using a step counter, I probably did not walk half as much. Once I became aware of my steps, I moved from ten thousand to fifteen thousand steps a day and that changed my health. The phone or smartwatch did not claim to make me healthier, but it did because I used the technology.

I look at the shoes in the same way. You start with something that looks beautiful, then you add questions and data that shape it to your life. Over time, you can track your development and even decide whether you need to change how you walk or see a specialist. It brings more focus to your health and movement.

Can you describe that first step into your IAMBICs?

The very first time I stepped into them, I noticed how comforting the insole was. That is what hit me immediately. I had been wearing a shoe that looked good but did not have much comfort. It was a styling shoe, not a walking shoe.

I stepped out of that pair, put on the IAMBICs, and felt comfort right away. Then I took a step and realized that the shoe was securing me. That is what stayed with me. If you give me something that can secure my foot and my balance, I can wear it all day.

“When you can get stability and style in one shoe, that is what really stands out.”

— Al Boatright

How does the overall feel compare to other shoes you usually wear?

Stability. Most of the shoes I wear now are not designed for athletic performance, so I usually rely on orthotics or different inserts. I might wear running shoes for comfort, then change out of them because they do not match a suit.

When you can get that stability, support, and style in one shoe, it changes your routine. You no longer need to swap pairs to match the moment.

Where do you see IAMBIC fitting into your daily wardrobe as a leader and coach?

I look forward to wearing them daily. They are stylish enough for the office and durable enough for the streets. That combination is ideal.

I will still mix and match other shoes, but when you think about a go to pair, this is it. I like that I do not have to think about my shoes throughout the day. I can focus on everything else without worrying about changing footwear. That makes me more productive.

LIU men’s basketball has its own mantra, “fins up.” How does that idea of balance connect to the way you move through a season?

LIU men’s basketball is in a position to be a trendsetter. We may not always get the most eyes based on our conference, location, or relative size, but we have a large following that flies under the radar. People inside the program know what we can do.

We say “fins up.” When a shark raises out of the water, its fin helps it keep balance while it moves forward. When we put our hands up in that shape, it is about balance. It is our rally cry. When things are good, fins up. When things are bad, fins up. Stay even, keep progressing, keep that balance. Footwear that lets you move all day with stability supports that mindset.

For other professionals and leaders who move all day, what do you want them to know about your experience with IAMBIC?

At the end of the day, get you a pair of IAMBICs because it checks all the boxes. You want something stylish, there you go. Something that goes with everything, there you go. Something you can wear everywhere, there you go. Something you can put on without thinking about it, there you go.

A lot of professionals in sports and in business are thinking about a million other things. The last thing you want to think about is your footwear.

Explore the MODEL T, recognized as a TIME Best Invention.

Helpful links

• MODEL T
• Fit Guide Quiz
• Technology
• AI Tailored Footwear
• How Custom Fit Shoes Work
• TIME Best Invention