HAMTRAMCK, Mich. (WXYZ) — The chipped paint, rust and overall gritty feel of an old locker room at Hamtramck High School caught the eye of a Nike team member, according to the school's principal Chris Vraniak.
The school was used as a backdrop for a new Nike ad, called "Dream With Us," promoting diversity and female empowerment through sports.
The ad, which took about two days to film in Hamtramck, aired Sunday as part of USWNT friendly vs South Africa on FOX, NBA Conference Semis on ESPN, and on NBC as part of Premier League final week.
The spot will also run digitally during the Women's World Cup this summer.
“The students weren’t actually aware. They asked that we kind of keep it under wraps," Vraniak said of the project.
The secret’s out now; the ad was posted to YouTube over the weekend and already has more than 3 million views.
“It was so exciting to see my school, Hamtramck High School, in a video, especially Nike! To have them in that, it was just wow," said Amra Lekic, a senior student athlete at Hamtramck.
Nike used Hamrack High’s hallways and the old locker room in a portion of the ad.
“To me it’s perfect because soccer is the world’s sport and Hamtramck is the world in two square miles. We’re a very multicultural community," Vraniak told 7 Action News.
For members of the Hamtramck girl's soccer team, the ad really hits close to home.
“When I saw all of of the diverse people I was like oh that’s kind of like our team," senior Makayla Wright said.
The ad asks the viewer "What's your dream?" and showcases female athletes from several different sports training.
The ad also features members of the U.S. Women’s National Team, and showcases their influence on young athletes.
The ad, which concludes with Nike's "Just Do It" campaign, is narrated by award-winning actress Viola Davis.
