When Eric Porter transferred to Lake Forest College, he was looking for more than just a basketball program—he was searching for a community. He found it in the College's tight-knit campus, where coaches from different sports knew him by name, teammates became lifelong friends, and even a walk to the beach turned into a memory that stuck. Those experiences shaped him as much as his time on the court and helped build the foundation for what would later become Stria, the performance footwear brand he co-founded.
For Porter, the choice to become a Forester was clear from the start. He had connections to people already at Lake Forest, and after visiting campus, the atmosphere won him over. Basketball sealed the deal. But when he looks back, it isn't just the games that stand out. "We had a ton of great experiences on the court, but honestly, it was always more about being with friends and teammates on campus," he said. "Those off-court memories—walking around, heading to the beach, just spending time with people who became lifelong friends—are the ones I'll always remember." The small-school environment only added to that, offering closer relationships with professors and coaches across different sports. "You could say hi to anyone and they'd know your name," Porter recalled. "That's something not a lot of colleges have." One of his fondest basketball memories came in a packed home game when the Foresters pulled off a dramatic upset win. "Moments like that showed me what Forester pride really was," he added.
The transition from Lake Forest into the professional world was a learning curve. After graduation, Porter worked in corporate America, where the routine of long meetings and office life gave him valuable experience in teamwork, responsibility, and leadership. "That experience shaped a lot of what went into creating Stria," he said. The spark came from his lifelong love of shoes, sneakers, and performance. "Being an athlete my whole life, I know how much the gear you wear impacts performance. The idea was: how can we create performance-based products that elevate your game?" he explained. By collaborating with designers, developers, and other former athletes, Stria was born. The company quickly gained traction, with shoes worn by professional basketball players around the world, approved by the NBA, showcased in the Olympics, and even picked up by the Harlem Globetrotters. "Seeing someone step onto the Olympic stage wearing our product—it's surreal," Porter admitted.
Recently, Stria has stepped into pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. The brand's first pickleball shoe launched just a month ago, quickly selling out in its debut colorway. To build momentum, Porter and his team partnered with ambassadors across the country and signed Gabriel Tardio, the youngest pro player in the world, ranked #2 globally. "Pickleball is everywhere right now," Porter said. "We wanted to create a shoe that gives players stability and reduces injuries, while also elevating their game." Between pro athletes, local ambassadors, and community clinics, Stria is finding its place in this booming sport.
Looking ahead, Porter sees expansion in new colorways, updated models, and even broader product lines. "We'll continuously work on new products and keep growing on the success of pickleball and basketball," he said. For those who want to follow along, Stria's website, social media, and email list provide updates and product launches.
Though he now runs a growing company, Porter hasn't lost touch with his roots. He still follows Forester Athletics online, keeps up with teammates, and looks back at Lake Forest as a key influence in shaping his journey. "My time at Lake Forest helped shape the ideas for Stria, from relationships to the basketball experience. It played a big role in starting this journey," he reflected. And for current Foresters chasing their own dreams, he offers one piece of advice: "Take full advantage of the relationships and opportunities you have here. You never know which ones will spark something bigger later on."
