Image via Complex Original
Aside from being the best sneaker magazine in the world and pioneering an industry that really didn't exist, Sole Collector has one of the largest communities of sneaker enthusiasts in the world with the SC Forums. In 2010, they celebrated 10 years and 200,000 members the way only Sole Collector could with an exclusive Nike collab for members, moderators and admins. Just 3 short years later, the number of forum members has nearly doubled. We caught up with long-time Sole Collector/ISS Forum administrator, @MJO23DAN, to share his thoughts on community members and find out what the outside world is missing out on because, well, there's much more to the Sole Collector community than meets the eye. From shop owners to entrepreneurs, the 13 years of this tight knit community has become almost like family for some. With that said, check out The 30 Most Influential Members of the Sole Collector Forums.
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30. th@_r3@LL3$t
Twitter: n/a
Join Date: 2004
"Dennis has been around the block, banned and brought back to life. He's won banned of the year and best collection perhaps in the same year. He now manages a shop in Daly City called KickCity."
29. Sinna TM
Twitter: @Imreeezy
Join Date: 12/22/2007
"One of the older new school members of the board who has a passion for Air Jordans, particularly OG Air Jordan VI's. A very down to earth person who is willing to help members out any day of the week."
28. RaNdZ4937
Twitter: @R6NDZ
Join Date: 8/13/2006
"Also known as R6NDZ who was a key contributor to the success of the Jordan and Basketball forum. He has an astounding Jordan and LeBron collection."
27. TRBO823
Twitter: n/a
Join Date: 1/16/2005
"Home of the Lakers and the best sports team shit talking in the Sports forum. Him and Brich can be found bickering on the forums for days in regards to their respective sports teams."
26. Flip Jays
Twitter: @flipjays
Join Date: 10/11/2005
"Although he never posted much in the forum he deserves a big shout for his exclusive and rare sneaker collection. A definite OG in the game."
25. RICK JAMES
Twitter: n/a
Join Date: 8/19/2004
"Also known as INYRCKS. At one point he had over 600 sneakers in his collection and kept a handful of his favorites. He helps assist the Sneaker Exchange program where members initiate trades with one another so their transactions are safe."
24. dunksrnice
Twitter: @dunksrnice
Join Date: 7/27/2005
"Rolo has incredible photography and sneaker point of view. You can check more of him out at his blog www.dunksrnice.net"
23. MZ3
Twitter: @MZ33ZM
Join Date: 7/19/2002
"He's one of the first original mods from back in the day. Helped drive the Marketplace and initiate a designated fraud team. He took no BS from anybody but always looked to get the board in a forward moving direction."
22. Hattrick
Twitter: n/a
Join Date: 3/18/2005
"He's a 'friend of SC' and he was also accredited for the beloved Playstation Air Trainers and Air Force 1's. It also helps when you're the Director of Product Publicity for Sony USA."
21. I RoC JaYz23
Twitter: n/a
Join Date: 11/26/2004
"Catfish & Watermelon bitch! Most remember him for the incredible dunk he did in honor of jvini....bitch! He's also a big advocate to the #wearyourkicks movement."
20. Professor
Twitter: @edotkim
Join Date: 7/16/2003
"Also known as Professor K. He helped guide the kicksology section and performance reviews in Sole Collector magazine. Need a grade, he was the man."
19. retrokid
Twitter: @retrokid23
Join Date: 12/7/2002
"Alex helped push the Sole Collector brand as its former Creative Director. You could also find him on past issues of retrokid's corner in the magazine."
18. MJO23DAN
Twitter: @MJO23DAN
Join Date: 5/15/2005
"Major contributor on the background and foreground of Sole Collector forums. Helped drive the Jordan forum to it's present state. Always willing to lend a hand. Especially for fraud disputes and board related issues."
17. 8403
Twitter: @AIR305
Join Date: 11/16/2008
"Coming straight out of Miami he's a team sports homer for sure; the Heat, Marlins, Dolphins. Al has been in the game for awhile and is well versed in Air Jordans and authentic sports jerseys. Still very active on the boards today."
16. dalazz
Twitter: @_dalesc
Join Date: 7/23/2005
"Better known as Dale. He's accredited for the success of the Legit Check forum and one of the go to guys for it. He's also a freelance sneaker designer and a true Nike head."
15. dalyte1
Twitter: n/a
Join Date: 2/11/2003
"One of the original and contributing members to the Customs & Restorations forum. Daniel & his brother now contribute to their own site and youtube channel - www.restoremysneakers.com. Check them out."
14. Phase2
Twitter: @Phase2x
Join Date: 10/11/2005
"You want to talk about good people from the forum, then Jermaine needs to be included. He has been nothing but inspiration in the sneaker world and his collection of PE's and game worn editions have more heat than his hometown of Alaska."
13. SoleSupreme
Twitter: @solesupreme
Join Date: 1/23/2005
"If you think you have a pretty decent Air Jordan collection, shun yourself next to Puneet's. He's amassed one of the golden collections of our time that even for Jordan himself would be turn a head."
12. OG Ahliang119
Twitter: @Ahliang119
Join Date: 12/16/2002
"Eric has been in the game for a long time. Has a massive Air Jordan & Kobe PE collection. One of the OGs when it comes to sneaker collecting...hence why he has OG in the beginning of his name."
11. BRich
Twitter: @xBRICHx
Join Date: 4/7/2005
"Sports & Sole Collector blog writer. Who could forget the Woody Paige avatar. He eats, lives & breathes the Denver Broncos & the Orlando Magic. Get on him about his teams and he'll crack whips on yours."
10. BuddhaTB
Twitter: @BuddhaTB
Join Date: 1/21/2003
"This guy was one of the founding fathers to the success and rise to popularity of the Sole Collector forum. Him as well as a few others played the part of the Feedback Bot in agreements. Bet you didn't know that."
9. ellemenohpee
Twitter: n/a
Join Date: 12/30/2005
"Also known as 'elle' (he hated that nickname), he was the key contributor to the Flamethrower during it's hay day. Poke fun at him & he'll rip your guts into shreds ten fold. Funny doesn't even describe him."
8. Menace
Twitter: @JordanMenace
Join Date: 7/25/2003
"Brian. He's the international contact/distributor for Sole Collector magazine based out of the UK. Also has a killer baby/toddler Air Jordan set that kept his kids fresher than the next."
7. ajordanxi
Twitter: @ajordanxi
Join Date: 9/1/2004
"Steve Jr. acted as the managing web admin for the Sole Collector's massive sneaker archive and magazine subscription."
6. RoxFontaine
Twitter: @RoxFontaine
Join Date: 1/30/2005
"He's the group moderator for the long standing usergroup Team L.A.R.K. - Team Limited & Rare Kicks. Stand up guy and respected individual. He helped drive the Sydni Yoshie Rounds raffle to assist the family along with notable member KleanKicks."
5. SYDNi_Y0SHiE
Twitter: n/a
Join Date: 11/21/2005
"In 2008 we lost a beloved member of the Sole Collector family. SYDNi_Y0SHi was a female sneakerhead and superb photographer who lost her life in a fatal car crash. RIP. Sole Collector forum members gathered together to donate kicks to aid in the soleforsydni fund. She inspired many with her talent."
4. XzacX
Twitter: @xzacx
Join Date: 3/16/2004
"Zac is the managing editor of Sole Collector magazine and an integral part of what Sole Collector is doing today."
3. _NDP
Twitter: @_NDP
Join Date: 10/18/2004
"Nick is the creative director at Sole Collector. He is accredited for those awesome sneaker collaborations. Who remembers when his username used to be Billy Hoyle?"
2. jvini
Twitter: n/a
Join Date: 4/5/2003
"The tech brains behind the forum and it's functionality. Helped create the ever popular Sole Collector Marketplace and feedback system where users could buy/sell/trade their sneakers."
1. steve
Twitter: @solesteve
Join Date: 7/15/2002
"Founder & creator of Sole Collector. Steve has gone through some big changes throughout the years from a business standpoint but remains very prominent among the sneaker movement."