Prairie View A&M University News December 7, 2012 Prairie View Alumni Produces Invention It is always said that "Prairie View Produces Productive People." That can be said for Kendall Thompson, a 2006 PVAMU alumnus that has produced an invention that's gaining notoriety. Thompson invented the Kenmark Sports Armband Water Bottle, an invention that allows users to hydrate with ease during a workout. The light weight armband is the very first of its kind. In addition to the water bottle, the armband also holds keys, IPod and credit cards. Thompson, who currently works in management information systems, didn't originally seek to become an inventor. Years ago, on the verge of being unemployed, Thompson begins to think outside the box and the idea for the Sports Armband Water Bottle was born. Thompson conducted research on what aids a person while running and what holds them back. That research led to the idea for the product. Since its launch, Thompson has been featured on Great Day Houston, in Popular Science Magazine, Outdoor Retailer Daily Magazine August 2012, Austin Lifestyle, Men's Book and Nvate Magazine. With a successful product on the market, Thompson offered advice to future PVAMU alumni about success. "I advise them to have a strategic plan. I mean as strategic as every 7 days," he said, adding that he invested everything he had into the invention and created a goal. Thompson also advised new alumni to find a mentor in their field who can teach them the ins and outs. Looking to the future, Thompson has a new line of products from Kenmark Sports being launched in January 2013. The Kenmark Sports Armband Bottle is sold in Sears and on Amazon.com and KenmarkSports.com. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.