Bright-purple clogs on campus provide cushion for all the laughs

So she was the obvious choice when we went looking for a Tucsonan to test out a pair of Croc clogs. In bright purple.

Kooi, who is president of Pima Community College's Community Campus, recently agreed to test them out at work.

"There were a lot of surprised faces," she said, adding that the clogs also drew a lot of laughs — and questions.

Admittedly, the clogs were pretty dramatic because we had asked her to dress as usual for work, so the photos would show the contrast in her personal style. We also asked her to bring in some casual clothes that would go with Crocs. "They actually looked cute with the jeans," she said.

Here are some of her observations:

Homework: After agreeing to try out a pair, Kooi checked out the Crocs at www.crocs.com online. "I had heard about them, but had not really looked at them," she said, impressed by the variety of styles, colors and relative low price. (The pair she wore cost $32.27 at Dillard's, including tax.)

Comfort: "They're very comfortable — especially on tile floors or any hard surfaces for standing. They give you a lot of cushion," she said. "I've got tile floors in part of my house. . . . They were wonderful, especially when I was cooking."

Comments she received: "Many of my staff have them, and they love them." Others, male and female, asked to try them on.

Drawbacks: The clogs were a little wide for her feet, which are very narrow. At times, when walking, she felt she was stepping out of them. "Standing still, it was great."

They came in handy: "I had a leak in my front garden that went over the sidewalk, and I could just plow right through without worrying about them getting wet," she said. "I was actually quite thrilled I had them." And, she later added, "They seemed quite durable."

Would she buy a pair? Kooi said she and several co-workers plan to check out the more streamlined flip-flops. "I could see where those would be very comfortable and you could wear them with a lot more things." Kooi, who once lived in Michigan, is also interested in the boots. "I thought those could be fun for tromping around in the rain and the snow."

What color? "I actually kind of liked the purple, but they have a great green . . . I also liked the red and yellow," she said. "I think the colors are fun."

What is the Community Campus? More than 50,000 students each year attend this campus, which provides all of the college's distance education, workforce training, adult basic education and the noncredit courses.

"There were a lot of surprised faces" at work during the trial run of Crocs.

Jana Kooi

President, Pima Community College's Community Campus