NSGA NOW - July/August 2019

Volume 7 | No. 4 | July / August 2019

A PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL SPORTING GOODS ASSOCIATION

WELTER BLAZES INSPIRING TRAIL AT MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE INSIDE THE 2019 INNOVATIONS ARENA SPORTING GOODS MARKET REPORT AVAILABLE

Thank You to our Sponsors NSGA 55th Annual Management Conference & 21st Annual Team Dealer Summit PLATINUM

TEAM DEALER SUMMIT

GOLD

SILVER

SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDERS

LONGEST DRIVE SPONSOR

MEDIA SPONSOR

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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CONFERENCE NOW What’s around the corner from the 2019 Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit 6 Trailblazing football coach Dr. Jen Welter inspires, challenges 7 Panel explores opportunities with emerging women’s sports 8 Looking at the Conference through the photo lens 11 On display at the Innovations Arena

Another packed Monday afternoon of meetings during the third annual Speed Networking Event, a highlight of the 2019 Management Conference and Team Dealer Summit.

CEO NOW 4 Focusing on What’s Around the Corner ASSOCIATION NOW 5 Cathy Pryor takes over as NSGA Chair; New board

16 17

members announced

A DVOCACY NOW Challenging manufacturers to Support Retailers and Dealers with Dealer Locators INSIGHTS NOW

Slight growth shown in NSGA’s 2019 Sporting Goods Market Report

INDUSTRY NOW 19 REI names new President & CEO; Hibbett

21 23

appoints new chairman

LOCKER ROOM NOW

Big change to high school basketball jerseys in 2024–25

MEMBERSHIP NOW

Thoughts from this year’s Conference & Summit

On the cover: Jen Welter, left, the first female coach in NFL history and Jessie Garcia, the CEO of Tozuda, in the Innovations Arena at the NSGA 55th Annual Management Conference and 21st Annual Team Dealer Summit.

NSGA NOW ®

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INow· NSGAOFFICERS OFFICERS NSGA

Chair of the Board Chairman of the Board DavidPryor Labbe Cathy Kittery Trading Post, Kittery,ALME Hibbett Sports, Birmingham, Treasurer/Chairman-Elect Treasurer/Chairman-Elect

Cathy Pryor

Pat Donnelley Hibbett Sports, Birmingham, AL Donnelley Sports, Twin Falls, ID Past Chairman

Past Chairman Randy Nill Nill Bros.

Sporting Goods, Kansas City, KS David Labbe Kittery Trading Post, Kittery, ME BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kevin Bezanson Kevin Cleve'sBezanson Source for Sports, Cleve's Sports, Halifax,Source Nova for Scotia, Canada Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Pat Donnelley

Donnelley Sports, Twin Falls, ID

Rhett Johnson Johnson-Lambe Co., Raleigh, NC Rhett Johnson

Johnson-Lambe Co., Raleigh, NC

David Lynn Greg Miller Dunham’s Sports, Troy, MI

Universal Athletic, Bozeman, MT

Greg Miller Jeff Miller Universal Athletic, Bozeman, MT Scholastic Sports Sales, Ltd., Manlius, NY Jeff Miller John Oehler

Scholastic Sports Sales, Ltd., Dunham's Sports, Troy, Ml Manlius, NY

Jerry Williams Mick Montgomery

Schuylkill ValleySupply, Sports, Pottstown,COPA Denver Athletic Englewood,

Jerry NSGAWilliams TEAM LEADERS Schuylkill Valley Sports, Pottstown, PA Matt Carlson

President & CEO NSGA TEAM LEADERS Matt Carlson Marty Maciaszek President & CEO Director, Team Dealer Division and HDA

Marty Pitts Maciaszek Julie

Director, Team DealerDevelopment Division and HDA Director, Business and Research LarryPitts Weindruch Julie

Director, Public Affairs Director, Business Development and Research

Dan Wiersma

Dan Wiersma Chief Financial Officer Chief Financial Officer

CEO NOW A major goal of the NSGA 55th Annual Management It is not a secret that many independently owned sporting Conference & 21st Annual Team Dealer Summit that took goods retailers and dealers have been under siege over the place on May 19-21 in Braselton, Georgia was to prepare last several years. our attendees for the twists and turns ahead.

Consumers turn theto internet, thinking it'sthe a better In to order see what’s around corner,option you have to look for their purchases.

The labor market is increasingly tight. through the windshield, not the rearview mirror.

Manufacturers try to go directly to the consumer and narrow Esports is a term that brings a bit of controversy and their distribution of products. uncertainty. Is Esports taking kids away from the traditional Those are a fewsports of theexperience biggest challenges retailers or is theindependent involvement of the National and dealers face. The effects are evident throughout theHigh industry asAssociations struggling (NFHS) giving Federation of State School businesses consolidate or close their doors entirely. colleagues NSGA's benchmark more kids the Our opportunity to at participate on a schoolassociations, the American Booksellers Association and the North American Retail sanctioned team? Is it really a “sport?” Who gets to decide Hardware Association, echo those concerns, of us is throwing in the towel! the answer to that question?

Sam Walton but saidnone the only boss is the customer, so that’s my guess … the customers will decide.

We always search for ways to help our core members in their ongoing battle to succeed.

OurIt new 'VerifiedtoIndependent Dealer Program" hits of the bullseye. idea for the is important be aware of the significant growth Esports in aThe short period of time. The program was sparked by a groupand of NSGA-member teamfrom dealers who wanted number of programs at colleges universities exploded seven in July 2016 to to more than emphasize how their and service differentiates them from 130 by January 2018,experience, according toknowledge the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE). Those their competition. who think the idea of watching people play Esports is crazy may be interested to know that in 2018, more than 165 million Esports enthusiasts worldwide watched Esports content more Getting the public to understand the importance of working with a quality independent than once a month, according to Newzoo. Prize money for Esports tournaments worldwide dealer is one of the critical components to the NSGA Verified Independent Dealer exceed that of the highest PGA tournament payout.

Program. NSGA will assist Verified Dealers by sharing and explaining what it means to be part of this program withoftheir current andbetting potential customers.

Then there is the effect legalized sports in eight states (as of June 1) with more across the U.S. preparing to get in on the gaming. Professional leagues are banking on sports betting Theasdetails about criteria forown the fan MVPengagement; and All-Stargetting fans to watch games they might a pathway tothe increase their categories of the NSGA Verified Independent Dealer Program, not otherwise, because they have some skin in the game.

There are betting apps and mobile along with applications and other important information, communications that offer in-game betting on real-time contests. Is anyone else concerned can be found at www.nsga.org/verified. You can also read about the integrity of the games and events being played when so many dollars are wagered? more about it on page 22 of this edition of NSGA NOW. We Looking farther down the road,retailers there is and the potential of declining population rates. encourage team dealers, full-line specialty impact retailers Births in in hockey, the U.S. skiing, have fallen in 10 of other the last 11 years, according to data from the Centers involved running and sports to apply. for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of babies born in the U.S. in 2018 was the of the Program will be programming Another lowestbenefit in 32 years.

WillNSGA theseVerified declinesIndependent lead to fewer Dealer kids participating in sports five to 10 years st th Annual Team Dealer Annual Management Conference & 21 forfrom the group at the 55 now? My guess is … yes.

Summit. This will be an excellent opportunity for verified dealers to get together and All these suggestwith a nimble new approach to connecting with your customers. share ideas issues and concerns their and peers.

Consumers want to align with brands that place an emphasis on environmental accountability Theand Management Conference & Team Dealer social Summit held May 19-21 in Braselton, with companies that exercise corporate responsibility.

Customers want to engage Georgia, is right around the corner.

Somecustomer of the best aspects sporting goods with companies who provide top quality service, like of Bigthe Peach Running Company’s industry's premier explained event are at illustrated on page 11 of this issue.

Registerwith now by Mike Cosentino Château Élan.

Customers want to connect companies that completing in theIt’smagazine, or, online www.nsga.org/events. have theirthe actform together. not just about sellingatstuff anymore. combininghad a 5K race with a route trashwith pickup be out the question?

WeWould hope everyone a happy holiday season family andof friends and thatHigh you school closed outteams 2018 on a high note.area Don'tare forget thatfor NSGA is here to support you in making athletic in the Chicago looking volunteer opportunities as team-building 2019 even better! good fightl exercises … help Fight createthe those opportunities and you will move closer to your customers. Think of it this way: if you don’t create those chances, who will? Your competition? In my humble Best regards, opinion, people who search for ways to serve are going to find them. Why not help them follow a path your front Matt Carlson I to President & door?

CEO

Best regards, Matt Carlson | President & CEO

NSGA NOW® (ISSN 1045-2087) is published bi-monthly for members of the National Sporting Goods Association, 1601 Feehanville Dr., Suite 300, Mount Prospect, IL 60056-6035; Phone: (847) 296-NSGA (6742); Fax: (847) 391-9827. Subscription price of $50 per year is included in membership fee. Non-member NSGA NOW (ISSN 1045-2087) is published bi-monthly for memebrs of the National Sporting Goods Association, 1601 Feehanville Dr., Suite 300, Mount Prospect, subscription information available from publisher. Periodical postage paid at Mount Prospect, IL 60056 and IL 60056-6035; Phone: (847) 296-NSGA (6742); Fax: (847) 391-9827. Subscription price of $50 per year is included in membership fee. Non-member subscription additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NSGA NOW,® information avaible from publisher. Periodical postage paid at Mount Prospect, IL 60056 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NSGA 1601 Feehanville Dr., Suite 300, Mount Prospect, IL 60056-6035. © by NSGA 2019. Printed in the USA. NOW,® 1601 Feehanville Dr., Suite 300, Mount Prospect, IL 60056-6035. © by NSGA 2019. Printed in the USA.

4 | NSGA NOW ®

>> July / August 2019

ASSOCIATION NOW Cathy Pryor Elected First Female NSGA Board Chair; Two New Board Members Named

Lynn joined Dunham’s in 2015 and has been the

Cathy Pryor (Hibbett Sports) made history on June 1 when she officially

Planning and Control. He oversaw all finance,

began her three-year term as NSGA Chair of the Board of Directors.

accounting, business intelligence, analytics and

Pryor is the first female to lead the NSGA Board since the Association was founded in 1929 and takes over for David Labbe (Kittery Trading Post), who will remain on the Board as Past Chairman.

company’s President since August 2018. Before becoming President, Lynn served Dunham’s as Senior Vice President and Head of Finance,

merchandise control functions at the company.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to share my expertise with NSGA and help make our industry better,” Lynn said. “It is an honor

Pryor has been with Birmingham, Alabama-

to continue the great tradition of Dunham’s involvement with NSGA

based Hibbett since 1988 and is the Senior

that includes former Chairman Ken Meehan (2013-14) and Board

Vice President of Store Operations.

member John Oehler.”

“Cathy has been a great asset to the NSGA

Montgomery is the President and founder of

Board and we are truly pleased to have her

Denver Athletic, which is headquartered in

help set the direction for the Association,” said

Englewood, Colorado. He began his career

Matt Carlson, NSGA President & CEO. “We are thrilled that Cathy will

in the sporting goods industry as a road

continue to share her tremendous passion and vision for our industry

salesman for B&H Sports and in 1985, started

in such an important role.”

Denver Athletic to focus on custom uniforms,

Pryor has been on the NSGA Board since 2012. She has served on

equipment and team sales.

the Executive Committee as Treasurer/Chair Elect since 2016 and

“I am beyond humbled to be selected to the Board of Directors of

was Chair of the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame Committee

NSGA,” Montgomery said. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity

from 2015–17.

to advocate for our members, to help the team dealer side of the

“It is a tremendous honor to support NSGA and the sporting goods

business and to support the industry I love.”

industry as NSGA’s Board Chair,” Pryor said. “I have been privileged

Donnelley joins the NSGA Board’s Executive Committee. He is the

to work with some great leaders in our industry on the NSGA Board.

Owner/Partner of Donnelley Sports.

It is also exciting to follow in the footsteps of Mickey Newsome (1988) and Jeff Rosenthal (2011) and help Hibbett make history as the first company to have three NSGA Chairmen.”

asset to the NSGA Board,” Carlson said. “It is great that he will have an increased role with NSGA.”

Pat Donnelley (Donnelley Sports) was elected as Treasurer/ChairmanElect, David Lynn (Dunham’s Sports) and Mick Montgomery (Denver Athletic) were newly elected to three-year board terms.

“David and Mick are excellent additions to a Board that has displayed tremendous dedication to help NSGA navigate a very challenging time in the sporting goods industry,” Carlson said. “We are excited about the energy and expertise David and Mick are bringing to the NSGA Board.”

Former NSGA Chairmen Biggs, Cantor Pass Away

“Pat’s expertise and enthusiasm for the industry has been a tremendous

Past Chairman Randy Nill (Nill Bros. Sports) and John Oehler reached the end of their terms on the NSGA Board.

“We want to thank Randy and John for their dedication and service to the NSGA Board,” Carlson said. “We look forward to continuing our relationships with them and their businesses because their knowledge is invaluable.”

service in the Korean War and joined the family’s sporting goods business when he returned home.

Former NSGA board chairmen Walter F. Biggs, Jr., Cantor served as NSGA chairman in 1989-90 and and Sanford “Sandy” Cantor passed away in April. in 1970 was the co-founder of SportMart, Inc., one of the first sporting goods superstore chains.

Biggs served as NSGA chairman in 1976 and was Cantor, who died April 20 at age 85, opened the president of Biggs Sporting Goods in Pensacola, first SportMart in the Chicago suburbs and by Florida until 1988. Biggs, who died April 7 at age 1995 there were 63 stores in the chain in the 89, received the U.S. Army’s Bronze Star for his United States, Canada and Japan.

Walter F. Biggs, Jr.

NSGA NOW ®

Sanford “Sandy” Cantor

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CONFERENCE NOW

Welter Tackles Tough Challenges with Championship Spirit

“It’s sports at its finest – for pure love and glory. There is no expectation of going to the NFL. Sometimes you cross a barrier you didn’t even know was there. Girls needed to see and envision themselves in the game.”

At a self-described “whopping 5-foot-2 and 130 pounds,” Welter did not envision herself as a football player growing up in Florida.

She wanted to be a pro tennis player because that was one place

By Marty Maciaszek NSGA Team Dealer Director Dr. Jen Welter is not afraid to tackle tough challenges.

where she could see female athletes to emulate on TV. She achieved a top-50 ranking in Florida but was told she was too small and not strong enough to continue progressing to a higher level.

Welter started to get stronger and gravitated toward team sports

That is how Welter became one of the best players in women’s

such as softball and volleyball. She grew up loving football and while

professional football. She played against men and coached them in

studying business at Boston College was attracted to playing rugby.

arena football. That led her to become the first female coach in the history of the National Football League as an assistant linebackers intern coach with the Arizona Cardinals in the summer of 2015.

“The important thing about being the first is to be sure you are not the last,” Welter said during her session at the NSGA 55th Annual Management Conference & 21st Annual Team Dealer Summit.

Welter has opened the door for others such as Maral Javadifar and Lori Locust, who were hired as full-time assistants for the 2019 season by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She continues to work on creating opportunities for women in sports by organizing football camps for girls.

Near the end of her session, Welter showed videos depicting some girls football camps she has worked, including one at this year’s Super Bowl in Atlanta. The girls’ joy of getting to play football is evident.

She went from playing flag football on weekends to playing women’s pro football. In 2004, she was part of a championship team in Dallas.

“I got a championship ring and a check for $12,” Welter said with a laugh. “That’s why I call it pro football and not professional football.

We couldn’t afford all those letters. But the check is still important to this day.”

It solidified Welter’s desire to make football her career. She won a pair of gold medals with Team USA and then got the opportunity to play indoor men’s professional football with the Texas Revolution in 2014.

“I played with them for a season and that season changed me,” she said. “All of a sudden I was scratching, clawing and fighting. Playing running back, I was doing everything I had never done. I did what a champion does and I had to find a way to make an impact. I was the one of one (playing with men).”

“One of the most common things is the girls feel like they were let in on a secret,” Welter said. “They will say, ‘I didn’t know girls were allowed to play football.’

That led to an opportunity to coach with the Revolution the next year with former NFL wide receiver Wendell Davis. Welter was skeptical and initially turned him down.

“He said, ‘You have this job and you can’t quit,’” she said. “I had no idea women could coach men. Certainly not me. But I wouldn’t quit. This is what it takes to be a champion.

“You do it for something bigger than yourself. For me and all the women I’ve been with in the trenches for so long, it motivated me to go forward.”

That led to coaching in the NFL, the Australian Women’s National team and in the Alliance of American Football until it folded this spring. And Welter continues to pave the way for more girls and women in football because she knows what the game has meant to her.

From left, Anita Adam of Second Time Sports and Jen Welter after Welter spoke at the NSGA 55th Annual Management Conference & 21st Annual Team Dealer Summit.

6 | NSGA NOW ®

>> July / August 2019

“Sports made me who I am in every sense of the word,” Welter said.

Emerging Women’s Sports Provide New Opportunities

By Marty Maciaszek NSGA Team Dealer Director Basketball, soccer and volleyball are among the sports where girls and women have many options to play with and against their peers.

From left, Don Corr of the Georgia High School Association, Jon Weyher of Gwinnett County Schools, Dr. Samantha Menton of the Atlanta Lady Thrashers and moderator Candice Bingham on the Emerging Women’s Sports panel.

In other sports, it is more difficult for women to find those same

teams, but we had the interest, and this season just created more interest.”

opportunities. There may be few outlets besides competing with or

Menton grew up playing ice hockey in suburban Chicago, which has

against men.

a winter climate conducive to growing a sport with deep roots in the

But sports such as wrestling, ice hockey and football are seeing significant

community. It is more challenging in an Atlanta market where two NHL

change when it comes to organized competition. Their growth was

teams have departed for Canada in the last 40 years.

explored during the panel discussion, “Expanding Your Playbook to

“Girls ice hockey has been growing exponentially everywhere but it’s

th

Emerging Women’s Sports,” at the NSGA 55 Annual Management

been a struggle in the Southeast,” Menton said. “The struggle is how

Conference & 21st Annual Team Dealer Summit.

many girls stay in the sport for the long-term. In the north you grow

The panel looked at wrestling from Don Corr of the Georgia High School

the sport every day.”

Association, flag football from Jon Weyher of Gwinnett County Schools in

“I was grateful for the opportunities to play against other girls. A lot of

suburban Atlanta and ice hockey from Dr. Samantha Menton of the Atlanta

girls are still struggling to find an all-girls team to play with and against.

Lady Thrashers. Sporting goods industry veteran Candace Bingham was

We took a team to Tampa and it was the first time a majority of them

the moderator.

played with and against an all-girls team.”

Corr, who is in charge of girls wrestling for the GHSA, said the number of

This growth has created a need for equipment and uniforms geared for

girls competitors jumped from 258 on boys teams in 2017-18 to more

females. Particularly in an equipment intensive sport such as hockey.

than 600 in the inaugural 2018-19 season of competition separate from the boys. Georgia is one of 14 states that has separate boys and girls state wrestling tournaments.

“Hockey is a traditional sport with a lot of hand-me-downs,” Menton said. “Some of the shoulder pads are built specifically for women, but there are some difficulties with some of the equipment older women

“Girls wrestling in Georgia with boys kept girls numbers down,” said Corr.

grow into. It’s hard to find a pair of pants that fit right. There’s a need

“Girls wrestling with guys has been difficult on both sides for a long time.

for a helmet that fits and is built appropriately.”

It just wasn’t comfortable and it’s been long overdue that we got them separated.

In boys and girls wrestling, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) made a rule change for 2019-20 requiring

“I think we could have over 1,500 to 2,000 girls wrestling this next year,

wrestlers to wear suitable undergarments under the traditional singlet.

which would quadruple our numbers from our first year.”

Wrestlers can also wear two-piece uniforms . Corr said it’s important

Weyher, who is the athletic director for 19 high schools in the Gwinnett

for girls wrestlers to have a uniform with a female cut.

County system, was contacted by the Atlanta Falcons about starting a

Weyher said he has received inquiries from companies that provide

girls flag football program. More than 400 girls participated in a season

soft-shell protective headwear but said the resources are not available

that started in October and ended in December with semifinal and

to make such a substantial purchase for all of the schools in his district.

championship games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the home of the Falcons and Super Bowl 53. Corr said one of the two sports the GHSA is adding in 2020 is flag football.

“I learned a lot about uniforms from these girls,” Weyher said. “Some girls add accessories to uniforms like headbands and socks and the market is out there if you have creative folks to tailor to girls flag

“We had an overwhelming number of girls who wanted to participate,”

football. It’s going to pick up a lot of steam and a lot of interest and

Weyher said. “Originally we thought we would have around 150 girls on 10

girls like stuff made for girls.”

NSGA NOW ®

>> July / August 2019 | 7

CONFERENCE NOW Through the Lens at This Year’s Event As usual, there was a lot happening at the NSGA 55th Annual Management Conference & 21st Annual Team Dealer Summit. Here’s a look back in pictures at this year’s event in Braselton, Georgia.

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>> 7 >> July / August 2019

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>> 1 From left, Dan Dickman, Class of 2019 Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame inductee Bob Dickman, Phil Dickman and Hall of Fame committee chairman Ken Meehan.

>> 2 From

left, Hall of Fame committee

chairman Ken Meehan and Nick Eberly and Class of 2019 Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame inductee Ronny Flowers.

>> 3 Matt

Nurre of Retail Design Source,

left, and Mike Cosentino of Big Peach Running Co., during the Tuesday session on “The Sporting Goods Retail Customer Experience.”

>> 11

>> 4 Some of the winners of the 2019 NSGA Golf Tournament included, from left, Dan Burke, Tina Tolitsky, NSGA golf commissioner Nick Rigitano, Travis Amburgey, John Oehler, Adam LaFollette and Rick Olson.

>> 5 Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Famers in attendance were, from left, Class of 2019 inductees Bob Dickman and Ronny Flowers, Stan Jurga (2018), Conny KIimenko (2005), Julie and Ken Nimmons (2010), Larry Aasheim (2017) and Hall of Fame committee chairman Ken Meehan.

>> 6 Bob

Dickman tries on Ronny Flowers’

trademark Cowboy hat as Flowers laughs after the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of

Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony.

>> 7 Herb

Markwort of Markwort Sporting

Goods gets ready to tee off during the NSGA Golf Tournament. Markwort Sporting Goods sponsored the longest drive contest.

Keynote >> 8

speaker Jim Hunter gave

attendees practical ways to be an engaged leader and to lead with purpose during his discussion on “The Power of Servant Leadership.”

>>9 From

left, Tyler Grogan of Grogan-

Marciano Sporting Goods talks with former NFL quarterback Jake Plummer

of ReadyList Sports and NSGA Board Member Pat Donnelley of Donnelley Sports. Grogan’s father Steve, an NFL quarterback with Patriots, was one of Plummer’s favorite players growing up.

>> 10 Travis Amburgey of Wicked Rags discusses his product with the head coach of the Atlanta Lady Thrashers, Dr. Samantha Menton, who was on the Emerging Women’s Sports panel.

>> 11 Conference speaker Jen Welter, the first female coach in the NFL, has some fun with NSGA Board Member Jerry Williams from Schuylkill Valley Sports, left, and Greg Baldwin, right.

NSGA NOW ®

>> July / August 2019 | 9

SAVE THE DATE NSGA 56th Annual Management Conference & 22nd Annual Team Dealer Summit

May 17-19, 2020 Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass Phoenix, Arizona

CONFERENCE NOW Spotlight on

For the last five years, the Innovations Arena has been a great way for manufacturers to get newer products in front of retailers and dealers at the NSGA Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit. Find out more about the exhibitors and their products on display in the Innovations Arena at this year’s event in Braselton, Georgia.

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>> 1 John Moore, Partner of QuickHitch MouthGuard, talks with Amanda Rubadue of Grand Park Sports Campus.

>> 2 National Sales Manager Steve Menninga works the EG-PRO booth.

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>> 3 Bruce Bohan of FishHawk Sporting Goods, right, talks about Honey Stinger with Sales Manager Nate Bird.

>> 4 New NSGA Board Chair Cathy Pryor of Hibbett Sports, right, with Gryppers representatives Jeff and Michelle Mueller.

>> 5 John Loucks of Stahls’ puts a logo on a Mudroom Backpack as Debra Romalia and Mark Schwarb watch.

>> 6 Shawn Hancheroff of MVP Athletic Supplies Ltd., left, learns more about 2UNDR from Vice President of Sales Jack Curry.

NSGA NOW ®

>> July / August 2019 | 11

CONFERENCE NOW

2UNDR™

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JB ELITE IV

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Hybrid Pullover 400PSX/401PSM

Caterpy - No Tie Shoelaces

Russell Athletic is back featuring the same great fabrics, colors and quality that created this legendary brand. Visit Augusta Sportswear Brands to learn more.

800-237-6695 | augustasportswear.com

Cliff Keen Jogger Pant

The new Cliff Keen Athletic “CK Jogger.”

The most comfortable, practical casual pants you’ll ever wear. Available in Grey, Black, and Navy; adult and youth sizes.

The JB ELITE™ IV unisex wrestling shoe from ASICS is inspired by Olympic Gold-Medalist and World Championship-winning athlete, Jordan Burroughs.

Caterpy Laces are no tie shoelaces that use elastic bumps. This design allows for better circulation of blood, customization of tension, and the convenience of slip-ons. sales@caterpylaces.com | caterpy.com

Hydro-PRO Performance Wicking Tee Accelerated wicking technology in a double knit performance fabric. Made for extreme athletes and first responders.

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Elite Football Jersey

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The Elite Jersey is an incredible 14-panel design modeled after the pro style jerseys of today. FSG America Private Label Sublimation.

A patented powerful deodorizer that removes moisture, deodorizes and leaves your gear smelling fresh.

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Our number one selling waffle flavor will satisfy your taste buds and keep you going during your favorite activity.

12 | NSGA NOW ®

>> July / August 2019

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Great rebound and absorbs shock, too.

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Featuring moisture management fabric, double knee construction, pro-style belt loops and a variety of colors.

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Mudroom® Backpacks

The ONE® Ankle Brace Premium

david@mudroombackpacks.com mudroombackpacks.com

Tim.Jahnke@muellersportsmed.com muellersportsmed.com

MyHOUSE Heathered Box Stripe Jogger Set

QuickHitch MouthGuard

Mudroom constructs backpacks for carrying an extra pair of shoes separately from electronics and personal items.

Customizable, extremely soft, & breathable box stripe fabric with relaxed fit. You will never want to take them off!

Our best got better with an integrated speed lacing system, a breathable ballistic boot and an exclusive comfort band.

The patented QuickHitch MouthGuard hangs on a facemask, shirt collar or just about anywhere else.

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610-952-1589 QuickHitchMouthGuard.com

ReadyList Sport

Cryosphere

An interactive playbook learning and testing tool designed to promote accountability and comprehension An interactive playbook learning and testing tool designed to promote accountability and comprehension info@readylistsports.com | readylistsports.com

Run’s Done™ Towel Car Seat Cover Customizable microfiber seat cover which saves your vehicle’s seats from post-workout sweat.

help@runsdone.com | runsdone.com

Cold massage roller with a 2-in-1 handle for full body muscle recovery. Two hours in the freezer results in 6+ hours of cold muscle recovery. info@recoupfitness.com | recoupfitness.com

Scenturion®

Fortified with pure NanoSilver. Treat the gear and protect the athlete.® The More You Sweat, The More It Works.® dave@patriottechusa.com | patriottechusa.com

NSGA NOW ®

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CONFERENCE NOW

Shoticle

Socks Quick Custom Socks

vfalbo@shoticle.com | shoticle.com

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14 | NSGA NOW ®

>> July / August 2019

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Exhibit in 2020?

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It’s Where the Sporting Goods Industry Connects.

56th Annual Management Conference & 22nd Annual Team Dealer Summit

May 17- 19, 2020 Phoenix, AZ

ADVOCACY NOW

NSGA Encourages Manufacturer Dealer Locators to Support Retailers and Dealers Members of the National Sporting Goods Association expressed

manufacturers supporting the businesses who are supporting

concerns this spring about sporting goods industry manufacturers

their products.

who were not showing support for retailers and team dealers by

Maintaining the dealer locators with up-to-date information

featuring a dealer locator on their website.

was also stressed in the letters. In some instances, NSGA

NSGA staff checked the websites of nearly 250 industry

discovered businesses that were no longer in operation were

manufacturers to determine if they contained a dealer locator

listed in dealer locators.

feature and if it was prominently located so consumers could easily find it.

Official State Ball Listing

In early May, the National Sporting Goods Association sent letters

NSGA continues to update its Official State Ball Listing that was

to those manufacturers about the importance of displaying dealer

created as a member resource.

locators. There were three versions of the letters:

The listing provides information for each state high school

• Manufacturers who have a prominently placed dealer locator

association, or each section in California, on the ball adoptions

were thanked for their support and asked to make sure it

that are often required for use in postseason competition. The

was maintained with the most accurate information.

listing includes the brand of the ball, model information and other

• Manufacturers with a dealer locator that was not easy to

pertinent details for each sport.

find were asked to put it in a more prominent spot on their

The listing also has expiration dates for the agreements and

websites.

includes historical information on changes to agreements where

• Manufacturers without a dealer locator were asked to create one and place it in a prominent spot to show their support for the retailers and dealers.

NSGA has been collecting and maintaining a list of responses to the letters. One of the goals was to emphasize the importance of 16 | NSGA NOW ®

>> July / August 2019

it is available. This information helps retailers and dealers plan accordingly with their inventories to account for changes that may be taking place with expiring agreements.

NSGA members can go to the homepage, login and click on “State High School Ball List” to access all of the information.

INSIGHTS NOW

NSGA’s 2019 Sporting Goods Market Report Provides Key Insights Organizations Need

By Nick Rigitano NSGA Research & Information Manager

The NSGA Sporting Goods Market Report gives your organization

goods equipment. Within the segment, the online channel has

the key insights needed to support sales forecasting, inventory

overtaken Specialty Sport Stores for the No. 2 spot.

management and target marketing decisions. This must-have 2019

Within the footwear segment, online sites remained in the top spot

edition has been released and is now available.

for consumer purchases while Sporting Goods Stores held steady

The Sporting Goods Market Report shows that consumer retail

at No. 2. Discount Stores and Specialty Footwear Stores remained

dollar sales of sporting goods equipment, footwear and apparel

tied for the third spot behind Sporting Goods Stores.

had an increase of 1% for the second consecutive year in 2018.

Retail sales rose to $69.9 billion.

“It was a stable year,” said Julie Pitts, NSGA Director of Research &

In addition to reporting sales trends for more than 130 product categories, NSGA’s Sporting Goods Market report also includes insights into the channels of purchase and the demographics of

Business Development. “For the second straight year the industry

the key users for most product categories.

experienced 1 percent growth. While it was not as high as we would

For more information on this report and to purchase your copy

like it, it has not decreased overall, either. With equipment, online sales have continued to grow, and at the expense of the specialty

today, please visit nsga.org/research

sport channel.”

A deeper look into the report indicates dollar sales increased by 1% for athletic footwear, while athletic clothing increased by 1% and equipment remained flat vs. 2017.

The footwear category experienced largest dollar gains in the walking shoes segment. The gym/fashion sneaker segment was second followed by basketball and aerobic shoes.

For equipment, a decrease in hunting and firearms was offset by slight increases in a host of other categories including golf, camping, bicycle equipment and fishing tackle.

The top dollar generator in the apparel category was golf, followed by swimming, which saw a slight decrease from 2017. Fitness categories increased across the board, led by yoga at 3% vs. 2017.

Hiking was up 4% and was a top performer for the second year in a row.

From the channel of purchase perspective, full-line Sporting Goods Stores were once again the leading channel of purchase for sporting NSGA NOW ®

>> July / August 2019 | 17

20% Other 80% Full-line/Specialty Retailers

INDUSTRY NOW from the Board, as planned, following the Company’s annual meeting with stockholders held on May 23. In addition, the Board of Directors bestowed upon Newsome the honorary title of Chairman Emeritus for his 54 years of service with Hibbett. Newsome has long supported NSGA, serving as its Chairman in 1988. He was inducted in NSGA’s Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame in 2007.

Crudele has been a member of the Company’s Board since May 2012 and served as its Lead Director and Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee since February 2017. He has extensive retail experience, including having been the Chief Financial Officer at Tractor Supply Company (TSCO), a highgrowth Fortune 500 retailer. He joined Tractor Supply Company

REI Names Artz New President & CEO

in 2005, having served most recently as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer before retiring in 2017.

REI Co-op’s Board of Directors named Eric Artz as President and

Prior to joining Tractor Supply Company, Crudele served as Senior

CEO, effective immediately. He is the eighth person to serve as

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at The Sports Authority

CEO in the co-op’s 81-year history and served as interim CEO

and Gibson Guitar. Crudele, a certified public accountant, began

since February 2019.

his career in 1978, spending the majority of his public accounting

“After a thorough national search, it was clear to us that the best person for the job was already leading the co-op,” said REI Board chair Steve Hooper said. “To his core, Eric believes in the purpose

tenure at the international firm of Price Waterhouse. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame.

and impact of the co-op. Anyone who knows him well will tell you

“I am honored to be named Chairman and want to thank my fellow

that above all, he cares deeply about the power of the outdoors

Board members for this opportunity,” Crudele said. “I am also

to bring people together.”

very grateful for Mr. Newsome’s dedication and commitment to

Artz has served REI for seven years, most recently as chief operating officer and before that as chief financial officer. In remarks given at the member meeting, he underscored the co-op’s commitment to putting purpose before profit, getting more people outdoors, operating sustainably, protecting and creating access to outdoor places and uniting people in local communities from the District of Columbia to Washington state.

Artz and his leadership team take on a healthy business that recently reported 2018 as its strongest year on record. The co-op recently reported earnings of $2.78 billion in 2018 and has reported year-over-year growth in revenues every year since 2003. Those results are helping REI do more for the outdoor community, like expanding the co-op’s used gear and rental programs, reinvesting more than 70 percent of its profits in the outdoor community and advancing sustainability across the industry.

this Company and our Board, having joined Hibbett as an outside salesman in 1965 and serving as a member of our Board since 1996 when the Company went public and as Chairman of the Board since 2004. We will miss his expertise in sporting goods retail and his friendship. We wish him well in his much-deserved retirement.”

In commenting on his retirement from the Board, Newsome said, “It has been my pleasure to work with the Hibbett family and the Company’s Board of Directors and watch the Company grow from a single store to the retailer and brand we are today with over 1,100 retail locations in 35 states. I want to thank all our current and past employees and Board members for their hard work and support over these many years. I also want to congratulate Tony on his appointment as Chairman of the Board. I am confident that with his extensive retail and strategic experience, he will do well and find the position as rewarding as I have.”

Hibbett Appoints Crudele as Independent Board Chairman Hibbett Sports announced the appointment of Anthony F. Crudele as its Independent Chairman of the Board of Directors. Crudele assumed this role from Michael J. “Mickey” Newsome, who retired

Wilson Partners with Autism Speaks Wilson Sporting Goods is partnering with Autism Speaks, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting solutions, across the Continued on Page 20 NSGA NOW ® July / August 2019 | 19

>>

INDUSTRY NOW Continued from Page 19

spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of people with

uniforms to B2B scholarship recipients to wear on the field of

autism and their families. Under the partnership, Wilson will create

play. It will also supply other apparel at special military discounts,

a limited-edition “Love the Moment™” collection of Wilson® and

sponsorship promotions and a B2B clothing line.

Louisville Slugger® baseball products,” to raise awareness of autism and funds to support Autism Speaks resources and programs.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this terrific program,” said Chad Clark, Senior Vice President at Cliff Keen Athletic. “The commitment

Inaugural products in the “Love the Moment” line include a Wilson

to America’s active military and veterans is a cause we believe in

A2000® ball glove, Wilson A200 youth ball glove, Louisville Slugger

and wanted to get behind from day one. The tie-in to officiating is

Solo™ USA Baseball bat, Louisville Slugger Solo tee ball bat, and

such a natural fit. Ultimately, if we can help lead active military and

a Louisville Slugger MLB Prime® wood bat. These and other

veterans into such a noble avocation like officiating, while growing

Wilson baseball products will carry special “Love the Moment”

the participation base for officiating, then that’s something that we

tags indicating the company’s support of the autism community

are wholeheartedly passionate about.”

and Autism Speaks.

Mike Pereira, President of Battlefields to Ballfields added: “Our

Wilson will donate $100,000 this year to Autism Speaks to increase

mission at B2B is twofold: We want to help U.S. Armed Forces return

advocacy and support; provide reliable information and resources,

home and provide them an opportunity to serve again by becoming

and advance research into causes and better interventions. With

a sports official helping to guide the future of our young people who

an estimated 1 in 59 children affected by autism, Autism Speaks

are involved in sports. And also, our foundation connects the dots

is dedicated to enhancing lives today and accelerating a spectrum

among veterans, youth, and community. Through our first three

of solutions for tomorrow.

years, we have enrolled over 200 veterans to take part. And with

“Autism affects a great number of people in the U.S., and that includes many of the baseball and softball families that we serve,” said

a great partner like Cliff Keen stepping up in a big way, we hope to enroll an additional 100 in our scholarship program this year.”

Michael Markovich, Global Commercial Director, Wilson Baseball and Softball. “We know that every person with autism has unique strengths and challenges, and many may feel misunderstood or excluded. We hope that through this partnership with Autism Speaks we can play a part in creating more understanding and acceptance of people with autism.”

Wilson Sporting Goods’ partnership with Autism Speaks is the latest in a history of initiatives supporting important causes. Wilson’s Louisville Slugger brand created the “Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer” initiative with Major League Baseball® in 2006, an effort that will be in its 14th year during the 2019 season.

Mueller Sports Medicine Sponsors Athletic Training and Therapy Group Mueller Sports Medicine announced it is the official sponsor of The World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy (WFATT).

The 2019 WFATT World Congress was held May 11-12 in Makuhari Messe, Japan.

The WFATT is mandated to be the voice and face of athletic therapy and to advocate for the profession with other international organizations such as the International Olympic Committee. The WFATT was formed in 2000. Under the leadership of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and Canadian Athletic

Cliff Keen Partners with Battlefields to Ballfields to Supply Officials Uniforms Cliff Keen Athletic is partnering with Battlefields to Ballfields (B2B),

Therapists Association (CATA), the main purpose of WFATT was to provide a forum for health care professionals to exchange ideas, treatment techniques and knowledge.

WFATT’s stated vision was to be “an organization of associations

an organization that provides veterans and active-duty military

whose goal is to improve healthcare for athletes and physically

an opportunity to integrate back into their communities through

active individuals.” This concept was modified in 2016 to “Athletic

officiating scholarships.

Training & Therapy will be recognized as an essential part of

As part of the alliance, Cliff Keen Athletic will supply officiating

multidisciplinary healthcare teams worldwide.”

20 | NSGA NOW ®

>> July / August 2019

LOCKER ROOM NOW manner that serves no harm to the game or its integrity.

The other equipment changes deal with headbands and hair-control devices in Rule 3-5-4. The maximum width of the headband was expanded from 2 inches to 3 inches to be consistent with the rules for volleyball and accommodate athletes who play both sports. In addition, in 3-5-4d, hair-control devices are not required to meet

High School Basketball Jerseys and Numbers Must be Contrasting Colors by 2024-25 Season Numbers can no longer be the same color as the jerseys, effective with the 2024-25 season, as one of seven rule changes made in high school basketball.

Five of the seven rules revisions recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Basketball Rules Committee at its April 23-25 meeting in Indianapolis were related to uniforms and equipment and were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

Starting in 2024-25, the number on the jersey can no longer be the same color as the jersey itself. Currently, the number can be the same color as the jersey if it is bordered by a contrasting color. Despite the contrasting-color border, the committee said the number is still difficult for officials, game administrators and fans to see in many cases.

The other two options in Rule 3-4-3e regarding the color of the number remain in effect. Allowable for use are a solid contrasting color with no more than two solid color 1/4-inch borders around the entire number or a solid contrasting color with a “shadow” trim of a contrasting color on part of the number not to exceed 1/2-inch in width and may be used with one 1/4-inch border.

A five-year implementation date was approved to allow schools time to budget for purchasing new uniforms.

color restrictions. Wynns noted that a hair-control device goes around the hair only, while a headband goes around the entire head.

NFHS Addresses Ice Hockey Stick Lengths, Helmet and Facemask Requirements Lengths of sticks and requirements for helmets and facemasks were among nine rules changes approved for the 2019-20 boys and girls high school ice hockey season. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Ice Hockey Rules Committee recommended the changes at its April 29-30 meeting in Indianapolis, and all changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

Three changes in Rule 3 related to equipment expand the maximum length of a player’s stick from 63 to 65 inches and the goalkeeper’s stick from 26 to 28 inches. Additionally, Rule 3-4-5 now emphasizes the requirement that all players, including goalkeepers, must wear helmets and facemasks that meet HECC/ASTM standards at the time of manufacture.

“From an awareness and educational standpoint, the committee continues to push the importance of wearing proper equipment for the health and safety of our participants,” said Dan Schuster, NFHS director of educational services and liaison to the Ice Hockey Rules Committee. “The committee has done a great job over the past several years and has put the rules in a good place.”

Four other changes were approved in Rule 3 – Players, Substitutes and Equipment. A new rule, 3-5-8, provides recommendations for use of a mouthguard. Though not required, the committee noted that state associations may deem a tooth and mouth protector required equipment.

A note was added to Rule 3-5-5 to permit folding or rolling the state that the shorts must be in compliance with Rule 3-4-5, which

NCAA Recommends Wrestlers Compete in Shorts Designed for Sport

restricts uniform pants/skirts to one visible manufacturer’s logo/

The NCAA Wrestling Rules Committee recommended allowing

shorts at the natural waistband seam. The new language does

trademark/reference.

Theresia Wynns, NFHS director of sports and officials and liaison

wrestlers to compete in shorts designed for the sport and removing all language in the rules book regarding the length of a wrestler’s

to the Basketball Rules Committee, said this addition to Rule 3-5-5

hair. The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel was scheduled to

modernizes the rule and allows players to adjust the shorts in a

discuss all wrestling rules proposals via teleconference June 13 and Continued on Page 22 NSGA NOW ® July / August 2019 | 21

>>

LOCKER ROOM NOW Continued from Page 21

if approved, the changes would take effect in the 2019-20 season.

Committee members wanted to make the rules for hair less rigid and provide an additional option for the competition uniform.

“We’re opening up to be more progressive in the sport,” said Matt Valenti, committee chair and the associate athletics director of student development at Pennsylvania. “This should give everyone more freedom of expression, and hopefully, make the sport more

al to adopt National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules in all sports. Previous motions had been defeated 17-5 in 2011 and 20-2 in 2014.

The key sport was girls basketball, where a 2018 survey showed 521 of 547 coaches voted for continuing to use NCAA rules with modifications for high school play.

without full-length tights or form-fitting shirts and shorts. This third

NCAA Recommends Adding Women’s Wrestling, Acrobatics and Tumbling to NCAA Emerging Sports for Women Program

uniform option requires the form-fitting shirt but allows teams to

The NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics has recommended

inclusive. We have our eye on the future with the thought that this could help the sport grow.”

Currently, wrestlers can compete in traditional singlets with or

pair this top with loose-fitting shorts designed for wrestling.

The panel recommended eliminating the rule prohibiting a wrestler’s hair from extending below the level of an ordinary shirt collar and the hair on the side of the head from extending below the

that all three divisions of the NCAA governance structure add two sports — acrobatics and tumbling and women’s wrestling — to the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program. If adopted, the sports would join the program Aug. 1, 2020.

earlobes. Hair still will be required to be free of oils and/or greasy

The committee identifies sports to be added to the Emerging

substances. Hair coverings still will be allowed and considered

Sports for Women program, which is a pipeline supporting the

special equipment.

advancement of women’s sports to NCAA championship status.

The program also provides athletics opportunities for women and

NCAA Extends Men’s 3-Point Line to International Distance The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved moving the 3-point line to the international basketball distance of 22 feet, 1¾ inches in men’s basketball. The rule will be effective for the 2019-20 season in Division I. Due to the potential financial impact of placing a new line on courts, the new 3-point line will go into effect for the 2020-21 season in Divisions II and III. Men’s Basketball Rules Committee members recommended the change after receiving positive feedback from the annual rules survey from coaches whose teams competed in the 2018 and 2019 National Invitation Tournament, where the international 3-point distance was used on an experimental basis.

The NCAA Women’s Basketball Rules Committee members previously approved an experimental rule to use the international 3-point line for postseason events, excluding the NCAA championships in each division. Committee members want to examine whether

sport-sponsorship options for colleges and universities. Schools also may use an emerging sport to help meet membership minimum sports-sponsorship requirements and financial aid requirements.

A sport must have a minimum of 20 varsity teams and/or competitive club teams that have competed in a minimum of five contests to be considered for the emerging sports program. The sport must reach 40 varsity programs to move forward to the NCAA governance structure for championship consideration.

The National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association currently has 29 NCAA colleges and universities sponsoring the sport, which is a discipline of gymnastics involving tumbling, tosses, acrobatic lifts and pyramids. The Wrestle Like a Girl organization, in conjunction with USA Wrestling, indicated there are 23 NCAA schools currently sponsoring the sport.

Colorado, Kansas and Maryland are the latest state high school associations to sanction girls wrestling in competition separate from the boys. New Jersey City University, which competes at the

moving the line back will enhance the game.

NCAA Division III level, became the first college in New Jersey to

New York Public High Schools Vote Down Changing to NFHS Rules in All Sports

NJCU also added men’s wrestling. The Colorado High School Ac-

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Executive Committee voted 12-10 against a propos22 | NSGA NOW ®

>> July / August 2019

form a women’s wrestling program. tivities Association (CHSAA) also added sanctioned play in boys volleyball and unified bowling for the 2020-21 school year.

MEMBERSHIP NOW

What They Were Saying About This Year’s Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit Tyler Grogan

Larry VanOstrand

“I’m looking forward to hearing some

“I learned plenty. Bottom line, the sporting

of the speakers and learning from their

goods industry, just like everything else, is

experiences and seeing what they’ve been

changing drastically and if you’re not staying

through.”

up on what’s happening and what changes

Vice President, Grogan Marciano Sports

President & Owner, Instant Replay Sports

you need to make, you’re falling behind.”

Jamelle Eugene

Jessie Garcia

“I’m excited about the relationships that you

“It’s been great, just networking with some

can build here. There are some people here

members and other manufacturers and

that I think can help move the needle for us

getting a feel for the sporting goods retail

and hopefully we can help move the needle

scene. I am looking forward to making some

CEO, Gryppers

CEO, Tozuda

for them. I think anytime you have a brand

great connections to retailers to hopefully

new company that you’re trying to grow, finding the right people to

help sell and distribute our product and then meet other people

get your product out there is always going to be a good thing, so I

we can network with. Exhibiting in the Innovations Arena is a really

believe this is one of the foundational pieces of our business that

great opportunity to show our retail capabilities to display how our

we need to assert ourselves in.”

product works.”

Mike Lotocki

Samantha Bruechert

Owner, All Pro Team Sports

Executive Assistant, U.S. Specialty Coatings

“Innovations was the right terminology to

“This is my first time here and it’s great.

classify the (Innovations) Arena. There was

This is a great event and I’m happy that we

a whole bunch of products I hadn’t heard

got the opportunity to be here. What I’m

of - some that are relevant for what we do

most excited about is the networking, the

and some that are going to be relevant to

intimate groups that we get to break out into (Speed Networking)

somebody else, but many I hadn’t seen before. I’m kind of excited.

and just talk business one-on-one. That’s a really great opportunity

I can’t wait to get back to our organization and implement what we

for our business.”

picked up.”

NSGA NOW ®

>> July / August 2019 | 23

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