DICK’S and the DICK’S Foundation Honored for Commitment to Helping Save Youth Sports at ESPN’s Sports Humanitarian of the Year Awards
PITTSBURGH, 2017-Jul-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — DICK’S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS) and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation, which supports DICK’S charitable and philanthropic activities, were honored last night at ESPN’s third annual Sports Humanitarian of the Year Awards ceremony in Los Angeles. DICK’S received ESPN’s Corporate Community Impact Award for their Sports Matter initiative. Developed in 2014, Sports Matter provides equipment, uniforms and monetary donations to youth sports teams in need, and raises awareness surrounding the decline in funding for youth sports nation-wide.
The ESPN Corporate Community Impact Award recognizes a corporation that uses the power of sports to help advance a social issue, cause or community organization. DICK’S was honored for their long-standing commitment to sports and actions in helping to save youth sports.
“It’s a tremendous honor for us to receive this important award from ESPN” said Lauren Hobart, DICK’S Sporting Goods President & President of the DICK’S Foundation. “Youth sports are in trouble. Studies tell us that billions of dollars have been cut from youth sports in recent years and 60% of children must now pay a fee to play. Yet sports are one of the best youth development tools that exist, so we’re working hard to reverse this frightening trend.”
DICK’S and The DICK’S Foundation have been working to combat this crisis and since 2014 have pledged more than $50 million to support teams and leagues in need, while working to raise awareness of the importance of youth sports across the country through the Sports Matter campaign. To date, Sports Matter has saved thousands of youth sports teams and given hundreds of thousands of kids the opportunity to play.
In 2016, DICK’S integrated Sports Matter into its major initiatives and campaigns, including the creation of the Sport Emmy nominated documentary Keepers of the Game, by supporting over 200 Team USA Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls through flexible employment, and the development of a ‘Green Laces’ campaign which donates $2 from every sale back to youth sports.
To learn more or get involved, visit www.sportsmatter.org.
About DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc.
Founded in 1948, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. is a leading omni-channel sporting goods retailer offering an extensive assortment of authentic, high-quality sports equipment, apparel, footwear and accessories. As of April 29, 2017, the Company operated more than 690 DICK’S Sporting Goods locations across the United States, serving and inspiring athletes and outdoor enthusiasts to achieve their personal best through a blend of dedicated associates, in-store services and unique specialty shop-in-shops dedicated to Team Sports, Athletic Apparel, Golf, Lodge/Outdoor, Fitness and Footwear. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, DICK’S also owns and operates Golf Galaxy and Field & Stream specialty stores, as well as DICK’S Team Sports HQ, an all-in-one youth sports digital platform offering free league management services, mobile apps for scheduling, communications and live scorekeeping, custom uniforms and FanWear and access to donations and sponsorships. DICK’S offers its products through a content-rich eCommerce platform that is integrated with its store network and provides customers with the convenience and expertise of a 24-hour storefront. For more information, visit the Press Room or Investor Relations pages at dicks.com.
About The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation
The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation with a mission to inspire and enable sports participation. It was created by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. as a private corporate foundation to support DICK’S charitable and philanthropic activities.
Contact:
DICK’S Sporting Goods
724-273-5552
press@dcsg.com
Source: DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc.