PITTSBURGH, 2017-Sep-20 — /EPR Retail News/ — DICK’S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS), the official sporting goods retail sponsor of Team USA, announced today (September 19, 2017) its roster of winter U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Contenders that are being supported by the Company through flexible employment or sponsorship agreements.
Headlining the roster of 41 U.S. Winter Olympic and Paralympic Contenders are Team USA hopefuls figure skater Ashley Wagner and women’s hockey goalie Alex Rigsby. In addition to serving as an ambassador for the Contenders program, Rigsby is employed as a DICK’S Store Associate as she trains for Team USA in the lead up to the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018. Rigsby credits the Contender program as the first job that has provided the flexibility to accommodate her intense training schedule, and hopes the program can generate awareness of the financial need of many U.S. Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls.
“This program provides an amazing opportunity to athletes like me who need assistance to fund our dreams of playing for Team USA,” said Rigsby. “I’ve really enjoyed working at DICK’S Sporting Goods and helping customers select the gear they need to enjoy the sports they love. It’s been a really rewarding experience.”
The Contenders are offered flexible work schedules and competitive compensation, allowing them to devote the necessary time for training to be part of Team USA at future Olympic or Paralympic Games. For the winter 2017-2018 season, 41 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls from ten different sports are participating in the program, currently working in 24 stores across 17 states.
“As a longtime supporter of athletes at all levels, DICK’S is extremely proud to support U.S. Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls in a way that makes a truly meaningful difference in their ability to pursue their Team USA dreams,” said Scott Hudler, Senior Vice President and CMO, DICK’S Sporting Goods. “We know that flexibility in work schedule that gives our Contenders the time and funding to train and compete is critical to their ability to represent our country at the highest level, and we are incredibly happy to be able to provide that.”
DICK’S announced the Contenders program in February 2015, and to-date has employed or sponsored over 300 Contenders training to make Team USA. In 2016, more than 15 percent of athletes enrolled in the Company’s program went on to represent Team USA at the Olympic or Paralympic Games in Rio. Those 42 athletes brought home a total of 23 Olympic and Paralympic medals (11 gold, 8 silver and 4 bronze).
“DICK’S Sporting Goods’ commitment to Team USA through their sponsorship of the USOC and the Contenders program is making a real impact for those striving to achieve their Olympic and Paralympic dreams,” said Lisa Baird, USOC Chief Marketing Officer. “We are thrilled that this program continues to grow and we are proud that DICK’S is a part of the USOC family of partners.”
A current roster of the Team USA Contenders working at DICK’S Sporting Goods stores across the nation includes the following winter-sport athletes:
| First Name | Last Name | Sport | Hometown | Store Location |
| Hakeem | Abdul-Saboor | Bobsled | Powhatan, VA | Burlington, VT |
| Adrian | Adams | Bobsled | Reidsville, NC | Burlington, VT |
| Sarah | Anderson | Curling | Broomall, PA | Roseville, MN |
| Taylor | Anderson | Curling | Broomall, PA | Roseville, MN |
| Cory Morgan | Christensen | Curling | Duluth, MN | Duluth, MN |
| Franchon | Crews | Bobsled | Baltimore, MD | Glen Burnie, MD |
| Caleb | Clawson | Curling | Clarksville, MD | Columbia, MD |
| Hunter | Clawson | Curling | Clarksville, MD | Columbia, MD |
| Brittani | Coury | Para Snowboard | Durango, CO | Farmington, NM |
| Kelly | Curtis | Skeleton | Princeton, NJ | Metaire, LA |
| Christopher | Douglas | Sled Hockey | St. Cloud, FL | Orlando, FL |
| Korey E | Dropkin | Curling | Duluth, MN | Duluth, MN |
| Quinn | Evenson | Curling | Fairbanks, AK | Duluth, MN |
| John | Fennell | Luge | Denver, CO | Plattsburgh, NY |
| Cherrelle | Garrett | Bobsled | Hayward, CA | Hayward, CA |
| Nathan | Gisleider | Bobsled | Claremore, OK | Woodland Hills, OK |
| Savannah Jane | Graybill | Skeleton | Denver, PA | Plattsburgh, NY |
| Kimani | Griffin | Speedskating | Winston-Salem, NC | Midvale, UT |
| Jenna | Haag | Curling | Milton, WI | Wauwatosa, WI |
| Rebecca Lynn | Hamilton | Curling | McFarland, WI | East Madison, WI |
| Thomas | Howell | Curling | Brick, NJ | Wauwatosa, WI |
| Kristen | Hurley | Skeleton | Columbia, CT | Johnson City, TN |
| Jessika | Jenson | Snowboard | Idaho Falls, ID | Pocatello, ID |
| Kehri | Jones | Bobsled | Kileen, TX | Harker Heights, TX |
| Trent Nolan | Kraychir | Skeleton | Desert Hot Springs, CA | Palm Desert, CA |
| Stephen | Lawler | Para Alpine Skiing | Burlington, VT | Chapel Hills, CO |
| Daniel | McCoy | Sled Hockey | Cheswick, PA | Pittsburgh Mills, PA |
| Mike | Minor | Para Snowboard | Waymart, PA | Scranton, PA |
| Casey | Mullarkey | Speedskating | Cleveland, OH | Midvale, UT |
| Brett Andrew | Perry | Speedskating | Midland, MI | Midvale, UT |
| Alex | Rigsby | Ice Hockey | Delafield, WI | West Madison, WI |
| Chase | Reichmann | Speedskating | West Allis, WI | Wauwatosa, WI |
| Brittany | Reinbolt | Bobsled | Searcy, AR | Conway, AR |
| Kristen | Santos | Speedskating | Fairfield, CT | Midvale, UT |
| Carlijn Laetitia | Schoutens | Speedskating | Heemstede, Netherlands | Midvale, UT |
| John T | Shuster | Curling | Chisholm, MN | Duluth, MN |
| Jerica Lan | Tandiman | Speedskating | Kearns, UT | Midvale, UT |
| Aaron V | Tran | Speedskating | Seattle, WA | Midvale, UT |
| Monica | Walker | Curling | Brighton, MA | Woodbury, MN |
| Soo | Yoo | Speedskating | Seoul, South Korea | Midvale, UT |
| Jerebelle Tan | Yutangco | Speedskating | Barrington, RI | Midvale, UT |
For more on the DICK’S Sporting Goods Contenders program, visit dicks.com/thecontenders.
About DICK’S Sporting Goods
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 July 29, 2017, the Company operated more than 700 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.
Contact:
DICK’S Sporting Goods
press@dcsg.com
724-273-5552
Source: DICK’S Sporting Goods