The recent Sports, Inc. 2009 Summer Show in Indianapolis had record attendance with more than 475 store personnel from 190 store locations attending, as well as 102 vendors exhibiting in 153 booths. Sports, Inc. members had the opportunity to work with 482 exhibitor staff and industry representatives.
2009 Sports, Inc. Store of the Year
Kattus Pro-Team Sports was named the 2009 Sports, Inc. Store of the Year. Located in Cincinnati, Kattus Pro-Team Sports was started in October 1993 when Eric Kattus and partner Rick Ruehlmann acquired Feldhaus Sporting Goods in Cincinnati. Kattus Pro-Team Sports main objective is to be a leading provider of athletic equipment and apparel for high school, college, recreational and amateur sports teams in the greater Cincinnati and northern Kentucky areas.
Kattus Pro-Team Sports has been a valued Sports, Inc. member since 1994. “Eric and the Kattus Team run an outstanding sporting goods business and we are proud to have them as members. Dealers of this quality are why Sports, Inc. has become the premier team buying group.” said Matt Martin, the athletics marketing director for Sports, Inc.
Sports, Inc. Vice President of Marketing Todd Adams adds, “Erics support for his buying group over the years has been fantastic. Whenever we reach out to him for input we can always count on him to give big picture thoughts focused on what he thinks is best for Sports, Inc. first and his store second.”
2009 Sports, Inc. Vendor of the Year
Sports, Inc. named All-Star Sporting Goods the 2009 Vendor of the Year. The two companies have been working together since 1994. All-Star Sporting Goods has been a key Sports, Inc. supplier and this year partnered with Sports, Inc. to work even more closely. “Stan Jurga and Jeff Johnson were a pleasure to work with this spring. We look forward to growing our business together,” said Martin.
2009 Sports, Inc. Salesperson of the Year
Scott Rydholm was chosen as the 2009 Sports, Inc. Salesperson of the Year. Rydholm is the Western Regional Sales Manager for Mizuno USA.
“Scott is an industry veteran that has supported Sports, Inc. and our members since his tenure began at Mizuno. This award for Scott is extremely fitting,” stated Martin.
“Sports, Inc. has many, many salespeople that serve us well. We rely on their expertise and assistance as we work with our members. Scott is one of the people that has always done a good job and been a pleasure to work with,” said Dave Salvi, Sports, Inc. CEO.
2009 Sporting Chance Award
The Sports, Inc. Sporting Chance Award has donated close to $500,000 back to communities and the industry in the 10 years since its inception. Each February and June, the winner of a random drawing is awarded a $20,000 prize to be given to a worthy group(s) that promotes sporting goods in their market area. The June 2008 winner was Athletics Unlimited in Sacramento, CA. Their award money was used to purchase large equipment and supplies that could not otherwise be purchased for the schools and leagues they service. The June 2009 award of $20,000 was presented to Sandy Heldman from Gee & Bee Sporting Goods in Auburn, ME.
