Academy Sports + Outdoors announced its continued Midwestern expansion with plans to open four new stores across Indiana and Kentucky later this fall. The first two locations – Evansville, Indiana and Owensboro, Kentucky will mark Academy's entry into both states followed by the opening of stores in Louisville and Middletown, Kentucky, prior to the holidays.

In total, the four stores will generate approximately 575 jobs.

“We're thrilled to announce our expansion into Indiana and Kentucky,” says Ken Attaway, Academy Sports + Outdoors executive vice president, chief operating officer. “Active-minded families in both areas are just as passionate and enthusiastic about sports and the outdoors as we are, and we're looking forward to introducing our selection and everyday low prices, providing customer service, and becoming active partners in the local community.”

Academy is known throughout the South and Midwest U.S. for its wide selection of products including golf, team sports, casual and athletic footwear and apparel, hunting, fishing, camping, patio, bbq, recreation and leisure, and sports and fitness equipment and gear. The stores feature sports, outdoor and lifestyle products from top brands such as Nike, adidas, Under Armour, Columbia and much more.

The stores also provide many services including assembly and delivery, hunting and fishing licenses, scope mounting, bore sighting, line winding/spooling, propane exchange and racquet stringing and have a broad selection of local professional and collegiate licensed team gear.

All four stores are set to start construction shortly. Individuals interested in careers at Academy can visit www.academy.com/careers to apply for positions when they're posted later this spring.

Prior to the store openings, customers can shop academy.com or the digital version of the weekly ad, engage with Academy through its social media sites, download Academy's shopping guide apps, and sign up for email and SMS text alerts.

The Texas-based company operates 172 stores throughout Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.