Dick’s Sporting Goods to Help Fund Concussion Tests

Dick’s Sporting Goods will sponsor a program geared to preventing
sports-related concussions for children. Dick’s SG is teaming with ImPACT, the widely-used
computerized concussion system, as part of PACE, which stands for Protecting Athletes
through Concussion Education.

Dick’s SG will donate $1 to the program, entitled PACE, for every pair of athletic
shoes purchased at any of its 449 outlets or online, through Sept. 12. The company also will pledge a $1 donation for consumers who post
about PACE on several social media outlets, including the company`s
Facebook page.

Dick’s SG has a goal of funding screening for one million young
athletes.

Through PACE, up to one million young athletes across more than 3,300
middle and high schools nationwide will receive their first-year ImPACT
test program and concussion education for free – making it the largest
concussion baseline testing initiative ever created.

Dick’s SG’s statement noted that according to the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, up to 3.8 million recreation- and sports-related concussions occur in the United States every year – with concussions in adolescent age groups accounting for the majority.

“Protecting the next generation of athletes is a cause we are dedicated to, and as young athlete concussions continue to rise, we want to be at the forefront for driving awareness, education, and screening,” said Edward W. Stack, chairman and CEO of Dick’s Sporting Goods. “The PACE Program brings together concussion education with state-of-the-art testing. We are excited to partner with ImPACT and founders Drs. Joseph Maroon, Mark Lovell and Michael Micky Collins to provide baseline testing for up to one million young athletes.”

Legendary Pittsburgh football great Jerome Bettis, a sufferer of numerous concussions in his playing days, will serve as national spokesperson for the Dick’s Sporting Goods PACE Program. He will participate in various marketing initiatives to support the campaign including in-store appearances, online videos, public relations and social media.

“In more than 20 years of playing football in high school, college and the pros, I unfortunately experienced a number of concussions,” said Bettis. “Every young athlete should have the opportunity to take a baseline concussion test, and through the PACE Program, up to one million youths will now have that chance.”

ImPACT begins with a 20-minute baseline test that is administered pre-season. If a concussion is suspected later, another post-injury test is administered by trained clinicians to assess the possible after-effects. The program evaluates multiple aspects of brain function including memory, processing speed, reaction time and post-concussive symptoms, allowing doctors to make safe return-to-play decisions and reducing the possibility of long-term neurological effects.

To date, more than two million people from soldiers to athletes from high schools, colleges and professional sports teams have passed through the ImPACT program, making it the most widely-used concussion evaluation system in the country. As part of the PACE Program, middle and high schools new to the ImPACT program can obtain ImPACT testing for up to 300 student athletes ($500 value) free of charge for one year.

“Were thrilled to partner with Dick’s Sporting Goods on this remarkable program,” said Mark R. Lovell, Ph.D. FACPN, Chief Executive Officer of ImPACT. “PACE will not only provide baseline testing for an unprecedented number of young athletes, but it will empower the schools with three key tools in managing concussions – awareness, education, and baseline testing.”

Throughout the month of August, the Dick’s Sporting Goods PACE Program will tour numerous store locations across the U.S. to raise awareness and education about the prevalence and severity of concussions. In addition to providing Certified ImPACT Consultant-led seminars and demo tests for young athletes, parents, and coaches, Dick’s Sporting Goods will feature special guest appearances by pro athletes who have had life experiences with concussions.

For more information on the PACE Program including times and locations of tour stops and how schools can apply to receive the ImPACT program, please visit the Dick’s Sporting Goods Facebook page or www.dickssportinggoods.com/PACE .