The National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) made a change to its Board of Directors with the appointment of Brad Hause of Sports Distributors of Canada (SDC) in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, to an At-Large Board position. Hause started his three-year term on the Board on June 1. 

Hause is the President of SDC, one of North America’s leading sporting goods buying groups, which operates under the Source for Sports banner. SDC represents over 250 independently owned full-line and ice hockey retailers in Canada and the United States. 

“We are looking forward to having Brad share his expertise and enthusiasm with the NSGA Board,” said Matt Carlson, NSGA President and CEO. “He will be an excellent fit with his understanding of the industry in Canada and the U.S. and what he continues to accomplish with Sports Distributors of Canada.” 

Hause and his team have led SDC’s growth and transformation during his 15-year tenure as president. This includes its expansion into the U.S. through a collaboration with the NSGA and its Hockey Dealers Association division that began in 2013. SDC has also developed a digital and e-commerce platform to help independent retailers strengthen their position in today’s evolving marketplace. 

Hause started his career in sporting goods on the sales floor of a Source for Sports store, selling skis, before advancing into a buying role. After earning his MBA from the Ivey Business School of Western University in Ontario, he spent 11 years with SC Johnson in sales and marketing roles in Canada and the United States. 

He serves as Chairman of the Canadian Sporting Goods Association (CSGA), bringing a perspective shaped by leadership roles across retail, consumer products, digital commerce, and industry associations. Hause also served on the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame Committee from 2020 to 2022. 

 “The sporting goods industry has given me tremendous opportunities throughout my career, from my early days on the retail sales floor to the leadership roles I hold today,” Hause said. “What continues to inspire me is the vital role our industry plays in helping people lead active, healthy, and connected lives. I look forward to working with industry leaders on the NSGA Board and across North America to ensure the long-term growth and success of our industry.” 

Hause replaces Kevin Bezanson, the President of Cleve’s Source for Sports, who served the maximum of three three-year terms on the NSGA Board. Cole Johnson (Johnson-Lambe Sporting Goods) and Ron Rugal (B&R Sporting Goods) were reappointed for three-year terms. 

“We can’t thank Kevin enough for the time he devoted to supporting NSGA and the sporting goods industry,” Carlson said. “Kevin was an engaging and enthusiastic contributor during some of the most challenging times in our industry, and we appreciate the impact he made with the NSGA Board.” 

Images courtesy NSGA/Source for Sports