Academy Sports + Outdoors Champions Youth Sports Through New Boys & Girls Clubs of America Partnership
Academy to serve as a National Partner of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America
KATY, Texas, April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Academy Sports + Outdoors ("Academy") ((ASO), a leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer, announced today a new partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Together, the organizations will work to make sports and outdoor fun more available to children in underserved communities across the country. Boys & Girls Clubs of America has over 5,400 Clubs nationwide, serving more than 3 million young people annually.
"Sports and outdoor activities have the power to bring people together by helping kids build confidence and strengthening the bonds within our communities," said Meredith Klein, Vice President of Communications for Academy Sports + Outdoors. "Academy is excited to team up with Boys & Girls Club of America to create fun opportunities that get kids outside and active."
Through this partnership, Academy will provide Boys & Girls Club coaches and kids with "Intro to Sport" kits, which contain seasonally relevant sports equipment and helpful coaching instructions. Additionally, Academy will host shopping sprees with several local Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the year to provide members with back-to-school essentials, holiday gifts, or sports and outdoor gear that helps them to have fun outside.
"Boys & Girls Clubs of America believes in purposeful partnerships that align with our mission and contribute to society. We're thrilled to join forces with Academy Sports + Outdoors, a company that shares our dedication to making sports accessible to all youth," said Eric Osborne, Senior Director of Sports Programming for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "This partnership will enable young people to engage in sports, develop new skills, and foster a sense of community, all while making active lifestyles easily attainable."
The two organizations kicked off their partnership earlier this year with shopping sprees at Academy's new store celebrations. NFL linebacker and Harrisburg native, Micah Parsons, joined Academy at its Harrisburg, Pa. grand opening where he took 100 children from Boys & Girls Club of Harrisburg on a shopping spree. The next day, University of Pittsburgh running back, Juelz Goff, took another 100 kids on a shopping spree at the York, Pa. store with Boys & Girls Clubs' Columbia Clubhouse and Jack Walker Clubhouse. Their involvement highlights the importance of community support and the role of mentors in inspiring the next generation to have fun in the outdoors.
About Academy Sports + Outdoors
Academy is a leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer in the United States. Originally founded in 1938 as a family business in Texas, Academy has grown to more than 300 stores across 21 states and counting. Academy's mission is to provide "Fun for All" and Academy fulfills this mission with a localized merchandising strategy and value proposition that strongly connects with a broad range of consumers. Academy's product assortment focuses on key categories of outdoor, apparel, sports & recreation and footwear through both leading national brands and a portfolio of private label brands. For more information, visit www.academy.com.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Over 5,400 Clubs serve more than 3 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. The national headquarters is located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and X.
Media Contact: Shane Carlisle, Public Relations Manager, shane.carlisle@academy.com
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SOURCE Academy Sports + Outdoors