Larry J. Franklin of Franklin Sports Re-Elected SGMA Chairman

SILVER SPRING, MD – October 19, 2011 – Larry J. Franklin (President; Franklin Sports, Inc.) has been re-elected as the Chairman of the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) for a one-year term.  Bob Puccini (President; Mizuno USA) was elected for a one-year term as SGMA’s Vice Chairman.  Tom Rogge, (President/CEO; Cramer Products, Inc.) will continue to serve on the board as the Immediate Past Chairman.  Carl Ferraro (President; Unisource Global Solutions) will be the Secretary/Treasurer and SGMA’s Tom Cove will remain as President/CEO.  This announcement was made at the conclusion of SGMA’s annual business meeting in Chicago, Illinois on October 18.a

Two new directors were elected for full terms (2011-2014).  They are Nathan Pyles (President; Johnson Health Tech North America) and Brian Anderson (President; EB Sport Group).

Those re-elected to the board include: Chris Considine (President; Wilson Sporting Goods Company), Paul Ehrlich (Vice President/Business Affairs & General Counsel; adidas America, Inc.), Jon Letzler (President & CEO – Augusta Sportswear), Robert Parish (CEO – Jarden Team Sports).

New members of the board of directors completing existing terms (2009-2012) include:  Jennifer Bendall (Director of Government Affairs – Nike, Inc.), Sarah Fields (President; Century, LLC), and Matt Mirchin (Senior VP of Sports Marketing – Under Armour, Inc.).

Newly elected directors will join existing board members:  Gary Barfield (Executive Vice President; Russell Brands LLC), Kerry Kligerman (Executive Vice President; New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc.), Jeff Padovan (former President; Polar USA Heart Monitors), Jim Baugh (President – Jim Baugh Consulting), Gordon Boggis (CEO & President; Prince Sports, Inc.), Chris Clawson (President; Life Fitness, Inc.), Steve Furniss (Executive Vice President; TYR Sport Inc.), Neil Morton (CEO; Everlast Worldwide Inc.), Jim Pisani (President; VF Licensed Sports Group/Majestic Athletic), Melissa Dawson Ricketts (President; Molten USA, Inc.); and Kevin Wulff (President & CEO; ASICS America Corporation).

“Larry Franklin’s commitment to excellence and his vision for SGMA are just two of the reasons why he has been exemplary in his role of SGMA in recent years,” said SGMA President Tom Cove.  “His passion for the sporting goods industry is second to none.”

“It’s been an honor to be elected by the SGMA membership to lead our industry association for another year,” said Franklin.  “During its 100+-years in existence, the SGMA has worked in many different ways to encourage people to play sports and to stay active -- the foundation of which is the continued emphasis on PE in our schools.”

The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), the #1 source for sport and fitness research, is the leading global trade association of manufacturers, retailers, and marketers in the sports products industry.  SGMA helps lead the sports and fitness industries by promoting favorable public policies, fostering participation through research, thought leadership and product promotion.  More information about SGMA membership, SGMA public policy platform, and SGMA's National Health Through Fitness Day can be found at  www.sgma.com.