FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Katie Chimenti 281-326-3343

Nancy Edmonson 281-471-4567

March 5, 2003

Academy Backs Bay Advocacy
 

Academy Sports and Outdoors has declared its backing for the Galveston Bay environment through substantial corporate support of the Galveston Bay Conservation and Preservation Association (GBCPA).

 "We want to make a productive contribution to a key local conservation effort, and GBCPA has shown itself to be a leader in advocacy for the bay," said David Gochman, Academy Chairman, President and CEO. "Our company and our customers want to maintain the bay as a resource for outdoor recreation and as an important factor in local quality of life."

One of the nation's largest sporting goods retailers, Academy operates more than 60 stores and has 5,000 employees in seven states. The greater Houston area alone has 20 Academy stores, and the company is headquartered in Katy. Offering a wide selection of sporting equipment and apparel at modest prices has been its formula for becoming the retailer with the highest sales per store and highest sales per square foot in the sporting goods industry.

We appreciate the support from Academy," said GBCPA Chair Jim Blackburn. "Our respective interests dovetail very well. This is a sound basis for a partnership, and we are confident that Academy will find it a rewarding involvement."

The Galveston Bay Conservation and Preservation Association is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization founded in 1974 and committed to preserving the unique way of life of the Galveston Bay area and the ecological integrity of the bay.

In recent years GBCPA has been at the forefront of efforts to prevent major container terminal development proposed at Bayport because of the impacts this would have upon surrounding communities and the bay. Future plans include strengthening its role as an environmental watchdog through its appointment as Baykeeper, in conjunction with the national Riverkeeper program.

Galveston Bay Conservation and Preservation Association
P.O. Box 323, Seabrook, Texas 77586
Phone: 281-326-3343
Website: www.gbcpa.org
E-mail:  gbcpa@gbcpa.org