Posted: September 21, 2007

Athletics: Dick¹s Sporting Goods Announced as a Major Corporate Partner for Eugene 08

Eugene, Oregon (September 21, 2007) — The Eugene 08 Local Organizing Committee (LOC) announced Dick’s Sporting Goods as the newest corporate partner for Eugene 08, the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field, to be held at the University of Oregon’s historic Hayward Field, June 27 – July 6, 2008. SportsOne Inc., the exclusive marketing agency for Eugene 08, secured the partnership on the LOC's behalf. “The Olympic Trials is the preeminent track meet in the U.S. next year, and Dick’s Sporting Goods is the preeminent sporting goods retailer, so we make a great team.” said Greg Erwin co-chair of the LOC Steering Committee. “Our Partners are essential to making Eugene 08 the best-ever Olympic Trials experience for the athletes, fans and the community. We appreciate the support of Dick’s Sporting Goods and are very pleased to have them as a Partner.” “As the largest sporting goods retailer in the U.S., we are always thrilled to be involved at the highest level of sport and the U.S. Olympic Trials - Track & Field certainly is the highest level of competition,” said Jeffrey R. Hennion, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer of Dick’s Sporting Goods. “The fact that this event is being held at Hayward Field, a place so historic to the sport, makes it even better. We look forward to bringing our brand and our retail operation to the track and field fans making their way to Eugene.” “Having Dick’s Sporting Goods join as a Partner reinforces the significance and international status of Eugene 08,” said Jim Etzel, President of SportsOne Inc. “We are excited to have Dick’s join our growing family of Eugene 08 Partners and we look forward to working with them to achieve their brand and retail goals both nationally and as they enter the Oregon marketplace.” The primary on-site branding and promotion platform for all Partners is the Eugene 08 Festival. Adjacent to and surrounding Hayward Field, the Festival offers Partners an experiential branding and promotion environment that connects them directly to the U.S. Olympic Trials competition. The Eugene 08 Festival will be the focal attraction for spectators prior to, during and following each competition session, and also provides a way for fans and community members, with or without competition tickets, to experience the excitement of Eugene 08. The Festival will feature a jumbo video screen with simulcasts of Olympic Trials competition and highlights, interactive exhibits, live entertainment, sports bar, food court, vendors, expo booths, merchandise and an interactive track & field area for children and youth. The U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field is the Team USA selection event for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing (www.2008olympicgames.org). More than 120,000 fans, 1,200 athletes and 1,000 media are expected during the eight days of competition at historic Hayward Field. The Trials will be televised globally on both NBC and the USA Network. For more information go to www.eugene08.com. About Eugene 08 The U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field is planned and managed by the Eugene 08 Local Organizing Committee (LOC) which is comprised of 240 volunteers from the non-profit, governmental, academic, and private sectors. A 14-person Steering Committee provides oversight of 16 committees. Part of the LOC’s charge is the development of the Eugene 08 Festival. The first of its kind in track and field, the festival will be the epicenter for entertainment for fans with or without competition tickets, and will provide corporate Partners with a platform for experiential marketing initiatives. For more information go to www.eugene08.com. About Dick’s Sporting Goods Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. is an authentic full-line sporting goods retailer offering a broad assortment of brand name sporting goods equipment, apparel, and footwear in a specialty store environment. As of August 4, 2007, the company operated 315 stores in 34 states primarily throughout the eastern half of the U.S. The company also owns Golf Galaxy, a multi-channel golf specialty retailer, with 77 stores in 28 states, ecommerce websites and catalog operations. About SportsOne Inc. SportsOne is the exclusive marketing agency for Eugene 08. Working closely with the LOC, SportsOne is developing and executing a comprehensive partnership strategy. SportsOne is a sports and entertainment marketing company providing marketing, sales, consulting and management services to diverse clients nationwide including corporations, sports and event properties. SportsOne works with clients to create unique, innovative programs such as experiential marketing initiatives and high-end outings in addition to traditional sponsorship programs and events. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest