Boys & Girls Clubs Of America Honors Golf Legend And National Sporting Goods Retailer At Chairman's Dinner

Awards Recognize Jack Nicklaus and The Sports Authority for Their Support of America's Youth

ATLANTA (Nov. 6, 2002) - Boys & Girls Clubs of America (B&GCA) will salute two outstanding champions of youth at its annual Chairman's Dinner Wednesday, November 6, at The Ritz-Carlton in downtown Atlanta. Golf icon Jack Nicklaus and the nation's largest full-line sporting goods retailer, The Sports Authority, will be honored with the Champion of Youth and Chairman's Awards respectively, for their ongoing commitment to young people.

Jack Nicklaus has set the standard for excellence in golf, having forever changed the face of the game. He has 100 professional tournament victories woldwide, 20 major championship titles and is the only player in history who has won each of golf's majors at least twice. Only his commitment to America's youth parallels his legendary play.

The "Golden Bear" and his wife, Barbara, have a long history of involvement in several charitable organizations, including children's hospitals and various scholarship foundations. They are also major supporters of junior golf through the Barbara and Jack Nicklaus Junior Golf Endowment Fund, and Nicklaus himself is the co-chairperson of The First Tee's "More Than a Game" campaign. The First Tee is a national program that teaches young people basic golf skills and enhances these skills through games and other fun activities. In recognition of his inspiring spirit of giving back and his special focus on young people, Jack Nicklaus will receive B&GCA's Champion of Youth Award.

When The Sports Authority teamed up with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to combat obesity in youth, the result was an innovative program, FITNESS AUTHORITY, that teaches young people about health and the importance of physical activity. The program has provided more than 750,000 Boys & Girls Club members across the country with an opportunity to learn about nutrition and participate in national, age-appropriate physical fitness competitions that build self-esteem. The program has special meaning for The Sports Authority Chairman and CEO, Marty Hanaka, who is an alumnus of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo (NY) and serves as a National Trustee for Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

"It is important for The Sports Authority to give back to the community," said Hanaka. "And there is no better way than to give the gift of fitness to the children of America."

In recognition of its tremendous commitment to improving the fitness of America's youth, The Sports Authority will receive the Chairman's Award. The Chairman's Dinner is one of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's premier fundraising events. It honors those who have had a significant impact on the lives of children. Proceeds from the dinner provide critical funding for B&GCA and the 3.3 million youth served nationwide.

Thomas J. Fazio, President, Fazio Golf Course Designers, Inc.; Douglas N. Daft, Chairman of the Board and CEO, The Coca-Cola Company; Robert W. Shaner, President-Wireless Operations, Cingular Wireless; and Joe R. Lee, Chairman and CEO, Darden Restaurants, Inc, are chairing this year's event. Hank Aaron, home run king and Chairman of B&GCA's Southeast Region, will also be in attendance.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) comprises a national network of more than 3,000 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving some 3.3 million young people, primarily from disadvantaged circumstances. Known as "The Positive Place for Kids," Clubs provide children 6 - 18 years old with guidance-oriented programs on a daily basis, conducted by trained professional staff. Key programs emphasize character and leadership development; educational enhancement; career preparation; health and life skills; the arts; and sports, fitness and recreation. National headquarters are located in Atlanta, Ga.