HIBBETT SPORTS EMPLOYEE RECEIVES “40 UNDER 40 AWARD” BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (April 7, 2011) – The honorees for the annual SGB 40 Under 40 awards have been selected and once again include some of the brightest young stars in the sporting goods industry. Hibbett Sporting Goods, Inc. is excited and proud to announce that their very own Varetta Banks, Footwear Buyer, will be honored as a recipient. From footwear and apparel to retail, outdoor, team sports, public relations, media, Wall Street and sports marketing, this year's list of recipients embody the spirit of the sports and outdoor market. The recipients, selected out of a list of over 300 nominations by a panel of SportsOneSource analysts and editors and a team of industry executives, will be honored during a weekend event in Chicago, IL June 24 - 26, 2011. “These awards are a way to recognize the great work done by some of the younger people in our industry,” said James Hartford, president, CEO and group publisher of The SportsOneSource Group, which publishes the SGB trade publication. “The caliber of the honorees is growing every year. We drew very strong support from prior winners and industry experts to select a prestigious group of individuals and it is our pleasure to honor the next generation of leaders,” said Hartford. Banks has been with Hibbett Sporting Goods, Inc. since April 1999. She joined Hibbett Sports after college and has held various positions within the company. She currently holds the position of Kids’ Footwear Buyer. “We are not the least bit surprised that SGB selected Varetta for this honor. She richly deserves it,” said Jeff Rosenthal, President and CEO of Hibbett Sporting Goods, Inc. “Varetta is a strategic leader at Hibbett Sports. Her vision and her talents are critical to the future plans of our company.” During her tenure at Hibbett Sports, Banks has led the Kids footwear department to achieve consistent profitable growth. “Since Varetta arrived at Hibbett Sports, she has been an integral part of our growth and profitability,” said Hibbett Sporting Goods, Inc. CFO Gary Smith, “and we certainly expect that to continue into the future.” Hibbett Sporting Goods, Inc. Executive Chairman Mickey Newsome praised Banks saying, “She is a very strong and effective leader, firm but fair. People enjoy working with her and for her.” Banks currently resides in Gardendale, AL with her husband, Kenneth Banks Sr., and children, Keana and Kenneth Banks Jr. In business since 1945, Hibbett Sporting Goods, Inc. operates over 800 sporting goods stores in small to mid-sized markets, predominantly in the Sunbelt, Mid-Atlantic and the lower Midwest. The company’s primary store format is Hibbett Sports, a 5,000-square-foot store located in dominant strip centers and enclosed malls. Each store typically lies within 150 miles of another Hibbett Sports location. SportsOneSource.com is the leading Internet portal for sporting goods industry professionals. The site offers each user an opportunity to access a broad range of services, from the timeliest distribution of industry business news to industry directories and career opportunities. -###-