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In 1948, Dick Stack was working at an Army Surplus store. His employer, aware of Stack’s interest in angling, approached the young man for advice on the types of
products he’d need to expand into the tackle business. While the 18-year-old with a passion for fishing was eager to share his ideas, his employer was not so receptive. Disillusioned, the young Stack left his job and, as so many have done when faced with a fork in the road, retreated to his grandmother’s home for guidance and solace. After hearing his tale, and considering his idea, she asked how much it would take to start, then reached into the cookie jar and gave him the seed money to begin.
With nothing but a meager loan, his grandmother’s faith, and a tireless work ethic, Stack started his own bait and tackle shop in Binghamton, NY. From these humble roots his shop grew and prospered, and within a decade Stack had grown his business to include many of the sports and outdoors products you’d find in a DICK’S Sporting Goods location today.
When Ed Stack, Dick’s son, took over the business as Chairman and CEO, he expanded the Company from two stores to over 600, now employing more than 35,000 Associates across the nation. Stack and his siblings took the company public on the NYSE in 2002, a decision that enabled DICK’S to become a national leader in the sporting goods retail industry today. DICK’S Sporting Goods also owns a variety of specialty shops under the Golf Galaxy, Field & Stream, and True Runner banners. Nearly 70 years on, the company still operates as a family business, proudly serving and supporting athletes and outdoor enthusiasts in each of the communities that its stores serve.
Nearly 70 years on, DICK’S is still a family business.