Academy Sports + Outdoors

Great New Please! Academy is a leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer in the United States. Originally founded in 1938 as a family business in Texas, Academy has grown to 301 stores across 21 states, as of March 7, 2025. Company Timeline 1938 - Academy Sports + Outdoors traces its roots to 1938 when founder Max Gochman opened the Academy Tire Shop in San Antonio, Texas. 1939 - Academy Tire Shop begins selling military surplus. 1945 - Max changes store name to "Academy Super Surplus". 1956 - Max moves his business to Austin, Texas, and expands to four stores. 1973 - Max's son Arthur Gochman purchases Southern Surplus Sales in Houston and changes its name to "Academy Corp." Arthur opens six Academy Super Surplus stores in Houston. 1978 - Arthur stops practicing law, devotes his time to Academy, and moves the corporate office to Houston. 1980 - Academy introduces sports and outdoor items including fishing, camping, and sporting goods to its product assortment. 1981 - Academy moves into new offices and a 50,000 sq. ft. warehouse. 1983 - Academy runs its first multi-page newspaper advertisement during the holiday. 1984 - Athletic brands are added to the Academy product assortment. 1988 - Academy opens its first "big box" stores of 35,000-40,000 sq. ft. 1990 - Academy purchases its current corporate office and distribution center at 1800 N. Mason Road in Katy, Texas. The company grows to 28 stores across Texas. 1991 - Academy exits the military surplus business. Sales reach $100 million. 1994 - Academy expands beyond Texas to Edmond, Oklahoma, and Lafayette, Louisiana. 1995 - Company changes its name to "Academy Sports + Outdoors". 1996 - David Gochman, Arthur’s son and Max’s grandson, becomes president and CEO. Academy Sports + Outdoors opens its first Alabama location. 1998 - Academy Sports + Outdoors opens its first Florida location. Sales reach $500 million. 1999 - Academy Sports + Outdoors opens its first Tennessee and Mississippi store locations. 2000 - 50th store location in Temple, TX opens. 2003 - Academy Sports + Outdoors opens its first Arkansas location. Sales reach $1 billion. 2005 - Academy Sports + Outdoors opens its first Missouri and Georgia locations. 2006 - Academy Sports + Outdoors employs over 10,000 team members across the Southeast. The company opens its first 100,000 sq. ft. store. 2007 - Rodney Faldyn is named as President. Academy Sports + Outdoors opens its first South Carolina location. Sales reach $2 billion. 2009 - Academy Sports + Outdoors adds a second distribution facility in Twiggs County, GA. 2011 - Academy Sports + Outdoors is acquired by an investment fund and other entities affiliated with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P., (together with its affiliates, "KKR"), a leading global investment firm. Rodney Faldyn is named CEO & President. Academy.com launches as an eCommerce retail site. 2012 - Academy Sports + Outdoors opens its first North Carolina and Kansas locations. Sales reach $3 billion. 2014 - Academy Sports + Outdoors opens its first Indiana and Kentucky locations. Sales reach $4 billion. 2015 - J.K. Symancyk is named as CEO & President. Academy Sports + Outdoors opens the 200th store location in Tupelo, MS. 2016 - Academy Sports + Outdoors opens its first Illinois location and adds its third distribution facility in Cookeville, TN. 2018 - Ken C. Hicks is named as Chairman, President, and CEO. Academy Sports + Outdoors opens 250th store location in Mansfield, TX. 2020 - In October, Academy completed its Initial Public Offering, and is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market exchange under the ticker symbol "ASO." 2021 - Academy becomes an independent company. 2022 - Academy Sports + Outdoors opens its first Virginia and West Virginia locations. 2023 - Steven P. Lawrence is named as CEO, and Samuel J. Johnson is named as President. Ken C. Hicks is named as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. 2024 - Academy Sports + Outdoors opens its first Ohio location. 2025 - Academy Sports + Outdoors opens its first Pennsylvania.

Academy Sports + Outdoors at 7125 SR 64 in Bradenton is a surprisingly spacious and well-stocked haven for outdoor enthusiasts. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety, everything from fishing and hunting gear to fitness apparel and camping essentials. Staff members were polite and helpful. The layout is clean, organized, and makes browsing easy . Whether stocking up for a fishing trip or a day on the Manatee River, this location delivers good value and functional gear. I’ll definitely return for more outdoor shopping!