Hibbett Sports of Alabama making debut in southern Arizona

By Steph Slater, Staff Writer
Published on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 4:41 PM MST

The franchise Hibbett Sports may be common to most folks back east, but the west coast is still turning its head whenever the name appears — especially in the tiny town of Thatcher.

Located in the Safeway Shopping Center at 2145 W. Hwy. 70, Hibbett Sports has opened its second store in Arizona and about 600 across the country. In 23 states, Hibbett Sports carries brand-name sports equipment, apparel, shoes and exercise equipment.

"We carry K-Swiss, Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Jordans, Etnies and other brands at a reasonable price," Manager Danita Thompson said.

A small optic store and the former Payless Shoe Source were renovated into one store to create the new sports store.

"We also have boxing gear and weight-lifting equipment," Thompson said.

Hibbett Sports also carries a wide variety of basketball, soccer, baseball and football equipment. Team jerseys, caps and other sports memorabilia are also sold in a large variety.

"If we don't have something, we can always order it," Thompson said.

Set in the typical hierarchy of sports teams, the manager and assistant manager are coaches and the employees are known as team players. Thompson said her coach in training is Brie Scott and the assistant coach is Heidi Gardner. The team players are Darwin Wicke, Courtney Johnson, J.T. Young and Josh Fundis.

"I like working in a relaxed atmosphere like this one, and I love working directly with the public. I don't want to ever be stuck in an office," Scott, formerly of Lakeside, said.

As part of its grand opening, apparel and shoes are on sale at 25 to 50 percent off, a sale that will last through the end of the year.

"My district manager went to Eastern Arizona College and played baseball. He then took a job back east with Hibbett Sports. He was the one who told Hibbett Sports about this Valley," Thompson said.

Based out of Burmingham, Ala., since 1945, Hibbett Sports is planning more stores in Arizona and already has one in Nogales. Thompson said the next store is planned for the Tucson area.

Hibbett Sports is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The grand opening and ribbon cutting is tentatively scheduled for sometime in November. Call 928-428-2887 for more information.

Contact Steph Slater at 928-428-2560, ext. 248, or e-mail her at steph@eacourier.com

Comments

10 comment(s)

    Ian Mccartney wrote on Sep 17, 2008 4:20 PM:

    " I went to this camp in the summer of 05 when they were located in concho. I highly doubt that vallentine is telling the truth because when i went they was plenty of food. I remeber that they made us but on spf 50 sunscreen by the gallons. They provided us with gallons of water a day. I think that denton should have stayed in concho because it was a lot better. Big deal the recruits have no ac or water. what to expect bootcamp to be a vaction? And by the way the dirt isnt going to kill you "

    H. Craig Bradley wrote on Apr 18, 2008 5:29 PM:

    " The percentage of Americans who recreate in the wild outdoors of our National Forests is shrinking all the time. Today's America is predominately an urban/suburban America. Increasingly, individuals can not part with their IPods, Cell Phones, Laptop Computers and Navigational Aides (GPS). Roughing it outdoors is an experience that fewer and fewer individuals are getting "

    Anonymous wrote on Apr 3, 2008 5:06 PM:

    " Why not tell these people and organizations how you feel?

    Vice Principal Kerry Wilson
    Principal Robert Beeman
    Superintendent Mark Tregaskes
    Safford, Arizona Middle School

    734 11Th Street
    Safford, AZ 85546
    Phone Number: (928) 348-7040

    http://az.localschooldirectory.com/schools_info.php/school_id/3495 "

    THS Alum 2004 wrote on Mar 20, 2008 4:21 PM:

    " I graduated with these guys and it's sad to say that I'm really not that surprised. They're meat heads and are a "few fries short of a happy meal". The authorities did nothing wrong, these people made a dumb choice and will have to deal with the consequences.

    P.S. Doug did it. "

    blah wrote on Mar 6, 2008 8:29 AM:

    " Whatever "

    colton wrote on Jan 29, 2008 2:02 PM:

    " i think doug grant is innocent an i think you should not charge him for murder "

    saline wrote on Jan 29, 2008 2:01 PM:

    " hello hello hello hello hello hello "

    Michael Jackson wrote on Dec 11, 2007 3:02 PM:

    " Why doesn't this newspaper admit that the story reported by Pam Crandall, as related by Jesse MacBeth, in the above article, is a flat out lie??? MacBeth has since admitted that he did not go to Iraq and that he made up all of the stories repeated by Pam Crandall. Please tell the truth. The longer that the Courier stands by these lies the sillier it looks. "

    Jesu Christ! wrote on Oct 25, 2007 8:53 PM:

    " And the authorities wonder why it is that students have so little respect for authority. If I were this kid (or the kid's mother) I would never look at authority the same way again. "

    Daniel Connell wrote on Oct 23, 2007 9:35 AM:

    " i am writting to say that this was a harmless prank and just a little fun for these two innocent teenagers. they should have not gotten in that much trouble for just a harmless prank. being a friend to them you wouldnt see it in my view. they were just looking to have fun in safford because there is nothing else to do and jose hernandez should have not been sent to ADJC on his first crime he ever commited. "

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