The National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) made two changes to its Board of Directors with the appointments of John Scipio (SV Sports), and Troy M. Freeman (Winmark Corporation/Play It Again Sports). Their three-year terms took effect June 1. 

“Troy and John bring tremendous experience and insight from the sporting goods industry to the NSGA board,” says Matt Carlson, NSGA president and CEO. “Their passion, enthusiasm and desire to help the association navigate the challenges ahead for our members and everyone in the industry will make them great additions.”  

• Scipio is the CEO of SV Sports (formerly known as Schuylkill Valley Sports), a regional full-line sporting goods and team dealer based in Pennsylvania. When Scipio and his partners acquired SV Sports in August 2021 it made the company the largest African American owned and led sporting goods retailer and team dealer in North America. 

Scipio served in various leadership roles during his 25-year career in the sporting goods industry. He led the sales and marketing functions for Nike and the basketball brand AND1. Scipio also moderated a panel on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion on May 23 at the NSGA Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit in Scottsdale, AZ. 

• Freeman has been director of operations with Play It Again Sports since 2018 and held operations manager and senior operations manager positions since he joined the company in 2004. He has played an integral role in supporting Winmark - the Resale Company and its focus on sustainability, value and providing Resale for Everyone, by supporting franchisees in providing quality used and new sporting goods in their local communities. 

Freeman’s close work with his team helped develop category strategy with the buyers, establish operational excellence and solicit feedback from franchisees to help Play It Again Sports become the leader as the No. 1 franchise in used sporting goods retail with more than 272 stores open and several in development.