Sacramento Kings' 2010 First-Round Draft Pick DeMarcus Cousins Joins Sports Authority as it Opens its Doors in Citrus Heights

CITRUS HEIGHTS, Calif., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Expanding its presence into sports-loving communities across the country, Sports Authority will formally open its new Citrus Heights, California location on Saturday, October 23, at 8 a.m.  The 42,000 square foot store, located at 5995 Birdcage Centre Lane, will mark the 68th Sports Authority store in the state of California.

The new store is an energy efficient prototype that replaces a Sports Authority store in Carmichael that was built in the early 1980's. Sports Authority has incorporated new building concepts to help with the green footprint of the building, including skylights incorporated for daylight harvesting, dimmable fluorescent lights with state-of-the-art sensor controls, zone lighting, a high efficiency HVAC system and a "cool" roof. The store is projected to be 24 percent more energy efficient than the 2009 California Title 24 Energy Requirements.  The Citrus Heights store's energy efficiencies will be compared to other stores Sports Authority built just 5 years ago to help build a game plan for the store of the future.    

The first 250 guests to enter the new store will receive Mystery Bucks valued between $5 and $500.  Additionally, the store will offer $100 Gift Card giveaways every hour from 9 a.m. until 6 pm., as well as Cash Card incentives valued between $25 and $100 on all qualifying purchases.

The Citrus Heights location will cater to the interests of area shoppers, from outdoor sports, golf, cycling, soccer and more, offering the best and latest items for team and individual sports, as well as dedicated sections for footwear, apparel, outdoor, golf and fitness.   Further, it will feature brand shops for Nike, Under Armour, adidas and The North Face, as well as a service shop for ski and bike services, tennis stringing and fishing line winding. Customers can also test out equipment on a new golf simulator and the Wii® experience game system.  

In celebration of the grand opening, at 5 p.m., Sports Authority shoppers will enjoy a special appearance by the Sacramento Kings' 2010 first-round draft pick, forward-center DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins will be available for photos and autographs with customers in attendance. Additional activities will include $100 gift card giveaways each hour from 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; putting contests and opportunities to win prizes including a TaylorMade Burner driver, Diamondback bike and Tony Hawk signed skateboard.

"The opening of our 68th location in California further illustrates Sports Authority's commitment to meeting residents' sporting and active lifestyle needs by providing industry-leading customer service and a diverse selection of quality sporting good products," said Greg Waters, COO for Sports Authority. "Sports Authority strives to provide a great value and service to athletes and organizations in every community. Through creating new employment opportunities and sponsoring youth organizations within the communities in which we do business, Sports Authority looks to be an active participant within the community and to make a difference."

Sports Authority is the official sporting goods retailer of US Youth Soccer, the Babe Ruth League, Pop Warner, the Road Runners Club of America and the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series.

Citrus Heights regular store hours will be Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.  

About Sports Authority

Headquartered in Englewood, CO, Sports Authority is one of the nation's largest full-line sporting good retailers, offering a comprehensive and high-quality assortment of brand-name sporting apparel and equipment at competitive prices.  Sports Authority is staffed with experts in all areas of sports and fitness related topics, and strives to be the ultimate "authority," both on and off the field.  Whether in the game or cheering from the sidelines, Sports Authority is the leading destination for consumers to fulfill their own sport equipment needs, as well as find their favorite team's apparel.

Sports Authority operates 462 stores in 45 states, and employs more than 17,000 people nationwide.  It also operates stores in Japan under a licensing agreement with AEON Co., Ltd.  The company's e-commerce website is located at www.sportsauthority.com.  

SOURCE Sports Authority