COLLECTOR FROM CROSBY, TEXAS FEATURED IN HIBBETT SMALL-TOWN SNEAKERHEAD SERIES HIGHLIGHTING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

September 15, 2022 at 11:00 AM EDT

--News Direct--

BIRMINGHAM, AL – September 15, 2022, Hibbett, Inc. (NASDAQ:HIBB), an athletic-inspired fashion retailer with more than 1,100 Hibbett and City Gear specialty stores nationwide, today announced the release of the latest installment of the exclusive Small-Town Sneakerhead (STSH) series. The new episode features 20 year-old, Crosby, Texas native Gabriel Vargas, a proud Mexican American and MBA student at Texas Christian University, with a huge passion for sneakers. Viewers can watch the new episode at www.Hibbett.com/small-town-sneakerhead .

In his STSH episode, Vargas explains that his hometown of Crosby is sort of near Houston, but far away enough to be a small town. “The top things Crosby is probably known for are BBQ, rodeo and football,” said Gabriel Vargas. In Crosby I am unique because you mostly see people wearing boots and boat shoes, but you don’t see a lot of sneakerheads like me.”

During the episode, Vargas takes the crew to film at some favorite areas in Crosby including the local rodeo venue and Hector’s Restaurant where he stops for some delicious Mexican food. He shows viewers how to properly eat Gorditas before stopping at home for a sneak peek into his ever growing sneaker collection, that started when he was only 13 years old. “What draws me to a pair of sneakers is uniqueness and something that makes them distinct from other pairs, such as the Air Max 1 Travis Scott Brown backwards swoosh. I also really like when sneakers have a really good story to them such as a retro of a game worn shoe or some other nostalgic factor that relates to Nike’s history. Lastly there are certain silhouettes that I prefer over others such as the Air Max Zero or the Air Max 1.”

“Originally my Dad had a hard time understanding why I would spend so much of my money on shoes, but then he saw people coming up to me to say, ‘hey man cool shoes’ and he realized that sneakers actually mean something to people,” said Gabriel Vargas. “Since my Dad came to the United States from Mexico at 15 and because of his sacrifices, he provided me with the opportunities that I have had in my life. Being a Mexican American means that I am ingrained in more than one culture and I believe some people are missing out when they don’t have two different backgrounds to learn from.”

“Gabriel has such a meaningful story about his upbringing in Crosby and it seemed perfect to share with our sneaker community in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Sarah Sharp-Wangaard, VP Marketing, Hibbett. “Our goal with the Small-Town Sneakerhead series has always been to provide an authentic platform for sneakerhead storytellers from all backgrounds, to share and inspire with their unique experiences as sneakerheads.”

“Being a Sneakerhead means being someone who appreciates a shoe for being more than a shoe. Whether an individual perceives a sneaker as art or a form of self-expression, a sneakerhead has gone through some experience that ignited their interest in shoes. For me getting into sneaker culture got me interested in streetwear and luxury brands that collaborate with sneakers and as a result I always keep my wardrobe as fresh as my shoes. I style my outfits with the shoes I want to wear first, said Vargas"

“Gabriel's story is one that many sneakerheads experience with not only the people around their towns not fully understanding their love of shoes, but also within their families,“ said Matt Halfhill, Founder and CEO, Nice Kicks. “This episode of STSH further illustrates the goal of the show to showcase how many similar human experiences sneakerheads share no matter where they call home. It was a wonderful experience getting to work with Hibbett and Nike to bring to life Gabriel's story and how his Mexican American upbringing influenced his journey during Hispanic Heritage Month.”

About Small-Town Sneakerhead

In 2020, Hibbett launched the Small-Town Sneakerhead project to provide sneakerheads from all walks of life the platform to share their personal sneaker narrative. Produced in partnership with Nike and Nice Kicks, the series highlights the evolving sneaker scene and enthusiasts from across the country. Hibbett has featured collectors from East Buffalo, NY, Cheyenne, WY, Hampton, VA, Cape Girardeau, MO, Murphy, TX, Hopkinsville, KY and Lafayette, LA, Crosby, TX with more coming soon.

Small-Town Sneakerhead, Gabriel Vargas in Crosby, TX Photo credit: Sebastian Jimenez

About Hibbett, Inc.

Hibbett, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is a leading athletic-inspired fashion retailer with 1106 Hibbett and City Gear specialty stores, located in 35 states nationwide. Hibbett has a rich history of convenient locations, personalized customer service and access to coveted footwear, apparel and equipment from top brands like Nike, Jordan, and adidas. Consumers can browse styles, find new releases, shop looks and make purchases online or in their nearest store by visiting www.hibbett.com. Follow us @hibbettsports and @citygear on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.