Team Insight

How so? Lot of brands used contract manufacturers all over the world and were beginning to sell products directly. Retailers were also creating their own private label products. So "manufacturers" was obsolete in reflecting who and what our organization represented. Perhaps an even bigger reason for the change was mission related — Sports and Fitness Industry Association much better captures our fundamental mission to grow sports, fitness and recreation participation. How long did it take for you to stop saying you worked for SGMA and now it was called SFIA? You remember back in the old days when we all wrote checks and the first couple of weeks of January we all wrote the previous (wrong) year? It was a little like that, but be- cause we were launching a big new strategic plan at the same time everything was about change and that made it a little easier. Allow me to digress a bit. I recall an in- dustry softball gameat an SGMA Industry meeting back in the day when your vendors' team had the tying run on third against the media team, another runner on first and you hit into a double play to end the game. Do you recall that infamous day? (Team Insight writer Mike May told me to ask you that. He may have been on-deck at the time and I may have been playing shortstop.) You are killing me! Sadly, that story is true and, as is obvious, I'm never going to live it down. All I would say is I absolutely crushed that ball and the shortstop made a Gold Glove play to stab it and turn two. Thank you. Now, more seriously, you have accomplished quite a lot at SGMA/SFIA. Any proudest moments? Aer 34 years, I'm proud of a lot of things, if I'm being honest. But highlights include solving the child labor problem in global soccer ball production in the 1990s, writ- ing and passing the PEP Act, which drives almost $1 billion into local physical educa- tion programs, and raising SFIA Research to a point where we are a respected and sought-out voice in youth sports policy and funding. I also love the role SFIA has played in championing sports for girls and women. And, I guess I would say, I'm very proud to have been able to steward SFIA, a more than 120-year-old organization, through a massive period of change and disruption and leaving it strong and ready to lead the industry into the next chapters. On the flip side, anything still undone? e PHIT Act is definitely one. Also, we still have a lot of work to do in broaden- ing sports opportunities for underserved kids. Do you care to name any of your favorite SGMA/SFIA chairmen? All of them were great. Seriously, being a chair of a non-profit can be tough. I was blessed with an amazing group of folks who put industry and organization first and took on the servant leader-model. at made my job infinitely easier. How about any of your favorite trade mag- azine editors? Let me think about that and I'll get back to you. Okay, I'll let that slide. I made a few of your Capitol Hill lobbying days and really en- joyed the experience. I was teamed with an NFL player and a female track star once, so no one paid any attention to me. Who were your favorite celebrities/athletes who you took to the Hill? at is really hard because I have so much respect for all these athletes and celebrities who gave their time to come to DC and lobby. I'll always mention Herschel Walker, because no matter what you think of his politics, he devoted a massive amount of time to giving back and helping kids, always with a smile and kindness. Any others? I also had great times with Peyton Manning and his dad Archie, also Martina Navratilova, Abby Wambach, Carl Lewis. Felt lucky just to see Billie Jean King work her influence. In the end, though, the one athlete who impressed me the most was Tommie Smith, who won the Olympic 100 meter dash in 1968 and then famously raised a gloved fist on the medal podium. Learning about his journey, how much he lost as a result of that, the difficult times he faced upon return to the United States, and then to see no bitterness and only a continued commitment to positive social change over the next 50 years — I'll never forget that day. Speaking of Herschel Walker, did you ever challenge him to a race? Have you seen that guy? Here's the typical question: What will you miss most about working at SFIA and in the sporting goods industry? Easy, I'll miss the people. is industry has great people. We're in the fun business. Both fun and business make for a fantastic combination for a career and there are a lot of people who could have been successful in anything, but they affirmatively chose to do this. ose are the best folks to work with. And what won't you miss? Grinding it baby. I love the SFIA and this industry, but I'm going to enjoy not worry- ing about the daily grind. Finally, tell us what's next for Tom Cove — golf, long naps, more lobbying? Passion projects that I've put off. Definitely sports lobbying at a local level, hopefully volunteer coaching and other service work, and going to a lot of horse races. I'm also considering some board of director work, so that might be cool in terms of staying involved on the business side. n teaminsightmag.com November/December 2024 ~ Team Insight • 11

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