Presentation by Academy Sports President Open to Students, Public

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Alumnus J.K. Symancyk, president and chief executive officer of Academy Sports and Outdoors, will speak to the campus community on Sept. 7.

University of Arkansas alumnus James Kevin "J.K." Symancyk, president and chief executive officer of Academy Sports and Outdoors, will be on campus to speak to students, faculty and staff on Thursday, Sept. 7.

Symancyk's presentation, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development in the Sam M. Walton College of Business. A question and answer period will follow his presentation, along with a reception for students, faculty and staff.

A native Arkansan, Symancyk earned a bachelor's degree in theatre from the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. He joined Academy Sports and Outdoors in September 2015. Prior to that, Symancyk worked at Meijer Inc. as the chief operating officer, where he oversaw retail operations, supply chain, manufacturing, merchandising and marketing. He also previously held various leadership roles at Sam's Club.

Symancyk's presentation, "Views, Insights and Perspectives," will kick off Academy Sports and Outdoors Day at the University of Arkansas, which is being held Sept. 8 and features an opportunity to meet the company's recruiting team.

Academy Sports and Outdoors provides hunting, fishing and camping equipment, patio sets and barbecue grills and sports and recreation products. The company currently has more than 230 stores in 16 states, supported by more than 23,000 team members throughout the South, Southeast and Midwest.