As part of the continuing evolution of the Youth Foundation, the organization is pleased to welcome two seasoned, local not-for-profit leaders to its board of directors. The Youth Foundation is introducing board leadership from outside of the Finish Line organization for the first time in its history. "The addition of Curtis Simic, President Emeritus, Indiana University Foundation and Danny Dean, President, Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Foundation, provides the Foundation with tremendous expertise and outstanding leadership -- ensuring the lasting legacy of the organization," said Gary Cohen, outgoing Youth Foundation president. "We are incredibly fortunate to have such experienced and highly respected individuals as Curt and Danny serving on the Youth Foundation Board." Simic has more than forty years of experience in development at both public and private institutions of higher education while Dean, currently the vice president of the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, has served as president of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Foundation since 1992.

New Youth Foundation officers also were elected during the organization's annual board meeting on February 19, 2010. The new officers, Bob Edwards, president, Roger Underwood, vice president and Mark Clark, secretary, will serve two-year terms with the Foundation. Bob, Roger and Mark are all current Finish Line employees.

The Youth Foundation, initiated in 1998, continues to extend grants to a variety of 501c (3) organizations that make a difference in the lives of youth. Since 2006, the Foundation has awarded more than $500,000 in grants to qualifying not-for-profit organizations. The generosity of Finish Line customers, during the company's annual in-store holiday fund drive, supports the Foundation's grant-making efforts. Throughout the 2009 holiday season, Finish Line customers donated more than $1.3 million to the Youth Foundation.

About Finish Line Youth Foundation

The Finish Line Youth Foundation strives to make a difference in the lives of youth in the communities where employees and customers live, work and play.The Youth Foundation funds non-profit organizations that provide opportunities for kids to participate in community-based youth athletic programs and camps that emphasize sports and active lifestyles, especially programs that serve disadvantaged and special needs kids. For more information about Finish Line or Finish Line Youth Foundation, go to www.finishline.com/youthfoundation.

About Finish Line

The Finish Line, Inc. is a premium athletic footwear store and one of the nation's largest mall-based specialty retailers, offering a large selection of performance and everyday sport footwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and kids. The Finish Line, Inc. is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol FINL. The company operates 668 Finish Line stores in 47 states and offers online shopping at www.finishline.com.

    Media Contact:
    Patrick Dolan, 317.613.6827
    pdolan@finishline.com

SOURCE The Finish Line Youth Foundation