Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Famer, Sports, Inc. Founder Don Pfau Passes Away

DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS (April 21, 2025) – Don Pfau’s legacy in the sporting goods industry was rooted in his dedication to his lifelong home of Lewistown, Montana. Pfau, the founder of buying group Sports, Inc., and a member of the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame who served on the NSGA Board of Directors, passed away on April 10 at 97.

Pfau was born, raised and began his career in the sporting goods industry in Lewistown, where he was lauded as “Man of the Century” by the Lewistown News-Argus in 2002 for his commitment to numerous local causes. Lewistown is where he started Sports, Inc., in the mid-1960s and where it is headquartered today. Pfau also served on the NSGA Board of Directors from 1987-90 and 1992-95 and was inducted into the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame in 2006.

“Don made a remarkable impact in the sporting goods industry, in the City of Lewistown and central Montana communities,” said Matt Carlson, NSGA President & CEO. “He had a great commitment to help the industry and NSGA and believed firmly in collaborating to make us both better. Don was dedicated to helping independent retailers and team dealers succeed.”

Pfau opened a surplus store in Lewistown in February 1947 after he returned home from serving in the Army. He then opened “Don’s Store” for sporting goods, and it was part of the Lewistown community until 2018.

His experiences made Pfau realize that independent retailers needed to work together so they could buy competitively and stay in business. Pfau started Sports, Incorporated in September 1964 and brought six sporting goods store owners in Montana and the Dakotas to become part of the founding Board of Directors. The company did $83,000 in business in the first year and has grown to 600-plus members doing more than a billion dollars in annual sales.

During Pfau’s tenure on the NSGA Board he co-chaired a program which provided assistance to independent retailers who attended NSGA trade shows. He also served for numerous years on the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame Committee and was Vice Chairman when he retired from the Committee in 2004.

Pfau’s devotion to his Lewistown home was legendary, starting in the 1950s when two downtown hotels burned down and he joined the fundraising effort for a new hotel and convention center. He led the community fundraising efforts for a new hospital, a new high school, a flood-control project, a performing arts center and an adult education center. He organized a program for junior high students to help clean up a local recreation area and was deeply involved in city-county planning.

NSGA extends its deepest condolences to Mr. Pfau’s family, friends, and colleagues. According to social media, his family is coordinating a celebration of life later this year.

About the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame

NSGA created the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame in 1955 to honor sporting goods pioneers, innovators and leaders, while recognizing and encouraging continued excellence in the industry. Since the first induction in 1956, 185 men and women have been inducted. For more information on the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame, please visit https://www.nsga.org/hall-of-fame/.

About the National Sporting Goods Association

Since 1929, the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) has been the leading voice and go-to resource for the sporting goods industry. NSGA helps the industry grow its businesses through research, advocacy and networking. For more information about membership or NSGA’s products and services, please visit www.nsga.org.