RUGGED SHARK JOINS THE ARMY!

Rugged Shark Footwear

April 28, 2011:  Rugged Shark, the leader in footwear for fishermen, is proud to join forces with ArmyBassAnglers, an organization dedicated to tournament bass fishing and non-profit work on behalf of members of the military and their families.

“Our association with ArmyBassAnglers is a very special one,” said Mike Wilkes, Rugged Shark National Sales Manager. ”ABA is a professionally run competitive fishing organization that is also heavily invested in volunteer charity activities like the Warrior and Family Support Centers, Veteran Outdoors, Heroes on the Water, and Fishing for Freedom program, which matches returning veterans and wounded soldiers with ABA members who take them fishing.”

ArmyBassAnglers consists of 12 Pro Staff anglers, 200 plus Coalition anglers and over 200 Task Force members in addition to more than 13,000 subscribers who are active duty or retired U.S. military from all branches of the service. The group currently fishes the Oakley Big Bass Tour, Bass Champs (World Fishing Network) and numerous grass roots and charity events. It is featured on Big Bass Battle on Versus, and Veteran Outdoors on the Sportsman Channel, both cable network hits, and has provided the Ceremonial Launch Boats for the past three Bassmasters Classics.

“We are extremely excited to have Rugged Shark as an active sponsor of our organization,” said ABA President Cody Roberson. “We are continually seeking one-of-a-kind companies to support our Mission and Rugged Shark’s superior line of boating and fishing shoes fits that mold perfectly—no one knows how important comfort, fit and performance is to footwear than a soldier! We have logged thousands of miles in marches and patrols in the toughest environments on earth and LCPs (leather personnel carriers) are our area of expertise. We are proud to join forces with a company with products as tough and practical as Rugged Shark—HOOAH! We look forward to a long, strong relationship with Rugged Shark and helping to put their incredible products into the hands and on the feet of American’s finest.”

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RUGGED SHARK SPONSORS ARMYBASSANGLERS: page two

The sponsorship will begin immediately with Rugged Shark becoming the exclusive fishing apparel and footwear of ArmyBassAnglers along with numerous co-promotions during the term. In addition the well recognized Rugged Shark Fin logo will be prominently displayed on the twelve Pro Staff tournament jerseys and boats.

To learn more about the ArmyBassAnglers, their tournament schedule and volunteer work go to www.armybassanglers.com. You can see the full line of Rugged Shark Outdoor Footwear at www.ruggedshark.com.

About Rugged Shark, LLC

Parent company SG Footwear brings over 100-years of experience and stability to the Rugged Shark Brand. It was established in 1896 and is one of the world’s largest designers, producers and marketers of athletic, casual and seasonal footwear and is also the parent company of SGI Apparel Group.

About ArmyBassAnglers work on behalf of America’s fighting men and women.

The Warrior & Family Support Center, ABA’s original non-profit it supports, is a 12,000 square-foot rehabilitation center, funded solely by private donations and provides space for wounded soldiers undergoing treatment in San Antonio, allowing them to spend private time with their friends and families when they are not actively participating in rehabilitative treatment.

Heroes on the Water is a National non-profit 501c3 that focuses its efforts on kayaking and fishing as a rehabilitative outdoor activity for wounded veterans recovering from their combat injures. HOW is an incredible alternative to power boat fishing and outdoor recreation that has provided very inspiring results both in physical and emotional rehabilitation.

Veteran Outdoors is a non-profit 501c3 that completes the organizations Task Force of non-profits that provides big game one-of-a-kind hunting and fishing experiences for wounded veterans with some of the country’s most experienced pros and guides all focused on the wounded hero and his story.