OrthoLite Founder Glenn Barrett to be Inducted into National Sporting Goods Association Hall of Fame in 2024

September 6, 2023

Glenn Barrett, acknowledged for his revolutionary contributions to the footwear industry, is among four industry figures inducted for NSGA Hall of Fame Class of 2024

AMHERST, Mass. (Sept. 6, 2023) – OrthoLite®, the global leader of branded, high-performance, comfort footwear solutions, is proud to announce that its founder and CEO, Glenn Barrett, is one of four inductees in the Class of 2024 of the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame for his significant impact on the industry.

Footwear entrepreneur Glenn Barrett revolutionized the footwear segment of the sporting goods industry from the inside out. While most public attention is paid to the outer style of footwear, OrthoLite, which Barrett founded in 1997, focused on the inside with an emphasis on the importance of comfort and performance.

Upon founding OrthoLite, Barrett introduced a new open-cell PU foam insole technology that led OrthoLite to become recognized as the world leader in branded footwear component technologies. This open-cell PU foam was the ideal technology to solve the problems occurring inside the shoe, offering a solution that was not only more comfortable, but it also provided a cooler, drier, and healthier interior environment inside of the footwear. This product also proved to be easier on the planet by using 5% recycled outsole rubber waste material in the mix. Over two decades later, OrthoLite is widely recognized as the world leader in branded comfort technologies.

Today OrthoLite partners with more than 500 of the world’s leading footwear brands who trust OrthoLite to elevate the comfort, performance and sustainability of their footwear.

“I am honored to receive this recognition alongside an admirable group of my industry peers,” said Glenn Barrett, founder and CEO of OrthoLite. “As I continue this journey in developing footwear solutions, I can assure the sporting goods industry that OrthoLite will continue to deliver innovative footwear solutions for our brand partners with a focus on comfort, performance, innovation and sustainability.”

According to NSGA, Barrett joins his fellow class of 2024 inductees: Cathy Pryor (Hibbett Sports), Karsten Solheim (PING Golf) and Mike Thompson (Rawlings). The foursome will join more than 180 retailers, team dealers, manufacturers and industry influencers who have been honored with induction into the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame since it was established by the National Sporting Goods Association in 1955. The selections of Barrett, Pryor, Solheim and Thompson were made by the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame Committee at its annual meeting in May.

“The Class of 2024 is a tremendous group of inductees who made great contributions to the industry,” said Pat Donnelley, Chairman of the NSGA Board of Directors. “Welcoming them to the Hall of Fame is a real thrill and it’s great to see them recognized and honored for what they have accomplished.”

OrthoLite has provided athletes with another tool they need to succeed and OrthoLite’s products can be found in more than 600 million pairs of footwear a year. Because OrthoLite is U.S.-owned and operated and has production facilities in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Spain, India and Brazil, it can work alongside its brand partners wherever they manufacture shoes.

Barrett is also a longtime supporter and member since 1980 of the non-profit Two Ten Footwear Foundation. Two Ten is a national organization which helps people in the footwear industry with professional development and assistance if they are going through hardships or crises. In 2022, Barrett received the A.A. Bloom Award (named after one of the founders of Two Ten) honoring an individual who has given greatly to Two Ten through initiatives, hard work, dedication and unselfish actions.

Barrett will accept his award at the NSGA Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony in Phoenix in May 2024.

For additional information on OrthoLite, please visit ortholite.com.

About OrthoLite®

OrthoLite is the world’s leading supplier of open-cell foam technology, and the innovator and creator of OrthoLite Cirql™, the patented, revolutionary alternative to conventional plastics that provides footwear brands and their factory partners with the most sustainable, circular choice in materials. OrthoLite’s innovative footwear solutions are available to brands that share a vision for the future of sustainable footwear. Currently OrthoLite is found in more than 550 million shoes across all categories each year from brands such as Adidas, Altra, Asics, Brooks, Clarks, Converse, Danner, ECCO, Fendi, HOKA, Hugo Boss, Justin, New Balance, On, Reebok, Rothy’s, Salomon, Skechers, The North Face, Timberland, Toms, Under Armour, and Vans.

OrthoLite has a long-standing history of meaningful partnerships and sponsorships that demonstrate a dedicated commitment to supporting its customers, consumers, brand partners and the footwear industry. OrthoLite is the Official Insole sponsor of the New York Yankees, and strong supporter of the Two Ten Foundation. Stay up to date with company news by visiting OrthoLite.com and OrthoLiteCirql.com, and following OrthoLite on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. To learn more about the benefits of OrthoLite, visit www.ortholite.com.

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

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, 181 men and women have been inducted. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 induction class. The deadline for nominations is March 31, 2024. Nomination forms and information can be found at www.nsga.org/halloffame. Questions can be directed to Julie Pitts, Hall of Fame Committee secretary, at hof@nsga.org.