BIRMINGHAM, Ala.
For its first-ever sponsorship of the World Police & Fire Games, Sport Clips Haircuts sponsored five first-responder athletes who all medaled in their events. At the Athletes’ Village at City Walk, professional stylists from nearby Sport Clips locations provided hundreds of free haircuts and chilled towels for competing athletes as the brand’s way of saying “thank you” to those who serve their communities as first responders.
As part of Sport Clips’ Honoring Our Heroes program, first responders were offered the opportunity to provide a video testimonial about why they should be chosen to compete, and five were selected for an all-expenses-paid trip to participate in the prestigious international Games.
The five medal-winning athletes sponsored by Sport Clips include:
- Andy Gerdt – Retired Police Officer, Carmel Police Department, Sevierville, Tenn. – 1 Gold, 2 Silver (Tennis)
- Sydney Davis – Pierce County Sheriff’s Officer, Tacoma, Wash. – 3 Silver (Track & Field)
- Gary Hirata – Retired Sergeant, San Jose Police Department, El Dorado Hills, Cali. – 1 Silver (Bench Press)
- Martin Robertson – Firefighter, Austin Fire Department, New Braunfels, Tex. – 2 Gold (Pickleball)
- Chris Robertson – Firefighter, Austin Fire Department, Austin, Tex. – 1 Gold (Pickleball)
“I got to meet with these community heroes during the Games in Birmingham, and it was such an honor to connect with and celebrate them. Plus, every one of them earning gold and/or silver is proof of their dedication to hard work and to their sport,” said Edward Logan, Sport Clips CEO and president. “I also got to see the incredible onsite activation where Sport Clips Team Members offered free haircuts for all athletes starting right after the opening ceremonies and continued until the Games closed. The booth was a favorite spot in the Athletes Village and spread so much goodwill among the Games’ more than 8,000 participating athletes.”
Sport Clips has long honored veterans through its Help A Hero Scholarship Program and other veteran-related efforts. The brand is expanding its community support to celebrate and uplift those who serve as law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, correctional officers, investigators, Customs officers, and more, and participating locations provide a haircut discount for all first responders. For more information, visit SportClips.com.
-30-
About Sport Clips Haircuts
Sport Clips Haircuts is headquartered in Georgetown, Texas. It was established in 1993 and began franchising in 1995. The sports-themed haircutting franchise, which specializes in haircuts for men and boys, offers online check in for clients, and ranks #52 in the Entrepreneur “Franchise 500” for 2025 and was named a 2025 Top Franchise by Franchise Business Review. There are more than 1,850 Sport Clips stores open in the U.S. and Canada. Sport Clips is the “Official Haircutter” of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), offers veterans preferential pricing on haircuts and franchises, and was named a 2024 Top Franchise for Veterans by Entrepreneur. Sport Clips provides “Haircuts with Heart” through its annual Help A Hero fundraiser that has contributed $15 million to the VFW; national partnership with St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants; and other national and local philanthropic outreach. Sport Clips is a proud sponsor of NASCAR’s Joe Gibbs Racing team, Minor League Baseball (MiLB), and partners with select NCAA teams. To learn more about Sport Clips, visit sportclips.com.
About World Police & Fire Games
Founded in 1985, the World Police & Fire Games are a biennial event that strives to promote physical fitness, wellness, professional development, and camaraderie among first responders globally. The event is organized by the California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF) and has grown to become one of the largest athletic events in the world. The 2025 World Police & Fire Games were held June 27-July 6, in Birmingham, Alabama. For more information, please visit www.bhm2025.com, and follow on Facebook, Instagram, and X at @BHM2025.