Stride Rite(R) Announces New Saucony(TM) Leadership: Michael Metcalfe Promoted To GM; Shawn Neville Named Group President

The Stride Rite Corporation (NYSE: SRR) today announced
the promotions of Michael Metcalfe to General Manager of Saucony, and
Shawn Neville to Group President, Keds(R) and Saucony, effective
immediately.
   Metcalfe has been a key player in the athletic footwear industry
for over two decades, with his most recent role as Senior Vice
President of Sales for Saucony since the technical running brand's
acquisition by Stride Rite in September 2005. Metcalfe joined Stride
Rite as Senior Vice President of Sales for Keds in 2004. Previously,
he spent 13 years with Reebok International, in various sales and
product marketing roles, the last as Vice President of U.S. Footwear
Sales and Merchandising, a $1 billion segment.
   "Mike has been a tremendous asset to the Saucony team and me in
helping integrate their business model into ours," said Rick Thornton,
President and COO of Stride Rite. "We are confident that Mike, with
Shawn's leadership, will take the Saucony business to the next level,"
he added.
   As General Manager reporting to Neville, Metcalfe will oversee all
major functions including operations, product development, marketing
and sales. Metcalfe steps into his new role with an already in-depth
knowledge of the Saucony brand; he was Vice President of Product
Marketing for the performance running company during the late
eighties.
   Shawn Neville, President of Keds since 2004, is a well-respected
industry veteran who brings a wealth of general management, sales and
marketing experience to Saucony. His career consists of executive
leadership roles in the worldwide athletic footwear business,
including President and CEO of Footstar's athletic division and the
management of Footaction, USA. Neville has held senior general
management roles domestically and internationally at Reebok and senior
marketing and sales positions at Reebok, Visa USA and Procter &
Gamble.
   "Shawn has deep experience with Saucony's target markets, proven
leadership in the athletic footwear industry, and a passion for
building brands," said Thornton. "His experience in both the
wholesale, retail and international athletic segments gives Shawn a
unique perspective on how to expand the Saucony brand globally," he
added.
   "I am looking forward to working with Mike and the entire Saucony
team to continue to build the brand's leadership position in the
performance running segment," said Neville. Neville will report to
Rick Thornton, President and COO of Stride Rite.

   About Stride Rite: Headquartered in Lexington, MA, The Stride Rite
Corporation is an NYSE company (SRR) with 2005 net sales of $588
million. Stride Rite markets the leading brand of high-quality
lifestyle and athletic shoes for children and adults that are marketed
by the Company under well-known brand names, including Stride Rite,
Keds, PRO-Keds(R), Saucony, Sperry Top-Sider(R), Tommy Hilfiger(R),
and Grasshoppers(R). Apparel products are marketed by the Company
under the Saucony and Hind(TM) brand names. Information about the
Company is available at www.strideritecorp.com. Information about the
Company's brands and product lines is available at www.striderite.com,
www.keds.com, www.saucony.com, www.sperrytopsider.com, and
www.hind.com.

   About Saucony, Inc.: Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of The Stride
Rite Corporation is a leading global supplier of performance athletic
footwear and apparel with its widely recognized brands Saucony,
Saucony Originals, and Spot-bilt. For more information, go to
www.saucony.com.