DEF 14A 1 d67446ddef14a.htm DEF 14A def14a
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
o     Preliminary Proxy Statement
o     Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
þ     Definitive Proxy Statement
o     Definitive Additional Materials
o     Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-12
HASTINGS ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
         
þ   No fee required.
o   Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
 
       
 
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(HASTINGS LOGO)
3601 Plains Boulevard
Amarillo, Texas 79102
May 8, 2009
Dear Shareholder:
     You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Hastings Entertainment, Inc. (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held at the Hastings Store Support Center on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, at 4:00 p.m., central daylight savings time. The Store Support Center is located at 3601 Plains Boulevard in Amarillo, Texas 79102.
     The attached Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement describe fully the formal business to be transacted at the Annual Meeting. During the Annual Meeting, shareholders will consider and vote upon the election of two members of the Board of Directors, an amendment to the Outside Directors Stock Grant Plan that would increase by 75,000 the number of shares of our common stock available for grant under the plan, the adoption of an employee stock option exchange program and the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2009.
     Many of our directors and officers will be present at the Annual Meeting and will be available to respond to any questions you may have. I hope you will be able to attend.
     We urge you to review carefully the accompanying material and to promptly return the enclosed proxy card or vote by telephone or via the Internet as instructed on your proxy card. Voting by proxy, telephone or Internet will not prevent you from voting in person at the Annual Meeting.
Sincerely,
/s/ John H. Marmaduke
John H. Marmaduke
Chairman of the Board

 


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(HASTINGS LOGO)
3601 Plains Boulevard
Amarillo, Texas 79102
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 3, 2009
     NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Hastings Entertainment, Inc. will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, at 4:00 p.m., central daylight savings time at the Hastings Store Support Center, located at 3601 Plains Boulevard in Amarillo, Texas, for the following purposes:
  (1)   to elect two directors to our Board of Directors for a term expiring in 2012;
 
  (2)   to approve an amendment to the Outside Directors’ Stock Grant Plan that would increase by 75,000 the number of shares of our common stock available for grant under the plan;
 
  (3)   to approve an employee stock option exchange program;
 
  (4)   to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2009; and
 
  (5)   to consider such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
     Information concerning the matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting is set forth in the accompanying Proxy Statement.
     The close of business on April 21, 2009, was fixed as the record date for determining the shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
     Shareholders are urged to vote by completing, dating, signing and returning the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying envelope, which does not require postage if mailed in the United States, by telephone or via the Internet as instructed on the proxy card. Voting by proxy, telephone or Internet will not prevent shareholders from voting in person at the Annual Meeting.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE
SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON JUNE 3, 2009
     Our Proxy Statement, 2008 Annual Report, and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009 are available online at http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=109628&p=proxy. In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules, this website provides complete anonymity with respect to any shareholder accessing it.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Natalya A. Ballew
NATALYA A. BALLEW
Corporate Secretary
Amarillo, Texas
May 8, 2009

 


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Hastings Entertainment, Inc.
3601 Plains Boulevard
Amarillo, Texas 79102
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held on June 3, 2009
 
GENERAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
         
Q:   When is the Proxy Statement being mailed and who is soliciting proxies?
 
       
A:   This Proxy Statement is first being mailed on or about May 8, 2009, to shareholders of the Company by the Board of Directors to solicit proxies for use at the Annual Meeting.
 
       
Q:   When is the Annual Meeting and where will it be held?
 
       
A:   The Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, at 4:00 p.m. central daylight savings time at the Hastings Store Support Center. The Store Support Center is located at 3601 Plains Boulevard in Amarillo, Texas.
 
       
Q:   Who may attend the Annual Meeting?
 
       
A:   All of our shareholders may attend the Annual Meeting.
 
       
Q:   Who is entitled to vote?
 
       
A:   Shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 21, 2009, which is referred to as the record date, are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote.
 
       
Q:   On what am I voting?
 
       
A:   You will be voting on:
 
       
 
    the election of two directors to the Board of Directors for a term expiring in 2012;
 
       
 
    the approval of an amendment to the Outside Directors’ Stock Grant Plan that would increase by 75,000 the number of shares of our common stock available for grant under the plan;
 
       
 
    the approval of an employee stock option exchange program; and
 
       
 
    the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2009; and
 
       
 
    any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
 
       
Q:   How do I vote?
 
       
A:   You may vote by attending the Annual Meeting or, if you chose not to attend, by signing and dating each proxy card you receive and returning it in the enclosed prepaid envelope, by telephone or via the Internet, as instructed on the proxy card. If you vote by proxy and then decide to attend the Annual Meeting, you may revoke your proxy by voting in person.
 
       
    All shares represented by valid proxies, unless the shareholder otherwise
specifies, will be voted:
 
       
 
    FOR the election of the persons named as nominees for election as director for a term expiring in 2012 under the caption “Proposal No. 1: Election of Two Directors;”

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    FOR the approval of an amendment to the Outside Directors’ Stock Grant Plan that would increase by 75,000 the shares available for grant under the plan;
 
       
 
    FOR the approval of an employee stock option exchange program;
 
       
 
    FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2009; and
 
       
 
    at the discretion of the proxy holders with regard to any other matter that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
 
       
    If you properly specify how your proxy is to be voted, your proxy will be voted accordingly. The proxy may be revoked at any time by either providing written notice of revocation to Natalya A. Ballew, Corporate Secretary, Hastings Entertainment, Inc., 3601 Plains Boulevard, Amarillo, Texas 79102, or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. If you sign and send your proxy but do not indicate how you want to vote, your proxy will be voted FOR the four proposals.
 
       
Q:   If I abstain from voting or withhold authority to vote for the proposals, will my shares be counted in the vote?
 
       
A:   If you abstain from voting or elect to withhold authority to vote for the proposals, your shares will not be counted in the vote.
 
       
Q:   If my broker holds my shares in “street name,” will my broker vote my shares for me?
 
       
A:   Your broker is required to vote your shares in accordance with instructions received from you. Your broker may vote your shares on the proposals if your broker does not receive instructions from you, but is not required to do so. To be sure your shares are voted, you should instruct your broker on how to vote your shares using the instructions provided by your broker. If you do not instruct your broker how to vote your shares, your shares may not be counted in the vote on any of the proposals.
 
       
Q:   What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card?
 
       
A:   If you receive more than one proxy card, it is because your shares are in more than one account. You will need to sign and return all proxy cards to ensure that all your shares are voted.
 
       
Q:   Who will count the vote?
 
       
A:   Representatives of Mellon Investor Services, Inc., our transfer agent, will tabulate the votes and act as inspectors of election.
 
       
Q:   What constitutes a quorum?
 
       
A:   As of the record date, 9,729,434 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding. A majority of the issued and outstanding shares present or represented by proxy will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. If you submit a properly executed proxy card, you will be considered part of the quorum. Votes that are withheld and broker non-votes will be counted towards a quorum but will be excluded from, and have no effect on the outcome of, the matters to be voted upon.
 
       
Q:   What is the required vote for the election of a director?
 
       
A:   The nominees for election as directors at the Annual Meeting who receive the highest number of “FOR” votes will be elected as directors. This is called plurality voting.
 
       
Q:   How much did this proxy solicitation cost?
 
       
A:   The entire cost of the proxy solicitation will be borne by the Company. We have hired Mellon Investor Services, Inc. to assist in the distribution of proxy materials and solicitation of votes at a cost of approximately $6,000, plus out-of-pocket expenses. We will reimburse brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding proxy and

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    solicitation materials to the owners of common stock. Our executive officers and regular employees may also solicit proxies, but they will not be specifically compensated for such services.
PROPOSAL NO. 1:
ELECTION OF TWO DIRECTORS
Our Board of Directors (the “Board”) is divided into three classes, each consisting of two directors. Members of each class of directors generally serve for a term of three years. A director serves until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in the year in which his or her term expires or until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until the earlier of his or her resignation, death or removal.
The terms of Mr. John H. Marmaduke and Mr. Jeffrey G. Shrader expire at this Annual Meeting. The Board has nominated each for reelection as a director to serve for a three-year term expiring at our Annual Meeting in 2012, or until a successor is elected and qualified or until the resignation, death or removal of Messrs. Marmaduke or Shrader.
In order to be elected a director, a nominee must receive a plurality of the votes of the shares of common stock having voting power present or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting.
Each nominee has indicated his willingness to serve as a member of the Board if elected; however, if a nominee becomes unavailable for election to the Board for any reason not presently known or contemplated, the proxy holders have discretionary authority to vote the proxy for a substitute nominee. Proxies cannot be voted for more than one nominee for each director position to be filled at the Annual Meeting.
Set forth below is information as to the nominees for election at the Annual Meeting, and each of the directors whose term of office will continue after the Annual Meeting, including their ages, present principal occupations, other business experiences during the last five years, membership on committees of the Board and directorships in other companies.
The Board recommends a vote FOR the nominees listed below for election as directors (Proposal 1 on the proxy card.)
Nominees for Election to the Board of Directors
John H. Marmaduke, age 62, has served as Hastings’ President and Chief Executive Officer since July 1976 and as Chairman of the Board since October 1993. He is a member of our Executive Committee. Mr. Marmaduke also serves on the Board of Directors of Entertainment Merchants Association. Mr. Marmaduke received the 1998 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for the Southwest Retail/Consumer Products Industry. Mr. Marmaduke has been active in the entertainment retailing industry with us and our predecessor company for over 30 years.
Jeffrey G. Shrader, age 58, has served as a director of Hastings since October 1992 and is a member of our Executive Committee. Mr. Shrader has been a shareholder in the law firm of Sprouse Shrader Smith, P.C. in Amarillo, Texas since January 1993. Mr. Shrader is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of Parallel Petroleum Corporation.
Other Directors Whose Terms of Office Continue After the Annual Meeting
Daryl L. Lansdale, age 68, has served as a director of Hastings since March 2001 and is a member of our Audit Committee, our Compensation Committee, and our Director Nominating Committee. Mr. Lansdale’s current term as director expires in 2011. Since 2002, Mr. Lansdale has been a consultant and a private investor. Mr. Lansdale was President of Rush Retail Centers from March 1998 to January 2002.
Frank O. Marrs, age 64, has served as a director of Hastings since April 2003 and is the Chairman of our Audit Committee and a member of our Director Nominating Committee and Executive Committee. Mr. Marrs’ current

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term as director expires in 2011. Mr. Marrs has served as Chief Executive Officer of Gupton Marrs International, a risk-management advisory firm, since 2001. Prior to that, Mr. Marrs was employed by KPMG LLP, an accounting and advisory firm, serving in several leadership positions, including National Managing Partner of Audit.
Ann S. Lieff, age 57, has served as a director of Hastings since December 2001 and is a member of our Audit Committee, our Compensation Committee, and our Director Nominating Committee. Ms. Lieff’s current term as director expires in 2010. Ms. Lieff is the founder of The Lieff Company, a business consulting firm, and has been its President since 1998. Ms. Lieff currently serves as a board member of Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund, Inc. and Birks & Mayors Inc. Ms. Lieff also served as a Board member of Claires Stores, Inc. from 2003 through 2007.
Danny W. Gurr, age 51, has served as a director of Hastings since September 2005 and is the Chairman of our Compensation Committee and a member of our Director Nominating Committee. Mr. Gurr’s current term as director expires in 2010. Mr. Gurr is a management consultant and has served as a director of Cost Plus, Inc., a leading specialty retailer of casual home living and entertaining products since 1995. He also served as interim President of Cost Plus, Inc. during 2005. Since September 2004, Mr. Gurr has served as Director and President of Make Believe Ideas, Inc., a publisher of children’s books. Mr. Gurr also serves as Director of Millennium House, an Australian publishing company. From January 2002 until July 2003, Mr. Gurr served as the President of Quarto Holdings, Inc., a leading international co-edition publisher.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Independence
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) has adopted independence standards for companies listed on NASDAQ, including Hastings. These standards require that a majority of the Board and each member of the audit, compensation and director nominating committees be “independent” within the meaning of the standards, subject to certain limited exceptions. The Board, applying the NASDAQ standards, has determined that four of our six directors, Ms. Lieff and Messrs. Gurr, Lansdale and Marrs, are independent and that no relationship exists as to any such independent director that, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out his or her responsibilities. In addition, each member of the Audit Committee qualifies under the special standards established by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for members of audit committees. Accordingly, the Board has determined that the Board of Directors and committees of Hastings meet applicable independence standards of NASDAQ and the SEC.
Nomination of Directors
Minimum Qualifications of Directors
We have not adopted specific qualification criteria for directors except to the extent required to meet applicable legal, regulatory and stock exchange requirements, including, but not limited to, the independence requirements of the NASDAQ and the SEC, as applicable. Nominees for director will be selected on the basis of outstanding achievement in their personal careers; wisdom; integrity; ability to make independent, analytical inquiries; understanding of the business environment; and willingness to devote adequate time to Board duties. While the selection of qualified directors is a complex and subjective process that requires consideration of many intangible factors, the Director Nominating Committee believes that each director should have an understanding of (i) our principal operational and financial objectives and plans and strategies, (ii) the results of operations and financial condition of Hastings and our business, and (iii) the relative standing of Hastings and our product categories in relation to our competitors.
Director Nomination Process
The Director Nominating Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board regarding nominees for election to the Board. It seeks to identify and recruit the best available Board candidates by evaluating qualified Board candidates submitted by incumbent directors, shareholders, Hastings’ management or third party search firms. When it is necessary to fill a Board vacancy or elect an additional Board member, the Director Nominating

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Committee will request that each incumbent director submit a list of potential candidates for consideration. The Director Nominating Committee also will consider candidates submitted by shareholders (see “Consideration of Shareholder Nominated Directors” below), or submitted by our management. If the Director Nominating Committee deems it necessary, it will retain an independent third party search firm to provide potential candidates. The Director Nominating Committee will then evaluate each potential candidate’s educational background, employment history, outside commitments and other relevant factors to determine whether he or she is qualified to serve on the Board. The Director Nominating Committee will evaluate qualified shareholder nominees on the same basis as those submitted by Board members, our management, third party search firms or other sources.
If the process yields one or more desirable Board candidates, the Director Nominating Committee will rank them by order of preference based on each candidate’s respective qualifications and our Company’s needs. A member of the Director Nominating Committee will then contact the preferred candidate or candidates to evaluate their potential interest and schedule an interview with the entire Director Nominating Committee. All interviews will be held in person and will be conducted by the Director Nominating Committee members. Based upon interview results and appropriate background checks, the Director Nominating Committee will re-evaluate the candidate at a committee meeting and vote on its recommendation to the Board. If a majority of the Director Nominating Committee members vote to recommend the candidate, the Board will be promptly notified of such recommendation.
When nominating a sitting director for re-election at an annual meeting, the Director Nominating Committee will consider the director’s performance on the Board and the director’s qualifications in respect of the criteria referred to above. The Director Nominating Committee may determine that it is not necessary to meet formally in order to conduct this evaluation.
Consideration of Shareholder Nominated Directors
The Director Nominating Committee will consider for inclusion in our proxy materials potential nominees submitted by shareholders. Any shareholder may submit a candidate for consideration by sending the following information to the Corporate Secretary, Hastings Entertainment, Inc., 3601 Plains Boulevard, Amarillo, Texas 79102: (i) shareholder’s name, number of shares owned, length of period held, and proof of ownership; (ii) name, age and address of candidate; (iii) a detailed resume describing, among other things, the candidate’s educational background, occupation, employment history for at least the previous five years, and material outside commitments (e.g., memberships on other boards and committees, charitable foundations, etc.); (iv) a supporting statement which describes the candidate’s reasons for seeking election to the Board; (v) a description of any arrangements or understandings between the candidate and Hastings; (vi) the other information required to be provided by such shareholder per Section 2.5(b) of our Amended and Restated Bylaws (our “Bylaws”) and (vii) a signed statement from the candidate, confirming his/her willingness to serve on the Board. In order for our Board to consider a candidate submitted by a shareholder, the foregoing information must be received not less than 90 days, nor more than 120 days, prior to a meeting of shareholders for the election of Directors; provided, that if less than 40 days’ notice of such meeting is given to shareholders, the foregoing information must be received no later than the 10th day following the day on which notice of the date of such meeting was mailed or publicly disclosed. The Corporate Secretary will promptly forward such materials to a member of the Director Nominating Committee. The Corporate Secretary also will maintain copies of such materials for future reference by the Director Nominating Committee when filling Board positions.
Shareholder Nominations of Directors
Section 2.5 of our Bylaws also permits a shareholder to propose a candidate at an annual meeting of shareholders who is not otherwise nominated by the Board of Directors through the process described above if the shareholder complies with the advance notice, information and consent provisions contained in our Bylaws. To comply with the advance notice provision of our Bylaws, a shareholder who wishes to nominate a director at the 2010 Annual Meeting must provide written notice not less than fifty days prior to such meeting. The notice must contain the information required by Section 2.5(a) of our Bylaws. A shareholder may contact our Corporate Secretary to obtain a copy of Section 2.5(a).

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Shareholder Communication with the Board of Directors
Shareholders and other interested persons seeking to communicate with the Board should submit any communications in writing to the Corporate Secretary, Hastings Entertainment, Inc., 3601 Plains Boulevard, Amarillo, Texas 79102. Any such communication must state the number of shares beneficially owned by the shareholder making the communication. The Corporate Secretary will forward such communication to the full Board or to any individual director or directors to whom the communication is directed.
Code of Conduct
The Company has adopted a Code of Conduct, which is applicable to and signed by all executive officers and employees upon beginning employment with the Company. The Code of Conduct is currently available on our website, www.goHastings.com. The Audit Committee Charter, the Compensation Committee Charter, the composition of each Board committee and director biographies are also available on our website.
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
Meetings of Independent Directors
Our independent directors meet in executive session in conjunction with regularly scheduled Board of Directors Meetings and more frequently as deemed necessary.
Board Meetings
During fiscal 2008, our Board held fifteen meetings, eleven of which were telephonic. During fiscal 2008, each incumbent director participated in at least 85% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and applicable Committee meetings held during the period for which he or she was a director.
Committees
Our Board has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Director Nominating Committee, and an Executive Committee.
    The Audit Committee undertakes a variety of activities designed to assist our Board in fulfilling its oversight role regarding the professional services and independence of Hastings’ independent registered public accounting firm and our accounts, procedures and internal controls. The Audit Committee acts pursuant to a charter that was adopted and became effective December 5, 2003. The Audit Committee is responsible for (i) appointing the independent registered public accounting firm, (ii) reviewing the scope of, and approving in advance the fees for, the annual audit and any non-audit services, (iii) reviewing with Hastings’ independent registered public accounting firm, the corporate accounting practices and policies, (iv) reviewing Hastings’ independent registered public accounting firms’ final report, (v) establishing the scope of procedures for, supervising and evaluating the internal audit department, (vi) reviewing with internal auditors and the independent registered public accounting firm overall accounting and financial controls, (vii) being available to the independent registered public accounting firm during the year for consultation purposes, (viii) reviewing the annual audited and quarterly unaudited financial statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, including disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations;” (ix) approving our earnings press releases, as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided by Hastings, with the Chief Financial Officer; (x) discussing with the independent registered public accounting firm all matters required by generally accepted auditing standards, including those described in Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, “Communication with Audit Committees;” and (xi) establishing and maintaining procedures for receiving, retaining and tracking confidential and anonymous complaints about our accounting, internal controls or other auditing matters.

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      The current members of our Audit Committee are Frank O. Marrs (Chair), Daryl L. Lansdale, and Ann S. Lieff. All current members of the Audit Committee are independent as defined by the relevant rules of the SEC and NASDAQ. In addition, the Board has determined that each current member of the Audit Committee is financially literate and that Mr. Marrs is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by regulations promulgated by the SEC. During fiscal 2008, the Audit Committee met eight times.
 
    The Compensation Committee, among other things, recommends the compensation of our executive officers and recommends grants of options and other awards under our incentive stock plans for consideration by the Board of Directors. See the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” Section of this annual proxy statement. Compensation Committee members for fiscal 2008 were Danny W. Gurr (Chair), Daryl L. Lansdale, and Ann S. Lieff, all of whom were eligible to serve on the Compensation Committee under the NASDAQ independence standards during the period of their respective service. The Compensation Committee acts pursuant to a Charter that was adopted and became effective April 20, 2005. The Compensation Committee met six times in fiscal 2008.
 
    The Director Nominating Committee formally nominates individuals for consideration as directors and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the size, composition and committees of the Board. A charter has not yet been adopted for the Director Nominating Committee. The current members of the Director Nominating Committee are Daryl L. Lansdale, Ann S. Lieff, Danny W. Gurr, and Frank O. Marrs, all of whom meet the independence standards of NASDAQ. The Director Nominating Committee did not meet during fiscal 2008.
 
    The Executive Committee was reestablished in fiscal 2006. The Executive Committee has the authority, between meetings of the Board of Directors, to take all actions with respect to the management of the Company’s business that require action by the Board of Directors, except with respect to certain specified matters that by law must be approved by the entire Board of Directors. A charter has not yet been adopted for the Executive Committee. The current members of the Executive Committee are John H. Marmaduke, Frank O. Marrs, and Jeffrey G. Shrader. The Executive Committee did not meet during fiscal 2008.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The current members of our Compensation Committee are Messrs. Gurr and Lansdale, and Ms. Lieff. There are no interlocks, as defined in applicable SEC rules. No officer or former officer of Hastings is a member of the Compensation Committee.
Board Attendance at the Annual Meeting
Our Board members are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and we generally schedule a Board meeting on the same day as the Annual Meeting to facilitate their attendance. All six board members were in attendance for the 2008 Annual Meeting, held on June 4, 2008.

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Overview of Compensation Program
The Compensation Committee of the Board has responsibility for establishing, implementing, and continually monitoring adherence with the Company’s compensation philosophy. The Committee ensures that the total compensation paid to the Company’s executives is fair, reasonable and competitive.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
Our compensation program is designed to attract, motivate, reward and retain management talent that Hastings needs in order to achieve its business goals. We intend to reward executives for achieving annual goals, to link executive and shareholder interests through equity-based compensation and to provide a compensation package that recognizes individual contributions and company performance. A meaningful portion of each executive’s total compensation is intended to be based and contingent upon our annual and long-term performance.
Our success depends on attracting and retaining executives who have developed the skills and expertise required to lead and manage a multimedia entertainment retailer. Our philosophy is to provide our executives with competitive base salaries, rewards for performance and accomplishments on a semi-annual basis and incentives to meet long-term objectives.
Role of Executives in Establishing Compensation
Of our named executive officers, only our Chief Executive Officer provides the Compensation Committee with his recommendations for changes to compensation packages or policies of the other named executive officers. The Compensation Committee values the Chief Executive Officer’s opinion as to compensation decisions because he is in a position to see the day-to-day activities of the named executive officers reporting directly to him and because he desires to preserve the competitiveness of our compensation packages in relation to peer companies.
Impact of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), generally limits the federal tax deductibility of compensation paid to our Chief Executive Officer and our four other highest paid officers to $1,000,000, but it provides an exception to the limitation for certain performance-based compensation. While we believe that the compensation paid under our plans should be fully deductible for federal income tax purposes, the Compensation Committee retains the authority to evaluate the performance of our named executive officers and pay appropriate compensation, even if some compensation will not be deductible under Section 162(m).
Compensation Components
We pay for performance based on an individual’s level of responsibility. We motivate performance by recognizing the performance period’s results and by providing incentives for improvement in the future. The four major components of our compensation program are base salary, incentive bonus awards made on a semi-annual basis, long-term incentive awards, and supplemental executive retirement plan contributions. Although not a major portion of compensation, we also provide our executive officers and some other employees with certain other benefits such as a health club membership, country club dues, reimbursement for membership dues in business related organizations, and limited administrative assistance for personal use, among other items. The Compensation Committee does not consider the monetary value of these additional benefits material. When an actual cost is associated with a benefit, such as a health club membership, that cost is included in the total compensation shown for the executive in the Summary Compensation Table provided below.
Base Salary. Our compensation philosophy is to make cash compensation competitive with other companies of comparable size and operating locations in order to help motivate and retain executive officers and provide a strong incentive to achieve our specific goals. Initially, other than his own base salary, our Chief Executive Officer

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recommends base salary amounts to the Compensation Committee. In reviewing these recommendations, the Compensation Committee uses a number of surveys to determine competitive salary positions. Since our general headquarters and most of our retail operations are not located in large metropolitan areas, our salary ranges are targeted at the median level of the survey data. In determining the base salaries of executives, the Compensation Committee considers a variety of factors, including our Company’s overall financial performance, competitive positioning (comparing Hastings’ salary structure with salaries paid by other companies, including entertainment and non-entertainment retailing companies) and our business performance. We also consider a number of objective and subjective factors unique to each individual, including the executive’s performance, job responsibilities, current and long-term value to Hastings, length of service and qualifications. These factors vary in importance and are not necessarily weighted equally. Periodically, the Compensation Committee, with the help of the Company’s Human Resources Department, undertakes a market evaluation of the compensation of the Company’s executives. The last market evaluation was performed in fiscal 2007, with data provided by the Economic Research Institute (“ERI”). On August 1, 2008, the Company changed the base salary for executives with an annual pay raise. The following table reports the change in total minimum compensation for each named executive officer before and after August 1, 2008.
                 
    Total Minimum   Total Minimum
    Compensation   Compensation
    Prior to   After
    08/01/08   08/01/08
John H. Marmaduke
Chairman, President, and CEO
  $ 412,000     $ 442,000  
Dan Crow
Vice President of Finance and CFO
  $ 212,595     $ 239,701  
Alan Van Ongevalle
Senior Vice President of Merchandising
  $ 217,780     $ 246,745  
Kevin Ball
Vice President of Marketing
  $ 169,622     $ 173,862  
John Hintz
Vice President of Information Technologies
  $ 147,600     $ 167,475  
Incentive Awards Made on a Semi-Annual Basis. A portion of an executive officer’s income is based upon the Corporate Officer Incentive Program (“COIP”). This program provides for an incentive cash payment (“ICP”) to be paid to an executive officer (participant) based upon the Company’s achieving certain financial incentive targets. The index amount of the ICP for a participant is expressed as a percentage of the participant’s base salary. Generally, the higher the level of an officer’s responsibility with Hastings, the greater the index percentage will be.
Each fiscal year is divided into two separate six-month performance periods, and an ICP is determined for each period. A participant’s ICP presently may be as high as 295% or as low as 0% (performance percentage) of his index amount depending upon the degree the Company exceeds or fails to achieve the financial incentive target for the performance period. In order to obtain the maximum ICP of 295%, the Company must achieve financial targets 40% in excess of planned financial targets for the period. Amounts payable under the COIP are variable, and thus a significant portion of each officer’s annual compensation is essentially “at risk”. By placing a certain amount of direct pay “at risk” we are able to align executive compensation with shareholder interests. “At risk” means an executive will not realize a value unless certain performance goals are met.
The following table reports the stated bonus percentage for each named executive officer employed at August 1, 2008. There have not been any changes in the bonus percentages from the prior year.
         
    COIP Bonus
    Percentage
John H. Marmaduke
    100 %
Dan Crow
    40 %
Alan Van Ongevalle
    40 %
John Hintz
    25 %
Kevin Ball
    25 %

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For each of the performance periods in fiscal 2008, the financial incentive targets for COIP were based upon comparable-store revenue growth and operating income growth benchmarked against the Company’s internal budget. Stores included in the comparable-store revenue calculation are those stores that have been open for a minimum of 60 weeks. Operating income is defined as income before taxes, interest, and other non-operating items. Within 90 days after the end of each performance period, each participant’s base salary for the period is multiplied by the participant’s index percentage and the performance percentage to determine the participant’s ICP for the performance period in question. Due to seasonality in our revenues and operating income, the Compensation Committee implemented a weighting factor to the payout of ICP amounts. For the first six-month performance period, each participant’s ICP payout is multiplied by 75%, and for the second six-month period each participant’s ICP payout is multiplied by 125%.
In fiscal 2008, during the first six-month performance period, the performance percentage realized was 100%. In the second six-month performance period the performance percentage realized was 0%. The Compensation Committee is authorized to amend or make variations from the approved COIP performance grid if the Compensation Committee determines that applying the grid does not fairly compensate executives for Company performance. In fiscal 2008, no such variations were made.
Long-term Incentive Awards. Long-term incentive awards are intended to develop and retain strong management through Company stock ownership. Stock options and grants are the primary long-term incentives granted to executive officers, as well as some of our other key employees. The Compensation Committee believes that a significant portion of officers’ compensation should depend on value created for the shareholders. Options and performance based restricted stock grants are an excellent way to accomplish this because they tie the officers’ interests directly to the shareholders’ interests. Relative to other types of equity awards, stock options generally provide our executive officers and employees with a better incentive to grow our stock price because they will realize value from the stock options only to the extent that our stock price increases.
The number of options or performance based restricted stock awards granted to officers is based upon individual performance and level of responsibility. Option grants and performance based restricted stock grants must be of sufficient size to provide a strong incentive for executives to work for long-term business interests and to become significant owners of the business. The Compensation Committee reviews information for long-term compensation awards and endeavors to make option grants that provide the necessary incentive to attract and retain qualified executives. Stock options and performance-based stock grants are reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee, during its December meeting. Generally, at that time, any new options or restricted stock awards will be awarded based upon the Compensation Committee’s review and evaluation. From time to time, the Compensation Committee may defer a decision for a period of time to perform further analysis before awarding any new options or restricted stock awards.
During fiscal 2008, the Compensation Committee reviewed the executive employment agreements. As a result of this review new, amended agreements were signed and went into effect in November 2008, for all executives with the exception of John H. Marmaduke, President and CEO. Changes in the respective agreements were not material to Hastings. A new amended employment agreement for John H. Marmaduke was approved by the Board in April 2009, and went into effect as of February 2009. This amended agreement contains material changes to certain provisions in the previous version of the agreement, specifically in respect of the potential payouts upon termination subsequent to a change of control. The terms for the executive employment agreements for each named executive officer are described in more detail in the “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control” section of this annual proxy statement.
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”). In fiscal 2006, the Company adopted a nonqualified deferred compensation SERP to serve as supplemental income for executives who retire from the Company. For each executive 50 years or older, 10% of his or her annual salary and bonus will be contributed yearly to the participant’s SERP account. For each executive under 50 years old, 5% of his or her annual salary and bonus will be contributed yearly to the participant’s SERP account. For each executive whose age and service total 60 at December 31, 2006, the Company will for the five years beginning with 2006 and ending with 2010 contribute an additional 10% of the participant’s annual salary and bonus to the participant’s SERP account. A participant will be fully vested in his or her SERP account when the participant’s age plus his or her years of service total 60 years, or upon death, disability, or involuntary termination without cause. The Company will credit interest to each participant’s account at an

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annual rate equal to the Moody’s Long-Term Corporate AA Bond yield as of January 1 of each plan year. The rate was 5.43% as of January 1, 2009.
Other. The Company historically has owned a house in New Mexico that may be used by salaried employees with tenure, executive officers, and invited guests. When and if an executive officer or employee stays in the house, the rental value of the stay is included as compensation to the executive officer or employee for tax purposes. Hastings also owns an aircraft. If any part of an executive officer or employee’s use of the aircraft involves personal use, the value of the personal portion of the flight, determined by the variable cost of the personal use, is included as compensation to the executive officer or employee for tax purposes and presented in the Summary Compensation Table under “Other Compensation”. Such variable costs approximate $450 per hour.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee of the Company has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
     Danny Gurr, Chairman
     Daryl L. Lansdale
     Ann S. Lieff

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SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth information concerning the annual and long-term compensation earned during the last three fiscal years by the Chief Executive Officer and each of our four other most highly compensated officers during fiscal 2008 (collectively, the “named executive officers”).
                                                                         
                                            Non-Equity            
                                            Incentive   Nonqualified        
                            Stock   Option   Plan   Deferred   All Other   Total
Name and Principal           Salary   Bonus   Awards   Awards   Compensation   Compensation   Compensation   Compensation
Position   Year   ($)   ($)   ($) (1)   ($) (2)   ($) (3)   Earnings ($)(4)   ($)(5)   ($)
 
John H. Marmaduke
    2008     $ 430,789     $     $ (67,264 )   $ 38,230     $ 309,500     $ 167,333     $ 14,938 (6)   $ 893,526  
Chairman of the Board, President
    2007       421,292             67,264       19,898       290,000       147,682       23,136       969,272  
and Chief Executive Officer
    2006       318,654                   2,835       397,188       140,861       8,903       868,441  
 
                                                                       
Dan Crow
    2008       236,360             (11,829 )     11,085       67,078       69,198       7,799       379,691  
Vice President and
    2007       217,940             47,077       5,522       60,149       57,815       7,495       395,998  
Chief Financial Officer
    2006       171,524                   769       150,937       63,459       8,406       395,095  
 
                                                                       
Alan Van Ongevalle
    2008       245,079             (18,549 )     14,513       68,934       17,668       6,951       334,596  
Senior Vice President of
    2007       219,600       25,000 (7)     53,797       6,982       60,149       15,592       7,344       388,464  
Merchandising
    2006       158,501                   962       123,853       13,865       7,088       304,269  
 
                                                                       
Kevin Ball
    2008       171,677             (5,099 )     7,775       31,902       22,877       4,331       233,463  
Vice President of Marketing
    2007       173,886             40,346       4,066       29,994       20,421       4,347       273,060  
 
    2006       149,061                   577       69,290       10,801       5,646       235,375  
 
                                                                       
John Hintz(8)
    2008       164,317                   4,313       30,953       10,284       5,947       215,814  
Vice President of
    2007       124,263                   613       39,738       7,086       7,236       178,936  
Information Technologies
    2006                                                  
 
(1)   Amounts shown for stock awards refer to performance based restricted stock grants, for which the Company estimates that it is probable the performance criteria will be met. During fiscal 2008, management determined that it was no longer probable that the performance conditions related to certain performance-based stock awards would be met. As a result, the stock compensation expense previously recognized for these awards was reversed. For each stock award, the value shown is that amount included in the Company’s financial statements in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004) “Share-Based Payment” (“FAS 123 (R)”). See the Company’s Annual Report on 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2009 for a complete discussion of the performance based restricted stock grants.
 
(2)   For each of the stock option grants, the value shown is what is also included in the Company’s financial statements in accordance with FAS 123 (R). See the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended January 31, 2009 for a complete description of the FAS 123 (R) valuation. The actual number of awards granted is shown in the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards” table included in this proxy statement.
 
(3)   The amounts shown reflect payments under the COIP. Please see the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this annual proxy statement for more information regarding the Company’s COIP and the 2008 COIP awards and performance measures.
 
(4)   The amounts shown reflect contributions and earnings credited to the executive’s SERP, which was adopted during fiscal 2006. Please see the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for more information regarding the Company’s SERP.
 
(5)   Amounts shown in other compensation primarily include matching amounts paid by Hastings to the named executive’s 401(k) Plan, annual contributions paid by Hastings to the named executive’s Associate Stock Ownership Plan, amounts for health club benefits, country club dues, moving reimbursements, taxable usage of the Company plane, and taxable use of the Company house in Taos, New Mexico.

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(6)   This amount includes perquisites and other personal benefits consisting of health cub dues and use of the Company house in Taos, New Mexico, neither of which exceed the greater of $25,000 or 10% of total perquisites and other personal benefits, and personal usage of the Company airplane totaling $10,710.
 
(7)   This amount includes a one-time bonus awarded at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee has bestowed upon the CEO the authority to grant one-time discretionary bonuses, in order to reward individual executives for services that are above and beyond the call of duty. All other bonus payments are reported under “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” in this Summary Compensation Table.
 
(8)   John Hintz was promoted to Vice President of Information Technologies on February 9, 2007.

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GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
The following table sets forth information concerning stock and option awards and equity and non-equity incentive plan awards granted to our named executive officers during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009.
                                                                                         
                                                                    All Other        
            Estimated Future   Estimated Future   All Other   Option Awards:   Exercise   Grant Date
            Payouts Under   Payments Under   Stock Awards:   Number   or Base   Fair Value
            Non-Equity Incentive   Equity Incentive   Number of   of   Price of   of Stock
            Plan Awards (1)   Plan Awards   Shares of   Securities   Option   and Option
    Grant   Threshold   Target   Maximum   Threshold   Target   Maximum   Stock or Units   Underlying Options   Awards   Awards(2)
Name   Date   ($)   ($)   ($)   (#)   (#)   (#)   (#)   (#)   ($/sh)   ($)
 
John H. Marmaduke
    08/01/08           $ 442,000     $ 1,303,900                                           N/A  
 
                                                                                       
 
    12/05/08                                                 23,337     $ 1.86     $ 12,282  
 
                                                                                       
 
    12/05/08                                                 11,663     $ 1.69     $ 6,773  
 
                                                                                       
Dan Crow
    08/01/08           $ 95,880     $ 282,847                                           N/A  
 
                                                                                       
 
    12/05/08                                                 15,000     $ 1.69     $ 11,112  
 
                                                                                       
Alan Van Ongevalle
    08/01/08           $ 98,698     $ 291,159                                           N/A  
 
                                                                                       
 
    12/05/08                                                 25,000     $ 1.69     $ 18,520  
 
                                                                                       
Kevin Ball
    08/01/08           $ 43,466     $ 128,223                                           N/A  
 
                                                                                       
 
    12/05/08                                                 10,000     $ 1.69     $ 7,408  
 
                                                                                       
John Hintz
    08/01/08           $ 41,869     $ 123,513                                           N/A  
 
                                                                                       
 
    12/05/08                                                 10,000     $ 1.69     $ 7,408  
 
(1)   The amounts shown reflect grants of fiscal 2008 Corporate Officer Incentive Program (“COIP”) awards. In fiscal 2008, our Compensation Committee established target COIP awards, expressed as a percentage of the executive’s base salary, and Company performance measures for the purpose of determining the amount paid out under the COIP for each executive officer. The amount shown in the “target” column represents the amount payable under the COIP if target performance levels are reached. For 2008, target payments under the COIP as a percentage of the executive’s base salary were: 100% for Mr. Marmaduke; 40% for Messrs. Crow and Van Ongevalle; and 25% for Messrs. Ball and Hintz. The amount shown in the “maximum” column represents the maximum amount payable under the COIP, which is 295% of the target amount shown. The amount shown in the “threshold” column represents the amount payable under the COIP if only the minimum level of Company performance of the COIP is attained, which is 0% of the target amount shown. Please see the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for more information regarding the Company’s COIP and the 2008 COIP awards and performance measures.
 
(2)   The amounts included in the “Fair Value of Awards” column represent valuations for both equity incentive plan awards and stock option grants during fiscal 2008. Amounts for stock option grants represent the full grant date fair value of the awards computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (R). For a discussion of valuation assumptions, see Note 12 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2009.

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OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
                                                                         
    Option Awards   Stock Awards
                                                                    Equity
                                                                    Incentive
                                                            Equity   Plan
                    Equity                                   Incentive   Awards:
                    Incentive                                   Plan   Market or
                    Plan                                   Awards:   Payout
                    Awards:                           Market   Number of   Value of
    Number of   Number of   Number of                   Number of   Value   Unearned   Unearned
    Securities   Securities   Securities                   Shares or   of Shares   Shares,   Shares,
    Underlying   Underlying   Underlying                   Units of   or Units   Units or   Units or
    Unexercised   Unexercised   Unexercised   Option   Option   Stock that   of Stock   other Rights   Other Rights
    Options   Options   Unearned   Exercise   Expiration   have not   that have   that have   that have
Name   Exercisable   Unexercisable (1)   Options   Price   Date   Vested   not Vested   not Vested   not Vested (2)
     
John H. Marmaduke
    1,600                 $ 6.31       04/03/09                   30,000 (4)   $ 75,600  
 
    28,820                 $ 6.31       04/03/09                          
 
    75,000                 $ 3.00       08/07/11                          
 
    11,114       5,556           $ 7.94       12/01/11                          
 
    6,800                 $ 6.63       03/01/12                          
 
    23,200                 $ 6.63       03/01/12                          
 
    6,195       12,861           $ 10.64       12/07/12                          
 
    31,509                 $ 3.39       07/24/13                          
 
    3,750                 $ 3.72       07/24/13                          
 
          23,337           $ 1.86       12/05/13                          
 
    9,580                 $ 5.74       04/03/14                          
 
    472       472           $ 9.67       12/07/17                          
 
          11,663           $ 1.69       12/05/18                          
Dan Crow
    12,000                 $ 3.25       08/01/10       7,500 (3)   $ 18,900       15,000 (4)   $ 37,800  
 
    8,000                 $ 3.00       08/07/11                          
 
    7,000                 $ 6.63       03/01/12                          
 
    5,046                 $ 6.63       03/01/12                          
 
    22,954                 $ 6.63       03/01/12                          
 
    10,000                 $ 3.39       07/24/13                          
 
    12,534                 $ 3.39       07/24/13                          
 
    2,466                 $ 3.39       07/24/13                          
 
    10,000                 $ 5.74       04/03/14                          
 
    15,000                 $ 5.74       04/03/14                          
 
    7,500                 $ 5.37       01/27/16                          
 
    2,666       3,999           $ 7.22       12/01/16                          
 
    1,500       6,000           $ 9.67       12/07/17                          
 
          15,000           $ 1.69       12/05/18                          
Alan Van Ongevalle
    30,000                 $ 3.55       03/14/10       7,500 (3)   $ 18,900       20,000 (4)   $ 50,400  
 
    12,000                 $ 6.63       03/01/12                          
 
    3,000                 $ 6.63       03/01/12                          
 
    17,878                 $ 3.39       07/24/13                          
 
    8,122                 $ 3.39       07/24/13                          
 
    15,000                 $ 5.74       04/03/14                          
 
    1,424                 $ 5.74       04/03/14                          
 
    8,576                 $ 5.74       04/03/14                          
 
    7,500                 $ 5.37       01/27/16                          
 
    3,334       5,001           $ 7.22       12/01/16                          
 
    2,000       8,000           $ 9.67       12/07/17                          
 
          25,000           $ 1.69       12/05/18                          
Kevin Ball
    10,000                 $ 6.10       04/28/14       7,500 (3)   $ 18,900       10,000 (4)   $ 25,200  
 
    7,500                 $ 5.37       01/27/16                          
 
    2,000       3,000           $ 7.22       12/01/16                          
 
    1,000       4,000           $ 9.67       12/07/17                          
 
          10,000           $ 1.69       12/05/18                          
John Hintz
    6,000                 $ 3.55       03/14/10                   7,500 (4)   $ 18,900  
 
    7,800                 $ 3.00       08/07/11                          
 
    10,000                 $ 6.63       03/01/12                          
 
    5,000                 $ 3.39       07/24/13                          
 
    5,000                 $ 5.74       04/03/14                          
 
    1,000       4,000           $ 9.67       12/07/17                          
 
          10,000           $ 1.69       12/05/18                          

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(1)   Unexercisable options listed above vest at a rate of 20% per year over the first five years of the ten-year option term, except for 41,754 unexercisable options held by John H. Marmaduke, which vest at a rate of 33% per year over the first three years of a five-year option term.
 
(2)   Based on the closing price of our common stock as of January 31, 2009 ($2.52), as reported on NASDAQ.
 
(3)   The amounts shown reflect future grants of performance shares under our 2006 Incentive Stock Plan. During fiscal 2007, the Company reached the performance target of $15.0 million in pre-tax operating income, excluding stock compensation expense and any special adjustments or one-time events, necessary to grant these performance shares. Accordingly, the shares were granted during fiscal 2008. Restricted stock grants, once made shall vest ratably over two years from the date on which the performance target is met, and upon vesting, the person shall be entitled to receive a certificate of such stock. Prior to vesting, a person shall have no right to such stock.
 
(4)   The amounts shown reflect potential grants of performance shares under our 2002 and 2006 Incentive Stock Plan. The grants will be made if the Company achieves $19.75 million in pre-tax operating income, excluding stock compensation expense and any special adjustments or one-time events, during fiscal 2009. Restricted stock grants, once made shall vest ratably over two years from the date on which the performance target is met, and upon vesting, the person shall be entitled to receive a certificate of such stock. Prior to vesting, a person shall have no right to such stock.

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OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
The following table sets forth the number and value of all options exercised during fiscal 2008 by the named executive officers.
                                 
    Option Awards   Stock Awards (1)
    Number of Shares   Value Realized   Number of Shares   Value Realized
Name   Acquired on Exercise   On Exercise (2)   Acquired on Vesting   on Vesting
John H. Marmaduke
    11,250     $ 51,429              
Dan Crow
                       
Alan Van Ongevalle
                       
Kevin Ball
                       
John Hintz
                       
 
(1)   No stock awards were vested during fiscal 2008.
 
(2)   Value Realized is determined using the difference between the option price (fair market value at the date of grant) and the exercise price (fair market value on the date of exercise).

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NON-QUALIFED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
The Company has a plan under which eligible executive officers may defer portions of their compensation: the SERP. This plan, including the type and amount of compensation that may be deferred and the terms with respect to payouts, withdrawals, and other distributions, is described above under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”
                                         
                    Aggregate        
    Executive   Registrant   Earnings   Aggregate   Aggregate
    Contributions   Contributions   During   Withdrawls/   Balance at
Name   In Last FY   in Last FY(1)   Last FY(1)   Distributions   Last FYE
 
John H. Marmaduke
        $ 149,973     $ 17,360           $ 456,547  
Dan Crow
          61,906       7,292             190,774  
Alan Van Ongevalle
          15,893       1,775             47,191  
Kevin Ball
          20,978       1,899             54,150  
John Hintz
          9,829       455             17,404  
 
(1)   The amounts shown in these columns are reported as 2008 Compensation in the Summary Compensation Table under the column heading “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings.”

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POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE OF CONTROL
Hastings has employment agreements with each of Messrs. Marmaduke, Crow, Van Ongevalle, Ball, and Hintz. Each employment agreement provides that the executive’s salary shall be determined by the Board of Directors and that the executive’s employment shall continue until terminated by either the executive or Hastings. Either Hastings or the executive has the right to terminate the employment at any time with or without cause by delivering written notice of termination to the other party. Each agreement provides for a severance payment if the agreement is terminated by Hastings without cause (as defined in the respective agreements). Under such circumstances, Mr. Marmaduke would receive his base annual salary and bonus for a period of 36 months and each of Messrs. Crow, Van Ongevalle and Ball would receive his base annual salary and bonus for a period of 18 months following the date of termination, payable over a period and at such times as Hastings’ executives receive their regular salary and bonus payments. If the agreements are terminated either voluntarily by the executive or by Hastings with cause (as defined in the respective agreements), or by reason of death or disability, then the Executive will not be entitled to severance payments under his employment agreement.
Upon a change of control of Hastings, each executive will receive a lump sum payment equal to two times or three times in the case of Mr. Marmaduke, of 18 months worth of his annual salary and bonus, as well as payment to compensate him for the loss of long-term capital gains treatment of certain options granted to the executive. Each employment agreement provides that, in the event the executive terminates employment with Hastings, the executive may not, for a period of 18 months following termination, work for or assist a competitor of Hastings, use certain information obtained from Hastings, or induce any other executive officers or employees of Hastings to terminate their relationship with Hastings.
The following tables show potential payments to our named executive officers under employment contracts for various scenarios involving a change in control or termination of employment, assuming a January 31, 2009 termination date and, where applicable, using the closing price of our common stock ($2.52), as reported on NASDAQ.
John H. Marmaduke
                                                                 
                            Involuntary   Involuntary   Change        
Executive Payments   Voluntary   Early   Normal   not for Cause   for Cause   in        
Upon Termination   Termination   Retirement   Retirement   Termination   Termination   Control   Death   Disability
Severance Payments (1)
  $     $     $     $ 1,326,000     $     $ 1,989,000     $ 442,000     $  
Corporate Officer
                                                               
Incentive Program (COIP) (2)
  $     $     $     $ 1,326,000     $     $ 1,989,000     $     $  
Supplemental Executive
                                                               
Retirement Plan (SERP) (3)
  $ 228,274     $ 228,274     $ 228,274     $ 456,547     $ 228,274     $ 456,547     $ 456,547     $ 456,547  
Associate Stock
                                                               
Ownership Plan (ASOP) (4)
  $ 18,635     $ 18,635     $ 18,635     $ 18,635     $ 18,635     $ 18,635     $ 18,635     $ 18,635  
Stock Options (unvested and accelerated) (5)
  $     $     $     $     $     $ 25,106     $     $  
Performance Shares (6)
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $     $  
Life Insurance Benefits (7)
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $ 2,260,000     $  
Health and Disability Benefits (8)
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $     $ 400,000  
Accrued Vacation Pay (9)
  $ 20,204     $ 20,204     $ 20,204     $ 20,204     $     $ 20,204     $ 20,204     $ 20,204  

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Dan Crow
                                                                 
                            Involuntary   Involuntary   Change        
Executive Payments   Voluntary   Early   Normal   not for Cause   for Cause   in        
Upon Termination   Termination   Retirement   Retirement   Termination   Termination   Control   Death   Disability
Severance Payments (1)
  $     $     $     $ 359,552     $     $ 719,103     $ 239,701     $  
Corporate Officer
                                                               
Incentive Program (COIP) (2)
  $     $     $     $ 143,821     $     $ 287,641     $     $  
Supplemental Executive
                                                               
Retirement Plan (SERP) (3)
  $ 95,387     $ 95,387     $ 95,387     $ 190,774     $ 95,387     $ 190,774     $ 190,774     $ 190,774  
Associate Stock
                                                               
Ownership Plan (ASOP) (4)
  $ 10,878     $ 10,878     $ 10,878     $ 10,878     $ 10,878     $ 10,878     $ 10,878     $ 10,878  
Stock Options (unvested and accelerated) (5)
  $     $     $     $     $     $ 12,450     $     $  
Performance Shares (6)
  $     $ 18,900     $ 18,900     $ 18,900     $     $ 18,900     $ 18,900     $ 18,900  
Life Insurance Benefits (7)
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $ 1,248,505     $  
Health and Disability Benefits (8)
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $     $ 310,000  
Accrued Vacation Pay (9)
  $ 13,722     $ 13,722     $ 13,722     $ 13,722     $     $ 13,722     $ 13,722     $ 13,722  
Alan Van Ongevalle
                                                                 
                            Involuntary   Involuntary   Change        
Executive Payments   Voluntary   Early   Normal   not for Cause   for Cause   in        
Upon Termination   Termination   Retirement   Retirement   Termination   Termination   Control   Death   Disability
Severance Payments (1)
  $     $     $     $ 370,118     $     $ 740,235     $ 246,745     $  
Corporate Officer
                                                               
Incentive Program
(COIP) (2)
  $     $     $     $ 148,047     $     $ 296,094     $     $  
Supplemental Executive
                                                               
Retirement Plan (SERP) (3)
  $     $     $     $ 47,191     $     $ 47,191     $ 47,191     $ 47,191  
Associate Stock
                                                               
Ownership Plan
(ASOP) (4)
  $ 12,286     $ 12,286     $ 12,286     $ 12,286     $ 12,286     $ 12,286     $ 12,286     $ 12,286  
Stock Options (unvested and accelerated) (5)
  $     $     $     $     $     $ 20,750     $     $  
Performance Shares (6)
  $     $ 18,900     $ 18,900     $ 18,900     $     $ 18,900     $ 18,900     $ 18,900  
Life Insurance Benefits (7)
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $ 1,283,725     $  
Health and Disability Benefits (8)
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $     $ 2,890,000  
Accrued Vacation Pay (9)
  $ 15,914     $ 15,914     $ 15,914     $ 15,914     $     $ 15,914     $ 15,914     $ 15,914  
Kevin Ball
                                                                 
                            Involuntary   Involuntary   Change        
Executive Payments   Voluntary   Early   Normal   not for Cause   for Cause   in        
Upon Termination   Termination   Retirement   Retirement   Termination   Termination   Control   Death   Disability
Severance Payments (1)
  $     $     $     $ 260,793     $     $ 521,586     $ 173,862     $  
Corporate Officer
                                                               
Incentive Program (COIP) (2)
  $     $     $     $ 65,198     $     $ 130,397     $     $  
Supplemental Executive
                                                               
Retirement Plan (SERP) (3)
  $     $     $     $ 54,149     $     $ 54,149     $ 54,149     $ 54,149  
Associate Stock
                                                               
Ownership Plan (ASOP) (4)
  $ 3,644     $ 3,644     $ 3,644     $ 3,644     $ 3,644     $ 3,644     $ 3,644     $ 3,644  
Stock Options (unvested and accelerated) (5)
  $     $     $     $     $     $ 8,300     $     $  
Performance Shares (6)
  $     $ 18,900     $ 18,900     $ 18,900     $     $ 18,900     $ 18,900     $ 18,900  
Life Insurance Benefits (7)
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $ 919,310     $  
Health and Disability Benefits (8)
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $     $ 1,560,000  
Accrued Vacation Pay (9)
  $ 10,031     $ 10,031     $ 10,031     $ 10,031     $     $ 10,031     $ 10,031     $ 10,031  

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John Hintz
                                                                 
                            Involuntary   Involuntary   Change        
Executive Payments   Voluntary   Early   Normal   not for Cause   for Cause   in        
Upon Termination   Termination   Retirement   Retirement   Termination   Termination   Control   Death   Disability
Severance Payments (1)
  $     $     $     $ 251,213     $     $ 502,425     $ 167,475     $  
Corporate Officer Incentive Program (COIP) (2)
  $     $     $     $ 62,803     $     $ 125,606     $     $  
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) (3)
  $ 17,404     $ 17,404     $ 17,404     $ 17,404     $ 17,404     $ 17,404     $ 17,404     $ 17,404  
Associate Stock Ownership Plan (ASOP) (4)
  $ 8,194     $ 8,194     $ 8,194     $ 8,194     $ 8,194     $ 8,194     $ 8,194     $ 8,194  
Stock Options (unvested and accelerated) (5)
  $     $     $     $     $     $ 8,300     $     $  
Performance Shares (6)
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $     $  
Life Insurance Benefits (7)
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $ 887,375     $  
Health and Disability Benefits (8)
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $     $ 2,481,421  
Accrued Vacation Pay (9)
  $ 10,950     $ 10,950     $ 10,950     $ 10,950     $     $ 10,950     $ 10,950     $ 10,950  
 
(1)   Severance payments represent payments of base salary for a period of months as specified in the executive’s employment contract.
 
(2)   COIP is a semi-annual cash-based performance incentive plan under which payments are made shortly after the six month period in which performance is measured. For purposes of the above tables, the COIP numbers represent estimated cash incentives based on 100% achievement of stated performance goals. See the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section above for more information regarding the COIP.
 
(3)   SERP amounts shown above represent the amount which becomes vested under each of the various scenarios.
 
(4)   ASOP amounts shown above represent only the vested portion of each executive’s ASOP balance as of January 31, 2009.
 
(5)   The payments relating to stock options represent the value of unvested and accelerated stock options as of January 31, 2009, calculated by multiplying the number of accelerated options by the difference between the exercise price and the closing price of our common stock on January 31, 2009.
 
(6)   Amounts shown above represent only the performance shares for which the related performance goals have been reached. During fiscal 2007, the Company achieved the performance goal of $15 million pre-tax operating income.
 
(7)   Life insurance benefits represent proceeds payable directly to the beneficiary/beneficiaries of the executive’s company-provided life insurance policy.
 
(8)   Health Benefits include COBRA benefits (medical, dental, life) for the executive for a number of months as specified in the respective employment contracts. Disability benefits represent the lesser of 70% of the executive’s annual salary or $10,000 per month, until the executive reaches 65 years of age.
 
(9)   Each executive will receive all accrued vacation time should an involuntary not for cause termination occur. Should termination be for cause, the executive will not receive accrued vacation.

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
We reimburse all directors for expenses incurred in connection with their activities as directors. Our non-executive directors receive an annual cash retainer of $40,000 and an annual grant of shares of common stock valued at $10,000 for service as directors. In addition, each non-executive director receives a fee of $1,000 for each director meeting and $750 for each committee meeting attended in person or by telephone. Additional retainer fees are provided to the Chair of the Audit Committee, other Audit Committee members, and the Chair of the Compensation Committee in the amounts of $12,500; $2,500; and $2,500, respectively.
The table below summarizes the compensation paid by the Company to non-executive Directors for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009.
                                                         
                                    Change in        
                                    Pension Value        
                            Non-Equity   And        
                            Incentive   Nonqualified        
    Fees Earned or   Stock   Option   Plan   Deferred   All Other    
Name(1)   Paid in Cash   Awards(2)   Awards(3)   Compensation   Compensation   Compensation   Total
Danny W. Gurr
  $ 50,250     $ 17,527     $ 4,748     $     $     $     $ 72,525  
Daryl L. Lansdale
    53,000       17,527       4,748                         75,275  
Ann S. Lieff
    56,250       17,527       4,748                         78,525  
Frank O. Marrs
    62,500       17,527       4,748                         84,775  
Jeffrey G. Shrader
    44,000       17,527       4,748                         66,275  
 
(1)   John H. Marmaduke, the Chairman of the Board, is not included in this table as he is an executive officer of the Company and thus receives no compensation for his services as a Director. The compensation received by Mr. Marmaduke as an executive officer of the Company is shown in the Summary Compensation Table on page 13.
 
(2)   Amounts include annual award of $10,000 of Common Stock, which reflects the fair market value of shares of stock received, and performance based restricted stock grants, for which the Company estimates that it is probable the performance criteria will be met. For each stock award, the value shown is what is included in the Company’s financial statements in accordance with FAS 123 (R). See the Company’s Annual Report on 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2009 for a complete discussion of the performance based restricted stock grants. Each director has 10,000 shares under performance based restricted stock grants. Of this amount, the performance goal of 5,000 shares was met during fiscal 2007, and the shares were issued during fiscal 2008. Restricted stock grants, once made shall vest ratably over two years from the date on which the performance target is met, and upon vesting, the person shall be entitled to receive a certificate of such stock. Prior to vesting, a person shall have no right to such stock. The remaining 5,000 shares have performance goals that must be achieved during fiscal 2009.
 
(3)   Amounts reflect the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009 in accordance with SFAS 123 (R). As of January 31, 2009, each director disclosed above has the following number of options outstanding: Danny W. Gurr: 15,120; Daryl L. Lansdale: 25,240; Ann S. Lieff: 7,084; Frank O. Marrs: 22,710; and Jeffrey G. Shrader: 36,252.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP
The following table sets forth information as of April 21, 2009 regarding the beneficial ownership of common stock by each person known by Hastings to own five percent or more of our outstanding common stock, each director, each executive officer, and the directors and executive officers of Hastings as a group. The persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock owned by them, unless otherwise noted. The percentage of beneficial ownership is calculated based on 9,729,434 shares of common stock outstanding as of April 21, 2009.
                 
    Amount and Nature of    
Name and Address(1)   Beneficial Ownership(2)   Percent of Class(3)
John H. Marmaduke (4)
    2,908,034       29.89 %
Stephen S. Marmaduke (5)
    1,319,692       13.56 %
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (6)
    954,703       9.81 %
Dan Crow (7)
    218,734       2.25 %
Alan Van Ongevalle (8)
    145,944       1.50 %
Jeffrey G. Shrader (9)
    129,934       1.34 %
Frank Marrs (10)
    80,976       *  
John Hintz (11)
    41,571       *  
Victor Fuentes (12)
    40,475       *  
Daryl L. Lansdale (13)
    34,031       *  
Ann S. Lieff (14)
    39,679       *  
Kevin J. Ball (15)
    29,445       *  
Danny W. Gurr (16)
    21,903       *  
Phil McConnell (17)
    9,000       *  
Sue Dasse (18)
    4,000       *  
All current directors and executive
    3,658,223       37.60 %
officers as a group (13 total) (19)
               
 
*   Represents less than 1%.
 
(1)   The address for each of the beneficial owners identified, unless otherwise noted, is c/o Hastings Entertainment, Inc., 3601 Plains Boulevard, Amarillo, Texas 79102.
 
(2)   Pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, a person has beneficial ownership of any securities as to which he or she, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, undertaking, relationship or otherwise has or shares voting power and/or investment power or as to which he or she has the right to acquire voting and/or investment power. The number of shares shown includes outstanding shares of common stock owned as of April 21, 2009 by the person indicated and underlying options exercisable within 60 days of April 21, 2009 owned by that person.
 
(3)   Percentage of beneficial ownership as to any person as of a particular date is calculated by dividing the number of shares beneficially owned by such person by the sum of the number of shares outstanding as of April 21, 2009 and the number of unissued shares with respect to which that person had the right to acquire voting and/or investment power within 60 days of April 21, 2009.

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(4)   Includes 2,234,525 shares held by the John H. Marmaduke Family Limited Partnership, the managing general partner of which is John H. Marmaduke Management, Inc., of which John H. Marmaduke is president, 45,503 shares held in the John H. Marmaduke Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts #2006 and #2007 (as to which Mr. Marmaduke shares voting and investment power), 38,735 shares held by Martha A. Marmaduke, John H. Marmaduke’s wife, 7,392 shares and 6,667 shares held in Hastings’ Associate Stock Ownership Plan and 401(k) Plan, respectively, and options exercisable for 167,620 shares of common stock.
 
(5)   Includes 1,020,365 shares held by the Stephen S. Marmaduke Family Limited Partnership, the managing general partner of which is Stephen S. Marmaduke Management, Inc., of which Stephen S. Marmaduke is president.
 
(6)   As reported in its Schedule 13G, dated February 9, 2009 (the “Schedule 13G”), Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (“Dimensional”) located at Palisades West, Building One, 6300 Bee Cave Road, Austin, Texas 78746, an investment advisor registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, furnishes investment advice to four investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and serves as investment manager to certain other commingled group trusts and separate accounts. These investment companies, trusts and accounts are the “Funds.” In its role as investment advisor or manager, Dimensional possesses voting and/or investment power over the securities of Hastings that are owned by the Funds, and therefore may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares held by the Funds. However, all securities reported in the Schedule 13G are owned by the Funds. Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities. In addition, the filing of the Schedule 13G shall not be construed as an admission that the reporting person or any of its affiliates is the beneficial owner of any securities covered by the Schedule 13G for any other purposes then Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
(7)   Includes 4,315 shares and 253 shares held in Hastings’ Associate Stock Ownership Plan and 401(k) Plan, respectively, and 116,666 options exercisable for shares of common stock.
 
(8)   Includes 4,874 shares and 69 shares held in Hastings’ Associate Stock Ownership Plan and 401(k) Plan, respectively, and 108,834 options exercisable for shares of common stock.
 
(9)   Includes 29,168 options exercisable for shares of common stock and 45,503 shares held as trustee of the John H. Marmaduke Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts #2006 and #2007 (as to which Mr. Shrader shares voting and investment power). Mr. Shrader disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by him as trustee.
 
(10)   Includes 18,156 options exercisable for shares of common stock.
 
(11)   Includes 3,250 and 3,521 shares held in Hastings’ Associate Stock Ownership Plan and 401(k) Plan, respectively, and 34,800 options exercisable for shares of common stock.
 
(12)   Includes 3,642 and 186 shares held in Hastings’ Associate Stock Ownership Plan and 401(k) Plan, respectively, and 36,833 options exercisable for shares of common stock.
 
(13)   Includes 20,686 options exercisable for shares of common stock.
 
(14)   Includes 2,530 options exercisable for shares of common stock.
 
(15)   Includes 1,445 shares held in Hastings’ Associate Stock Ownership Plan and 20,500 options exercisable for shares of common stock.
 
(16)   Includes 10,566 options exercisable for shares of common stock.
 
(17)   Includes 9,000 options exercisable for shares of common stock.
 
(18)   Includes 4,000 options exercisable for shares of common stock.
 
(19)   Excludes shares with respect to which Mr. Shrader has disclaimed beneficial ownership as described in footnote 9.

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EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table sets forth information concerning stock options outstanding, the weighted average exercise price of those options and options remaining to be granted under existing option plans, whether approved or not approved by security holders, as of January 31, 2009. The purpose of this table is to illustrate the potential dilution that could occur from past and future equity grants. Hastings does not have any outstanding warrants or stock appreciation rights.
             
    Equity Compensation Plan Information
    Number of securities       Number of securities
    to be issued   Weighted-average   remaining available for
    upon exercise of   exercise price of   future issuance
    outstanding options,   outstanding options,   under equity
Plan category   warrants and rights   warrants and rights   compensation plans
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
  1,088,945(1)   $5.14(2)   408,471
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
     
Total
  1,088,945   $5.14   408,471
 
(1)   Includes 961,445 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options and 127,500 shares of performance based restricted stock that will be granted if the Company achieves the related performance goals.
 
(2)   The weighted-average exercise price does not take into account the performance based restricted shares discussed in footnote (1) because the restricted stock shares do not have an exercise price upon vesting.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Jeffrey G. Shrader is a shareholder in the law firm of Sprouse Shrader Smith P.C. in Amarillo, Texas, which has provided legal services to Hastings since 1993. Hastings made aggregate legal payments of approximately $0.2 million to such law firm in each fiscal year ended January 31, 2009 and 2008. Invoices for legal services provided by Sprouse Shrader Smith P.C. are reviewed by the Controller and Chief Financial Officer. Hastings believes that these services have been provided on terms as favorable as those that we could have obtained from an unrelated third party.
On April 14, 2008 and July 18, 2008, Hastings purchased 80,000 and 50,000 respective shares of its common stock from Sterne Agee Capital Markets, Inc., which acquired the shares immediately prior to each sale from Stephen S. Marmaduke, the brother of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, John H. Marmaduke, in transactions that qualified as riskless principal transactions within the meaning of Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The prices paid for the shares were $8.06 per share and $8.50 per share, respectively, the market price at the time of the respective transactions. The total price paid for the shares was $1,069,800.
On April 24, 2007; May 29, 2007; July 25, 2007; September 27, 2007; and January 25, 2008, Hastings purchased 50,000; 50,000; 40,000; 55,000; and 20,000 respective shares of its common stock from Sterne Agee Capital Markets, Inc., which acquired the shares immediately prior to each sale from Stephen S. Marmaduke in transactions that qualified as riskless principal transactions within the meaning of Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The prices paid for the shares were $7.18 per share, $7.00 per share, $7.50 per share, $8.28 per share, and $8.57 per share, respectively, the market prices at the time of the respective transactions. The total price paid for the shares was $1,635,800.
Stephen S. Marmaduke beneficially owned 13.56% of Hastings’ outstanding common stock at April 21, 2009.

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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
In accordance with its written charter approved by the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) assists the Board in, among other things, oversight of the financial reporting process, including the effectiveness of internal accounting and financial controls and procedures, and controls over the accounting, auditing, and financial reporting practices of Hastings.
The Board of Directors has determined that all three members of the Committee are independent based upon the standards adopted by the Board, which incorporate the independence requirements under applicable laws, rules and regulations. Additionally, one member of the Committee qualifies as an audit committee financial expert.
Management is responsible for the financial reporting process, the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the system of internal controls, including internal control over financial reporting, and procedures designed to ensure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Hastings’ independent registered public accounting firm (“independent auditor”), Ernst & Young LLP (“Ernst & Young”), is responsible for the audit of the consolidated financial statements. The Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and review these processes and procedures. The members of the Committee are not professionally engaged in the practice of accounting or auditing and are not professionals in those fields. The Committee relies, without independent verification, on the information provided to us and on the representations made by management that the financial statements have been prepared with integrity and objectivity and that such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The Committee also relies on the independent auditor’s opinion on the consolidated financial statements.
During fiscal year 2008, the Committee had eight meetings. The Committee’s regular meetings were conducted so as to encourage communication among the members of the Committee, management, the internal auditors and Hastings’ independent auditor. Among other things, the Committee discussed with Hastings’ internal and independent auditors the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Committee separately met with each of the internal and independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their respective examinations, observations and recommendations regarding Hastings’ internal controls. The Committee also discussed with Hastings’ independent auditor all matters required by generally accepted auditing standards, including those described in Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, “Communication with Audit Committees.”
The Committee reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements of Hastings as of and for the year ended January 31, 2009 with management, the internal auditors and Hastings’ independent auditor. Management’s discussions with the Committee included a review of critical accounting policies.
The Committee obtained from the independent auditor a formal written statement describing all relationships between the auditor and Hastings that might bear on the auditor’s independence, consistent with PCAOB applicable standards. The Committee discussed with the auditor any relationships that may have an impact on their objectivity and independence and satisfied itself as to the auditor’s independence.
Effective May 20, 2003, Hastings adopted a policy that it would no longer engage its primary independent auditor for non-audit services other than “audit-related” services as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), certain tax services and other permissible non-audit services specifically approved by the Chair of the Committee and presented to the full Committee at its next regular meeting. The policy requires pre-approval of all services provided. The policy also includes limitations on the hiring of Ernst & Young partners and other professionals to ensure that Hastings satisfies the SEC’s auditor independence rules. The Committee has reviewed and approved the amount of fees paid to Ernst & Young for audit and non-audit services. The Committee concluded that the provision of services by Ernst & Young is compatible with the maintenance of Ernst & Young’s independence.

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Based on our review and discussions with management, the internal auditors and the independent auditor, and subject to the limitations on our role and responsibilities described above and in the Committee charter, the Committee, at a meeting held in April 2009, recommended to the Board of Directors that Hastings’ audited consolidated financial statements be included in Hastings’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009, for filing with the SEC.
Frank O. Marrs, Chair
Daryl L. Lansdale
Ann S. Lieff
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Aggregate fees paid for professional services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP during the fiscal years 2008 and 2007 were as follows:
                 
    2008     2007  
Audit Fees
  $ 682,992     $ 660,214  
Audit-Related Fees
          4,131  
Tax Fees
    67,657       119,669  
All Other Fees
    1,500       1,624  
 
             
Total Fees
    752,149       785,638  
 
           
Fiscal year 2008. Tax fees consist principally of tax compliance, consulting and planning. All other fees included a subscription to Ernst & Young’s online research tool.
Fiscal year 2007. Audit-related fees consist of accounting consulting services related to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Tax fees consist principally of tax compliance, consulting and planning. All other fees included a subscription to Ernst & Young’s online research tool.
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy that requires advance approval of all audit, audit-related, tax and other services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm. The policy provides for pre-approval by the Audit Committee of specifically defined audit and non-audit services. Unless the specific service has been previously pre-approved with respect to that year, the Audit Committee must approve the permitted service before the independent registered public accounting firm is engaged to perform it. The Audit Committee has delegated to the chairman of the Audit Committee authority to approve permitted services, provided that the chairman reports any decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

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PROPOSAL NO. 2:
ADDITION OF SHARES TO THE OUTSIDE DIRECTORS’ STOCK GRANT PLAN
The Outside Directors’ Stock Grant Plan (the “Plan”) was approved by Hastings’ shareholders at the 2002 Shareholders’ Meeting. The Plan originally allowed for granting of up to 50,000 shares of stock to Outside Directors (as defined in the Plan) (currently 5 persons). At the 2006 Shareholders’ Meeting, an amendment to the Plan was approved by Hastings’ shareholders which increased the total number of shares allowed for granting to up to 100,000 shares of stock. If approved by shareholders, the Plan will be amended to provide that up to 175,000 shares may be issued. Currently, 23,604 shares remain available for grant under the Plan. The following is a summary of the Plan as proposed to be amended:
General. The purpose of the Plan is to enable us to attract and retain persons of outstanding competence to serve on our Board and, by paying a portion of their compensation in common stock, strengthen the link between the Outside Directors and our shareholders.
Shares Available Under the Outside Directors’ Stock Grant Plan. Subject to adjustments described below, the total number of shares of common stock that may be granted under the Plan is 175,000. The shares will be either previously authorized and un-issued shares or treasury shares.
Eligibility. All Outside Directors of Hastings are eligible to receive awards under the Plan.
Stock Grant Awards. Each Outside Director automatically receives a grant of Hastings’ stock with a value of $10,000.00 on the date of his or her initial election or appointment to the Board. On June 19th of each and every year, each Outside Director automatically receives an additional grant of Hastings’ common stock with a market value of $10,000.00, which shares are fully vested without restrictions.
Administration and Amendments to the Plan. The Plan will be administered and construed by the Administrative Committee, which will be composed of the Chief Executive Officer and two other officers of Hastings designated by the Chief Executive Officer.
The Plan may be amended or repealed by the Board, provided that any amendment or repeal will not adversely affect any participant’s rights under the Plan with respect to any award prior to such amendment or repeal. The Plan will not be amended more than once every six (6) months, unless an amendment is necessary to comport with changes in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, ERISA, or other applicable laws, rules and regulations. All awards under the Plan will be approved by the Board of Directors of the Company.
Transferability. There are no restrictions on transfer or assignment included in the Plan.
Adjustments. The maximum number of shares that may be issued under the Plan is subject to adjustment if the common stock of Hastings is increased, reduced or otherwise changed as the result of stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization (or other adjustment in the stated capital of Hastings), or as the result of a merger, consolidation or other reorganization.
Termination. The Plan contains no termination date.
                 
New Plan Benefits
Outside Directors' Stock Grant Plan
Name and Position   Dollar Value ($)   Number of Units
Non-Executive Director Group
  $ 10,000       3,356 (1)
 
(1)   The number of units are calculated based on the market value of Hastings’ common stock as of April 21, 2009 in accordance with Item 10(a)(2)(iii) of Schedule 14A.

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The Board recommends a vote FOR approval of the amendment to add 75,000 shares to the number of shares available for grant pursuant to the Hastings Entertainment, Inc. Outside Directors’ Stock Grant Plan (Proposal 2 on the proxy card).
PROPOSAL NO. 3:
APPROVAL OF AN EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION EXCHANGE PROGRAM
Introduction
The Board of Directors is requesting that our shareholders approve a one-time stock option exchange program (“Option Exchange”). Under the Option Exchange, eligible Hastings executive officers and non-executive employees would be given the opportunity to exchange stock options for a predetermined number of restricted stock units (“RSU”). If all eligible employees elect to participate, a total of 139,657 RSUs will be issued under the Option Exchange. Eligible employees will include all employees and executives that hold stock options with an exercise price of $5.00 or greater. There are a total of 418,971 option shares eligible for exchange under the Option Exchange, 195,360 of which were issued under stock plans that have since expired. The independent members of our Board of Directors will not be eligible to participate in this program. If an employee elects to participate in the Option Exchange, his or her options will be cancelled and replaced with RSUs in a three-to-one exchange ratio (one RSU granted for every three option shares surrendered). The Board believes that the Option Exchange is in the best interest of shareholders and Hastings, as new RSUs received under the Option Exchange will provide added incentive to motivate and retain talented employees. It will also reduce our outstanding employee stock options, by returning 83,954 net option shares to our pool, and allow us to make better use of the compensation costs that we have already incurred from our outstanding stock option awards.
Background
Historically, we have granted stock options to our employees in order to increase overall shareholders’ value by attracting and retaining talented employees and providing incentives to employees, officers and directors. Our stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the average of the opening and closing market price of our common stock on the date of grant. Options vest ratably over a three or five year period, and after vesting, they can be exercised until they expire five to ten years after the grant date. Our stock options cannot be sold. They can either be voluntarily exercised when the market value of our stock exceeds the exercise price of the option, or they expire unexercised and as a result provide no economic value to the employee.
Reasons for the Option Exchange
We believe that an effective and competitive employee incentive program is needed for the success of our business. We rely on the experience and talent of our employees and their efforts to help the Company achieve its business objectives. An equity compensation program motivates our employees and executives to act like owners of the business, and by working towards our success they are able to benefit from increases in the value of our common stock. The price of Hastings common stock, along with that of other specialty retail companies, has been significantly impacted due to the current deterioration of the economy. As of January 30, 2009, our common stock closed at a market price of $2.52. As of January 31, 2009, approximately 85% of employee stock option grants were under-water (i.e. the stock option exercise price exceeded the market price of our common stock). Although we continue to believe stock options are an important part of our employees’ total compensation, many of our employees view their existing options as having little or no value due to the significant differences between the exercise price of the options and the market value of our stock. As a result, the stock options outstanding for many employees are not providing the incentives and retention value that our Board and Compensation Committee believe necessary in motivating and retaining key employees.

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Description of the Option Exchange Program
We are asking our shareholders to approve the Option Exchange with the following features:
Eligible Employees. The Option Exchange will be open to all eligible employees who are employed by us as of the commencement of the Option Exchange and remain employed by us through the completion date of the option exchange. Eligible employees will be permitted to exchange all, but not less than all, of the eligible options for replacement RSUs. Non-executive members of our Board of Directors will not be eligible to participate in the Option Exchange.
Eligible Options. To be eligible for exchange under the Option Exchange, an option must have an exercise price at or above $5.00.
Exchange Ratios. The Option Exchange will be a three-to-one exchange. For every three options surrendered, one RSU will be granted. The exchange ratio was established based on a review of the original exercise prices of eligible options and the current fair value of the options (calculated using the Black Scholes model).
Election to Participate. Participation in the Option Exchange will be voluntary. Eligible employees will be permitted to exchange all, but not less than all, of the eligible options granted on a particular grant date for replacement RSUs.
Fair Value of Replacement RSU. Each RSU granted will have a value equal to the average of the opening and closing market price of our common stock on the date of the replacement RSU is granted.
Vesting of Replacement RSU. Each replacement RSU will be scheduled to vest over a two year period, with 50% vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remaining 50% vesting on the second anniversary of the grant date.
Implementation of the Option Exchange. We expect that the Option Exchange will begin within nine months of the shareholder approval, if received. The actual implementation date within that period, and whether we actually implement this program, will be determined by our Board. If the Option Exchange does not commence within this time frame, we will not conduct the Option Exchange without first seeking additional shareholder approval. Our Board and Compensation Committee reserve the right to amend, postpone, or under certain circumstances, cancel the Option Exchange once it has commenced.
Accounting Treatment. Under SFAS 123(R), the exchange of options under the Option Exchange is treated as a modification of the existing awards for accounting purposes. Accordingly, we will recognize the unamortized compensation cost of the surrendered options as well as the incremental compensation cost of the replacement RSUs granted in the exchange program, ratably over the vesting period of the replacement RSUs. The incremental compensation will be measured as the excess, if any of the fair value of RSUs granted to employees in exchange for surrendered eligible options, measured as of the date the replacement RSUs are granted, over the fair value of the surrendered eligible options in exchange for the replacement RSUs, measured immediately prior to the cancellations. We do not expect to recognize material incremental compensation expense for financial reporting purposes as a result of the Option Exchange. Compensation cost for RSUs forfeited due to employees not meeting the applicable service requirements will not be recognized.
Federal Income Tax Consequences. The exchange of stock options for restricted stock units should be treated as a non-taxable exchange and we and our participating employees should recognize no income for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the grant of the replacement RSUs. Employees will later recognize income for an RSU when it vests and the share of common stock is issued in its place. The company may claim a corporate tax deduction for the amount of ordinary income recognized by the employee resulting from the vesting of the RSUs.
Certain Other Information. The information required to be provided by Item 13(a) of Schedule 14A is included in the following sections of Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009, filed by the Company with the SEC on April 21, 2009: “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, “Item 9. Changes in and

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Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure” and “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.” The foregoing sections of such Annual Report on Form 10-K are incorporated herein by reference pursuant to Item 13(c) of Schedule 14A.
Shareholder Approval
This proposal to allow for a one-time stock option exchange program will be approved if the holders of a majority of the Company’s shares vote in favor of the proposal, including by returning the enclosed proxy card or otherwise voting using the means described on the enclosed proxy card, at the Annual Meeting. If Hastings’ shareholders approve the proposal, the Board and Compensation Committee intend to commence the exchange program as soon as practicable after the annual meeting. If Hastings’ shareholders do not approve this proposal, the exchange program will not take place.
                 
New Plan Benefits
Employee Stock Exchange Program
Name and Position   Dollar Value(1) ($)   Number of Units(2)
John H. Marmaduke,Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
  $ 57,442       25,417  
 
               
Dan Crow, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  $ 43,953       27,222  
 
               
Alan Van Ongevalle, Senior Vice President of Merchandising
  $ 30,249       21,945  
 
               
Kevin Ball, Vice President of Marketing
  $ 9,679       9,167  
 
               
John Hintz, Vice President of Information Technologies
  $ 11,607       6,666  
 
               
Executive Group
  $ 26,881       24,000  
 
               
Non-Executive Director Group
  $        
 
               
Non-Executive Officer Group
  $ 40,402       25,240  

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(1)   Represents the dollar value of the RSUs (calculated in accordance with FAS 123 (R)) that may be granted pursuant to the Option Exchange assuming that each indicated recipient or group of recipients exchanges all eligible options for RSUs in accordance with the Option Exchange.
 
(2)   Represents the number of RSUs that may be granted pursuant to the Option Exchange assuming that each indicated recipient or group of recipients exchanges all eligible options for RSUs in accordance with the Option Exchange.
The Board recommends a vote FOR approval of the employee stock option exchange program (Proposal 3 on the proxy card).
PROPOSAL NO. 4:
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Description of Proposal
     In accordance with its charter, the Audit Committee has selected Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2009 and to render other services required of them. The Board is submitting the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP for ratification at the Annual Meeting. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
     The submission of this matter for approval by shareholders is not legally required; however, the Board and its Audit Committee believe that such submission is consistent with best practices in corporate governance and is an opportunity for shareholders to provide direct feedback to the Board and its Audit Committee on an important issue of corporate governance. If the shareholders do not approve the selection of Ernst & Young LLP, the Audit Committee will reconsider the selection of such firm as the independent registered public accounting firm, although the results of the vote are not binding on the Audit Committee.
     The Audit Committee has the sole authority and responsibility to retain, evaluate, and, where appropriate, replace the independent registered public accounting firm. Ratification by the shareholders of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP does not limit the authority of the Audit Committee to direct the appointment of a new independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year or thereafter.
The Board recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal 4 on the proxy card).
OTHER MATTERS
We do not know of any other matters to be presented or acted upon at the Annual Meeting. If any other matter is presented at the Annual Meeting on which a vote may properly be taken, the shares represented by proxies will be voted in accordance with the judgment of the proxy holders.
ANNUAL REPORT
The Annual Report to our Shareholders, including financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009, accompanies this Proxy Statement. The Annual Report is not deemed to be part of this Proxy Statement.

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FORM 10-K
Copies of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (excluding exhibits) are available, without charge, upon written request to Hastings Entertainment, Inc., 3601 Plains Boulevard, Amarillo, Texas 79102, Attention: Investor Relations Department or by visiting the Investor Relations section of our website at www.goHastings.com. Exhibits to the Form 10-K will be furnished upon payment of a fee of $0.50 per page to cover expenses incurred in furnishing the exhibits.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s officers and directors, and persons who own more than five percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports that they file. As with many public companies, we provide assistance to our directors and executive officers in making their Section 16(a) filings pursuant to powers of attorney granted by our insiders. Based solely on our review of the copies of Section 16(a) reports received by us with respect to fiscal 2008, including those reports that we have filed on behalf of our directors and executive officers, other than as described below, we believe that during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009 our directors, officers and five percent holders complied with all filing requirements under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, except the following:
Danny W. Gurr filed a delinquent Form 4 on March 25, 2009.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
To be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting, proposals of shareholders must be in writing and received by us no later than January 8, 2010. To be presented at the 2010 Annual Meeting without inclusion in our proxy statement for such meeting, proposals of shareholders must be in writing and received by us no later than April 14, 2010. Proposals should be mailed to the Corporate Secretary of Hastings Entertainment, Inc., 3601 Plains Boulevard, Amarillo, Texas 79102 and include the information required by Section 2.05(a) of our Bylaws. Proposals related to shareholder nominated directors must be submitted in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the section entitled “Consideration of Shareholder Nominated Directors” contained herein.
     
 
  By Order of the Board of Directors,
 
   
 
  /s/ Natalya A. Ballew
 
  NATALYA A. BALLEW
 
  Corporate Secretary
Amarillo, Texas
   
May 8, 2009
   

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PROXY
HASTINGS ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Hastings Entertainment, Inc. for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 4:00 p.m. central daylight time on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, at the Company’s Store Support Center. The Store Support Center is located at the 3601 Plains Boulevard in Amarillo, Texas. The undersigned hereby appoint(s) Natalya Ballew, with full power of substitution, and with discretionary authority, the proxy of the undersigned to vote all shares of common stock the undersigned would be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 3, 2009, and at any adjournment thereof, upon the matters listed below, and in accordance with her best judgment with respect to any other matters that may properly come before the meeting.
The proxy, when duly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein, and in the absence of specific directions to the contrary, this proxy will be voted (i) for the election of the two nominees for director, (ii) for the approval of an amendment to the Outside Directors Stock Grant Plan, (iii) for the approval of an employee stock option exchange program, (iv) for the ratification of appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm, and (v) in the discretion of the proxy holders on any other matters that may properly come before the meeting and any adjournments thereof.
This proxy is solicited on behalf of our Board of Directors and may be revoked prior to its exercise. The Board of Directors request that you promptly execute and mail this proxy.
     Dated this                      day of                     , 2009
     
 
     
 
(Please sign exactly as your name appears on the stock
certificate. If shares are held jointly, each shareholder
should sign. When signing as executor, administrator,
trustee, guardian, or other capacity, please give title as such.)
  1.   Election of Two Directors:
                 
 
  Nominee:   For   Withhold    
 
               
 
  John H. Marmaduke   [ ]   [  ]    
 
  Jeffrey G. Shrader   [ ]   [  ]    
  2.   Proposal to approve the amendment to the Outside Directors’ Stock Grant Plan:
                 
 
  For   Against   Abstain    
 
  [  ]   [  ]   [  ]    
  3.   Approval of an employee stock option exchange program:
                 
 
  For   Against   Abstain    
 
  [  ]   [  ]   [  ]    
  4.   Ratification of the Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm:
                 
 
  For   Against   Abstain    
 
  [  ]   [  ]   [  ]    
  5.   In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote on any other matters that may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment thereof.
Vote by Internet at http://www.proxyvoting.com/hast or by telephone at 1-866-540-5760 or by mail. If you vote by Internet or by telephone, you do not need to mail back your proxy card.