EXHIBIT 99.1

                           CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Genesco Inc. (the "Company") on Form
10-K for the period ending February 1, 2003, as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Hal N. Pennington,
Chief Executive Officer of the Company certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section
1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
that:

         (1)      The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section
13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         (2)      The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in
all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.



/s/ Hal N. Pennington
- -------------------------
Hal N. Pennington
Chief Executive Officer
May 2, 2003

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to Genesco Inc. and will be retained by Genesco Inc. and furnished to
the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.