Adapted from UNLVRebels.com

UNLV Athletics and Marucci Sports have entered into a multi-year partnership to equip the Rebel baseball and softball programs, UNLV Director of Athletics Desiree Reed-Francois announced today.

Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Marucci is one of the fastest growing athletic equipment companies in the nation and a premier brand among youth participants in both sports.

"We are excited to be one of the first to partner with Marucci in the college athletics space,” Reed-Francois said. “We have high expectations for both baseball and softball and are confident that Marucci is the right partner for UNLV at the right time.

"Las Vegas is known for its wealth of talent in both sports, and Marucci is a brand that connects us to the student-athletes who will define the future of our programs."

Through the partnership, the Rebels will use Marucci bats, fielding gloves, batting gloves and catcher’s gear along with new Marucci products including sunglasses. UNLV will also play a role in product development as Marucci expands its baseball and softball equipment offerings.

“Our coaches and players are thrilled about this new partnership with Marucci,” said UNLV baseball head coach Stan Stolte. “We talked this summer about the best fit for our program and Marucci quickly rose to the top. We are fortunate that the pieces came together and look forward to years of success with one of the top brands in baseball.

Rebel softball, under first-year head coach Kristie Fox, will join Arizona (Fox’s alma-mater) as part of a select, premier group of Marucci-backed programs.

“This is a strategic and timely development for Rebel softball,” Fox said. “Marucci is quickly becoming one of the biggest names in softball and its products are second-to-none.”

Community engagement will also be a focal point of the partnership. Both parties see this new collaboration as a bridge to one of the best baseball and softball cities in the United States.

“There is no better place for baseball and softball than Las Vegas,” said Marucci Founder and Chief Executive Officer Kurt Ainsworth. “Our new partnership with UNLV aligns Marucci with the city’s university. It positions us to pursue championships with the Rebels while expanding youth engagement in both sports across Las Vegas and throughout the West.

“We are proud to call UNLV a partner and this step forward is fundamental to the future growth of our company.”

The Rebels are optimistic about baseball and softball with fall practice getting underway for both programs later this month.

“We have a great combination of returning experience and new talent,” Stolte said. “So this relationship will only accelerate our growth and development. It elevates the stature of the program and speaks to our championship aspirations.”

Fox added, “This is an important time for UNLV softball so it is wonderful to know that our players will benefit from the very best. We could not be more excited about our direction and what the partnership with Marucci will mean for us in the years to come.”