University of Houston Athletics
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SOFTBALL SIGNS WITH WILSON AND DEMARINI
2/4/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 4, 2004
HILLSBORO, OR - The University of Houston Softball team has signed with Wilson Sporting Goods Co. and DeMarini Sports for 2004. In the agreement reached between Wilson, DeMarini and Cougar Head Coach Kyla Holas, Houston will use Wilson gear and exclusively swing DeMarini bats for 2004.
"DeMarini and Wilson listen to our feedback about their fastpitch products-they are concerned with what we want and need," says Coach Holas. "Swinging DeMarini bats gives our batters the distance and pop with a durability that lasts the entire season."
Under the leadership of Coach Holas, University of Houston Softball has earned a 93-82 record (.531) with two consecutive winning seasons of 35-25 in 2002 and 36-24 in 2003. Houston set the Conference USA 2003 single-season league record for home runs, hitting 59 in 60 games. The Cougars also led C-USA in doubles (79), finishing second in total bases (691), walks (176), slugging percentage (.450) and triples (11).
"University of Houston competes at the highest level, and they've decided to use our product exclusively," says Jim Hackett, Business Director for Wilson Baseball and Softball. "Their goal is to win ball games, and they need the best equipment available. We're proud they've chosen Wilson gear and DeMarini bats to achieve their goals."
Under the agreement, University of Houston players will choose from DeMarini's 2004 line of high performance fastpitch bats. Built for power with Half & Half Technology, the F2 Fastpitch is the first fastpitch bat to combine an aluminum barrel with an ultra-light composite handle. The Rayzr Fastpitch utilizes DeMarini's patented double wall design-two independent layers of metal, separated by a layer of DeMarini Power Fluid, which generate a dynamic "springboard" effect. For the placement hitter, the Ultimate Fastpitch upholds consistent, accurate hitting. Constructed with Variwall Technology, the bat delivers a 2 _" barrel on a DeMarini Bottle Bat Profile that allows players to connect with the ball more often.
The Cougars will also choose from Wilson's softball gloves, uniforms, batting gloves and other softball accessories.
Established in 1989, DeMarini Sports took the bat industry by storm with the world's first high-tech softball bat. Acquired by Wilson Sporting Goods in 2000, DeMarini continues to research, design and build high-performance softball and baseball bats in its state-of-the-art Hillsboro, Oregon facility.
Chicago-based Wilson Sporting Goods Company, a division of Amer Sports, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of sports equipment. The company designs, manufactures and distributes advanced equipment that helps players improve their performance. Wilson's core categories include Football, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Bats, Volleyball, Soccer, Youth Sports, Uniforms/Apparel, Golf, Footwear, and Racquet Sports (Tennis, Racquetball, Squash, Badminton and Platform Tennis). wilson.com
