Official Volleyball Penn State Women’s Volleyball

Seven-time NCAA national champion Nittany Lions to use Baden balls exclusively in all games, practices, tournaments and clinics

RENTON, Wash. (Oct. 6, 2015) – Baden Sports, Inc., announced it has been selected as the official ball supplier of the Pennsylvania State University women’s volleyball team. The Nittany Lions, winners of seven NCAA national championships – more than any women’s volleyball team in history – will use Baden volleyballs exclusively in all program activities including clinics, exhibitions, games, practices and tournaments, starting this year. In his 37^th season at the helm of the Nittany Lion women’s volleyball program, legendary head coach Russ Rose has guided the 2015 team to a 14-1 record and a 3-1 mark in Big Ten conference play this season. Last season, the Nittany Lions won a second straight national championship and their sixth in the past eight years. Atop the NCAA all-time list in career wins (1,175) and career winning percentage, Rose is one of only two active Division I women’s volleyball coaches with 1,000 or more career victories. Rose is also a five-time, American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) National Coach of the Year honoree. Baden also served as Penn State’s official volleyball supplier in the 1990s. “Coach Rose is a proven winner. His passion for volleyball, leadership and ability to consistently get the most out of his players is unmatched in the sport,” said Michael Schindler, CEO, Baden Sports. “We’re excited to be working again with Penn State and look forward to providing Coach Rose and his program our best-performing and highest-quality volleyballs for years to come.” Under terms of the new, multi-year agreement, Penn State will use Baden’s flagship leather game ball, the Perfection® VX5EC. Constructed with full-grain, pre-sorted leather for optimum touch and feel, the Perfection® VX5EC features Baden’s Stealth Soft-Valve System™ for consistency and balance, a blended cotton wrap to ensure shape retention, and a specially formulated adhesive to prevent panels from peeling. The Perfection® VX5EC can be ordered in nearly 20 different color combinations, including all-white, to match virtually any school color. “Baden has demonstrated a commitment to growing our sport and improving the game for all players,” Rose said. “Their volleyballs set the standard for quality and performance, and I’m confident everybody involved with the Penn State program – from coaches to clinic participants – will notice the difference.” In addition to volleyballs, the Nittany Lions will use Baden’s latest volleyball cart, the Perfection® Hammock Cart, which was newly designed this year for quality and durability. Featuring a tempered alloy frame, nylon bag with reinforced seams and clear, non-marking rollerblade wheels, the cart can hold more than 30 volleyballs and comes with an unprecedented three-year guarantee. Baden also provides the official court volleyball of the AVCA, and is the official volleyball of the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association (PVCA), as well as numerous state high school associations nationwide. All of Baden’s volleyball products, including accessories, can be purchased through team dealers, online or at major retailers nationwide. For more information, visit www.shopbaden.com orwww.badensports.com.

About Penn State Volleyball The Pennsylvania State University women's volleyball program, under the leadership of head coach Russ Rose, has long been one of the most dominant teams in NCAA Division I. The Nittany Lions of University Park, Pa., have won a record seven national championships (1999, 2007-10, 2013-14), 16 Big Ten titles and 84 percent of their overall matches since the program's inception in 1976. For the latest on Penn State volleyball, visit www.gopsusports.com or follow the team on Twitter @PennStateVBALL.  

About Baden Sports Baden Sports, Inc., an independent, family-owned company based in Renton, Wash., is a designer and producer of the highest-quality athletic balls. Baden also manufactures the new Axe™ line of high-performance baseball and softball bats. For 36 years, Baden’s product innovation and leadership have led conferences, programs and coaches at all levels to choose Baden as their official ball. For more information, visit Baden’s website and Facebook page.