Business Spotlight: T&B Sports

1345 Fourth Street, San Rafael

(415)453-2433,  customerservice@tandbsports.com

What do they offer?

In terms of merchandise, T&B Sports provides a full array of sporting goods and sports apparel, from a child’s first baseball glove to fully customized team uniforms. They have been dressing and equipping Northern California athletes and organizations for nearly 60 years. A long-time member of the TAG (Team Athletic Goods) group, T&B carries a full line of quality private label uniforms and equipment in addition to national brands. They also supply decorated apparel and hats, offering services that include screenprint, embroidery, tackle twill or heat press.

Who are they?

Jeff Brusati took over the operation of T&B Sports when he was 21, following the untimely death of his father in 1978. As president, Brusati has overseen the growth of T&B from a single store with five employees to a two-location operation with 40 full-time employees.
Brusati is active in the Marin County community, participating in local fundraising events and volunteering as a coach with various youth sports organizations. For the past 25 years, he has served on the board of directors of the Marin Athletic Foundation, an organization that has raised more than $1 million for Marin County high school interscholastic and intramural sports programs.

Brusati studied business at California State University, Chico. He and his wife Lori have four children and live in San Rafael. His brother, Mike Brusati, is the senior vice president of sales at T&B Sports. Like Jeff, Mike got his start at T&B Sports while still a student at . A former College of Marin baseball player, Mike has been active as a coach of youth and high school level sports for over 20 years. Mike and his wife Patty also have four children and live in San Rafael.

A third-generation Brusati is also in place at T&B Sports. Brusati’s oldest son Anthony began working full-time at T&B Sports at the age of 21 and quickly established himself as an integral part of the business. A 2001 graduate of Terra Linda High School and former College of Marin football player, Anthony coaches Central Marin Youth Football. He lives in Novato.

How long have they been there?

T&B Sports was founded in 1946, as Taveggia-Brusati Sport and Saddle Shop, by Rome Brusati and Anthony Taveggia. Specializing in saddles, boots, western wear, guns and fishing supplies, Taveggia-Brusati thrived in the still rural but rapidly growing Marin County of the 1950s, '60s and '70s. Taveggia-Brusati changed its name and primary focus in 1979 with its rebirth as T&B Sports. Saddles and western wear were dropped in favor of sports equipment and custom sports uniforms to better serve the growing youth population of Marin County.

Why are they in our Business Spotlight?

T&B Sports is a Marin County institution, not just because they have been around for 65 years, but because they are an active partner with the Marin community, donating to local schools, youth organizations and youth sports programs. T&B began as a small business serving a rural community and has evolved and grown along with the sports-oriented population of Marin.