SALT LAKE CITY (October 7, 2013) – The Utah Jazz announced today that America First Credit Union will be the new presenting sponsor of the franchise’s professional dance team. The America First Jazz Dancers will debut at the first preseason game against Golden State on Oct. 8 in a ROOT Sports-televised game from EnergySolutions Arena.
“America First Credit Union is a homegrown Utah company that prides itself on member services and excellence in the community,” said Utah Jazz President Randy Rigby. “Those attributes spoke volumes in establishing a sponsor affiliation with our franchise. We are proud that our professional dance troupe will be known as the America First Jazz Dancers.”
“We are very pleased to announce our sponsorship of the Utah Jazz dancers, and look forward to partnering with the Jazz organization on upcoming community events and charitable efforts with this talented group of women,” said John B. Lund, America First president and CEO. “They represent America First’s energy and enthusiasm for life.”
The America First Jazz Dancers will make their first appearance with the local credit union on Tuesday, October 8, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the City Creek Branch (60 E. South Temple), Sandy Branch (9380 South State Street) and the West Jordan Branch (7451 South Campus View Drive) to help collect food for the Utah Food Bank. The public is invited to drop off nutritious, non-perishable food staples such as peanut butter, canned tuna fish and canned vegetables to help America First reach its goal to raise more than 9,000 pounds of food in October. All members who donate will receive an entry into a drawing for an iPad.
The dance team has been in existence since the beginning of the 1992-93 season under the direction of Jan Whittaker. The 2013-14 team is made up of 20 dancers who rotate to provide 14 dancers at each Utah Jazz home game.
The America First Jazz Dancers add an exciting entertainment element to Utah Jazz basketball. The team performs a minimum of two times per game, and this season will debut thematic performances. Their dance style is athletic and energetic. They perform a variety of jazz, funk and character-type dance routines. Annual open auditions are conducted each summer, and the team holds four-hour practices two times per week.
In addition to performing at Jazz home games, the America First Jazz dancers make community and charity appearances, including school assemblies, hospital visits and fundraising events. The group has a wealth of dancing experience and a wide-variety of career goals and interests. Video introductions to the America First Jazz Dancers are available at www.utahjazz.com/dancers.