Jazz Reading Contest Begins

Hundreds of students at local elementary schools will become bookworms over the next few weeks as the Utah Jazz kicks off its annual reading contest, Be a Team Player – Read. The Jazz community outreach program focuses on increasing literacy skills in children, and 58 schools will participate this year.

Currently in its 13th year of existence, the popular contest offers a fun-filled way for schools to motivate children and create increased interest in reading. Participants compete to see which school can attain the highest number of minutes read per student during a one-month period of time. Each of the top-10 scoring schools wins an ice cream party and a visit from a Utah Jazz basketball player.

Sponsors of the Be A Team Player – Read contest include Russell’s Ice Cream, Med One Capital, University of Phoenix and Scholastic Book Fairs. The program operates in conjunction with NBA Cares, the league’s social initiative.