Bear to be Inducted into Utah Summer Games Hall of Honor

CEDAR CITY, UTAH (June 11, 2009) – Utah Jazz mascot Bear will be inducted into the Utah Summer Games Hall of Honor in a ceremony tonight at Southern Utah University's Gilbert Great Hall. An Olympic-style sports festival, the Utah Summer Games is open to Utah residents of all ages and abilities and has been held in Cedar City for the past 24 years. An average total of 9,600 participants, 50,000 spectators, and 1,000 volunteers attend each year.

The Hall of Honor was initiated to give special recognition to those who give service to the games or have demonstrated the greatest athletic ability produced from the state.
"We are extremely excited about our inductees for this class of honorees. Each of these inductees have made a major impact on the lives of people in the state of Utah," said USG Director Casey McClellan. "They have continued to serve their communities and help young athletes pursue their dreams."

Recently finishing his 15th season with the Jazz, Bear's appearance at the Utah Summer Games has been a tradition for almost two decades. Since his introduction to Jazz fans on November 4, 1994, Bear has brought high-flying, crowd-pumping skills to fans young and old, separating himself as one of the best mascots in the NBA with his combination of pyrotechnics and acrobatics. Bear was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2006.

In addition to Jazz games Bear has enriched Utah by donating time to schools, community centers and hospitals. Each year, Bear entertains and instructs grade-school students through assemblies such as "Fun to be Fit" and "Read to Achieve" which strive to teach students how to make informed and intelligent life choices. For the past 15 years Bear has appeared at numerous events for organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, Primary Children’s Hospital, Special Olympics, D.A.R.E., Toys for Tots and Race for the Cure.

The induction will preclude the opening ceremony of the Utah Summer Games with a banquet and special presentation of plaques to the honorees who will also be guest stars at the event, which features fireworks, the national anthem performed by Jackie Tohn from "American Idol," David Osmond performing his new single "Last Day" and "Imagine," a Beatles tribute band in concert.

In addition to Bear, other inductees include Olympic hammer thrower, Amy Palmer; world-champion bronc rider, Cody Wright; and Spirit of the Games recipient, Riverton High School track athlete, Aubrie Haymore. Previous Jazz Hall of Honor winners include late owner Larry H. Miller, longtime broadcaster "Hot" Rod Hundley, former head coach and team president Frank Layden and former players Thurl Bailey and Mark Eaton.