SALT LAKE CITY (January 11, 2016) – On Wednesday, Jan. 13, students from Bryant Middle School’s AVID program will job shadow front office personnel at the Utah Jazz and Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment. This event is part of National Mentoring Month and the Utah Jazz organization’s ongoing efforts to support youth development and education.
“Giving back is one of our organization’s core principles,” said Steve Starks, president of Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment. “This will be a great opportunity for our employees to mentor students and give them an idea for a future career path. My hope is that both the mentors and mentees find this program impactful.”
Beginning at 9:30 a.m., 45 students will arrive at Vivint Smart Home Arena where they will receive a welcome from Starks. The attendees will then be assigned to their mentor, where they will follow the employee to learn about the tasks performed on a daily basis. The participating students were asked to fill out an application listing their area of interest so they could be matched with an employee in that position. Youth will shadow employees in all areas, including security, catering, sponsorships, ticket sales, public relations, community relations and senior management.
“Developing a student’s ability to explore many prospects in the job market for themselves in the business field has a far reaching impact,” said James E. Yapias, Bryant Middle School principal. “Our partnership with the Utah Jazz provides our students with an opportunity to be mentored in a way that creates excitement for the future and provides access to talented professionals that they can look up to. Larry Miller was an entrepreneur who not only built something great, but worked to develop others’ talents. It is amazing that his commitment, perseverance, and honor still ripples throughout his organizations today.”
Schedule of events:
9:30 a.m. – Students arrive at Vivint Smart Home Arena 9:40 a.m. – Welcome by Steve Starks
9:45 a.m. – Students paired with mentor
11:40 a.m. – Human Resources presentation
Noon – Lunch
12:30 p.m. – Students return to school
Each student will receive a Utah Jazz slingbag filled with supplies for the day, as well as tickets to the Jazz vs. L.A. Lakers game on Jan. 16 at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
Media interested in covering this event should contact Gina Calvert at 214-207-6153.
About the Utah Jazz
Founded as the 18th member of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1974, and located in Salt Lake City since 1979, the Utah Jazz are committed to excellence as a team and in the community. On the court, the Jazz are the third-winningest team in the NBA over the last 30 years, having won eight division titles and two Western Conference championships along with 14 seasons of 50-plus wins, and are supported by one of the most passionate fan bases in all of sports. Away from the court, the Jazz are very active in the local community and have assisted a multitude of organizations and worthy causes by way of charitable donations, service and grants through Larry H. Miller Charities. The Utah Jazz also operate the Junior Jazz program, the largest and longest-running youth basketball league in the NBA, featuring more than 50,000 players and an additional 13,000 volunteers who take part annually across seven states. For more information on the Utah Jazz, visit www.utahjazz.com.
About the AVID Program
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is an elective class in the secondary schools of the Salt Lake City School
District. It is designed to help underserved, first-generation, college-bound students with high academic potential participate in
rigorous course work in preparation for entrance to colleges or universities. Students receive support through tutoring by trained
tutors and a proven curriculum based on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading.
–@JazzDoingGood or utahjazz.com–
