Southern Utah Athletics is expanding its community commitment through a new partnership with Cedar and City Sports and Recreation and State Bank of Southern Utah. The collaboration will provide local youth with greater access to Thunderbirds Athletics than ever before.
Starting this fall, every child who registers for a Cedar City Sports and Recreation youth sports league will automatically become a member of the Jr. T-Birds Kids Club, presented by State Bank of Southern Utah.
As part of their membership, participants will receive free admission to all Southern Utah Athletics home sporting events, an official Jr. T-Birds swag bag, and invitations to exclusive Jr. T-Birds events and game day experiences throughout the year.
Tom Higbee, Southern Utah University's Interim Director of Athletics, stated that community engagement is a priority for the department and that this partnership allows for the creation of meaningful opportunities for local youth while building stronger community relationships.
The partnership will officially begin with the Jr. T-Birds Launch Party on Tuesday, August 12, from 4-8 p.m. During this event, youth participants can pick up jerseys for the upcoming recreation season, meet Southern Utah student-athletes, and participate in interactive games and activities.
Throughout the 2026-27 athletic season, Southern Utah Athletics will host dedicated Jr. T-Birds Days for various sports featuring family-friendly activities and kid-focused promotions.
The fall schedule for these days includes women's soccer against the Montana Grizzlies on October 1, volleyball against the Weber State Wildcats on October 10, and football against the UC Davis Aggies on October 17.
Kathleen Afatasi, Sports and Recreation Program Manager for Cedar City, noted that the collaboration is an exciting step toward expanding access and strengthening connections for families in Cedar City and surrounding communities. Cordelle Morris, Chief Marketing Officer at State Bank of Southern Utah, also expressed excitement regarding the impact the sponsorship will have on local youth.
Families can participate by registering through the Cedar City Sports and Recreation Registration system, which automatically provides Jr. T-Birds Kids Club membership benefits.
