KANSAS CITY – The Kansas City Athletics have announced a new partnership with the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City (The J) that aims to enhance local youth programs, boost fan attendance and engagement, and create special events through the Roo Athletic Fund.
Dr. Brandon Martin, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics, emphasized the importance of building relationships with community programs that exemplify excellence. “As Kansas City Athletics works towards a goal of intentional excellence, it is critically important that we build relationships with programs that exemplify excellence in the Kansas City community,” he stated. “The J has been a staple in the community for decades and this relationship will allow both sides to strengthen their presence with the people that make Kansas City one of the best cities in the nation.”
The J is known as one of the largest community centers in the area, offering diverse programs for all ages with a particular emphasis on youth sports. This partnership will further enhance The J’s offerings by incorporating Kansas City Athletics’ resources and expertise.
Bob Hennecke, Director of Sports and Recreation at The J, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration. “I am very excited about our partnership. The Roos are a big part of Kansas City and we are looking forward to hosting events with various teams as well as getting our participants more involved with our local Division One institution.”
This partnership marks a significant development for both organizations, providing valuable resources and exciting opportunities for the community. Additionally, co-marketing efforts and special events will be vital for the advancement of both entities.
Jason Sautter, Manager of Sports and Recreation at The J and former Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Kansas City, noted, “We think that this is a win-win situation for both the J and Kansas City Athletics. There are over 13,000 members at The J, and we thought that it was a great situation for both sides. It gives our young kids a chance to form relationships with Division One level athletes and it gives Kansas City Athletics access to our vast network of members.”
The partnership will officially kick off in August with a mini-clinic organized by Kansas City Volleyball, featuring Head Coach Christi Posey and volleyball student-athletes. Kansas City Soccer will follow with a series of mini-clinics in the spring aimed at developing young athletes and supporting The J’s youth coaches. Furthermore, Kansas City Athletics will offer group ticketing rates for The J’s members to facilitate attendance at local sporting events.
Throughout the year, youth teams from The J will be showcased during Kansas City Athletics games, providing opportunities for these teams to connect with Kansas City’s student-athletes. A special event featuring the Kansas City Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams will launch the new partnership as basketball season approaches.