Utah Jynx
{{more citations needed|date=October 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{USFootball team
| logo = UtahJynx.PNG
| pixels = 200px
| founded = 2010
| league = Independent (2011)
WFA (2012-2013)
| history = Utah Jynx (2011-present)
| stadium = Herriman High School
| city = West Valley City, Utah
| colors = Navy blue, gold, green, and white
| owners = Greg Cover
| coaches = Greg Cover
| championships =
| nat_championships =
| dancers =
| mascot =
}}
The Utah Jynx is a team of the Women's Football Alliance that began play in 2011 and joined the WFA in 2012. Following their successful 2011 season as an independent team, they were placed at [https://web.archive.org/web/20120417060341/http://www.ezfootballrankings.com/PreseasonRankings2012.pdf #7 in the WFA preseason rankings] by EZ Football Rankings. Based in West Valley City, Utah, the Jynx play their home games on the campus of Taylorsville High School.
In their inaugural season, the Jynx played as an independent team.{{cite news | url=http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=12213869 | title=Women's football gaining popularity in Utah | publisher=KSL-TV | work=KSL.com | date=August 30, 2010 | access-date=December 31, 2011 | author=Butterfield, Amanda}}{{cite web | url=http://inside.nike.com/blogs/nikewomen-en_US/2010/12/15/gevvy-gets-tackled-by-the-utah-jynx | title=Gevvy Gets Tackled by the Utah Jynx | publisher=Nike, Inc. | work=Nike Women | date=December 15, 2010 | access-date=December 31, 2011 | author=Seferaj, Gevrina}}{{cite web | url=http://www.saltlakemagazine.com/blog/2011/11/touchdown-utah-jynx-womens-football-holds-tryouts/ | title=Touchdown! Utah Jynx women's football holds tryouts | work=Salt Lake Magazine | date=November 15, 2011 | access-date=December 31, 2011 | author=Leach, Kelsey | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219092340/http://www.saltlakemagazine.com/blog/2011/11/touchdown-utah-jynx-womens-football-holds-tryouts/ | archive-date=December 19, 2011 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}{{cite web | url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/53090402-78/women-football-team-jynx.html.csp | title=Utah women battle it out on the gridiron | publisher=Salt Lake Tribune | date=December 10, 2011 | access-date=December 31, 2011 | author=Wharton, Tom}}{{cite web | url=http://www.fox13now.com/videobeta/407cd99a-40cc-4155-9d59-0c283e078728/Sports/Utah-Jynx-all-female-football-teamSports/Utah-Jynx-all-female-football-teamSports/Utah-Jynx-all-female-football-teamSports/Utah-Jynx-all-female-football-teamSports/Utah-Jynx-all-female-football-teamSports/Utah-Jynx-all-female-football-team/Sports/Utah-Jynx-all-female-football-teamSports/Utah-Jynx-all-female-football-teamSports/Utah-Jynx-all-female-football-teamSports/Utah-Jynx-all-female-football-team | title=Utah Jynx all-female football team | publisher=KSTU | work=FOX13Now.com | date=October 19, 2011 | access-date=December 31, 2011}}{{dead link|date=September 2014}}{{cite news | url=http://www.southsaltlakejournal.com/pages/full_story/7520/Jynx-football-out-to-make-presence-felt/ | title=Jynx football out to make presence felt | publisher=South Salt Lake Journal | date=July 29, 2011 | access-date=December 31, 2011 | author=Cusumano, Anthony | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426082246/http://www.southsaltlakejournal.com/pages/full_story/7520/Jynx-football-out-to-make-presence-felt/ | archive-date=April 26, 2012 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }} For the 2012 season, they join the Utah Blitz as the second WFA team in the Beehive State.
In 2012, in their first season as a member of the WFA, the Jynx finished as the undefeated division champions of the American Conference Division 14, (7 - 0 overall, 4 - 0 in the division). They clinched the division after defeating the Portland Fighting Fillies 33 - 13 in Portland. The Fillies were the division champions the last two season previous, in 2010 and 2011. The Jynx suffered an early loss in the playoffs by losing to the Central Cal War Angels at home, 26 - 36.
The Jynx also had six players receive WFA All American honors: 3 first team, and 3 second team. The 3 first team All Americans flew out to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to participate in the All Star Game held on August 4, 2012, the same day as the WFA National Championship game held at Heinz Field. The two teams playing in the National Championship were the San Diego Surge and the Chicago Force. The Surge won the game 40 - 36, thanks to a last second interception.
Going into the 2013 season, the Jynx changed divisions, and are now with the Las Vegas Showgirlz and Utah Blitz. On June 8, 2013, the Utah Jynx wrapped up their second season in the WFA, having acquired a 6 - 2 record for the regular season and a second consecutive division championship. They averaged 54 points per game in the regular season and amassed over 3,500 yards of offense.
On June 15, 2013, the Jynx traveled to Seattle, Washington to play in a rematch vs. the undefeated Seattle Majestics, who had defeated the Jynx in week one of the WFA season 47 - 18. Going into the playoff game, the Jynx were predicted to lose by 11 points,{{citation needed|date=October 2013}} but after taking the lead 14 - 13 going into halftime, the Jynx won 36 - 26, earning their first playoff victory in the team's 3-year history. The following week, the Jynx traveled to Fresno, California to face the Central Cal War Angels, for another rematch of last year's first round. The Jynx fell behind 21 - 0 after the first quarter, and ended up losing 65 - 6 to the War Angels.
Move to the IWFL
On March 4, 2014, KUTV News program "Get Gephardt" raised questions about what the owner and head coach of the Utah Jynx, Coach Greg Cover, had done with the approximately $1,150 per player fees he received from multiple players to play football{{cite news|url=http://kutv.com/news/features/gephardt/stories/vid_597.shtml|title=Semi-Pro Football Players Question the Disappearance of League Fees|author=Louise Bean|work=KUTV.com|access-date=8 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706070638/http://www.kutv.com/news/features/gephardt/stories/vid_597.shtml|archive-date=6 July 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} The Jynx were released from the Women's Football Alliance, per the WFA league's founder, "We just don't want this type of person or this type of team in our league anymore." The Jynx have since joined the IWFL. The report revealed that over half the team and most of the team's coaches quit halfway through the 2013 season in protest of Cover's actions.
New field location
The Jynx have selected Herriman High School as their new home field with the full consent of the Jordan School District. Jynx will play its first IWFL game at Herriman on April 19, 2014, against the California Quake.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/events/651287234933218/?ref=22|title=Utah JYNX vs. California Quake|publisher=Facebook|access-date=8 September 2014}} Jynx have struggled to find a field this year, after being banned from Taylorsville High because of the owner's inability to pay for the field last year. Taylorsville is in the Granite School District.
2014 season results
The Jynx have struggled in the IWFL this season, losing their first game against the California Quake 20–15.{{cite web|url=http://www.iwflsports.com/pressroom/news/index.html?article_id=139|title=Quake shakes up Utah|publisher=The Official Website of the Independent Women's Football League: News|author=Catherine B. Vivo|access-date=8 September 2014}} The Jynx lost their second IWFL game 40–12 to the Phoenix Phantomz, where the game was called in the third quarter due to injuries.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Utah-JYNX-Utahs-Premier-Womens-Football-Team/137367999612324?ref=stream|title=Utah JYNX - Utah's Premier Women's Football Team|work=Facebook|access-date=8 September 2014}} The Jynx cancelled/forfeited their third game against the Tucson Monsoon, making their record 0–3 in IWFL.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/TucsonMonsoon|title=Tucson Monsoon|work=Facebook|access-date=8 September 2014}} Finally, the Jynx forfeited their game against the Rocky Mountain Thunderkatz with speculation that the Jynx team is folding for the season (or indefinitely), making their record 1–5 overall in the 2014 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/RockyMountainThunderKatz|title=Rocky Mountain Thunder Katz|work=Facebook|access-date=8 September 2014}}
Media attention
The Jynx organization was the subject of an investigation launched by Salt Lake City's Channel 2 News as part of its Get Gephardt program, regarding the Jynx organization's questionable fundraising practices.{{cite web |last1=Gephardt |first1=Matt |title=Women's football league leaves supporters hungry, for cookies |url=https://kutv.com/news/features/archive-12/stories/vid_371.shtml |website=kutv.com |access-date=12 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911002210/https://kutv.com/news/features/archive-12/stories/vid_371.shtml |archive-date=2014-09-11 |language=en |date=September 11, 2014}} This was the second investigation launched of the Utah Jynx by Channel 2's Get Gephardt program. In the first case, players questioned the disappearance of their player fees by the team's ownership.{{cite web|url=http://kutv.com/news/features/gephardt/stories/vid_597.shtml|title=Semi-Pro Football Players Question the Disappearance of League Fees |website= KUTV.com|access-date=2014-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307184248/http://kutv.com/news/features/gephardt/stories/vid_597.shtml|archive-date=2014-03-07|url-status=dead}} In the latter case, a fan paid $30 up front for cookie dough to the Utah Jynx, but after months of waiting she got word that she would not be getting the product.
Banned from the IWFL
After being banned from the WFA in 2014, the Jynx were subsequently removed from the IWFL prior to the 2015 season.{{cite web |title=IWFL Sports » Automotive Resources |url=https://www.iwflsports.com/ |website=www.iwflsports.com |access-date=12 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312042322/https://www.iwflsports.com/ |archive-date=March 12, 2023 |language=en |url-status=live}} The Jynx were replaced with another team from the Rocky Mountain region, the Thunderkatz. The Jynx owner has been "in hiding" since the removal of his team from the IWFL. With no further prospects for league play, the Jynx organization has been permanently dissolved.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}
Season-by-season
{{Start NFL SBS}}
|-
| colspan="6" align="left" | Utah Jynx (Independent)
|-
|2011 || 5|| 3 || 0 ||||
|-
| colspan="6" align="left" | Utah Jynx (WFA)
|-
|2012 || 8 || 1 || 0 || 1st WFA American Conference Division 14 || 0 - 1, 6/23: vs. Central Cal War Angels, Loss 26 - 36 (WFA American Conference Playoffs, First Round)
|-
|colspan="6" align="left" | Utah Jynx (WFA)
|-
|2013* || 10 || 3 || 0 || 1st WFA American Conference Division 11 || 1 - 1, 6/15: at Seattle Majestics, Win 36 - 26 (WFA American Conference Playoffs, First Round) 6/22: at Central Cal War Angels, Loss 6 - 65 WFA American Conference Playoffs, Quarterfinals)
|-
|Totals || 23 || 7 || 0
{{s-end}}
2011
=Season schedule=
| class="wikitable" |
| Date
!Opponent !Result |
|---|
| March 26
|Away |L 8 - 12 |
| April 16
|Away |L 20 - 45 |
| April 23
|Away |W 51 - 6 |
| May 28
|Las Vegas Showgirlz (WFA) |Home |W 43 - 22 |
| June 11
|Houston Energy (IWFL) |Away |L 17 - 22 |
| July 9
|Ventura Black Widows (WSFL) |Home |W 60 - 0 |
| July 16
|Nevada Storm (WSFL) |Home |W 33 - 12 |
| July 23
|Arizona Assassins (WFA) |Home |W 34 - 20 |
2012
=Season schedule=
| class="wikitable" |
| Date
!Opponent !Result |
|---|
| March 31
|Silver State Legacy (Preseason) |Home |W 28 - 27 |
| April 21
|Utah Blitz (Division 14 Game) |Away |W 49 - 23 |
| April 28
|Portland Fighting Fillies (Division 14 Game) |Home |W 20 - 13 |
| May 12
|Las Vegas Showgirlz |Home |W 38 - 28 |
| May 19
|Away |W 62 - 22 |
| June 2
|Portland Fighting Fillies (Division 14 Game) |Away |W 33 - 13 |
| June 9
|Utah Blitz (Division 14 Game) |Home |W 50 - 0 |
| June 16
|Colorado Sting (IWFL) |Home |W FORFEIT |
| June 23
|Central Cal War Angels (WFA American Conference Playoffs, First Round) |Home |L 26 - 36 |
2013
=Season schedule=
| class="wikitable" |
| Date
!Opponent !Result |
|---|
| March 16
|Everett Reign (Preseason) |Away |W 54 - 6 |
| March 23
|Phoenix Phantomz (Preseason) |Home |W 38 - 10 |
| March 30
|Colorado Sting (Preseason) |Home | W 55 - 18 |
| April 6
|Away | L 18 - 47 |
| April 13
|Tacoma Trauma |Home | W 73 - 6 |
| April 20
|Las Vegas Showgirlz (Division 11 game) |Away | W 38 - 28 |
| May 4
|Arizona Assassins |Away | W 80 - 6 |
| May 11
|Utah Blitz (Division 11 game) |Away | W 66 - 22 |
| May 18
|Nevada Storm |Home | W 47 - 22 |
| May 25
|Las Vegas Showgirlz (Division 11 game) |Home | L 50 - 56 |
| June 8
|Utah Blitz (Division 11 game) |Home | W 60 - 6 |
| June 15
|Seattle Majestics (WFA American Conference Playoffs, First Round) |Away | W 36 - 26 |
| June 22
|Central Cal War Angels (WFA American Conference Playoffs, Quarterfinals) | Away | L 6 - 65 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20111227012851/http://utahjynx.net/ Utah Jynx official website]
Category:Women's Football Alliance teams
Category:Sports in Salt Lake City
Category:American football teams in Utah
Category:American football teams established in 2011
Category:West Valley City, Utah