OREM — The Utah Valley Thunder, a new American Indoor Football Association team, announced the formation of the team with its new head coach Chad DeGrenier and unveiled its logo Wednesday at the McKay Center.
"I'm excited to be a part of the Thunder," DeGrenier said. "I know this community is great for families and loves football. I'm confident that we'll be a playoff contender this first season, and we'll be able to provide this community with some great entertainment."
DeGrenier joins the Thunder after playing one year in the AIFA and seven years in the Arena Football League. He played quarterback at Washington State before his career in the AFL and currently coaches a high school football team in Arizona.
The Thunder will play seven homes games in 2009 at the McKay Center in Orem, with the first expected in late March. The team will compete in the Western Division of the AIFA, and is considered a minor league indoor football team. Open tryouts for the team will be announced in the coming weeks.