Utah

The University of Utah Utes blend tradition, athletic excellence, and mountain pride atop the Wasatch Range in Salt Lake City. Boasting 26 NCAA team championships, Utah leads winter sports with 15 NCAA skiing titles and a gymnastics dynasty with nine national championships and a record 31 consecutive NCAA appearances. The basketball program made history with the 1944 NCAA championship and 1947 NIT title, featuring Wataru Misaka, the first person of color in modern pro basketball. Utah football rose to prominence as a “BCS Buster,” undefeated in 2004 and 2008 and securing a Sugar Bowl victory. Iconic traditions include mascots like Swoop, a red-tailed hawk, blessed by the Ute tribal council, and the “Utah Man” fight song. Notable alumni include NFL stars Alex Smith and Steve Smith Sr. The program produces Olympians and elite athletes competing across diverse sports in premier venues like Rice-Eccles Stadium and the Jon M. Huntsman Center. As the Utes join the Big 12 Conference in 2024, they embrace a legacy of rugged determination and championship aspiration grounded in mountain heritage.