SALT LAKE CITY (March 19, 2025) – The Utah Jazz and Utah Hockey Club announced today a new multi-year partnership with SME Industries, Inc., one of the largest structural steel fabricators in the United States, to benefit foster care youth in Utah. The agreement creates a new program called Teamed Up: Building Bonds and Forging Futures that will cover full-season participation fees in Utah Hockey Club’s Learn to Play and street hockey, as well as Jazz Youth programs. Scholarships will also be available for youth to participate in the Jazz’s annual 3v3 tournament and a wide range of specialized camps and clinics. Scholarships will be awarded individually, and participants may receive funding for more than one program.
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Teamed Up is now accepting scholarship applications for children aged 5 to 18 to join Utah Jazz and Utah Hockey Club sports programs this spring. Hundreds of youth will be selected and have the opportunity to participate in team activities that help develop essential skills, build confidence, and create a sense of belonging.
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“We are thrilled to partner with SME Industries, Inc. to create meaningful opportunities for children in Utah’s foster care system and their families,” said Chris Barney, president of revenue and commercial strategy at Smith Entertainment Group. “Sports have the power to inspire, unite, and uplift, and together with SME, we look forward to building a stronger, more engaged community where every child feels included, supported and has the opportunity to experience the joy of being a part of a team.”
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In addition, team representatives will surprise one family from the Teamed Up program that is in attendance at the Utah Hockey Club game against the Seattle Kraken at Delta Center on April 8 with a fully paid trip to Disneyland in Anaheim, California for six (6) people. The trip will include Disneyland park passes, hotel accommodations, flights, and a $1,000 gift card to enhance their experience. Each season moving forward, two families from the Teamed Up program will be handpicked to receive a once-in-a-lifetime experience, including family oriented trips, exclusive access to sporting events, and more.
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“SME Industries, Inc. has a long history of giving back to the community and we are proud to partner with SEG to give back in a way that makes a difference in the lives of foster care youth and the dedication of the foster families,” said Landon Moyes, president and CEO of SME Industries, Inc. “We know first-hand how second chances in life can go a long way; Together, we’re building a legacy of resilience, opportunity and community-forging brighter futures for every young person in our state!”
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More information for families with foster children interested in participating and the application for the Teamed Up scholarship can be found here.
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About the Utah Jazz
Founded as the 18th member of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1974, and located in Salt Lake City since 1979, the Utah Jazz are committed to excellence as a team and in the community. On the court, the Jazz are the second-winningest team in the NBA over the last 30 years, having won nine division titles and two Western Conference championships along with 17 seasons of 50-plus wins, and are supported by one of the most passionate fan bases in all of sports. The Utah Jazz also operate the Junior Jazz program, the largest and longest-running youth basketball league in the NBA, featuring more than 70,000 players and an additional 13,000 volunteers who take part annually across six states. For more information on the Utah Jazz, an entity of Smith Entertainment Group, visit www.utahjazz.com.
About Utah Hockey Club
Smith Entertainment Group (SEG) established Utah’s first-ever NHL franchise in April 2024, with the team set to debut in the 2024-25 season. With this move, SEG introduced the second “Big Four" major professional sports league to Utah for the first time in state history. To be known as Utah Hockey Club for their inaugural season, the club was established with a competitive, dynamic roster and 34 draft picks spanning their first three consecutive seasons (2024-27). The team will compete at Delta Center in downtown Salt Lake City, building on the renowned, energetic atmosphere for which Utah’s sports and entertainment scene has become known. The arena’s hockey capacity for Utah’s inaugural season is 11,131 with the option to open thousands of additional single-goal view seats for select games. For more information on Utah Hockey Club, an entity of Smith Entertainment Group, visit www.UtahHockeyClub.com.