The J-note sculpture outside of the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, pictured on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, has been painted black and white as part of a rebranding effort for the team.
SALT LAKE CITY– Here’s another hope that the Utah Jazz win a lot of games this season–they are bringing back their scholarship program.
The Jazz organization will award a college scholarship for every win this year to a member of an underrepresented group.
The first winners make up a cohort of 30 students who began college this fall as Utah Jazz Scholars. They are going to BYU, SUU, the U of U, UVU, USU and Weber State.
Applications for the second group will open on November 15th.
Video went viral of the Jazz players calling those first students and telling them they won a full ride, including tuition, books, fees and room and board.
The Jazz won 61 games in the preseason, regular season and postseason last year. Every win in the 2021-22 season will also mean a scholarship.
“We are super excited to keep winning here on the court so scholarships can be awarded to more amazing young people,” said Jazz player Joe Ingles in a news release from the organization.
High school graduates who come from a minority group, demonstrate financial need and are first-generation college students will be given preference. They will also get mentorships, job shadowing, internship support and other support to help them in the future.
“We believe strongly in the power of education to change lives. The Utah Jazz Scholars Program reflects our desire to help students from underrepresented groups who have historically received fewer resources and less support,” said Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith in the news release. “It’s amazing to think about the fact that for every win the Jazz have this season, a student will get to go to college who would not otherwise have had the opportunity.”
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