University of Utah, Ute Indian Tribe Renew Agreement on ‘Utes’ Name, Expand Partnership

The University of Utah will continue using the “Utes” name for its athletic teams under a renewed agreement with the Ute Indian Tribe that also expands scholarship, health care and educational commitments between the university and the tribe.

The university and tribe renewed their memorandum of understanding Aug. 28, extending a relationship that has formally connected the two organizations for more than 50 years. The agreement authorizes the university’s continued use of the Utes name while establishing expectations for cultural engagement and university support for tribal students and programs.

The University of Utah has used the Utes name with the tribe’s support since the 1970s. The first memorandum of understanding governing the relationship was signed in 2003 and has generally been renewed about every five years. The previous agreement was signed in 2020 and extended for one year in 2025.

“It is a tremendous honor to use the Ute name for our athletics programs, and we are grateful for the special relationship that has been cultivated over many years,” Utah Athletics Director Mark Harlan said. “We also understand the significant responsibility that comes with that to honor the Ute Indian Tribe and we look forward to carrying the name forward with understanding and respect toward our state’s namesake people.”

The agreement comes amid continuing scrutiny of Native American names and imagery in sports. While some universities, including Florida State and Illinois, continue to use Native American-associated team names, Utah’s arrangement is distinctive because its use of the Utes name is governed by a formal agreement with the Ute Indian Tribe.

“This is a unique partnership in higher education,” Lori McDonald, the university’s vice president of student affairs, said. “This agreement is a wonderful example of how a state university can work in collaboration with a sovereign nation to support each other.”

The 2026 agreement includes revised terms for the Ute Indian Scholarship. Qualifying students must submit a letter from the Ute Tribal Business Committee, but eligibility will no longer be determined exclusively by membership in the tribe.

Previously, Ute Tribe member students could receive up to $8,000 annually. Under the new agreement, eligible students may receive $6,000 per semester, with a maximum of $18,000 annually. Scholarship money will first be applied to tuition, with any remaining funds refunded to the student.

The university also committed to providing academic support to Ute Indian Tribe students and their families during the application and admissions process and after students enroll.

Under the five-year agreement, Utah will continue providing $100,000 annually to support tribal education programs, for a total commitment of up to $500,000.

The partnership also extends beyond education and athletics. At the tribe’s request, University of Utah Health will make as many as three visits annually to the Ute Indian Reservation in the Uinta Basin using existing mobile health programs. Those services include the Wellness Bus, Mobile Cancer Screening Clinic and Mobile Dental Clinic.

The university also will continue programs serving Native students, including the Center for Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement, its annual Pow Wow, Indigenous Storytelling Camp and IndigeSTEAM. The university opened the Native Ascent House, a living-learning community for Native students, on Sept. 3.

Athletics remains one of the partnership’s most visible components.

Utah will continue its Ute Proud campaign, an initiative designed to educate fans about the Ute Indian Tribe and discourage conduct and imagery considered disrespectful to Native American communities.

Each football season, Utah also designates a Ute Proud game highlighting Ute Indian Tribe culture. Players wear specially designed Ute Proud helmets, and members of the Northern Ute Tribe have performed a traditional dance during halftime.

The renewed agreement reflects an arrangement in which continued use of the Utes name is tied to broader commitments involving education, cultural awareness and engagement with the tribe.

For Utah Athletics, Harlan said, the name carries an accompanying obligation.

“We also understand the significant responsibility that comes with that to honor the Ute Indian Tribe,” he said.