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Gabby Hundman

The campaign, organized by Jazz Assistant Coach Scott Morrison, has garnered public support from head coaches across the NBA who will wear custom shoes to raise awareness for autism acceptance throughout April

Tomorrow, on World Autism Day, the Utah Jazz will host Autism Acceptance Night at Delta Center during their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers and kick off a league-wide campaign that has been organized by Scott Morrison, an assistant coach for the Utah Jazz, who has an intimate understanding of the challenges autistic individuals face. 

Starting tomorrow through April 7, head coaches across the NBA will wear customized Nike Air Force 1 07s to generate awareness and acceptance for individuals with autism. The bespoke sneakers were customized by JSM 801 Customs, a Salt Lake City-based design studio. Each pair has been painted with each NBA team’s colors and a rainbow infinity symbol. The symbol represents the neurodiversity paradigm and is also featured in the logo for “To the Max Foundation,” a nonprofit founded by Coach Morrison and his wife, Susanne, in honor of their four-year-old son Max, who was diagnosed with autism in 2022. Following the week-long campaign, the lovingly worn shoes will be autographed by the coaches who wore them and auctioned off with proceeds donated to “To the Max Foundation” to support autistic individuals and their families.&nbsp; More information on the auction will be shared in the coming days, and individuals who want to make separate contributions to the nonprofit organization can do so here.

The campaign started when Coach Morrison asked Jazz Head Coach Will Hardy and a few other coaches to wear customized sneakers in April to create awareness for autism acceptance efforts. As word spread, more head coaches across the league joined the effort. Coach Hardy will wear the shoes tomorrow and on Sunday, April 7 when the Jazz play the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center.&nbsp;

“This show of support for the autistic community by NBA teams and coaches is remarkable,” said Coach Morrison. “We are blessed to be in a position to spread a positive message of understanding, and we’re grateful to the Jazz for supporting our efforts to generate acceptance for autistic individuals. Our family will continue to do what we can to generate resources for individuals with autism who deserve our support on the journey to reaching their full potential.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

On April 2, the Jazz will welcome guests from the Autism Council of Utah and Columbus Community Center to their game in celebration of World Autism Day. Autism Acceptance will be celebrated in Delta Center during the game and during the Jazz broadcast on KJZZ and Jazz+.&nbsp;

Earlier this year, Delta Center was certified as a KultureCity Sensory Inclusive Venue. The certification provides staff with specialized training on identifying the needs of and supporting guests with sensory issues and introduces new resources for these guests, including sensory bags equipped with weighted lap pads, noise-canceling headphones, and fidget tools. Guests can pick up the sensory tools at Guest Services on Level 3 of the arena during Jazz games and other events. In 2018, the Jazz, in partnership with Vivint, unveiled a sensory room on Level 5 of their home arena. The space is designed as a safe haven for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing challenges, and other conditions related to neurodiversity to provide a safe haven. The room is open for Jazz games as well as other events hosted at Delta Center. 

More information on all accessibility services at Delta Center can be found here.

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Utah Jazz Coach Initiates League-Wide Autism Acceptance Campaign to Begin April 2 on World Autism Day

Jeremy Rincon

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PHOTOS | Mark Miller Subaru Caravan

To kick-off Women’s History Month, the Utah Jazz are sharing their plans to amplify the voices and contributions of women through a series of activations taking place during designated game nights at Delta Center, across the team’s digital and social channels, and during game broadcasts on television, radio, and Jazz+.

“Women’s History Month is a time to recognize the women of the Utah Jazz and those in our community who lead with resilience, commitment, and strength,” said Jim Olson, president of the Utah Jazz. “Throughout the month, we encourage Jazz fans to join us as we acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of the women who inspire the next generation of trailblazers and leaders and pave the way for a more inclusive and empowered future.”&nbsp;

To celebrate Women’s History Month, the Utah Jazz launched ‘For Her,’ a month-long campaign celebrating the legacy of women in basketball. The ‘For Her’ branding was designed exclusively by women creators and designers at the Utah Jazz and features a vintage look inspired by a billboard in Lusia Harris’s Mississippi hometown that recognized her collegiate basketball achievements. Harris, whose legacy the Jazz will celebrate this month, is the only female ever drafted into the NBA when she was selected by the New Orleans Jazz in the seventh round of the 1977 NBA Draft.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Utah Jazz Women’s History Month activations commence during their game against the Washington Wizards on Monday, March 4. That evening fans in the arena will celebrate the achievements of women in the community and enjoy entertainment from female hosts, artists and performers. 

The March 4 Item of the Game is a special-edition, cream-colored Women’s History Month hoodie that features the ‘For Her’ design. The&nbsp; hoodie will be available for purchase at the Utah Jazz Team Store for $60, and that evening only, fans can have their newly purchased hoodie embroidered to create a one-of-a-kind keepsake.&nbsp;

Additional Utah Jazz Women’s History Month programming includes:

In late March, the Utah Jazz will release a mini-feature documentary on their YouTube Channel to pay homage to the life and legacy of Lusia Harris. This feature will showcase Harris’s achievements as a basketball icon and shed light on her role as a mother and source of inspiration for family, loved ones and athletes everywhere.&nbsp; Featuring intimate interviews with Harris’s children and her Team USA teammate, Ann Meyers Drysdale, viewers will gain a deeper understanding of her journey both on and off the court.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This season, the Utah Jazz, in collaboration with the Salt Lake City Toyota Dealers Association, have organized and hosted ‘Her Time’ sports events and clinics for young female athletes.&nbsp; Recognizing that the highest rate of drop-off from sports among girls occurs between the ages of 11 and 17, each ‘Her Time’ event features programming designed to inspire and empower young females so they continue to build confidence in their sport.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In recognition of Women’s History Month, one coach of a female youth sports program will be gifted a brand-new Toyota vehicle in recognition of their commitment as a role model and mentor to female athletes. That coach and 50 female athletes will participate in an exclusive Her Time Clinic at the Utah Jazz practice facility on March 5.&nbsp;

On March 22 at Kearns High School, the Utah Jazz will host Her Time To Lead, an educational seminar to develop and inspire next generation female leaders by showcasing women from diverse backgrounds. Nearly 200 participants are invited to the final ‘Her Time’ program of the Jazz season, which is themed around&nbsp; ‘finding connection’ and will feature a keynote speaker and panel session with impactful female leaders within the community.&nbsp;

On March 25, another female-focused evening will take place during the game against the Dallas Mavericks. Throughout the night, fans can purchase and personalize limited-edition ‘For Her’ branded, reusable tote bags with Utah Jazz patches. In addition, throughout the month of March, all women’s merchandise will be Buy One Get One 50% off, both in-store and online at www.jazzteamstore.com. Fans will have the opportunity to explore a diverse range of items from women-owned vendors including WEAR, Lusso, and The Wild Collective.&nbsp;Individuals or groups interested in reserving private space or clubs or in purchasing tickets can visit www.utahjazz.com or call or text the ticketing office at 801-355-DUNK.

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Utah Jazz to Celebrate Women’s History Month Through Series of Activations

The Utah Jazz today announced their Black History Month programming, which celebrates Utah’s Black communities through education, empowerment, and engagement. Throughout February, a series of activations will roll out on the Utah Jazz app and digital channels, during game broadcasts on television, radio, and Jazz+, and at Delta Center. A marquee element of the campaign includes distribution of the revamped Utah Jazz Black Book, which documents select Utah-based Black-owned businesses, services, and resources - companies that will also be highlighted at Delta Center during Jazz home games this month.

“The Utah business community shares the responsibility to commemorate the profound importance of amplifying the Black experience, and the Utah Jazz are proud to celebrate the invaluable contributions of our Black communities not only throughout February but also year-round,” said Jim Olson, president of the Utah Jazz. “We look forward to embracing this opportunity to engage our fans, employees, and Utah in meaningful dialogue. By uplifting Black businesses within our community, we honor this rich history, elevate Black voices, and help create a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.”&nbsp;

Embracing the&nbsp;NBA’s overarching Black History Month theme&nbsp;-&nbsp;Built by Black History, Elevated by Black Voices -&nbsp;the Jazz are committed to celebrating Black History Month in a meaningful way. Central to their activations, the revamped&nbsp;Utah Jazz Black Book&nbsp;draws inspiration from Victor Hugo Green’s Green Book, which was a guide for African American travelers navigating the Jim Crow South. Its updated contents include details about Black-owned businesses throughout Utah including over 30 newly added restaurants, barbers, gyms, bakeries, and others. Much like its inspiration, the Black Book aims to serve as a vital resource, catering to the diverse community of Black Utahns, newcomers, and visitors alike.

In addition to printed versions being distributed at select Utah Jazz games this month, the Black Book is available as a year-round resource for fans and businesses alike through the&nbsp;Utah Jazz mobile app&nbsp;and&nbsp;website. Users of the Black Book will be directed to the respective websites of all included businesses with easy, one-click access to products and services. Businesses interested in being included in the Utah Jazz Black Book are encouraged to fill out&nbsp;this form.&nbsp;

Additional Utah Jazz Black History Month programming includes:&nbsp;

The NBA and the Utah Jazz celebration of Black History Month follows earlier recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. during a special tribute at the Jan. 15 Jazz game against the Indiana Pacers. The Jazz hosted students from diverse-focused community groups at Delta Center to engage in unique MLK-themed programming that integrated Dr. King’s principles of nonviolence, social change, and justice.&nbsp;

Additional information surrounding Black History Month can be found at the Jazz microsite&nbsp;www.utahjazz.com/bhm.&nbsp;

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Utah Jazz to Highlight Black History Month Through Series of Activations

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Utah Jazz X Mark Miller Adopt-A-School – Santa Sacks

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PHOTOS | Cars & Coffee with CounterPoint

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PHOTOS | USANG Nose Art

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Mark Miller Subaru Adopt-A-School – West Lake Jr. High

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Delta

<strong>Tonight's game against the Golden State Warriors has been postponed. <a href="https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/utah-jazz-vs-golden-state-warriors-postponed">Learn More &gt;</a></strong>