Photo by Melissa Majchrzak
The State of Sport Honors Utah’s Best in Sport
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah | April 4, 2025 — The 13th Annual Governor’s State of Sport Awards, presented by Intermountain Health and Zions Bank, celebrated the athletes, coaches, teams, organizations, and events that embody the spirit of Utah: The State of Sport. Hosted by the Utah Sports Commission, the event brought together Utah’s sport community at the Delta Center on April 4th.
“2024 was a landmark year for sport in our state, from the return of the Utah Royals and the debut of the Utah Hockey Club to the awarding of the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,” said Governor Spencer J. Cox. “As governor, it’s an honor to recognize Utah’s incredible athletes at the State of Sport Awards.”
This year’s event was especially meaningful as the Utah Sports Commission commemorates 25 years of The State of Sport. The State of Sport Awards were created in 2012 to honor excellence at all levels and shine a spotlight on Utah’s rich sports legacy.
“The State of Sport Awards has become a signature event for celebrating Utah’s dynamic sports landscape,” said Utah Sports Commission President & CEO Jeff Robbins. “For decades, sport and entertainment has continued to shape our communities, driving impact across every corner of the state.”
In addition to recognizing 14 honorees, the event welcomed special guest Andy Reid, a former BYU player and coach, and honored the remarkable career of the three-time Super Bowl Champion and current head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. The evening also featured a special homecoming for the Olympians and Paralympians who represented Utah on the global stage at the Paris 2024 Summer Games.
2025 Governor’s State of Sport Awards Honorees
Event of the Year – Utah Hockey Club’s Inaugural Game
173 days after relocating, the state’s newest pro team ushered in a new era of professional hockey in our state. Utah’s Event of the Year is Utah Hockey Club’s Inaugural Game. The day-long celebration culminated with a 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks before a record-breaking sellout crowd… Full Story
Highlight of the Year – Winter Games Return to Utah
On July 24, 2024, the flame was relit, and the countdown to 2034 officially began. Utah’s Highlight of the Year is the moment the state learned the Winter Games will return… Full Story
Team of the Year – Utah Archers
With MVP goalie Brett Dobson’s 17 saves, the Utah Archers defended their Premier Lacrosse League title, making history as just the second team ever to win back-to-back championships. In their first season as the Utah Archers, Utah’s Team of the Year cemented its legacy as a PLL powerhouse… Full Story
Coach of the Year – Diljeet Taylor
Utah’s Coach of the Year is Diljeet Taylor, who led BYU to two cross country and seven track & field national titles since 2021. The two-time NCAA Coach of the Year was named to the Nike Athlete Think Tank and coached her first two Olympians at the Paris 2024 Summer Games… Full Story
Professional Male Athlete of the Year – Diego Luna
The 2024 MLS Young Player of the Year is Utah’s Professional Male Athlete of the Year. In just his third MLS season, Diego Luna became the youngest player on the MLS All-Star roster and the youngest all-star in RSL history. With 8 goals and 12 assists, Luna helped fuel RSL’s club-record 59-point season… Full Story
Professional Female Athlete of the Year – Haley Batten
Utah’s Professional Female Athlete of the Year capped a career-defining year with a Paris 2024 silver medal and UCI World Championship. En route to Team USA’s best-ever Olympic mountain bike finish, Haley Batten also claimed a pair of World Cup victories and American Continental titles… Full Story
Olympic Male Athlete of the Year – Kenneth Rooks
Kenneth Rooks is Utah’s Olympic Male Athlete of the Year. With a fearless final-lap surge, Rooks clinched silver in Paris, shattering his personal best by 9 seconds. The 2023 U.S. and NCAA champion is now the second-fastest American ever in the 3000m steeplechase… Full Story
Olympic Female Athlete of the Year – Winter Vinecki
The 2025 U.S. National Champion and Beijing 2022 Olympian is Utah’s Olympic Female Athlete of the Year. A four-time World Cup gold medalist in 2024, Winter Vinecki dominated the aerials circuit, finishing the season ranked No. 2 in the world… Full Story
Adaptive Male Athlete of the Year – David Blair
Now a three-time Paralympian, Utah’s Adaptive Male Athlete of the Year earned bronze in Paris, adding to his Rio 2016 gold. The world-record holder in discus, David Blair is the back-to-back World Para Athletics Champion, winning two titles in a span of 10 months… Full Story
Adaptive Female Athlete of the Year – Alejandra Ibáñez
Alejandra Ibáñez is a two-time Paralympic medalist with Paris 2024 silver and Tokyo 2020 bronze, and Utah’s Adaptive Female Athlete of the Year. The back-to-back Women’s Wheelchair Basketball World Champion is one of only four athletes in the world to win consecutive U25 golds… Full Story
Collegiate Male Athlete of the Year – JaQuavious Harris
JaQuavious Harris has earned five national titles—and that’s just in 2024. Utah’s Collegiate Male Athlete of the Year is a three-time NJCAA national record holder and an eight-time SLCC record holder. The Salt Lake Bruin turned pro to run for Saucony… Full Story
Collegiate Female Athlete of the Year – Maile O’Keefe
Utah’s Collegiate Female Athlete of the Year is a record-breaking beam queen who redefined perfection at Utah with 15 perfect 10s, 4 NCAA titles, and 76 career wins. In her final season, Maile O’Keefe scored 9.925+ on 11 of 16 beam and 10 of 13 floor routines… Full Story
High School Male Athlete of the Year – Emerson Geilman
The BYU commit and 5A Player of the Year is Utah’s High School Male Athlete of the Year after leading the Redhawks to their first football state title since 2003. With 6,717 career yards and 64 touchdowns, Emerson Geilman shattered the school record for passing yards and touchdowns in a single season… Full Story
High School Female Athlete of the Year – Emilee Skinner
Utah’s High School Female Athlete of the Year is Emilee Skinner, a dominant point guard who led the Riverhawks to three consecutive 4A state titles. A Duke commit and FIBA U17 World Cup gold medalist, Skinner was ranked No. 7 in the espnW 2025 class and became just the fourth girl in Utah state history to surpass 2,000 career points… Full Story