Mormons and the Utah Jazz
Posted by Eric Nielson on May 28th, 2008
I am a sports fan, and one of the teams that I root for is the Utah Jazz. I have never lived in Utah, so I do not pull for them because they are my home team. I follow them because I am a Mormon.
I realize that there is no official connection between this professional sports team and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The only connections I am aware of are that the team calls Salt Lake City home, and that their owner happens to be a member of the church.
I am not the only Mormon, nonresident of Utah, fan of this team. I have come across several Mormon Utah Jazz fans who are not from Utah at all. They are fans because they are Mormons, and they want to see the team do well. There are a few reasons that I can think of for this.
One reason is that Mormons often feel some connection with Utah even though they do not live there. For many of us it is our home-away-from-home state. Another reason is that we feel that a successful sports franchise in Utah might draw some positive attention to the church. Much like hosting the Olympics in Utah.
But I also think that another reason there are many nonresident, Mormon Utah Jazz fans is that there is a personality, character, and style to the Utah Jazz that appeals to many Mormons. I realize that saying this will give away something about what I think of Mormons and Mormonism, but hear me out and see if you agree.
When one talks about the personality of the Utah Jazz, one must begin with their head coach Jerry Sloan. He has been with the team for a very long time - in fact, I believe he is the longest tenured coach in the NBA. Coach Sloan is about as old-school as it gets these days. He is tough, and disciplined. He has a very structured style of play, and if you don’t like it as a player, you probably will not be around long. He stresses defense, hard work, hustle, and team play. He seems to value these qualities much more than he values raw athletic ability. A rare attitude these days.
I feel that these qualities are part of what creates and keeps nonresident, Mormon Utah Jazz fans following the team.
If you are a little skeptical of this, just try this thought experiment. What do you think would happen to the casual Utah Jazz fan if the Utah Jazz and the Denver Nuggets were to make a complete switch. And instead of the current team you had coach George Karl, Alan Iverson, and Carmello Anthony playing in Salt Lake. What do you think would happen? My guess is that many of the nonresident Mormon Utah Jazz fans would jump ship and follow some other NBA team. Like the Spurs maybe.
I agree. I’m a Bulls fan first, but I also root for the Jazz, for similar reasons. Jerry Sloan is an Illinois guy, a farmer at heart, and the way he insists the game be played really does have an appeal to good old fashioned Mormon values of hard work, discipline and team play.
Comment # 1 left by Kevin Barney on May 28th, 2008
we been wanting and hoping for all these years for UTAH JAZZ to win an NBA Finals. It will be a great exposure to the church, and it will also be a great opportunity for others to learn about the church. Great Post!
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Comment # 2 left by kenjebz on May 28th, 2008
Such as Carlos Boozer’s and Deron Williams prominent tatoos?
The same could be said of “the Little General” Avery Johnson, but I don’t see many Mormons jumping on the Mavs bandwagon (unless you live in the DFW area).
And since we are comparing coaches, why wouldn’t Mormons rally behind Lakers coach Phil Jackson, whose coaching style is the epitome of free agency.
I’ll have to disagree with your conclusion from the thought experiment. Mormons inclined to support the Jazz while having no other ties to Utah (my wife included) would cheer for them no matter who was playing. Bill Laimbeer and Dennis Rodman would be hailed as heros if they donned a Jazz jersey.
And the Spurs are the alternative?! Ppssshh! No team has a chippier or cheating roster than San Antonio. Is that what the restored gospel is all about? Flops and double hand checks? I don’t think so!
In all seriousness, I think it is more of a cultural identification for many, if not most, LDS. Utah is synonymous with the Church and Zion for many, and if an NBA team carries that name then watching a Jazz game is as important as General Conference, right?
Comment # 3 left by Bull Moose on May 29th, 2008
Thanks Kevin. You are right about the Bulls and Illinois ties with coach Sloan.
Thanks Kenjebz. Maybe one of these days.
Comment # 4 left by Eric Nielson on May 29th, 2008
Bull Moose:
I am sure many Mormons would much prefer it if there were less tatoos involved. And I am embarassed at my misspelling Sloans name - speling ficksed.
The style of play is not the only tie to the team, as I mentioned in the post. And I think if Sloan were to retire, Avery would probably be welcomed as a potential future coach by most fans.
If Jackson were to coach the Jazz, the team would retain most fans, and maybe even pick up some more. But at times I think this would be in spite of his approach and not because of it. And if he did not get good results many fans would turn on him quickly I would imagine.
As far as being chippier and cheating, this is resentment from players and fans on less successful teams. The Stockton and Malone teams were accused of the same things. I think most people think of the Spurs as a classy (and boring) team.
I agree with you that if ‘Utah’ is in the name that Mormons will support it. But I think most sould find it easier to support this team and its style than many other teams.
Comment # 5 left by Eric Nielson on May 29th, 2008
I always thought it had to do with alot mormon’s latent racism. This is probably why Ostertag got 40 million and Matt Harpring is actually liked there.
And if the its the Jazz’s ‘classiness” that people like, I am not sure why they have the most classless fans in the NBA, wearing eye patches when Fisher shoots free throws, bringing blow up dolls to the game wearing signs that say ‘kobes girlfriend’ and yelling racial slurs at the GS Warriors.
I personally am a Laker fan and while you all pontificate on what off season mistakes Larry Miller might make this year, I will likely spend my evening celebrating my teams return to the NBA Finals.
Comment # 6 left by veritas on May 29th, 2008
Yeah, racism probably explains why Karl Malone was so beloved as well.
I have not attended a Jazz game in person in about 30 years, but I have heard that many Jazz fans at the game are pretty classless.
Anyway, congratulations to the Lakers, it seems like they will be in the finals. They seem to have pushed a few of the right buttons this year.
Comment # 7 left by Eric Nielson on May 30th, 2008
I never saw what was so “classy” about the Jazz. Malone was a dirty player who choked in big games. Stockton looked like a dork in those itty-bitty shorts. Ostertag let Shaq slap him in the face like a little girl. Eaton had the worst basketball skills of anyone in the history of the NBA. Boozer lied to Cleveland so they’d make him a free agent. Their fans boo a guy who took a multi-million dollar pay cut so he could take better care of his sick baby. Yeah, real “classy” all around.
And the Spurs, BTW, don’t just flop and hand check. Bowen is the dirtiest player in the league. He doesn’t just give hard fouls, he tries to injure people, with his little tricks like stepping under shooters on jump shots and hoping they land on his foot and turn an ankle.
Comment # 8 left by kuri on May 31st, 2008
Mormon = Utah Jazz fan???
You must be kidding. Really. You must be pulling my leg with this post and these comments. I cannot believe that anyone can be that parochial to think that somehow being a member of the LDS Church makes you more likely to be or become a Utah Jazz fan.
It would be like saying that because you own a Ford, Chevy, or Chrysler automobile you should root for the Detroit Tigers! (or the Hanshin Tigers if you own a Toyota or Honda - or the Kia Tigers if you own a Hyundai!)
Utah may be where the church headquarters are, but it isn’t the center of the universe, no matter what some may believe.
Comment # 9 left by ethnoricologist on June 9th, 2008