A Ute in the context of Utah can refer to two different things:
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Ute People: The Ute people are Indigenous people of the Ute tribe and culture among the Indigenous peoples of the Great Basin. They have lived in sovereignty in the regions of present-day Utah and Colorado in the Southwestern United States for many centuries. The state of Utah is named after the Ute tribe. The Ute Nation once covered most of Utah, Colorado, and northern New Mexico.
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University of Utah Athletics: The University of Utahs athletics teams are known as the "Utes" in honor of the Ute people, the American Indian tribe for which the state of Utah is named. The Ute mascot represents the university's connection to the Ute tribe and its history. When fans of the University of Utah shape a "U" with thumbs and forefingers and declare "Go Utes!", they unite in an enthusiastic tradition of celebration, pride, and community, while also evoking the culture that is the bedrock of Utah's history and its namesake.
