Utah Jazz: Gail Miller to receive Horizon Award from Congress

Utah Jazz owner Gail Miller will be honored by the Congressional Award Foundation at a ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington DC next month.

I hate to play the homer, but I feel it’s safe to say that awards and the Utah Jazz go together like John Stockton and Karl Malone at this point. Since the Jazz came to Utah, they’ve had a Rookie of the Year in Darrell Griffith, a Coach of the Year in Frank Layden, a Most Improved Player in Adrian Dantley, two Defensive Players of the Year in Mark Eaton and Rudy Gobert and an MVP in Malone (twice), to name a few.

This summer, the team could add to its trophy case at the NBA Awards in June; Gobert has a chance to repeat as DPOY, while Donovan Mitchell and Kyle Korver are up for Community Assist award and Teammate of the Year, respectively. However, Jazz owner Gail Miller may have the lot trumped.

Per an announcement by the Congressional Award Foundation on Sunday, Miller has been named as the 2019 recipient of the Horizon Award.

For the record, that’s Congress of the United States and Miller will get her award at the annual Gold Medal Ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington DC on June 20.

According to the foundation’s website, the Horizon Award “was established as a special recognition to individuals from the private sector who have contributed to expanding opportunities for all Americans through their own personal contributions, and who have set exceptional examples for young people through their successes in life.”

Following the death of her husband, the late great Larry H. Miller, in 2009, Miller assumed full ownership responsibilities for the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies, the Jazz and is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Larry H. Miller Management Corporation.

By receiving this award, Miller joins an exclusive club which includes the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mariah Carey, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Drew Brees, Tom Selleck, Nick Cannon and Dominique Dawes.

Former NBA stars Patrick Ewing, Dikembe Mutombo and Bob Lanier are also among past honorees.

Said Paxton K. Baker, Chairman of The Congressional Award National Board of Directors: “Gail’s story is about finding true individuality and her life’s work serves as an extraordinary example for our nation’s youth, particularly young women.”

This isn’t exactly a hot take — especially for those of us residing in the 801 — but Gail Miller is truly a trail-blazer as an NBA owner and a difference-maker in the state of Utah and the nation at large. For my part, I can’t think of a more worthy recipient of a major congressional honor.