Katelyn Chambers

Youth Programs Manager at Utah Jazz

“Katelyn connects local parks & recreation agencies with Junior Jazz, providing branding, jerseys, tickets, and unforgettable experiences for kids. With a background in history and a career path that began in local parks & rec, her journey is built on networking, hard work, and determination.

As a mom of two, she values balance while leading programs that inspire the next generation of basketball fans. Her favorite part? Seeing kids light up when they meet players or attend their first Jazz game”

– Zara

Please describe your role & responsibilities at that position?

I work with local parks and recreation agencies to partner their youth basketball program with Junior Jazz. We help with branding, jerseys, tickets to games and more.

What did you study in college and how did your educational background shape your career in the sports industry?

I studied history with the hopes to go to law school. I started working part time for a local parks and recreation agency and loved it. After graduating college, I began working full time for the local parks and recreation agency. There I ran several youth sports programs, including Junior Jazz. After several years, I applied to work for the Utah Jazz, where I hold my current position partnering with local parks and rec programs and the Junior Jazz program.

Can you share the key milestones in your career that led you to your current position in the sports industry?

Starting with a college degree, I was able to find my full time position with the local parks and recreation agency. From there, I joined our state Parks and Recreation agency, URPA. That helped connect me to other local parks and recreation professionals, as well as the Utah Jazz. Networking, working hard and determination helped me find my current path.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a woman in the sports business, & how have you overcome them?

I was lucky to work in a large parks and recreation agency where there were generally more women than men. Overall, I think I’ve been able to succeed due to hard work, drive, organization skills and networking.

​Balancing a career is demanding. How do you manage a work-life balance? What strategies have worked well for you?

Work life balance is difficult. As a mom to 2 kids under 2, I always feel like I want to spend more time at home with my kids. Working games on nights and weekends definitely adds up, but I do my best to balance and take other days off or leave work early when I can. We also do our best to take more time off in the summer in the off season.

How important is mentorship for women in the sports industry? Have you had mentors or role models who played a significant role in your career and can give some details?

Mentorship is super important. I found a few key people early in my career that I could go to for questions and support when needed. Now, even as a more experienced professional, I still go to my mentors when needed for support. When changing my career from a government agency to working for a professional sports team, I reached out to my mentors and friends for support and reference. They really helped me achieve my goals.

In a male-dominated industry, do you feel women are given equal opportunities? What steps do you think can be taken to promote gender equality in the sports industry?

I think it is definitely getting better – at least in the NBA and specifically my team. I feel like women are supported and encouraged to apply for more manager and higher positions than ever before. I think women supporting women also helps – especially when women have powerful roles and help with the hiring process.

What aspects of your work in the sports industry do you enjoy the most? What parts do you find the most challenging ?

I enjoy working with the community and watching a child meet a Jazz player for the first time or attend their first Jazz game. Watching the kids light up and get to have these amazing experiences is truly the best part of my job. The most challenging part is trying to make everyone happy. We don’t have time for every participant to meet every player or go to every game, so trying to find the balance is the most difficult.

What advice do you have for young women aspiring to build a successful career in the sports industry?

Keep going. Work hard. Put in the time. Those who work hard and don’t give up will be rewarded.

What is your long-term personal goal that you still want to achieve both business wise and personal?

I’m so grateful for my family and my career. I want to keep finding that balance of work and family time. I want to continue to grow our sport and encourage more kids to play basketball, while also finding enough time for my family and our extracurricular activities.

Any fun facts or interesting things you’d like the world to learn about you? Favorite food, hobbies, pet peeves, etc.?

I have 2 cats, 2 kids and a wife. I love chicken on pizza. I play the guitar, love camping , going on cruises and taking my kids to Disneyland!