SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) is proud to announce the launching of its Beyond the Podium Program, supporting world-class athletes as they pursue their Olympic and Paralympic dreams and their education. This new program includes two new partnerships with USA Climbing and U.S. Ski & Snowboard and the relaunch of its partnership with US Speedskating.

This expansion with these national governing bodies reinforces SLCC’s commitment to supporting elite athletes in their pursuit of excellence, in the classroom, in their sport, and after their athletic careers. It is not unusual for elite athletes to struggle in finding a new purpose after a life of competitions.

To support these athletes, SLCC is offering tuition-free education and career counseling, made possible through the generosity of donors. The College’s flexible class schedules allow them to pursue a degree while managing the demands of intense training and frequent travel as they compete for a spot on Team USA.

Through the College’s Exercise Science Program, these athletes will also have access to nutrition guidance and high-performance testing to gather real-time data to optimize their performance.

“We are honored to play a supportive role in the lives of these athletes as they strive for the ultimate goal, an Olympic medal and a chance to represent the United States on the world stage,” said SLCC President Greg Peterson. “Their dedication is inspiring, and we are proud to help them reach their Olympic dreams without having to sacrifice their educational and career aspirations.”

A Legacy of Supporting Olympians

SLCC first partnered with US Speedskating in the fall of 2018, offering free education and high-performance consulting to athletes. This has included 14 Olympians and five Olympic medalists, including Erin Jackson, who became the first Black woman to win a Winter Olympic gold medal in an individual sport.

At the 2022 Winter Olympics, SLCC was represented by 12 competing athletes and one faculty member, making it one of the largest collegiate delegations, matched only by the University of Minnesota.

SLCC’s collaboration with Utah’s national governing bodies aligns perfectly with the Winter Olympic Games in Italy this upcoming February and the Summer Games in Los Angeles in 2028.

“We are thrilled to bring Salt Lake Community College on as a new partner,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, president of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “Our commitment is to support our athletes on and off the snow, in every facet of their life, and education is core to that mission. We’re looking forward to working with SLCC and supporting our athletes in their career advancement.”

Ted Morris, executive director of US Speedskating, echoed this sentiment: “Education empowers our athletes to build meaningful lives beyond sport. We’re proud to support our athletes’ pursuit of knowledge, purpose, and long-term success post skating career.”

With the Olympics on the horizon, Utah is poised to become the epicenter for winter sports athletes. Many of these athletes compete in sports without collegiate and career pathways, often forgoing higher education. SLCC is committed to changing that narrative.

With more than 19 athletes from these three, Utah-based, national governing bodies—U.S. Ski & Snowboard, US Speedskating, and USA Climbing—SLCC has one of the largest contingents of student athletes training to compete in the Olympics nationwide.

“We anticipate more than a dozen will end up competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics.” said Chris Needham, the new director of SLCC’s Beyond the Podium program and a former US Speedskating national team member. “We envision a program that supports around 100 athletes in the lead-up to 2034.”

The Beyond the Podium program, including Needham’s new role, has been made possible through a generous gift from Utah philanthropists Jeff and Helen Cardon.

“We saw a critical need to help athletes navigate life after years of intense competition,” said Helen Cardon. “For many, their identity is deeply tied to decades of training and performing, making the transition to new pursuits especially challenging—particularly from a mental health perspective.” Jeff Cardon added, “This is an ongoing need, and we hope others will join us in supporting these athletes who dedicate their lives to representing America on the world stage.”

About Salt Lake Community College

Salt Lake Community College is Utah’s largest two-year college, proudly educating the state’s most diverse student body across eight locations and online. Whether transferring to a four-year institution or gaining in-demand skills through SLCC’s Salt Lake Technical College, our graduates power Utah’s essential industries and shape its future. For more than 75 years, SLCC has opened doors to opportunity for more than a million students, contributing to Utah’s vibrant economy and high quality of life.