Utah Mammoth and NHMU Launch New State-Wide Museum Quest

By Olivia Barney and Mark Johnston

Throughout the school year, tens of thousands of students travel to the Natural History Museum of Utah for a deep dive into the science and natural history of the state. These fieldtrips are often the students’ first face-to-face encounter with prehistoric giants that once roamed Utah’s landscape, and a crucial first step toward the Museum’s goal of inspiring kids’ curiosity in the natural world. And thanks to NHMU’s current special exhibition, Mysteries of the Ice Ages, these fieldtrips help young learners discover mammoths of the Ice Age, creatures now top of mind since the rebranding of Utah’s NHL team, the Utah Mammoth.

Jack Rodgers / NHMU

In November, 2025, dozens of students from local afterschool programs were surprised to have two Utah Mammoth players, Karel Vejmelka and Nate Schmidt, and the team’s mascot, Tusky, join their exploration of the Museum. The players and other representatives from the Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), the Utah Mammoth’s operating entity, were at the Museum to prepare for an announcement of the Utah Mammoth Museum Quest, an initiative developed to excite fans about the science behind their new mascot.

“We’re excited about this new partnership because it invites Utahns to their local museums to learn more about the history of the mammoth in the state and region,” said Ryan and Ashley Smith, owners of the Utah Mammoth, Utah Jazz, and founders of the SEG Foundation. “Our hope is that the museum experiences spark curiosity, pride, and an even deeper connection to the Utah Mammoth for fans across the state.”

Furthering their mission to “create positive impact for individuals, organizations, and communities throughout Utah by investing in causes that matter,” the SEG Foundation collaborated with NHMU to develop a tour of 10 museums and one mammoth discovery site in Utah from communities large and small, including Logan, Vernal, Salt Lake City, Lehi, Delta, Fairview, Price, Castledale, Cedar City, and St. Geroge. With each stop, fans can see real mammoth bones and learn about these iconic ice age giants.

Jack Rodgers / NHMU

Beyond the team’s promotion of museums, the Museum Quest offers discounted admission at each destination thanks to a grant provided by the SEG Foundation. Fans can also enter sweepstakes to win a VIP mammoth experience in Salt Lake City. The grand prize includes tickets to a Utah Mammoth vs. Seattle Kraken game in January 2026, team merchandise, and a behind-the-scenes tour of mammoth science at NHMU. The sweepstakes and promotion of the Utah Mammoth Museum Quest run until January 4, 2026.

Following the Utah Mammoth’s museum visit with afterschool programs, staff from NHMU and other Museum Quest organizations attended the Utah Mammoth home game on November 24. During the game, the Delta Center’s main concourse was transformed into a mobile museum, where experts interacted with fans to show real mammoth bones — including a large tusk, jaw, and femur — and share excitement for paleontology.

Jack Rodgers / NHMU

“As a hockey fan, I’m especially excited to share the science behind mammoths with fellow fans, especially here in the electric setting of a Utah Mammoth game,” said Tylor Birthisel, an NHMU paleontologist who addressed the Delta Center audience and met with fans that evening.

Among the fans who visited the mobile museum during the game was Tusky, the mascot, who paid his respects to mammoth fossils and learned about his ancestors. As Utah’s newest resident, Tusky logged the Museum Quest event as a first stop on his own journey of natural history discovery. Embark on your own by visiting one of the participating museums, then enter the VIP sweepstakes for your chance to win a prize of mammoth proportions.