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Art Teece, whose involvement in Salt Lake City professional sports predated World War II, died Monday in Sandy at age 98.
Because of his impact that included owning minor-league baseball and hockey franchises at the same time, Teece was inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame Foundation in 1987. He received executive of the year awards from leagues in each sport, while his hockey teams won five championships in two leagues in the 1970s and '80s and his baseball teams claimed two Pacific Coast League titles in the '70s.
"He always said that sports were his life," said his daughter, Diane Teece.
Teece came to town in 1941 to work as a concessionaire with the Salt Lake Bees at the old Community Park. He later owned teams in the Pioneer League and the PCL.
In 1974, he became co-owner of the Salt Lake Golden Eagles, finalizing the purchase hours before a news conference that was scheduled to announce the hockey team's folding. Ten years later, he arranged a move to the International Hockey league, again extending the team's existence.
"He found a way to keep hockey in Salt Lake, regardless of all the obstacles he had," said Doug Palazzari, a former Golden Eagles player. "He was an incredible guy, just in the way he treated everybody."
Jim Johannson, another ex-Eagle who also became a USA Hockey executive, said Teece reminded players they were an important part of the community. "It is safe to say everyone had a lot of respect for him with all his passion for hockey and what he meant to hockey in Salt Lake," Johannson said. "The guys didn't want to disappoint Mr. Teece. He told us we represented his family and the Golden Eagles."
Teece sold the Eagles to Larry H. Miller in 1989, when he was 77. Once he sold his concessions company, the sports franchises became his primary businesses. Summarizing his ownership career, he recently said with only minor regret, "I put in several million dollars that I should have kept."
Teece's wife, Luella, died in 2001; they were married for 68 years. He is survived by two daughters. A memorial service is planned for May 9 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Salt Lake City.
Tribune reporter Brett Prettyman contributed to this story. —