As we continue to celebrate diversity within college athletics, the NCAA highlights the remarkable journey and achievements of Native American student-athletes. Over the past decade, there has been substantial growth in their participation, showcasing their indispensable contributions to the NCAA community.

Significant Growth in Numbers

In the 2024-25 academic year, a total of 2,364 Native American student-athletes were enrolled across all NCAA divisions. This reflects a notable increase of 35%, or 610 athletes, since the 2014-15 period. This rate of growth significantly outpaces the overall rise in NCAA student-athletes, which stands at 17% during the same timeframe.

Breakdown by Division

• Division I: 686
• Division II: 916
• Division III: 762

Men’s Sports Participation

Focusing on men’s sports, here are the three disciplines with the highest number of Native American student-athletes for the 2024-25 year:

• Football: 417
• Baseball: 168
• Outdoor Track and Field: 161

Percentage Representation in Men’s Sports

The sports with the most significant percentage of Native American athletes include:

• Wrestling: 0.62% (55 athletes)
• Lacrosse: 0.53% (89 athletes)
• Cross Country: 0.50% (77 athletes)
• Football: 0.50% (417 athletes)

Women’s Sports Participation

In women’s sports, the following categories demonstrate the highest representation of Native American student-athletes:

• Softball: 144
• Outdoor Track and Field: 124
• Indoor Track and Field: 114

Percentage Representation in Women’s Sports

As for the percentage of Native American athletes, the leading sports are:

• Ice Hockey: 0.78% (24 athletes)
• Basketball: 0.67% (112 athletes)
• Wrestling: 0.67% (11 athletes)

Understanding the Demographics

It is important to note that the statistics regarding Native American student-athletes include those identifying as American Indian/Alaska Native, as per the NCAA’s demographic research data reported by member institutions.