L to R: Noelani Cornfield, Sydney Benally
Witnessing two of our Native women representing Indian Country at the collegiate level is powerful in itself but seeing them excel as starting athletes is something so special.
Fewer than 1% of NCAA student-athletes identify as Native American. Representation matters and these young women are not just present in these spaces; they are thriving in them.
Noelani Cornfield, a senior at the University of Arizona, holds down the floor as a starting guard. She is a proud member of the Seneca Nation from the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation, carrying her community with her every time she steps onto the court. Sydney Benally, a Navajo guard for Brigham Young University, brings heart and leadership to her team, proving that Native athletes belong at the highest levels of competition.
I want to extend my gratitude to U of A and BYU for the hospitality and creating such a welcoming space for this matchup. Experiencing this game in Tucson was so fun and you could feel the energy of Indian Country showing up with pride. Anytime our communities come together to support our athletes, the impact reaches far beyond the court.
This is more than athletics, it’s visibility, inspiration, and reminds our youth that their dreams are achievable. We see you. We are proud of you. Ahéhee’
