More Than a Sport: USD Student Reflects on Journey, Community at NCAA Native Student-Athlete Summit
“It felt full circle,” she said. “It led me to look back on where I was four years ago, and the opportunities I have had through USD, like this one.”
Yellow Mule, a rising senior majoring in social work with a minor in criminal justice and a track and field student-athlete, is a first-generation college student and a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation.
She accepted the invitation with excitement and gratitude, eager to connect with fellow Native student-athletes across the country. What followed was a transformative experience that led Yellow Mule to reflect on her journey up to this point, her story and the community that has shaped her path.
“The Summit inspired student-athletes to ask ourselves, ‘Who are you when you are not an athlete?’ We talked about how sports, culture, age—everything—shapes us. To be a student-athlete is one thing, but to be a student-athlete who represents their communities, families, people and culture is another,” said Yellow Mule. “It can be difficult to understand how all of these pieces come together to make you whole. The important thing is that we ask, ‘What is my story?’ You can’t separate your story from who you are, and for Native athletes, that story often carries generations of strength and responsibility.”
Another impactful conversation revolved around impostor syndrome, especially among first-generation college students.
“I didn’t expect how much that topic would resonate,” she said. “That feeling of not belonging, of questioning if you have what it takes. It doesn’t mean you’re not good enough; it means you’re the first. That fear shows up because you’re doing something new.”
Embracing Culture
The NCAA Native Student-Athlete Summit opened with a prayer and a traditional flute song by Darmon Harmon Joseph, a powerful moment that grounded the event in culture. There were also intentional reflections on how Native student-athletes could find connections on campus.
“One speaker encouraged us to find those people who truly support you,” Yellow Mule said. “And that made me realize how lucky I am to have such a strong Native Student Services team at USD.”
Heading into her senior year, Yellow Mule is bringing more than memories back from the NCAA Native Student-Athlete Summit. She’s bringing wisdom, purpose and pride in the community that helped her get there.
“The summit helped me think deeply about what it means to lead,” she said. “It’s not just about being in charge. It’s about being authentic, building real relationships and listening to understand, not just to respond.”
She also sees the summit as part of a much larger movement.
“Native athletes make up less than half a percent of college student-athletes,” said Yellow Mule. “But when you see others like you—representing their Nations—you realize you are part of something bigger. It’s empowering. It makes you want to grow that number.”
A Network of Support at USD
For Yellow Mule, increasing the number of Native student-athletes starts with the foundation she built at USD.
She credits the university, specifically Lucky Huber, director of track and field and cross country, who played a key role in her development as a track and field athlete and as a person.
“Coach Huber has always taken time to understand me beyond sports. He encourages me to explore my identity and pursue what I’m passionate about,” Yellow Mule said. “He’s a life coach just as much as he is a track coach.”
In addition to Huber, Yellow Mule also thanks USD’s Megan Red Shirt-Shaw, Ph.D., director of NSS; John Little, Ph.D., director of Native recruitment and alumni engagement; and Brooke Jackson, coordinator of NSS, for helping her instill and reflect on the lessons from the summit.
As she steps into her final year, Yellow Mule praises the strength of the USD community that continues to uplift her.
“USD is unique in the way it uplifts Native students,” Yellow Mule said. “It’s not just about being seen, it’s about being supported, challenged and celebrated. I’m ready to carry that forward, for myself and for the students who come after me.”
Now, with the summit experience behind her and her senior year ahead, Yellow Mule is grounded in who she is and is committed to uplifting others.
“My advice to Native students thinking about college athletics is this: don’t forget who you are without athletics,” she said. “Represent your people and keep them in your heart. Continue to work hard, believe in yourself and never stop learning about who you are.”
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