May marks Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich diversity and impact of AANHPI individuals across college sports.
From record growth in student-athlete participation to increased leadership representation, here's a look at the influence of AANHPI communities in NCAA sports — by the numbers.
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May marks Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich diversity and impact of AANHPI individuals across college sports.
From record growth in student-athlete participation to increased leadership representation, here's a look at the influence of AANHPI communities in NCAA sports — by the numbers.
1) A growing presence in college sports
- 13,739 — Total AANHPI student-athletes competing across all NCAA divisions in 2023-24.
- 4% — Year-over-year increase from 2022-23 (484 student-athletes).
- 54% — Growth over the past decade (4,846 student-athletes).
2) Top sports for AANHPI student-athletes
The top five sports, by total number of AANHPI student-athletes in 2023-24, are the following:
Men
- Football — 1,302.
- Outdoor track and field — 785.
- Soccer — 706.
- Indoor track and field — 678.
- Baseball — 647.
Women
- Soccer — 690.
- Tennis — 641.
- Swimming and diving — 636.
- Outdoor track and field — 624.
- Indoor track and field — 579.
While football and women's soccer account for the highest number of AANHPI student-athletes, respectively, other sports stand out by the percentage of AANHPI student-athletes. Below are the top five sports for men and women by that metric.
Men
- Fencing — 23%.
- Gymnastics — 11%.
- Tennis — 9%.
- Rifle — 7%.
- Swimming and diving — 6%.
Women
- Fencing — 30%.
- Golf — 10%.
- Tennis — 8%.
- Rugby — 8%.
- Gymnastics — 8%.
3) Sport growth in the AANHPI community
Recent data shows that AANHPI representation is expanding across a wide range of sports, with significant gains in both total participants and percentage growth.
Highest percentage growth in the past 10 years (minimum 100 student-athletes)
Men:
- Volleyball — 122%.
- Lacrosse — 110%.
- Soccer — 93%.
- Indoor track and field — 91%.
- Baseball — 78%.
Women:
- Lacrosse — 95%.
- Fencing — 87%.
- Golf — 82%.
- Gymnastics — 78%.
- Field hockey — 73%.
Largest numerical growth in the past 10 years
Men:
- Football — 388.
- Soccer — 340.
- Indoor track and field — 323.
- Outdoor track and field — 315.
- Baseball — 284.
Women:
- Golf — 258.
- Swimming and diving — 222.
- Soccer — 215.
- Indoor track and field — 201.
- Outdoor track and field — 181.
4) Leadership trends
AANHPI representation is growing in leadership roles, too.
- 49% — Increase in AANHPI head coaches across all NCAA divisions compared with a decade ago, going from 202 in 2014 to 301 in 2024. Division III accounted for 123 of the AANHPI head coaches in 2024.
- 53% — Increase in AANHPI presidents/chancellors since 2017, when data on presidents/chancellors was first collected by the NCAA. The total number increased from 19 to 29.
5) Academic excellence
Graduation data highlights how AANHPI student-athletes have increasingly succeeded in the classroom as well.
- Since 2002, Division I graduation rates for AANHPI student-athletes have increased from 72% to 93%. In Division I, AANHPI women student-athletes increased their graduation rates from 79% to 97% during that time, with AANHPI men going from 65% to 88%.
(This summary includes the latest data on Asian American and Pacific Islander student-athletes and leadership in the NCAA for the 2023-24 academic year. The figures reflect individuals categorized as "Asian" and "Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander" in the NCAA Demographics Database.)
