Native American athletes face imposing hurdles - Wednesday, February 21, 2007

TUBA CITY, Ariz. -- Golfer Notah Begay III, a Stanford graduate and the first Native American to win on the PGA Tour, says these efforts are not enough. "Until you see a consolidation of resources and communities between successful tribes that have the opportunity to make a difference," he says, "we're still going to struggle in the battle to get Native Americans on Division I playing fields."

Begay, who got an economics degree at Stanford, says, "An investment in a Native American athlete might not be the wisest choice."

He returned to his tribal community outside Albuquerque and started a foundation in 2005 to heighten awareness of diabetes and promote a healthy lifestyle. He also started a soccer program.

"It's my job," Begay says, "to make sure those who come after me can stand on my shoulders and see farther and reach higher. We need to see more kids in Division I and more graduating."