Black Excellence in NCAA women's sports
Black athletes are shining stars across sports and leagues.
February is Black History Month in the United States. Regardless of the Trump administration's attempt to erase diversity-related observances, at 5wins, we are certainly excited to take the time to highlight moments of black excellence in the NCAA this year. Here are four powerful moments of black women thriving in their sports from the 2024-2025 school year:
More black women are playing college hockey than ever before
Ice hockey has historically been one of the sports in the United States, with the fewest Black athletes, both men and women. At the women’s collegiate level, though, that’s starting to change. According to Blavity, there are at least 13 Black players in Division I and III this season, more than double the number in 2019 (four). This year, the thirteen Black players in the NCAA have taken their talents all across the country, from the Ivy League to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
In 2019, Kelsey Koelzer, a former college and professional hockey player, became the first Black woman to serve as a head coach of an NCAA ice hockey program. While at the helm of the Arcadia University women’s hockey team, Koelzer led the Knights to their first-ever Conference championship in the program’s history in Feb. 2024.
“As I’m recruiting, I feel I’m constantly shocked that it’s getting less and less out of the ordinary to see girls that are getting recruited to NCAA [Division I] who are Black. I think it’s a really hopeful sign.”
An HBCU gymnast scores a perfect ten
On Saturday, Feb. 8, Morgan Price, a junior at Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., did something no HBCU gymnast had ever done before. She landed a perfect ten. Her bar routine, performed at a tri-meet (a competition between three teams) at Temple University, was executed without a single flaw, and she became the first gymnast from a Historically Black College and/or University to earn a perfect score in any event, not just the bars. The key to her flawless routine, per Forbes, was a “ full-twisting double-back dismount,” which she executed in mint condition.
Fisk has only had a gymnastics program for three years, and during that time, Price has been its standout member. Just two years ago, in her freshman season, Price became the first HBCU gymnast to earn a 9.90 score, also with a bar routine. If anyone was going to set this record, it was going to be her.
Black women dominating in basketball
Black women are leading the way on the top basketball teams UCLA, Notre Dame, and Texas.
As a center for the UCLA Bruins’ squad, Lauren Betts has led the team with 20.2 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, and she’s shooting 64%. She’s officially been named on the John R. Wooden Award Women’s Late Midseason Top 20 Watch List, which is a list that recognizes the best players in the women’s college game. Her offensive and defensive skills make her more than a headache for any opponent, and she’s helped bolster the Bruins to one of their best seasons in program history. Standing out used to bring Betts apprehension, but now, being in the spotlight is her second nature. That’s what happens when you’re a star.
Hannah Hidalgo, the standout member of the Notre Dame women’s basketball team and a fellow member of the Wooden Top 20 list, stood out last year in her freshman season, but as a sophomore, her game has risen to new levels. She currently averages 25.9 points per game and leads the NCAA in steals with 40. Hidalgo will go down as not only one of the greatest players to wear the Fighting Irish uniform but also one of the most memorable in women’s hoops history – and her career is not yet halfway done.
And if there’s one thing Madison Booker has, it’s grit. A forward for the Texas Longhorns, Booker’s strong mindset has helped bolster her team to becoming one of the best in the NCAA this season. Though also only a sophomore, Booker has already logged 1,000 career points, 20 of which came from a recent underdog win against the reigning champions, South Carolina. At the end of that game, when the media asked Booker how the Longhorns were able to stave off the Gamecocks, Booker credited the team’s toughness. “Last time, we got out-toughed,” she said, per CBS. “This time, we out-toughed them.”
NiJaree Canady is off to a stellar start
NiJaree Canady, the softball pitcher who shook up the sport when she transferred to Texas Tech for an eye-popping NIL deal, is bringing the program to new heights. During last weekend’s National Fastpitch Coaches Association Leadoff Classic, many expected Canady to pitch against fellow standout pitcher Jordy Bahl, who took the mound for Nebraska. Though Canady didn’t face off with Bahl, she hit Texas Tech’s first hit of the game and, later on, hit a three-run homer off the ace to catapult the Red Raiders to a comeback win over the Cornhuskers.
Texas Tech, which has not made a tournament appearance since 2019, is expecting Canady to help take them far. Canady, last year’s USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, led the NCAA with 337 strikeouts and an 0.73 ERA. Following the Red Raiders’ strong start to the Leadoff Classic, Tech moved up the ranks in all four NCAA polls. And per Spectrum Local News, the Big 12’s coaches have “picked Texas Tech to finish second in the conference behind Oklahoma State,” largely thanks to Canady’s program-changing contributions.