In November last year, the Phoenix Indian Center hosted its free Indigenous Spring ball showcase at the Accelerated Learning Academy in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. O’odham Action Newswas at the scene for November’s baseball and softball showcase which saw many student-athletes receive training from coaches and trained staff from throughout the Valley. 

As they continue to provide community outreach for Indigenous student-athletes throughout the school year, on March 22, the Phoenix Indian Center hosted its free Indigenous Fall Ball showcase at Marcos De Niza High School in Tempe, this time with an emphasis on football and volleyball. 

Football

The football student-athletes were provided expertise from football coaches from throughout the Valley, including Marcos De Niza. Additionally, the participants were also coached by fellow Indigenous student-athletes that have made the leap from the high school sports to the collegiate level. 

“I know my grandma, or my Nelly, she always wanted me to help out with our Native community,” said Jayden Ahboah, senior and offensive lineman for the University of Nevada Running Rebels. Ahboah was born in Tuba City and is Navajo and Kiowa. He graduated from Desert Edge High School in Goodyear, Arizona. 

During the showcase, Ahboah made it a point to inform the student-athletes that their efforts and dedication they put towards themselves, both inside and outside of the classroom, will result in positive accomplishments. “Give 100% in everything you do, let’s be great,” said Ahboah as he gathered the student-athletes all for a team huddle in between drills. 

Athletes were timed on their 40-yard dash sprints, as well as performed cone exercises and distance jumping drills which showcased their talents. Each of the participating athletes were provided with commemorative shirts which denoted if they were an offensive or defensive specialist. Additionally, Phoenix Indian Center staff and volunteers ensured all athletes had ample water to drink as they practiced out on the football field underneath the warm Saturday morning sun. 

Volleyball

In the Marcos De Niza gymnasium, the next generation of superstar student-volleyball athletes received training from Chrissy Gust, head coach of Justice University in Chandler, Arizona. “I’m here to help get them to the next level,” said Gust.  A Christian-college, Justice University boasts a state-of-the-art athletic facility in addition to student housing. 

Gust also helped refine each of the participating student-athletes skillsets on both sides of the net. Athletes were instructed how to perform proper serves, passing, digging and blocking. 

As part of the volleyball showcase, all participating athletes and their information will be submitted to local colleges and universities on behalf of Gust.  Throughout the volleyball showcase, Gust also provided the athletes with an overview of the recruitment process. 

One of the volleyball coaches in attendance to the showcase was Corona Del Sol student-athlete and future member of the University of Washington Huskies volleyball team, Hayden Conner. “It’s great being out here,” said Conner, who has accepted a scholarship to Washington following her high school graduation in 2026. 

Standing at 6 feet 3 inches, Conner is a middle blocker/pin hitter and is widely known for her power. Conner is also from the Navajo Nation.

“If you asked me 1 year ago where I would go [to play college volleyball], I would never have said Washington. But, once I got to know the coaches, they seemed like great people,” shared Conner. 

Much like Ahboah, being a student-athlete who is also Indigenous provides Connor an impactful connection of community. 

“I just wanted to give back,” shared Conner. 

Giving back is just one of the cornerstone ways the Phoenix Indian Center has continued to build along with local tribal nations in Arizona to help provide opportunities to the next generation of superstar student-athletes who just so happen to be Indigenous. 

For more information on upcoming events the Phoenix Indian Center’s Youth Programs, interested individuals can email youthprograms@phxindcenter.org or call them directly at (602) 264-6768.