The Fort Mohave reservation on the southern California/Arizona border is a self-sufficient Native-American community. Its residents have their own education system, police department and utility services, even a recreation department.

They also have a successful young protˇgˇ in the form of Natalie Diaz. Members of the Aha Macav tribe often gather in front of the recreation center TV to watch Diaz, a star player for the highly regarded Lady Monarchs, when the team has a nationally televised game. Newspaper articles about Diaz and the team's exploits are clipped and displayed in tribal headquarter offices.

A junior guard known for her flash-to-the-basket style of offense and her high-pressure defense, Diaz is one of the many "people by the river," as the name of her tribe suggests. Just as she is proud of her Native-American heritage, this matriarchal society is also happy to count her among its own. And that means a lot to a young woman thousands of miles from home. "They always tell me that it's so good to see someone so young do so well," said Diaz of her fellow tribesmen. "There is a strong support system out on the reservation."

Encouraged by her parents, Diaz began playing organized basketball at the age of 6. As an escape from the problems of reservation life, which include poverty and occasional violence, she became obsessed with the game that is popular among young Native Americans.

Along with her older brother, Richard, and older sister, Nicole, Diaz played for hours as a child on their own backyard court. Built by their father, a construction worker, the court featured the only twine net on the whole reservation. The Diaz clan, consisting of eight siblings, was the envy of their friends. "Everyone wanted to play in our yard," said Diaz, with a smile.

A two-time Player of the Year in Arizona, Diaz averaged 24.4 points, 13.6 rebounds, 10 assists and 8.6 steals for her River Valley (Ariz.) High School team. As a member of the Lady Monarch ensemble cast this season, she was second on the team in assists and steals.

Diaz hopes to be drafted by the WNBA after her senior year, but whatever happens she knows there will come a time when she can no longer play the sport she loves on a competitive level. A nature lover, Diaz is involved in Greenpeace and Native-American civil issues, and she hopes to return to her reservation one day as a champion of its causes.

"I'd like to go back and help . . . be a voice," said the English major and former high school student body president. "They (the young adults on the reservation) see me as one of them."

For those who want to escape the often troubled life of the reservation - as well as those who think they may never get the chance - Diaz believes she can serve as a role model.

"What I've done is very attainable because I came from the same place," she observed. "I feel good because I bring back something positive to kids . . . ."

- Lisa M. Cascio

They are two of the best-kept secrets on campus. A national championship program and an all-star competitor-turned-coach.

The most decorated athletic concern at Old Dominion University, the sailing program is nestled away in a tall metal building on the banks of the Elizabeth River, far from the center of campus activity. Despite a history of 11 national championships, this hard-working squad is among the least visible on campus.

"It's frustrating at times," admits coach Mitch Brindley '89, sitting in his Sailing Center office, whose walls are decorated end to end with All-America certificates and team race cups. "It's not a sport that gets a lot of local media attention."

Although the lack of publicity can be tough on morale, Brindley and the sailing program can take pride in the fact that they are self-made successes. While in high school, Brindley followed Old Dominion sailing in Sailing World Magazine, the bible of sailors around the country. From Sugarland, Texas, he followed his heart and coach Gary Bodie to Norfolk.

As a student-athlete, Brindley was coached by the legendary K. C. Fullmer '83. He crewed for teams that won a Dinghy national championship, a Sloop national title and one of the most coveted prizes a sailing program can win, a Fowle trophy.

After graduation, Brindley worked a few odd jobs before landing his first real sailing job as a charter captain and sailing instructor. He took on his current head coaching post in 1995 after assisting Fullmer for two seasons. "I never thought I'd be a sailing coach," said Brindley, who studied economics as an undergraduate. "I wanted to be an economist . . . ."

Now a veteran of the Old Dominion collegiate sailing family, Brindley wouldn't trade any of it for the world. He relishes the success and tradition he has been a part of at the university. It is a success sweeter than normal, considering that just one-third of the sailing budget comes from the athletic department. The program raises money itself for boat repair, travel and other miscellaneous expenditures. Nearly $500,000 has been raised via the capital campaign for an addition to the Sailing Center, now in the final planning stages.

"We get great support from the university and the sailing community," said Brindley. "We don't offer athletic scholarships so it comes down to selling the school on its true merits." Because sailing is a nonscholarship sport at all U.S. schools, Brindley added, "We have to offer better facilities and support from the university."

The hard work of recruiting paid off brilliantly last June when Brindley and his team won the Co-Ed Dinghy national championship, just days before capturing the ultimate team national championship in New Orleans.

"We had some great sailors on the team last year," said Brindley, with a smile. "To see them excel was special."

- Lisa M. Cascio