Diving Into Diversity
Former collegiate swimmer Marc Pugeda (center) competed for UC Santa Cruz.

deibj5/9/2023 11:03 AM | By: Marc Pugeda

Diving Into Diversity

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, and it's the perfect time to celebrate the contributions of AAPIs in all areas, but most exciting for me, particularly college athletics. As a Filipino American athlete, IFormer UCSC swimmer Marc Pugeda, now with CAF have experienced the joys and challenges of joining many diverse teams. When I started my college swimming career at UC Santa Cruz, I was excited to be a Banana Slug and to compete at the collegiate level. However, I quickly realized that I was one of only a few AAPI-identifying athletes on the team, and that feeling of being the "only one" was sometimes isolating. Though rather than continue to go at it by myself, the idea of it excited me. How would I tell my teammates, friends and family how I felt, and what would I change?

I found that I wasn't alone in feeling this way. I sought out Asian American clubs on campus and networked with AAPI athletes from other sports on why they chose to come here. For many reasons, it was to continue competing at a high level or landing at a college far from home. Along with their reasons, they also felt isolated, but knowing we were heard by one another was comforting and positive for us. And while it was essential to have that community, I also found it equally important to educate my non-AAPI teammates about my culture and proud experiences of being Asian in America. At first, it was challenging to start these conversations. But I found that my teammates were open and receptive to learning about my experiences and the experiences of others. We discussed cuisine, the impact of stereotypes, and the importance of representation in media and culture. I'll never forget the servers at Korean BBQ restaurants actively avoiding the swim team that was overeating brisket and pork belly. Or even the countless drives up Highway 17 to get the best boba in the area. They were indulging in anime and celebrating holidays that meant the world.

Along with educating others, I, too, had the opportunity to learn. These few years as a team, we celebrated Canada's Thanksgiving Day, ate schnitzel and bratwurst, and even danced in the Greek Festival downtown. From what I could tell, my teammates that introduced these ideas and activities were proud to represent their culture in a positive light and have so many others along for the ride. These conversations helped create a more inclusive team culture and cemented why diversity matters.
 
Marc Pugeda and the UCSC team
Marc Pugeda (bottom right) and the UCSC team.

Having a diverse team in college athletics is a matter of representation and winning. When athletes from different backgrounds come together, they bring various perspectives and experiences that can help the team succeed. But diversity in athletics goes beyond just the players on the team. Coaches, athletic directors and other decision-makers in college athletics play a crucial role in creating an inclusive environment. They must actively recruit and support athletes from all backgrounds and provide resources for athletes to learn about and celebrate different cultures. I thank HAUPIAA, our Cal Athletics' Employee Engagement Group, for this year's efforts to celebrate AAPI identities.

As we celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, we must remember that diversity and inclusion are ongoing efforts. Recently, I read a statistic that the percentage of the population of Asian American collegiate athletes stood at 2%. But rather than lie in isolation, as a forever AAPI athlete, I am proud to be part of a growing community of athletes making a difference in college athletics and beyond. Again, it is more of an opportunity than a challenge. By coming together, educating ourselves and others, and celebrating our differences, we can create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone.

Marc Pugeda is the Associate Director, Alumni Relations, for the Cal Athletics Fund.
 
Marc Pugeda with his UCSC teammates
Marc Pugeda (third from right) with his teammates.

 
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