Katie Hnida graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of New Mexico with a degree in Psychology. She is a pioneer in the world of sports, being the first woman to play, and score points, in a NCAA Division One football game. Katie’s football career started at Chatfield Senior High School in Littleton, Colorado where she played varsity football for four years. She was voted Homecoming Queen by her classmates and participated in halftime ceremonies wearing her uniform.

As a senior, she was named Colorado Sportswoman of the Year as well as Teen People Magazine’s Number One Teen Most Likely to Change the World. While attending the University of Colorado in 1999-2000, Katie became the first woman to make the football team. She then transferred to the University of New Mexico where she played three seasons for the Lobos. On August 30, 2003, Katie kicked two extra points vs. Texas State to become the first woman in NCAA history to score in a Division I game. Her shoes and uniform are in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Athlete, Activist, Survivor

In 2004, Katie spoke out publicly about the sexual harassment and rape she endured while at the University of Colorado. She has become prominent speaker on violence against women and travels the country to share her powerful story at colleges, women’s groups and other organizations. She has been a keynote speaker at numerous fundraisers, as well as, a featured speaker alongside Hilary Swank and Alec Baldwin at Mariska Hargitay’s Joyful Heart Foundation events. Katie is involved with a number of organizations that work to combat violence against women, including The Voices and Faces Project, The Joyful Heart Foundation, and Counter Quo.

Katie also has a special interest in working with children. Throughout her life, she has served as a mentor to at-risk youth and spoken regularly at elementary, middle, and high schools. In addition to speaking, Katie is also the author of “Still Kicking: My Journey as the First Woman to Play Division I Football”, published by Scribner in 2006. Her writing has appeared in publications such as People Magazine and Cosmopolitan. She has appeared on numerous television shows including Larry King Live, The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, ESPN, and has been featured in various magazines and newspapers including: TIME, Sports Illustrated, Glamour, People, The New York Times, USA Today, and The Washington Post. Katie has continued her football career, most recently becoming the first woman to play professional arena football with the Ft. Wayne Firehawks in 2010.