Women’s History Wednesday Profile: Katharine Hnida
Katharine “Katie” Hnida grew up a Denver Broncos fan while living in Littleton, Colorado. Hnida is known as a pioneer in sports for becoming the first woman to play and score in a NCAA Division I football game. Her dream of playing football began while attending Chatfield Senior High School. Katie made the varsity program as a kicker, and in her senior year was perfect on field goal attempts and made 27 of 28 extra points. She was an honor roll student, named homecoming queen and was an All-County honorable mention. As a result, Hnida was named Colorado Sportswoman of the Year and voted as Teen People Magazine's “Most Likely to Change the World.”
After graduating High School, Katie attended the University of Colorado Boulder. Her success in high school would lead to a walk-on place kicker role on the Colorado Buffaloes football team. She was the first woman to make the football team. Although Hnida would never see playing time in Boulder, she did suit up for all the games in her freshman season. She became the first woman to dress for a Bowl game when the Buffaloes were invited to the 1999 Insight.com Bowl. Colorado defeated Boston College in a 62-28 blowout.
Following her first season with the program, Hnida was forced to take time off after coming down with tonsillitis and mononucleosis before the 2000-01 season. However, it was more than just her illness that forced her away from the game she loved so much. During her time at Colorado, Katie endured sexual harassment and verbal abuse from teammates, and on one summer night her life changed completely. While at the house of a teammate, Hnida was forcibly raped, sending her into a deep depression.
“I was so scared of what he might do to me,” Katie told Sports Illustrated. “And I didn’t want a huge media mess. I was already carrying around so much inside me, I was numb.”
Katie left the University of Colorado in 2001 and stopped kicking during this time. She entered into therapy and enrolled in a junior college before transferring to the University of New Mexico the following year. Hnida was given an opportunity to walk on for the Lobos and made the team as a backup kicker, playing three more seasons of collegiate football.
In 2002, the Lobos were invited to play in the Las Vegas Bowl against UCLA. Hnida’s only attempt at an extra point was blocked by the Bruins. However, on August 30, 2003, Katie launched two extra points through the uprights in the fourth quarter of a game against Texas State University to become the first woman to score in Division I football history. Her historic football accomplishment landed her recognition at the College Football Hall of Fame, where her shoes and uniform are on display.
In December of 2004, Katie graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of New Mexico with a degree in Psychology. Earlier that year, Katie spoke out for the first time about the sexual harassment and rape she endured while at the University of Colorado. She was one of several women to report being assaulted by members or recruits of the Buffaloes football team during this time.
“I realized that until I tell my story, I can never heal.”
Hnida wasn’t pursuing charges or suing the university when she spoke out. Instead she used her story to become an advocate for change. Katie became a prominent speaker on violence against women and became involved with a number of organizations that work to combat such violence, including the Voices and Faces Project and the Joyful Heart Foundation.
In 2006, Hnida wrote the book “Still Kicking: My Dramatic Journey as the First Woman to Play Division I College Football”, in which she shared her experiences of what happened in Colorado as well as her experiences at the University of New Mexico.
Katie also developed a special interest in working with children. She often speaks at colleges and universities to educate and raise awareness about sexual assault, but has also served as a mentor to at-risk youth, speaking regularly at elementary, middle, and high schools.
"Obviously, rape is the most underreported violent crime in America," Hnida told ESPN "But the number of women who don't tell anyone about it -- and I know because I was one of those women for a little while -- I know why you don't tell people. There is a huge stigma attached to being a rape victim. Don't hold this in yourself. There are people and resources. I hate to see the pain and the suffering in some of these women's eyes. At the same time, that's what's been great about being able to tell my story. You don't have to let a rape define you. It sometimes can feel as if it's going to control your life, but it is entirely possible to have a healthy, full life after something that horrific happens."
Hnida travels around the country to share stories from her football career, and her journey as a survivor of sexual assault. She continues to be a pioneer in the world of sports, not only through her athletic accomplishments but through the courage of sharing her experiences in hopes of creating equality for all in sports.
