April 8, 2025
Contact: Eric Stann, StannE@missouri.edu
Photo courtesy Mizzou Athletics
During her two years as a graduate student at the University of Missouri, Colleen Finney, MSB ’24, didn’t wait for opportunities to knock on her door — she chased them down with relentless determination. Whether it was diving for a volleyball or powering through study sessions, she was always in motion, seizing every chance to strive for greatness.
Finney’s final semester at Mizzou was the ultimate test, as she balanced the intensity of Mizzou Volleyball’s thrilling NCAA Sweet 16 run in 2024 with finishing a master’s degree at the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business and rigorously preparing for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
By the time Finney walked across the stage in December 2024, she had not only earned her master’s degree but also conquered the LSAT — an achievement she credits to Mizzou’s top-tier academic support for student-athletes.
Seizing the momentum
Finney’s journey to academic success at Mizzou began with a pivotal connection: Katie Martinez, assistant athletic director for student-athlete career development. With Martinez’s guidance, Finney found the resources and mentorship that helped her excel both in the classroom and beyond.
Martinez leads the Momentum Institute, a career development hub designed to help Mizzou’s student-athletes prepare for life beyond sports. The institute provides career exploration, leadership programs, financial literacy, networking opportunities and résumé coaching. Most importantly, it offers personalized support to help athletes achieve their goals beyond the game.
Martinez and her team, which includes two graduate students, start by guiding athletes through self-reflection. They ask open-ended questions like, “What do you enjoy?” and “Where do you see yourself in the future?” This process encourages students to think critically about their majors and career paths.
The institute goes beyond general career advice — Martinez’s team actively tracks each athlete’s career interests and reaches out with tailored opportunities. They collaborate closely with Mizzou’s Career Center and academic advisors to connect student-athletes with the resources and support to transition into the workforce.
“We know our student-athletes have packed schedules, so we’re here to support them, guide their next steps and make sure they’re ready for life after sports,” Martinez said. “It’s about shifting their perspective—helping them see themselves as students first and showing them that their future can include traditional career paths, too.”
Finney’s game plan
For Finney, a graduate transfer student from Clemson University, the plan was simple: play professional volleyball first, then head to law school. But before she could take that next step, she had to tackle the LSAT.
To help her prepare, Martinez handed Finney a study book and introduced her to Paul Litton, dean of Mizzou’s School of Law. Their conversation was a game-changer, giving Finney key insights into law school admissions, résumé building, the importance of grades and how to highlight her experience as a student-athlete in her application.
Through it all, Finney had the full support of her coaches. They pushed the team to excel both on and off the court, encouraging academic success alongside athletic performance. Knowing the challenges of balancing both goals, they made sure players had time to study while still meeting their responsibilities on the court.
“They prioritized us being students first,” she said. “That was a big reason I chose Mizzou — the student-athlete development here is exactly what I was looking for.”
Staying motivated wasn’t always easy, but knowing that her LSAT score would be valid for five years gave Finney the flexibility to chase her dream of playing professionally.
That dedication paid off. In January 2025, Finney signed a professional volleyball contract with A.O. Lamias 2013 in Greece.
Following in her family’s footsteps
With a lawyer for a father and a South Carolina Supreme Court judge for a grandfather, Finney seemed destined for a legal career. But she never saw herself following that path while growing up. Watching her father juggle long hours and high-pressure courtroom battles convinced her that going into the legal profession wasn’t for her.
That all changed after an eye-opening internship with the NBA Summer League. During the internship, Finney met attorneys and agents working behind the scenes for NBA teams and discovered that a law degree could be a ticket into the sports industry — specifically, front-office roles she had never considered before.
Balancing law school and college volleyball seemed challenging to her, so Finney chose to pursue a master's in business instead. This path let her explore not just business but also law and journalism, giving her a well-rounded perspective. And studying law only strengthened her belief that she would pursue it in the future.
Take advantage of the “perks”
Finney encourages student-athletes to make the most of their university’s resources and build connections beyond career events.
“You never know — you might meet a future CEO or someone who shares your passion and career goals,” she said. “The connections you build today could open doors down the road.”
Finney believes success comes from balancing career preparation with college.
“Go to student-athlete development events, attend resume workshops and connect with people like Katie Martinez to set yourself up for success,” she said. “But, at the same time, make sure to enjoy the college experience.”
