That gap is exactly what the Women of Sparta program, run by MSU Federal Credit Union, is trying to fill for female student-athletes at Michigan State University.

“This is really just a space for the athletes to come, hang out, get to know each other, interact with each other, and collaborate with us,” said Maria Presocki, vice president of marketing at MSUFCU. “We wanted to create a space where women athletes were celebrated and we wanted to help promote all of the women’s sports at MSU.”

Presocki said the program was created after recognizing a major imbalance in NIL opportunities across college athletics.

“We see that the athletic world is primarily offering NIL deals with men’s sports, and we really wanted to empower and lift up women athletes,” she said. “We’ve always supported the women’s basketball team for many years, so this was just an extension of that — offering beyond just basketball and extending into the other sports of the college as well.”

The program brings together selected athletes for social media partnerships, workshops, and events throughout the year, while also offering mentorship connections with professionals at MSU Federal Credit Union. The goal is to help athletes imagine — and prepare for — careers beyond sports. Through the program, selected athletes collaborate with MSUFCU on social media campaigns tied to their name, image, and likeness. But the partnership goes far beyond sponsored posts.

“Empowerment is helping them grow beyond their sports,” she said. “What are you doing after college? How can you learn skills with MSUFCU to be able to apply them beyond college? It’s really helping them get where they want to go easier with MSUFCU’s support. If they’re interested in being the next CFO of some company, we connect you with our CFO and really get you that real-life experience and a mentor in life that goes beyond college.”

A major pillar of the program is financial literacy — a topic Presocki said is especially urgent for student-athletes navigating NIL.

“Female college athletes have the potential to make a lot of money, and it’s important that they know how to manage that money,” she said. “A lot of our financial education is based on fundamental skills, like knowing that they shouldn’t keep all of their money in their Venmo account because it’s not secure, knowing how to invest different money, knowing the ins and outs of credit cards, rewards, things like that. We’re really starting to build a foundation for them.”

Junior Mia Rogan, a member of MSU’s track and field and cross-country teams, said the program shifted how she sees herself as both an athlete and a professional.

“I definitely think Women of Sparta has helped me realize how powerful and influential women’s sports are,” Rogan said. “Being surrounded by all of these hardworking, driven women who are not even in my sport, like the women’s basketball team, women’s volleyball — seeing how athletes like that can also train and put in the work and be really successful is super inspiring.”

Before joining the program, Rogan said financial literacy was not something she felt prepared for.

“I feel like I wasn’t crazy educated on all the things that go into having a savings account, how to invest your money,” she said. “The investing portion, especially — having the access and the resources that MSUFCU has for us has definitely influenced and made me a way better saver.”

She added that money often becomes an afterthought in the student-athlete experience.

“As a student-athlete, you have tons of resources — tutors, nutritionists, mental well-being, physical therapy — but I think money is one of those things that falls on the back burner,” Rogan said. “It’s like we have all these other things to manage, and that kind of just falls off and people forget about it. But I think it’s so important because once you get out of college, you need those resources set up for you.”

Junior softball player Payton Conroy said the program helped her realize her identity extended beyond her sport.

“In my first year, I was just an athlete, and sports was the only thing I was worried about,” Conroy said. “But realizing that I can build an NIL brand with Women of Sparta showed me that athletes have a much bigger reach than they sometimes realize. I get a little bit of financial freedom, and I realize, like, ‘hey, I actually have a brand now and I have to hold myself up to that.’”

Conroy said she entered the program with little understanding of personal finance.

“Before this program, I knew nothing,” she said. “My parents taught me the basics, but it’s nothing until you’re out in the world by yourself. I opened my own bank account, separate from my parents, and it helped me learn how to save money and not spend it every chance I get. Now I just put extra money in savings.”

She said financial education is often something student-athletes are expected to figure out on their own.

“There’s so many college kids who just go blow their money and then they graduate college and they have nothing,” Conroy said. “I think this program is a way for athletes with bigger platforms to show kids their age on how to be financially responsible.”

Along with finances, Women of Sparta offers media training, helping athletes learn how to communicate confidently under pressure.

Presocki said media training teaches athletes how to answer questions under the spotlight, calm their nerves, speak confidently, and process questions to give thoughtful responses.

For Rogan, that training changed how she approaches social media.

“One thing I learned is posting consistently and being authentic,” she said. “People only want to post their highs, but being authentic and posting some of the lows makes you more relatable. People know you’re not a perfect person, because nobody is.”

Conroy said media training helped her become more intentional.

“When I first joined, I was everywhere,” she said. “I’ve learned to calm myself down and speak more professionally, especially in front of the camera. Not saying crazy things, just keeping my answers dialed in.”

But for both athletes, the most meaningful part of the program isn’t financial or digital — it’s communal.

“I don’t get to see these athletes any other time,” Rogan said. “So being able to bond, create those connections, and show up to support each other is super special. When it comes to competitions, I can show up and support them the way they need.”

Conroy echoed that sentiment, saying it’s inspiring to be in a room with women who spend so much time perfecting what they love to do, and that just knowing you have people who have your back is powerful.

Women of Sparta hosts three to five events each year, ranging from professional media days to youth outreach programs and community runs. But the goal remains consistent.

“It’s an opportunity to grow beyond your sport,” Presocki said. “To connect with your community, to be a leader, not just for the university but for our members too. Go talk to people, collaborate, make it enjoyable and memorable. That’s where the real growth happens.”