[9] On August 30, 2003, she became the first woman to score in a Division I-A game when she kicked two extra points against Texas State University in the fourth quarter of a 72–8 New Mexico win.

Hnida made more news in February 2004 when she told Sports Illustrated writer Rick Reilly that she had been raped by one of her teammates at Colorado in 2000, and sexually harassed on other occasions.

[11] Hnida travels around the country to share her athletic story and her journey as a victim of sexual assault.

[12] Katie has worked with many organizations that help victims of assault, including The Joyful Heart Foundation and the Voices and Faces Project.

"[14] In 2006, Hnida wrote a book about her experiences, titled Still Kicking: My Journey as the First Woman to Play Division One College Football.

[13] It details abuse and sexual assault she experienced while at Colorado, as well as her experiences afterward at the University of New Mexico.

[17] In 2018, Hnida became gravely ill after an adverse reaction to a prescribed antibiotic sent her into multiple organ failure; her family reported her kidneys and liver failed and her bone marrow quit functioning, resulting in admission to an intensive care unit and emergency dialysis.