MOUNT OLIVE – For University of Mount Olive senior Nakai Mujaranji, field hockey has always been about more than competition. It has been a pathway—one that carried her from Zimbabwe to collegiate athletics in the United States and now to one of the NCAA's premier entrepreneurship programs.
 
Mujaranji, an exercise science major and former Trojan field hockey student-athlete, was selected to participate in the 2026 NCAA Legacy Lab, a four-day leadership and entrepreneurship experience held Sept. 10-13 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The NCAA Legacy Lab brings together Division I, II and III student-athletes from across the country to develop entrepreneurial skills while they are still competing. Participants receive mentorship from industry professionals and explore how to transform their experiences into sustainable ventures through specialized learning tracks focused on name, image and likeness (NIL), business development and social impact.

For Mujaranji, the opportunity aligned perfectly with a vision she has carried long before arriving at Mount Olive.
 
"Beyond the Game isn't just a business idea—it's something I wish existed when I was trying to find my way to college athletics in the United States," Mujaranji said. "I want to make that journey easier for international student-athletes who have the talent but not always the resources or connections."

Her concept, Beyond the Game, aims to bridge the gap between international student-athletes—particularly those from Zimbabwe—and colleges in the United States. The venture would connect athletes seeking opportunities to compete in intercollegiate athletics with institutions that can provide educational and athletic pathways.

The inspiration is deeply personal.
   

Growing up in Zimbabwe, Mujaranji experienced firsthand how talented athletes can face significant obstacles when pursuing opportunities abroad. That perspective became even more meaningful during her time at Mount Olive on the Trojans' field hockey team during its final season before the program's discontinuation in 2026.

Rather than viewing the end of her collegiate playing career as a conclusion, she sees it as the beginning of a new mission.

"Having a student-athlete like Nakai represent UMO in the NCAA Legacy Lab is a point of pride for our department," Assistant Athletic Director/SWA Kristen Gurley said. "One of the things I admire most about Nakai is her ability to adapt and thrive through change. That resilience, combined with her eagerness to learn and build meaningful connections, made her an outstanding fit for this opportunity. I know this experience will be an important part of her growth as a leader and will help shape the impact she'll continue to make beyond athletics."

The NCAA covered travel, lodging, meals and program materials, allowing participants to focus entirely on developing their ideas alongside peers from every NCAA division.

Throughout the four-day experience, Mujaranji collaborated with fellow student-athletes, learned from entrepreneurs and refined her vision for Beyond the Game, strengthening the foundation for a venture designed to create lasting impact beyond athletics.

While her time wearing the green and white on the field has come to an end, the lessons she gained as a Trojan continue to shape what's next.

Her journey—from Zimbabwe to Mount Olive to the NCAA Legacy Lab—reflects how college athletics can open doors far beyond competition.

Now, Mujaranji hopes to help open those same doors for the next generation.