How 4 athletes found their second careers with AU
For many athletes, Athletes Unlimited opened the door back into the games they may have otherwise been forced to leave behind. But for some, those career revivals didn’t stop at the baseline or batter’s box.
Whether by stepping into front office roles, advisory boards, or athlete-driven initiatives, Sam Fischer-Cooke, Haylie McCleney, Amber Falcone McKenzie, and Ciara “CC” Andrews have taken their experiences as AU players and turned them into powerful second careers—helping build up the very leagues that reignited their own.
Sam Fischer-Cooke – Senior Manager of Softball Operations, Athletes Unlimited
Sam Fischer-Cooke joined AU at a time when professional softball options were limited, but her contributions to the budding league extended far beyond the diamond. As a founding member of the Softball Player Executive Committee (PEC), she helped shape policies, schedules, and the culture of the league from the inside.
“Once I joined the PEC, it made me start to think about what I actually would be interested in doing after I play,” she said. “It opened up a whole new world to me—to see what it looks like to make decisions about your own sport.”
That curiosity continued to grow while her playing career progressed. As she prepared to retire following the 2024 AU season, Fischer-Cooke took the initiative to reach out to AU’s newly appointed advisor, and now commissioner of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, Kim Ng. She explained that she was stepping away from playing, but didn’t want to step away from AU.
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Her timing was perfect. She now serves as Senior Manager of Softball Operations and played a key role in launching the AUSL, the league’s first traditional team-format season.
“It’s pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way,” she said. “Now I get to help create something brand new and make it a reality.”
Haylie McCleney – Partnerships Sales Coordinator, Athletes Unlimited
In 2020, with the Olympics delayed and no pro softball opportunities on the horizon, Haylie McCleney thought she might be out of options. Then, Athletes Unlimited came calling and changed everything.
“I’d played 10 years with Team USA, but I’d never felt as valued as I did in that (Athletes Unlimited) bubble,” she said. “I finally felt like my voice was heard, believed, and trusted. It was the best professional experience I’ve ever had.”
She played four years with AU and competed in Tokyo as part of the silver medal-winning U.S. Olympic Team. When it came time to retire, she found herself drawn to the business side of the sport and applied for an open partnerships position in AU.
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“I ended up getting the job and have absolutely fallen in love with it,” she said. “I get to talk about softball all day—which is awesome—but I also get to be a part of growing this thing.”
Now working in AU’s partnerships department, McCleney helps foster relationships that fuel the league’s growth. From brand activations to community engagement, she brings a player’s perspective to every meeting.
“If you told me five years ago this would happen, I would’ve said you’re insane,” she said. “But I’m here, I’m retired, and I’m proud to still be part of something this meaningful.”
Amber Falcone McKenzie – Co-Director, Sound Lacrosse & Athlete Representative, AU Board of Directors
Amber Falcone McKenzie knows what it’s like to give everything to a sport without expecting it to give back. A veteran of early pro lacrosse efforts, she saw leagues rise and fall. When AU launched, she saw something different and committed to helping it grow.
“I just always want young women to see that they can be professional athletes,” she said. “AU gives women a space to be athletes, moms, professionals–just dynamic.”
After competing as a defender during AU’s first lacrosse season in 2021 and returning to play in 2022, Falcone McKenzie stayed close to the league. She became an athlete representative to the AU Board of Directors, participated in the Harvard Crossover Into Business program, and EY’s Emerging Leaders Program, earning a certification in AI and leadership.
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“For lacrosse players, we always had to get a job after college—there was no choice,” she said. “But AU provides opportunities for women to develop professionally. If you want to take advantage of them, they’re there.”
She now continues to coach and advise athletes through Sound Lacrosse and gives back to the sport on the business side.
“I tell players, especially women: you don’t have to be just one thing,” she said. “That’s why I stayed. I love lacrosse. I love empowering women. That’s what I care about.”
Ciara “CC” Andrews – Marketing Manager, Athletes Unlimited
CC Andrews wasn’t looking to make a comeback. After a college career at Saint Joseph’s and several seasons overseas, she had moved on, working full-time at Adidas. But when her former teammate Natasha Cloud called to tell her about AU, she reconsidered.
“I was like, ‘You want me to come out of retirement to play against the best of the best?’” she laughed. “But then I thought, it’s six weeks. Why not?”
She competed in the 2022 AU Pro Basketball season, earning the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Sportsmanship Award, all while working a full-time job. The experience reignited her passion and introduced her to the Harvard Business School Crossover Into Business program.
“It made me think a lot about ownership,” she said. “Athletes have more power than they sometimes realize. Not everyone’s a D-Wade, but without athletes, there’s no product. That changed how I think about athlete empowerment and what it means to have a voice in the business side of sport.”
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That curiosity and strategic mindset carried over into her new role as AU’s Marketing Manager.
“Just being able to come here and say, ‘OK, this is a startup,’ and knowing what we’re building—it’ll be cool to look back in a few years and say, ‘What I’m doing is actually making an impact.”
A Future Fueled by Investment
Athletes Unlimited was built with a format that gives athletes more control over their playing careers, but its greatest impact may be what happens after the games end.
From career readiness programs and executive training to leadership opportunities across every level of the league, AU has made a clear investment in the full lives of its athletes on the field and in who they can become beyond it.
In turn, athletes like Fischer-Cooke, McCleney, Falcone McKenzie, and Andrews are paying that investment forward. Whether launching new leagues, serving on boards, building brand partnerships, or shaping marketing strategy, they’re not just extending their careers; they’re helping AU grow into its next chapter.
By staying in the game through their new roles, these women are proving that the end of a playing career doesn’t mean stepping away completely. It can mean stepping up to lead, to build, and to continue changing the game from the inside out.
Siera Jones is the digital media reporter at Athletes Unlimited. You can follow her on Instagram and X @sieraajones.
