The last year or so of Kaitlyn Terry's life has been a bit of a whirlwind.
From joining the Texas Tech softball team, becoming a first-team All-American and getting to the championship series of the Women's College World Series, Terry is reaping the benefits of her on-field success with a growing NIL portfolio, one that has multiplied since the end of the 2026 season.
Terry's latest venture comes in the form of a partnership with Venmo, being one of the college athletes to land deals with the financial institution. Former teammate NiJaree Canady was a Venmo spokesperson last year, something she and Terry have discussed in the lead-up to the launch of the campaign.
Landing a global brand like Venmo is a nice perk for Terry, who sees the benefits
both immediately and for the future.
"NIL has changed college sports completely," Terry said. "But I also think it's able to help and look at the responsibility of the long term of NIL and the money that you get, but it's also off the field. I've kind of learned that no matter what, you kind of have to be intentional with your money."
Being among the most notable names in college softball, Terry understands the responsibility she holds both around Texas Tech and with business ventures such as this. Before landing with Venmo, Terry got to experience the other side of the aisle, helping recruit players out of the transfer portal to be her next teammates.
Once Terry and other Red Raiders learned who was entering the portal, they put a joint effort forward to get who they wanted to join them in Lubbock.
"We definitely talked about it," Terry said, "like what if she got into the portal, or once the portal opened we were all like, wait, we like think this girl would be a good fit and all this."
Terry seems to have found that perfect fit with Texas Tech, one she doesn't plan on ending soon. New NCAA rules granted players still in school an additional year of eligibility, dubbed the five-in-five rule. Terry was set to be a senior during the 2027 season, now she has every intention of being back in the scarlet and black in 2028.
"How I take it is if it's given to you, you might as well take it as an opportunity," Terry said. "I love playing softball, and especially being at Tech, like why not take the other year and do something that I love and be in a place that I love? So yeah, I definitely would 1,000% take the fifth year."
As she did throughout her first year in Lubbock, Terry reiterated that coming to Texas Tech was the best decision she could have made last summer. Her gratitude for that, and those who have helped her get through that, are engrained in her deal with Venmo with a program called Money Moves, which gives the sponsor athletes a chance to give back to their communities.
Among those who Terry wants to be part of this campaign are her parents and sister, her travel ball coach Steve Apple and Tech coaches Gerry Glasco and Tara Archibald, who Terry said have challenged her and prepared her for where she is today.
"I'm just kind of excited to spotlight my family, coaches, mentors," Terry said, "but also the fans who have supported me through my whole career. I think also being able to give back to everybody is very meaningful. It's so special."
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: EXCLUSIVE: Kaitlyn Terry talks Venmo NIL partnership, Texas Tech softball
