Andriana Acosta, a Joliet Catholic graduate and former professional basketball player, is finding a new life off the court. And she’s determined to help other athletes do the same.
Acosta has founded Purpose Beyond Play, an organization focused on providing pro athletes guidance and support when their playing careers end.
We’ll get more into the mission of her new company shortly, but Acosta is also a big believer in the power of sports.
So, with that in mind, let me tell you about a unique, free event Purpose Beyond Play is hosting that anyone can be a part of this weekend. The Sports and Unity Showcase is set for noon Sunday at Malcolm X College and is free to attend.
As part of Chicago’s Africa Day celebration, the men’s national basketball team from Comoros, an island nation in East Africa, will make its first trip to the United States to play a game against semipro Team Dynasty.
“The Sports and Unity showcase is a celebration of sports, diplomacy, cultural exchange and leadership,” Acosta said. “It’s much more than a game. It’s about uniting people, building bridges and amplifying global impact.”
Acosta said she was inspired by playing overseas with teammates who spoke different languages as well as by holding youth camps in other countries. She hopes to host this event annually and welcome a team from a different country each year.
Anyone interested in attending Sunday can claim their free tickets by going to Eventbrite.com and searching for the Sports and Unity Showcase.
Beyond this weekend, though, Acosta has a big mission in mind with Purpose Beyond Play.
Acosta knows all too well how crushing and confusing it can be when an athlete’s career ends abruptly. How challenging it can be to move on and take the next step.
St. Francis’ Andriana Acosta pulls in an offensive rebound against Trinity Christian during a game in Palos Heights on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)
Acosta, who first played professionally in Ireland after finishing her college career at St. Francis, had moved on to Australia’s NBL1 League in 2023 when her playing days came to an abrupt halt.
“I was playing in a high-quality league with some players who had played in the WNBA,” Acosta said. “It was incredible. But the first game I got into, I was in for a couple minutes and I went up for a rebound. I came down, landed on a player and rolled my ankle.
“I was like, ‘OK, just play through it.’ Later, I found out it ended up being a bone fracture.”
It was a season-ending injury and ultimately, Acosta decided, the last straw.
“After going all the way to Australia, my career ended so suddenly,” Acosta said. “It was tough. I couldn’t even pick up the phone to tell family back home, because once you do that, it’s real.”
Before she even told her loved ones, Acosta took a solo trip to Bali, Indonesia to reflect and process what had just happened.
“It was truly transformational,” Acosta said. “Everything comes to an end, especially in athletics. You can’t play forever. You have to accept that and realize we do serve a purpose beyond our athletic identity.”
Junior forward Andriana Acosta talked about her "super sub" role with St. Francis at the Pat Sullivan Center in Joliet on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. (Tony Baranek / Daily Southtown)
That’s when Acosta began forming the idea of Purpose Beyond Play. She spoke to current athletes about their future plans only to be shut down by most who were unwilling to even think about life beyond sports.
Talking to others who had just ended their careers was also eye-opening.
“Reconnecting with some of these people who had stopped playing, they just looked so different,” Acosta said. “They really lost that life to them. I quickly realized I wasn’t alone.
“When my playing career ended, I had no guidance or resources, no community to help me navigate with the transition.”
Acosta wants Purpose Beyond Play to be that resource. She plans for the company to offer help to former athletes in a variety of ways.
“The four things we really focus on are self-identity, holistic health and wellness, financial literacy and empowerment and career development,” she said. “We’re going to offer a career database.”
Acosta believes former athletes have attributes that should be appealing to potential employers.
“We’re getting rejected for jobs because we don’t have years of experience, but pro athletes know how to adapt,” she said. “We’re fast learners and hard workers. We’re going to partner with different countries in all industries who understand the value in this.”
Joliet Catholic’s Andriana Acosta, right, puts up a shot against Marian Catholic during an East Suburban Catholic Conference game on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)
One area I’m especially glad to hear Acosta wants her company to help with is mental health.
I know how much of themselves elite athletes devote to their sport and how hard it can be to deal with not having that anymore.
And, of course, there’s a stigma that prevents some athletes from talking about it.
“We have this image that we fight through adversity and play through injuries,” Acosta said. “But when they’re done playing, there’s nobody there to catch them. People need to understand there’s no shame in this and there are so many other people going through the same struggles.”
You can visit Purposebeyondplay.com to learn more.
It’s a worthwhile endeavor, and Acosta is the perfect ambitious athlete to make it happen.