03-27-2026
For many college seniors, the next step often seems straightforward: graduate with their degree and then enter the corporate world. For students who have the opportunity to stay one more year – be it for athletics, scholarships or academic programs – is another year of school worth it?
Wrestler and business student Hayden Filipovich weighed that question himself, and the answer came from his fifth-year eligibility as an NCAA athlete and his athletic scholarship. This decision wasn’t just about whether he would be on campus for an extra year. It was about transforming that time into a professional advantage.
When Purdue recruited Filipovich for wrestling, he took the opportunity to delve into business, studying economics and accounting with a concentration in finance. He graduated with another year of NCAA eligibility due to redshirting. In wrestling, redshirting is common, says Filipovich, allowing first-year athletes to train and develop without competing – preserving an entire year of eligibility. Because wrestling doesn’t offer a traditional professional pathway like football or basketball, many athletes use that additional year to strengthen both their athletic and academic development. While many student-athletes in that situation simply stretch their undergraduate coursework across that timeframe. But Filipovich took the more challenging route.
Instead, he began exploring ways to maximize that final year academically. At the end of his junior year, when many students began planning their post-graduation path, Filipovich started researching graduate options within Purdue. One program quickly caught his attention: the accelerated Master of Finance offered through the Mitch Daniels School of Business.
Initially, he assumed a master’s program would be intimidating and something students had to navigate entirely on their own. Instead, conversations with Fabrício d’Almeida, academic director of the Finance Department, highlighted a different perspective: graduate education as a collaborative learning experience where students and faculty work together to deepen knowledge and professional preparation. The accessibility of faculty and the structure of the program made the path forward feel not only realistic but also valuable.
The Master of Finance program Filipovich entered is designed to deliver an intensive graduate education in just 10 months. During the academic year, courses run in eight-week sessions rather than traditional 16-week semesters, meaning students complete multiple academic “terms” within the same timeframe.
“It’s definitely more rigorous than undergraduate, but it’s manageable,” he noted.
With a cohort of around 20–30 students, many of whom come from international backgrounds, the classroom experience also emphasizes teamwork and discussion. This allowed Filipovich to cultivate a broader perspective.
Filipovich continued competing for Purdue’s wrestling program alongside his second degree. Balancing graduate coursework with Division I athletics presented challenges, but support from Purdue’s coaching staff played a key role in helping him maintain that balance. Coaches worked closely with Filipovich to ensure he remained fully engaged both academically and athletically. While the schedule occasionally caused him to miss full-team practices, it also created opportunities for smaller, more focused training sessions with coaches. Those moments, he says, often provided valuable one-on-one instruction that improved his performance on the mat.
As Filipovich approaches the end of his time at Purdue, both his academic and athletic journeys are reaching meaningful milestones. His final season of collegiate wrestling includes major competitions in the Big Ten Conference and national championships. At the same time, his next professional chapter is already in motion.
After graduation, Filipovich will join Blue & Co., LLC in Carmel, Indiana, as a staff accountant focusing on business valuation services. The opportunity builds on a previous internship he completed with the firm.
For Filipovich, his Purdue experience has always been about challenging himself to grow and making the most of the opportunities available. Choosing to pursue a graduate degree during his fifth year pushed him to gain more credentials and professional preparation. As tough as competing as an athlete and business student was, it’s a decision he says he wouldn’t change.
If you would like to receive more information about pursuing a business master’s at the Mitch Daniels School of Business, please fill out the form and a program specialist will be in touch!
