Alumni Highlight
Ashley Bell Barnett
Ashley Bell Barnett
General Manager,
Cyclebar Classencurve
M.Ed. 2016
What is your current position and give a brief overview?
For the past 4 1/2 years, I have been with the Oklahoma City Thunder, working as an Account Manager. In this role you work directly with season ticket holders, managing a portfolio of over 300 accounts, retaining their loyalty, keeping them engaged, and customizing their experience as a full season ticket member. It is a wonderful role that relies on your ability to maintain relationships, stay organized, understand your portfolio (where your clients live, what their hobbies are, how you can tie in Thunder experiences into their lives), and really elevate their experience as a season ticket holder.
As of this past week, I have recently accepted a new position as General Manager of Cyclebar Classencurve!! It is a franchise, nationally known spin studio and I will be managing, teaching, and leading the spin studio here in Oklahoma City.
Was this career path on your radar since you graduated? If not, speak on how you came across this position.
I wrote down that I would like to work for a professional basketball team in some capacity while I was attending WSU and getting my Master's in Sports Management. Keep your eye on your goal and you will absolutely get there.
The position I have accepted with Cyclebar actually came to fruition due to Covid. During the pandemic, I was really worried about my life, my job, my health (everything!) so I worked towards getting my personal training certificate and continued teaching spin classes on the side at Cyclebar. Fitness and sports have always been passions of mine, and Covid led me to really lean into this side of my life. Cyclebar has really helped me blossom as a leader in the fitness world. Because of the extra time working remotely, I have been able to really lean into my hobbies and turn that into a career.
What information did you take away from your time at WSU that has helped you the most in the professional world?
There are two coworkers and friends of mine who currently work at the Thunder who also went through the Wichita State Sports Management program with me. MAKE FRIENDS and connections - working in sports is a very small world - and you will definitely need those connections to get into your field.
What mistakes have you made in the past that you recommend avoiding making in the sport management field?
Covid and the pandemic made me almost reconsider my life entirely in sports - just because of the grind, etc. Do not jeopardize your career or relationships just because the world is falling apart behind you. Take a break, take time off, step away (yes absolutely use vacation and sick days), and really remember why you chose this path. It is SO worth all of the ups and downs.
Biggest takeaway - follow your gut, not what people are telling you to do.
What advice would you give to current WSU students who want to pursue a job in sport?
You can do this. I started out with the minor league hockey team in Wichita, and that job just happened to have a connection to the OKC Thunder. You never know what will lead you to your ultimate goal, and you MUST try it before telling yourself no. Connections and relationships are everything in this field. Stay diligent, do the little things - and slowly but surely you will make it to your dream job. I am so excited to continue pursuing sports, health, and fitness with Cyclebar, and I will definitely continue to use the knowledge I gained from Wichita State to make our studio a successful franchise!