Sport Management Major Secures Big League Internships to Achieve Dream Career

People choose to pursue a college education for many reasons.

For Ashley Trollinger, that reason is to achieve her dream career in sport management.

Her interest in the field sparked when she served as manager of her high school basketball team in Georgia — a state where sports are a big deal.

“I was always playing a sport growing up or watching sports on television,” Trollinger says. “This degree is more than wanting to watch sports at work; I want to help create the best game day experiences for those who have been to see a team 100 times or for their first time. I have a strong passion for creating amazing memories for others.”

Trollinger chose to pursue her sport management degree at Bellevue University after attending numerous ECHL (East Coast Hockey League) games. Bellevue is the official higher education partner of the league, meaning all ECHL players, officials, staff and employees are eligible to apply for a scholarship to start or finish a bachelor’s or graduate degree program of their choice at the university.

Trollinger often saw the University’s name displayed at the hockey games she went to, so when it came time to apply for college, the university was already top of mind.

Things came full circle for Trollinger when she was selected to attend the 2023 ECHL Summer Meetings.

“When chosen, I don’t think Dr. Brenda Mechels, Program Director of Sport Management, understood what that meant to me,” she says. “Hockey is the sport that I have stuck with so strongly and have really been driving my career in that direction.”

As she flew out to Las Vegas for the meetings, Trollinger had no idea what to expect. But immediately upon arrival, she ran into someone she was acquainted with, who works as an ECHL social media manager.

“I sat in many meetings with her, along with everyone else who works in the front offices of their ECHL teams,” she says. “I took so many notes on transforming culture, ticket sales, game presentation and more. Today, I still have contacts from the meetings that I speak to regularly. This event changed my entire perspective on working in sports.”

Throughout her time as a Bellevue University student, Trollinger has taken part in other big-name internships, all of which have enabled her to gain hands-on experience in sports. This includes a stint on Orlando City Soccer Club’s corporate partnership team, service as an event activation representative with the NBA’s Orlando Magic and now, a role as communications intern for USA Hockey.

“I will be doing all things media,” Trollinger explains. “What I enjoyed most about these opportunities was getting to have different experiences and see what I liked best before graduating. I have met many people from different leagues, and it has helped me know what I want.”

When she graduates next spring, Trollinger will have an impressive resume with names like the MLS, NBA and USHL to share with potential employers. Her ultimate goal is to continue working in the professional hockey space.

“I have met many people from different leagues, and it has helped me know what I want,” she says.

Trollinger credits all these experiences to Bellevue University.

“My BU education helped me secure my internships through being able to use what I have learned in class and apply it in the real world,” she explains. “My major-specific classes I have taken are excellent and have truly given me knowledge that is already being used when I go to these jobs. Knowing the details of how everything works helped me deepen my conversations with those I’m speaking to and learning from.”

With all these experiences under her belt, it’s no surprise that Trollinger finds hands-on learning and internships to be a huge part of a college education.

“Anyone still in school, no matter what stage, should do as much as they can to get experience before graduating,” she says. “There are so many opportunities out there for any degree, you just must be willing to look. My knowledge from the classroom and from real life experience has prepared me for a full-time role in the future.”

Trollinger adds that her Bellevue University education has been made all the more fulfilling because of her mentor, Dr. Brenda Mechels.

That sentiment is exactly why Mechels does what she does. She says:

“Our students have a ton of potential. As a faculty member, I get to get that potential out of them. I get to reach those students and see them be successful. It’s so cool watching them not only succeed academically, but watching what they do after they leave here. It’s almost like there’s a light switch that goes off, and I absolutely love that light switch.”