Turning Athletic Passion into a Thriving Career at NBCUniversal

Ashanti Truelsen ’23, ’24 MBA always had a love for sports, but her passion extended far beyond the playing field. “I developed the passion not necessarily in wanting to continue playing, but more being involved in that environment,” she shares.

That drive led her to pursue a degree in Sport Management at the University of New Haven, where she played softball and immersed herself in the business side of sports. Ashanti credits the University for opening doors early in her career.

“I was very fortunate that the University of New Haven accepted me into the dual-degree program,” she says. Through this program, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Sports Management in just three years and completed her MBA in a year.

Like many students who were in college during the height of the pandemic, Ashanti faced unexpected challenges. COVID-19 hit during her freshman year, altering traditional internship opportunities. “I didn’t look for internships because of what was happening in the world, but I knew I wanted the experience,” she recalls.

‘Get your name out there’

During her sophomore year, a conversation with her sports marketing professor and adviser became a turning point. "I was asking him for his advice on internships," she recalled. “The sports world is a niche field and is interconnected, so you must get your name out there.”

She considered a list of potential internships in Connecticut and landed one with the Bristol Blues, part of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, as a game-day marketing and operations intern. Her first taste of the sports industry saw Ashanti helping to coordinate events such as their Fire and Police Night and promoting game days, experiences that strengthened her ability to communicate and manage events.

"The internship gave me perspective on what different positions in the sports realm look like," Ashanti explained.

‘They created the position for me’

As she approached her third and final year as an undergrad, thanks to her accelerated program, Ashanti made the difficult decision to step away from the Chargers softball team to focus fully on her career. In November, she applied for a senior associate role with the Hartford Yard Goats in ticket sales. From coordinating first pitches to managing special events, Ashanti found fulfillment in bringing what she describes as the "Disney experience" to life for attendees.

Though she enjoyed her time working in sales, Ashanti discovered her real passion in partnerships, a path that started at Yale. She had reached out to Yale Athletics, hoping to gain experience, and her initiative paid off.

"They didn’t have an internship available, but I reached out, and they created a position for me," she said.

‘Networking has so much value’

Ashanti gained valuable experience at Yale in the business side of collegiate athletics. The role wasn’t permanent, though, and she found herself on the lookout for her next opportunity.

A few months before graduating with her bachelor’s degree, she cold applied to BSE Global, a company managing both the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty. She was ultimately offered a position, launching her post-college career and honing her ability to network within the sports industry and beyond.

"Networking has so much value."

“I think the biggest advice I could provide is to continuously grow your network and build those relationships,” Ashanti shared. "Networking has so much value.”

The connections she made at the University of New Haven also continue to pay off. Ashanti regularly reached out to professionals she had met through networking, including Kevin Van Dyk ’18, who referred her to NBCUniversal. That connection ultimately led to her current role.

"My relationship with Kevin and my ability to grow that over time is something I’m continuously grateful for," she said.

‘You’ll be amazed at where you can go’

Now working as an inventory analyst at NBCUniversal, Ashanti’s journey continues. Her role involves coordinating ad placements for the Golf Channel. Flexibility and problem-solving are key due to frequent changes and delays.

She credits her time management skills—developed both while playing softball and through her internships—for helping her thrive in a fast-paced environment. Reflecting on her path, she emphasizes the importance of persistence.

“Opportunities don’t always come when you expect them,” she says. “But if you keep pushing and stay open to learning, you’ll be amazed at where you can go.”

For Ashanti, it’s clear her story is just beginning. "I’m excited for what’s next, and I know there’s always room to grow."