Rachael Turner

Manager of Ticket Sales & Service, Texas Tech Athletics

“Thank you, Rachael Turner, Manager of Ticket Sales & Service at Texas Tech Athletics, for sharing your story!

Rachael leads the outbound sales team for all Red Raider sports, managing a group of Account Executives who handle everything from single-game soccer tickets to premium football seating. A former softball student-athlete at the University of Hawaii, she combines her communication skills, competitive drive, and love for fan engagement to create unforgettable game day experiences.

She highlights the power of confidence, mentorship, and community in building a career in sports — and now mentors the next generation of women in athletics. Rachael’s favorite part of her job? The energy of a sellout crowd and seeing fans come together to celebrate their team’s success.”

– Zara

Please describe your role & responsibilities at that position?

My primary responsibility here at Tech is to run the outbound sales efforts for all sports throughout the year. I run a team of four Account Executives who interact with fans on a daily basis through calls, emails, chats, and texts. We sell everything from single game soccer tickets to our premium areas for Red Raider football. I also help manage secondary market ticket sales and our email marketing efforts for Softball.

What did you study in college and how did your educational background shape your career in the sports industry?

I was fortunate enough to be a softball student athlete in college at the University of Hawaii. This gave me a unique perspective on what I currently do now more than anything. I double majored in Communications (emphasis on sports) and American Studies (emphasis on music industry and events). I love talking to people and learning about different environments. My majors really helped give me a platform to do so. Last year, I was able to complete my Masters in Sport Management online at Texas Tech. Working full time and juggling school was a wild ride, but studying the different aspects within sports business has helped me broaden my horizons in regard to thinking of the business as a whole.

Can you share the key milestones in your career that led you to your current position in the sports industry?

After graduation, I bounced a round a bit experiencing different jobs within the sports industry. I interned for a golf tour in Florida where I found out I liked doing operations. I also worked in AAA baseball as a game entertainment coordinator for gamedays where I really found I liked interacting with fans. Ticket sales combines a lot of those aspects. I started my ticket sales career in 2019. I remember being one of the youngest full time workers in the department in my home town of Las Vegas at UNLV. There, I had a great mentor and boss who helped me develop my selling style and connected me a lot with the community through ticket sales. My job there really shaped me for my next role as a manager here at Tech.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a woman in the sports business, & how have you overcome them?

As a woman working in the sports industry, you have to be comfortable being the only girl in the room. Early on, I was often mistaken for being a student worker or felt like the phone calls went a little bit different with certain customers with male counterparts. Now as a manager, I have a team of mostly women. I think that alone speaks volume on how the industry is changing with more women interested in sports!

​Balancing a career is demanding. How do you manage a work-life balance? What strategies have worked well for you?

I truly believe it is more of a work-life integration rather than a work-life balance. You have to love what you do, and the rest will take care of itself. I think that is why it is so important to work and surround yourself with fantastic people so those long days don’t feel so long. I also am a big fan of breaking up the day with walks and incorporating fun activities and contests with my team.

How important is mentorship for women in the sports industry? Have you had mentors or role models who played a significant role in your career and can give some details?

HUGE! Some of the most influential moments in my career have been listening to women leaders speak at conferences and being able to shake hands with them. It really shows what is possible as you continue to work hard within your career. I have been very fortunate to have many women mentors in my corner to bounce ideas off of and that are always looking out for opportunities for me to develop my skills within college athletics. Now, I feel very fortunate to give back and mentor the next generation.

In a male-dominated industry, do you feel women are given equal opportunities? What steps do you think can be taken to promote gender equality in the sports industry?

I do believe that the opportunities are out there for women, but what I have noticed is that we tend to be our biggest enemies when it comes to confidence and applying. As women, we constantly are looking at all the reasons why we shouldn’t apply to something rather than going for it. As a hiring manager, I always looking to hire more women!

What aspects of your work in the sports industry do you enjoy the most? What parts do you find the most challenging ?

I live for gamedays. There is nothing more rewarding than working towards a sellout crowd and seeing all the fans show up to watch your team win. Walking around the stadium seeing smiling faces and knowing that you and your team helped make those memories happen is the best. Challenging part is always missing events outside of work and working holidays. It is a sacrifice that you have to decide is worth it to work the industry.

What advice do you have for young women aspiring to build a successful career in the sports industry?

Talk to other women in the industry! I promise we are all rooting for you 🙂

What is your long-term personal goal that you still want to achieve both business wise and personal?

I would love to get a perfect sold out season (which we are working towards now which is exciting)! I want to continue working in college athletics and eventually work towards upper administration. Personal life wise, I would love to have more dogs and eventually build a family of my own.

Any fun facts or interesting things you’d like the world to learn about you? Favorite food, hobbies, pet peeves, etc.?

I am left handed, I love my dog, and I love being outside any chance I get.