Alumni Spotlight: Sarah Norton ’23

From the Ballpark to the Big Leagues: How MSU Denver Helped Launch Sarah Norton’s Career in Professional Sports

For Sarah Norton ’23, choosing MSU Denver meant choosing possibility. The downtown campus, the fast-paced energy and the opportunity to live in a major city all felt like a new world opening up.

“My biggest draw to MSU Denver was the city and campus,” she said. “Living downtown was a new lifestyle compared to what I was used to.”

It didn’t take long for Norton to build community. She met one of her closest friends during her first year, spent long afternoons studying in the library and made it to almost every home volleyball match on campus. MSU Denver’s environment of urban living, accessibility and connection gave her both independence and belonging.

Discovering the Academic Path That Fit

Norton arrived with a lifelong love of sports, shaped by years of playing softball and attending games with her family. But it wasn’t until she learned about the Sport Management program that she realized she could turn that passion into a career.

“I never realized working in sports was an option,” she said. “But once I knew, I knew it was the right path for me.”

Her coursework became a gateway into the industry she always loved. She appreciated how every class offered a different lens into the complexities of the sports business. The professor who made the largest impact was Kelly Evans, whose expertise and genuine care for student success helped Norton see what was possible.

“Kelly has a wealth of knowledge and truly cares about setting students up for success,” she said.

MSU Denver’s small classes, individualized learning and direct faculty engagement gave Norton the confidence to pursue a competitive field. It also allowed her to form connections that lasted long after graduation.

From the Classroom to the Clubhouse

While finishing her degree, Norton secured a position with the Nashville Sounds, the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. It was her first professional role in sports and it turned out to be the launchpad for her career.

She quickly advanced from Ticket Sales Representative to Account Executive, then to Senior Account Executive, which was a trajectory that illustrated both her work ethic and the preparation she received at MSU Denver.

“MSU Denver gave me the individualized learning I needed in order to be successful,” she said. “The relationships I built with professors allowed me to ask questions and make connections that lasted past my time at the University.”

After three seasons in Nashville, Norton moved home to Arizona and joined the Phoenix Suns and Player 15 Group as an Account Executive, Group Sales, working with both the Suns and the Phoenix Mercury.

Driving Revenue and Creating Experiences in the NBA and WNBA

Today, Norton is responsible for selling group tickets, memberships and customized experiences for two of the most exciting franchises in professional basketball.

It’s a role that blends relationship-building, strategic communication and a deep understanding of the business side of sport—all skills she first learned at MSU Denver.

Carrying MSU Denver’s Mission Forward

Norton’s story is a clear example of how MSU Denver provides access to professional experiences through a campus in the heart of Denver’s professional sports ecosystem.
She experienced academic excellence through engaged faculty and applied learning.
She achieved social mobility by turning her passion into a career with upward momentum in a highly competitive field.

Norton still stays connected to the University, keeping up with Roadrunner Athletics through the RMAC Network and through a close friend who works in the Athletics Department.

Advice for the Next Generation of Roadrunners

Her message to current and future students is simple:

“Gather any experience that you can and leave a good impression on the classmates and professors you meet.”

For students dreaming of a career in sports, she emphasizes that every opportunity counts and every relationship matters.