Ashley Pickle

First and foremost, I credit my parents for teaching me at a very early age the value of setting a goal and working relentlessly to achieve it. That lesson was emphasized throughout my upbringing and has fundamentally shaped my work ethic today. I carried that mindset with me when I arrived at the University of North Texas in 2015, immediately diving into any opportunity I could find in sports media and never looking back. I was a young, hungry student who embraced challenges and had a real passion for the work. Along the way, I was fortunate to have leaders who believed in my potential before I had a long résumé to support it. I’ve always felt a strong responsibility to honor that trust by working hard, staying coachable, and continuing to learn. The older I get, the more I realize that success isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about being willing to learn from the people around you and making the most of every opportunity you’re given.

The people you work with are often the people you spend the most time with, sometimes even more than your own family. Finding a place where you genuinely enjoy the people around you and believe in the work you're doing makes all the difference. There's an old saying that if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. It may sound cliché, but there's truth in it. Sports are fun. They're entertainment. We have the privilege of bringing moments of joy, excitement, and connection into people's homes. Keeping that perspective is important, especially during stressful times. We're not performing surgery or dealing with life-and-death situations every day—we're creating experiences that bring communities together. When you remember that, it becomes much easier to stay grounded and appreciate just how fortunate we are to do what we do.

For women entering this industry, confidence is incredibly important. Even if you're sitting at a table where not many people look like you, remember that you're there for a reason. You earned that seat. And sometimes being one of the first or one of the few isn't just about your own success, it's about showing the next generation that there is space for them, too. In sports, relationships matter, but so do preparation, passion, and the work you put in behind the scenes. If you take the time to learn your craft and genuinely care about what you're doing, that confidence will naturally come through.

I also believe it's important to recognize that asking for help is not a weakness. Sports is a highly competitive industry, and it's easy to feel like you have to do everything on your own. But one thing I've learned is that there are so many generous people who are willing to share their experiences and help others grow. Whether it's someone just starting out or someone at the top of the profession, it never hurts to reach out, ask questions, and learn from those who have walked the path before you. You don't have to do it alone. The people who came before us know how challenging the journey can be, and many of them genuinely want to help make that path a little easier for the next generation.

The biggest challenge in our industry right now is also the biggest opportunity: the pace of change.

Streaming technology, consumer viewing habits, distribution platforms, and audience expectations are evolving faster than ever before. For those of us in sports media, keeping up with that pace can be challenging. Technology changes quickly, new platforms emerge, and the way fans consume content is constantly shifting. You have to be willing to adapt, learn, and sometimes rethink processes that worked perfectly well just a couple of months before.

At the same time, that's what makes this such an exciting moment. Every advancement in streaming technology creates new ways to tell stories, reach audiences, and deliver experiences that weren't possible before. At Dave Campbell's Texas Sports, we have proven our ability to change and adapt with the time while still keeping our legacy alive and the core of everything we do. And that is what it's going to take to keep this momentum going. The organizations that succeed over the next decade won't necessarily be the biggest—they'll be the ones that are most adaptable. The ability to embrace change, stay curious, and continuously innovate is no longer just an advantage in sports media; it's a requirement.

At the core of everything I do is a commitment to being authentic and genuine. Whether someone sees me in a boardroom, on-air, or outside of work, I want them to walk away thinking, "She was always herself." I care deeply about people, and I've always been naturally curious. Learning has never felt like a chore, it's something I genuinely enjoy. That curiosity has evolved into a passion for teaching and mentoring others throughout all areas of the broadcast industry. Both of my parents were in education, and I think that influence has shaped a lot of who I am today.

I've always viewed wearing multiple hats as an opportunity rather than a challenge. It allows me to learn from and collaborate with a wide range of talented, intelligent people. I'm incredibly fortunate at Dave Campbell's to work alongside a team that is not only talented, but also supportive and invested in each other's success. At the end of the day, so much of life and work comes down to relationships. Treat people right and you'll be just fine.