KANSAS - The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) is proud to bring you the "KCAC Alumni Spotlight" series. Every two weeks, the conference will aim to highlight an alumnus of one of our KCAC full member institutions. We hope in this series to highlight successes that KCAC alumni had not only on the field, court, etc., but also in the classroom and now in their chosen professional field.
KCAC ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT — BETHEL COLLEGE
Alumnus: Travis Schlenk
Degree Earned at Bethel: Bachelor of Science in Health Management and Human Ecology (Minor in Coaching), 1995
Additional Degree: Masters of Education, Sports Administration, Wichita State University, 1998
Career Alumnus Currently Holds: Senior Vice President of Player Personnel,
Washington Wizards (
NBA)
How did your time at Bethel help to prepare you for life after college/entering the workforce?
SCHLENK: "The liberal arts education experience taught me how to study and how to problem solve. The jobs I've had in the NBA require a lot of studying, so developing the skills to do so efficiently early was really beneficial. The problem solving piece folds into that. I've faced a lot of different kinds of problems to solve throughout my career, so having a process to fall back on and apply to find the best solutions has been critical to my success. Lastly, college also helped expand my worldview, which was really helpful getting into a global sport like basketball."
Were there any pre-professional experiences (internships/job shadows/etc.) during your college years that prepared you for entering your chosen field?
SCHLENK: "My most formative pre-professional experience was actually away from basketball. I was a graduate teaching assistant. I learned how the professors did their long-term planning and how they interacted with students who came to see them."
What lessons did you learn competing in collegiate athletics that helped prepare you for life after your playing days were over?
SCHLENK: "Toughness, resilience, and teamwork. NBA front offices require a lot of people working together, so understanding your job and how you can support your teammates is critical."
ABOUT THE KANSAS COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and sponsors 28 varsity sports. Founded in 1890, the KCAC is the second oldest intercollegiate athletic conference in the country. As the conference home to 14 member institutions, the KCAC emphasizes commitment, cooperation, high achievement, and working towards a common goal in the act of competition. To keep up with the latest conference news, follow the KCAC on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram using the handle @kcacsports.
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