Sport Management alum receives prestigious award
Alison Wright, Golden State Warriors
Senior Director of Guest Experience and CMU sport management alum recently
received the Pete Winemiller Guest Experience Innovation Award. This honor pays
tribute to the late Pete Winemiller—former Senior Vice President of Guest
Relations for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Additionally, this award recognizes an
individual from one NBA team annually who demonstrates innovation and enhances
the live game experience for fans and guests throughout the year.
Alison now has sixteen years of
experience in the sports industry which includes managing events, leading
teams, business development, ticket sales, production, and volunteer
opportunities. Guest experience, however, is where her passion lies. Attending
a sporting event is more than just the game that’s happening, and for Alison, a
guest’s experience is personal. Some highlights include helping a fan propose
during a game and even hosting 100 guests from around the world (10 countries
and 5 states) for a complimentary tour of the Chase Center after having to
postpone a game due to an unforeseen circumstance.
The NBA promotes discussions and
collaboration with other Guest Experience leaders to share ideas and practices
within the industry. Alison reported that because of this support from the NBA, “I know my peers
are doing inspiring, game-changing work as well, so I feel very grateful to be
recognized among these groups of equally deserving individuals.”
Alison grew up attending a variety of
sporting events at every level—high school, college, and even professional
games. One notable moment was captured in a photo where Alison was taken on the
Pistons court while held by her grandfather with Dennis at just over a week old.
Given her love for the game since infancy, working in the sports and
entertainment business—more specifically, the NBA— was a natural fit.