Ashlee Shidler ’15
12th Man Foundation’s Assistant Vice President of Ticketing
By Maisie Ransom ’27
For Aggie fans, a ticket is a pass into Kyle Field on a Saturday night or Reed Arena on a Tuesday evening. For Ashlee Shidler, however, it represents something much bigger: family memories, lifelong traditions and the behind-the-scenes work that helps create unforgettable experiences for Texas A&M Athletics supporters.
“Knowing that you have a small role in people’s lifetime memories with their families is the biggest honor,” she said.
Ashlee joined the 12th Man Foundation staff as a student worker during her sophomore year at A&M while earning her undergraduate degree in supply chain management. What began as a part-time role in the ticket office became the foundation for a career with the organization. After graduating in 2014, she stayed on as an intern and worked toward her master’s degree in sport management, eventually leading to a full-time opportunity and advancement to her present role as Assistant Vice President of Ticketing. Over the past decade, she has helped lead the ticket office through one of the most transformative periods in college athletics.
Long before overseeing ticket operations for packed SEC weekends and postseason games, Ashlee was learning the business from leaders who helped shape her approach to service and leadership. She credits much of her growth to those who invested in her as a young professional, especially former Vice President of Ticketing Lacey Williams and the late Noel Devin ’04. Noel instilled confidence in Ashlee early in her career, believing in her potential and encouraging her growth within the organization. Lacey shared her expertise in the ticketing world while also supporting Ashlee’s development as a leader.
Ashlee has helped Texas A&M Athletics navigate significant shifts in the modern ticketing landscape. From managing both paper and digital ticket systems to helping implement a fully digital ticketing system in 2025, she has worked to adapt alongside the rapidly changing world of college athletics while still preserving traditions important to Aggie fans.
Over the last two seasons, she has also traveled with the football team for every road game to support and assist with any ticketing needs.
One of the most challenging stretches of her career came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when ticketing operations were forced to reimagine the fan experience through pod seating, large-scale reseating at Kyle Field and constant adjustments for fans and donors.
Throughout her career, the role has allowed her to be part of some memorable Aggie Athletics moments. Ashlee has helped create the Kyle Field atmosphere for several historic games in Texas A&M Football history, including the seven-overtime win against LSU in 2018, the last-second victory over Alabama in 2021 and the thrilling comeback win over South Carolina in 2025.
For Ashlee, those types of moments are a reminder of the impact athletics can have on former, current and future students.
“Athletics is often the first interaction people have with Texas A&M,” she said.
Being part of that introduction is what makes the work especially meaningful for her. As Texas A&M prepared to host its first College Football Playoff game in 2025, Ashlee viewed the opportunity as another milestone not only for the university, but for everyone working together to create those experiences.
“Being able to be a part of hosting that game was pretty historic,” Ashlee said.
More than a decade after joining the 12th Man Foundation staff as a student worker, Ashlee’s impact can be seen across countless gameday experiences throughout Aggieland. While fans may only see the ticket that gets them through the gates, Ashlee’s work behind the scenes continues to shape memories, preserve traditions and connect generations of Aggies.