In this episode, we’re talking with Bailey Borck Bachamp, Kansas State, the current Director of Operations for the Kansas State University men’s basketball team. Bailey expertly balances her demanding professional role with the equally important role of being a mom to twin toddlers. She is here to talk about her exciting career and experiences and share some advice on what she’s learned along the way.
Bailey shares her story of growing up in Manhattan, Kansas, her early experiences that influenced her decision to join Tri Delta, and her journey from entry-level positions to becoming the Director of Operations for the Kansas State University men’s basketball team. Bailey highlights her formula for success, which includes not letting intimidation hold you back, using your talents and strengths in all you do, and finding mentors to push you out of your comfort zone. She also encourages us to trust that things will work out in the end.
Learn how Tri Delta has played a pivotal role in Bailey’s life and how her younger sister’s involvement added to her full-circle moment. Hear what Bailey is up to when she is not working, what she is looking forward to next and how she champions young women in the sports industry.
This transcript was created using automated technologies and may contain errors.
Hello, Tri Deltas, and welcome back to our podcast, Let's Talk Tri Delta. I am Mindy Tucker and the interim CEO at Tri Delta and have the pleasure of hosting today's episode.
Our guest today is Bailey Borck Bachamp, the current director of operations for the Kansas State men's basketball team. I'm so excited to talk to her because not only does she do this,
she also balances having twin toddlers at home. So I think this is going to be a fun conversation. She's here to talk about her career and the experiences she had and share a little bit of her Tri Delta experience.
So Bailey, welcome to the podcast. We're so glad that you're here. Thank you. I'm excited to be here. So you grew up in Manhattan, Kansas. So you kind of always knew you wanted to attend Kansas State.
Tell us a little bit about sort of how that all came about. Sure. So I definitely have grown up being a K -Stater my entire life. My family has been here my entire life.
So it was really all that I knew. And, you know, when I started to explore other options. You know, for college, it was what I continued to come back to and just what felt right.
And, you know, part of that decision was if I do stay here in Manhattan and go to K -State, I don't want to live at home. And my parents definitely encouraged me to not do that.
And so I was, I was fortunate that they were supportive of what obviously eventually led me to, you know, a 10 -K state and be a Tri Delta. So let's talk about Tri Delta.
You knew about Tri Delta before you became one. How did you learn about our organization and what made you want to become a Tri Delta? Yes. So growing up, we had, I would say,
babysitters or, you know, girls in college that would pick us up from school. My parents both worked, you know, So we had drivers that would pick us up at school, take us home,
take us to sports, practices, things like that. And so two of them were Tri Deltas, and they were the ones I thought were the coolest, and they are who I connected with the most growing up.
And, you know, others were great. But these two in particular were like just, I thought hung the moon. They were involved.
They were, you know, people that I wanted to associate myself with, even at a young age. And so I just really felt a strong connection with both of them. So in school,
did you know you wanted to go into the sports industry or how did that come about? What sort of sparked your love there? Sure. So I fell to a job as a student assistant in our football office.
My freshman year the summer right before I started school. And so that was lined up as I went through recruitment. And I knew that I had that waiting for me as we started classes in the fall semester.
And at that time, it was just a student job. And I loved, loved sports, loved being around athletics. And then I started to feel like maybe it was something I wanted to pursue after college.
And I would say that I'm definitely a small minority in this profession. Most people have moved around and I realize that.
And I just feel really fortunate to be where I'm at today. You know, that job with football blossomed into an internship with the Kansas City Chiefs, which was completely invaluable.
I learned so much in a short summer and had a great, great boss with that organization. And then came back for my, I took a fifth year,
senior, excuse me, a fall semester. And so came back for that, ready to jump in the workforce. And I didn't find something with athletics right away,
but about three months after a position opened up in men's basketball to be the administrative assistant. And then I was fortunate to work for, I've been fortunate to have two wonderful bosses and head coaches here with men's basketball.
And so, you know, as time goes on, I've been able to learn more, you know, put more in my professional toolkit. and I've definitely become,
I think I have the best job in the world. So I feel so fortunate that God has blessed me with us every day. I love that. So you really started kind of entry level and worked your way up. Exactly.
Yes. So student worker hourly answered the phones, gave tours. At that time, you know, we did things a lot differently with reading.
So we were logging. I'm going to date myself, but DVDs and some VHS tapes, bringing that physical film to the coaches. You know, we would help with any operational tasks that we could just to help organize anyone that needed help in the office.
And then slowly but surely that, you know, I guess it peaked my interest with an internship in the NFL. And it was a great experience to be able to see,
you know, what that organization was like compared to a college athletic department and then full -time administrative assistant.
And then I've had several other titles in men's basketball, which has led me to where I'm at today. Yeah. So director of operations for the men's basketball team. What does a typical day look like for you?
Oh, it's different every day. So I think that's why I like it. It runs in a big cycle, you know, as far as if we're in season or when practice starts, season, spring and then summer and then you're back into it once fall starts.
So at this time of year, we're doing a lot of, we've done a lot of camps. Those are done. A lot of the wrap -up paperwork that comes with those. We've had visits for prospective student athletes that come to campus that we want to play for us,
whether those be from the transfer portal, or, you know, we'll start looking at bringing some high school kids onto campus in the fall. So we're always ready for a visit. And then the guys can go out recruiting.
And so, you know, assisting them in any way that we can, if that's finding a charter plane, if that's, you know, helping them organize where they need to go at what time. But it's a lot of that right now started to look at the fall schedule.
And so our non -conference games, conference games, finding planes for those, hotels, meals, just kind of starting to get ready for what will be a very busy fall.
Yeah, that's a lot of logistics. Yes, yes, it is. So I can imagine this is probably a pretty male -dominated arena. Pardon the pun there.
And I'm curious how you have sort of helped make that work for you and what advice you might have for others who are sort of aspiring to a career in a male -dominated field.
Sure. So you're right. It is I am the only female on our coaching staff. I have a wonderful student assistant. Her name is Isleyn. And she, I see a lot of it.
I think being able to make a mark in this industry, a lot of that has to do with having some tough skin, rolling with the punches a little bit.
And I guess I've tried to not let little things bother me, you know, as we've moved, as I've moved on in my career. And so I'm going to make mistakes that.
Someone told me that on like my first day and I have made mistakes and you just you learn from it and I would I think say that same thing to any young male in this profession as well but when you ask about a young female I think don't let it intimidate you.
You can do anything you put your mind to. There are some ladies in football that weren't administrative assistance but they were helping on the operation side and I saw that as a real niche for myself.
I don't know enough about basketball to, I mean, I shouldn't be coaching. But this is a way that I can use my talents and my strengths to assist our program,
be a part of something I love and care about. And so I would say find your strengths, you know, really lean into what you are good at and find mentors that,
you know, push you to do hard things and encourage you to do things that you're not comfortable with because that's how you learn. And so don't be scared. Jump in feet first and trust the process,
which I would say is not always easy. But things will work themselves out. I think if you really put your mind to it and you have to be around good people too.
Like I said I've been around some really great people in this industry and I'm fortunate to be where I'm at today with Coach Tang and I honestly hope the best for any young ladies that you know see themselves working in athletics as a career.
I love it that you've sort of you know you've seen people help you and then you've turned around and helped others And you sort of see that as a part of what you do and a part of what you should be doing, especially for women.
And I know. And Tridalta, we talk about that a lot. We've got to lift everybody up and help everybody move along and have opportunities. For sure. Yeah. You've talked about the importance of understanding what you can control and what you can't control.
Yes. And tell us a little bit more about that. So in my position, I'm the one that coordinates with, I guess, the perfect example would be I'm the one that communicates with our charter flights.
So I set it. I send the schedule. I set it up. I'm the one that's in communication with our charter operator. So, you know, when the fog is heavy in Des Moines,
Iowa, and we have to stay the night in Des Moines instead of flying on to the next to the next location or to fly home. You just find another hotel and you just kind of roll with the punches.
So a lot of that you can't control the weather. And I think too, it's really hard to put your trust into other people that it's going to be You know,
I don't like to be the one that everyone looks at when something's not, not ready. So it's really hard to put your trust into like a hotel that, you know, that the rooms are going to be ready.
And it's an airline that they're going to be on time. But we've been really fortunate to find great partners. But that is controlling the weather. It would be just the prime example of what you asked But if only we could.
Yeah. All day, Sunday trying to get home from an event with weather. It's the worst. And there's nothing you can do about it. You just have to roll with it. Uh -huh. And find a good place in the airport and a snack.
And that's that. That'll end. Uh -huh. So you have twins at home. And that sounds like a pretty demanding job. I'm just wondering what you,
how do you balance everything? And we often as women talk about how to have it all and do it all and balance all these things. You're doing two really big things right now. How do you balance those things?
My husband is the biggest supporter that I could ever ask for. He played college football here at K State. Okay. And so he knows what this job entitles.
He knows entails. He knows um my career goals are and have been and he's watched me um you know be excited and scared and frustrated and happy and he's seen all the emotions um you know over my professional career that i've had and so um i'm really fortunate that he he does what he does for our family and i know that if i have a,
you know, go to a game on the road that he, you know, is doing what he needs to do with our twins. And I'm just really fortunate to have him.
And then we're both from Manhattan. So my family's here. His family's here. So without our parents and some other really special people, we, this would be a lot harder than it It is hard,
but the village is important. Yes, yes. And he's, he's definitely the big foundation for that. So I'm very thankful for Cole. That's awesome. How old are the twins?
They just turned three in May. So they love, they love the players. They love games. They always ask if I'm going to a K -State basketball game,
which I think work is the game. But we're trying to get them on understanding schedules and things like that. So they love Willie the Wildcat or mascot.
So it's really fun to see them excited about what Cole and I have enjoyed over our time in Manhattan. You can bring them into a part of it at least.
Yes. Yeah, and engaging for them. That's great. So how do you think Tredelta helped your career and your personal development up to this point? Oh,
I would say that took place over several different, I think, milestone moments, you know,
through recruitment, I found right off the bat, met one of my very best friends. And we We're on the same rush floor. We have names close to each other in the alphabet.
So we hoped for the same house and ended up in the same house. So we had our bid cards open Trid Delta and my babysitter was friends with her sister.
So they were both already in the house. And so we were like, we'll be like their little sisters. So that was a huge moment of relief and excitement for what was to come my freshman semester.
I'm not proud to share that my GPA was less than desirable. And having that accountability with Tri Delta and the fact that if you continue down this path,
then you don't get to do this anymore. And so I think the thought of losing what I cared about, you know, my friends and the opportunity to live in the house that I had always,
you know, gone to as a young lady. And I mean, all of that that lied in front of me hung in the balance of get your schoolwork done,
get your act together. So that was huge. And then There's so many times you shared that. I think it's important. Like none of us are perfect and we all, I mean,
coming to college is hard. We all struggle with different things. I'm glad you shared that. I think it's an interesting story of looking at where you are now. I'm not proud of it. No, it's not necessarily that,
but I think it's like it shows, A, it shows vulnerability from you and it shows that Tidalta really will come around you and sort of help guide you and support you in those times.
They were great. My roommate was also a Tri -Delta in the dorms. And she was like, you got to, I mean, they held me accountable, which at 18 is not easy.
But that's, I think, why you join, right, to find those friendships and to find support. And, You know, Coach Tang has said in his press conferences at times that discipline is like the purest form of love.
And so that, that was, that's kind of come full circle. And then so many times in college, you know, through excitement or disappointment, we shared in those,
you know, you think back to like the Easter egg hunts and the late night pizza and, you know, just all the little moments that you don't get to have anymore because everybody has families and life goes on,
right? And so you think back to those and those are really fond memories. And then getting together after college for these big moments of weddings and births and the final thing I would say is my younger sister went through rush here at K -State,
too. And so she had gone in with an open mind, which I am so happy that she did. But, you know, we're obviously hoping that she's a tried -out too.
And she ended up getting her first choice, which was tried out. So it's like that was the cherry on top when it came really full circle. It's like,
I get to go to siblings weekends is the older sister, not in the house. So we get to share in that as well, which is so special.
It was really a really happy day for me as an older sister. Yeah, I can imagine. That's awesome to be able to share that with your sister, your real life sister. Yeah,
I love that. What are your, I'm curious where you go from here. What are your future goals professionally and where do you think? What do you think comes next? I've wondered that for myself.
I have, when Coach Tang got here in his introductory press conference, he said we're going to elevate. And our university and our program has had so much success.
I've been on two Big 12 championship teams here with men's basketball. But I truly believe that we're going to win a national championship.
And I know that that doesn't just start with me. You know, you have to have the right staff and the right players and things have to go your way. And I think that, you know,
God has shown so much favor to us as we look at, like, all of the things that have really come together, you know, and just things are,
I really believe we can do it in short. But for me, personally, I wish I could give you a better answer, but I have had a hard time really zeroing in on what that is specifically because I had my heart set on this position for so long,
and I've been able to learn from some really great co -workers under, you know, two staffs with other sports. You know, so I would say helping young women in this industry,
like I love when I get a call or a text or an email that says, hey, I'm in school graduating. I don't know you, but wondered if I could pick your brain about working in athletics.
I love being able to continue to help young women in this field. And then we have a group on campus called Girls in Sports Club. And that's girls that work in athletics,
want to work in athletics. Just love watching sports. And so I just signed on to be an advisor with them. And I'm really looking forward to getting them all back on campus. And,
you know, helping young women any way I can. I love that. It also sounds like you just believe there's more to do there. Like you're not quite, you're not done. You're ready to move through what you believe is coming,
which I love. Thank you. I echo that. Yes, we've got more to do. Yeah. I have to assume there are a million funny and memorable stories from this job because it was the nature of your work.
What are a couple of stories that you would share, just something funny or memorable from working with the team? Oh, man. I think day -to -day banter in our office is just so funny.
There was one time that we had gotten together to give Coach Tang a gift and he is so generous with us and he and his wife Ray do so much for us and our families so we got together wanted to give him something nice so we all put down um you know to buy him this gift but we didn't know how to give it to him and so we didn't just want to say here you go and have him unwrap it and so we had gone into his
office and gotten like really obscure items like his business card and wrap that up um his i think we gave him his national championship ring back and so he had him open all these things that were his and he's like what is the deal um and of course dream dowling um he's like my big bro um on staff um but he's taping the whole thing and then eventually coach opens the shoes so he's like So he's like,
why are you giving me my business card? Why are you giving me, you know, this book that I have? So he starts to realize that they're all his things. And then we got him this.
He, we, it just, just fell into place. But that was funny. I think maybe not so funny,
but how quickly we have all gelled, I think, really made it feel like we're all in the right place at the right time.
And I'm not sure that that's quite funny, but like I mentioned, Jareem. He said once, like, yeah, if you get fries, make sure I get mayonnaise. And we both eat mayonnaise with fries.
So, like, we keep calling each other, like, bro, and we keep finding all these ways that like we have to be related right like there's no way we're too similar so um just cohesion though that comes from a team like that like does that's feels special when that happens um it's a couple times in my life and i just like you just know and it's you know you sort of know you're a part of something that you feel that i
think that's probably what harkening back to what you said earlier about your belief that there's like big things coming because you're a part of this team that's just working so well together yes i think that's a huge part of it and i felt like you know you don't you may not always agree um you may not always um come to the decision that you want but i think to go back to tri delta like the things that you think
back on about like the food service that we have or the standards committee or your new slate like things that were maybe um you know to have to deal with totally helps you with things in you know your professional career your home life that there's a lot more people in this world than just you um and we all have to live together and work together and make this work for a common goal so that's continued to hold
true um you know in my professional career. If you could go back to your, let's say, 18, 19, 20 year old self and give her a piece of advice,
what would you tell her? Lighten up. I think, you know, I said I didn't take school seriously, but like the room doesn't have to be clean.
You don't have to have this, just a certain way, Like, just chill, you're fine. So I think I took things probably too seriously. And wife's way too short to lose sleepover.
Don't sweat the small stuff. Just I could probably use that lesson sometimes now. But my husband and the staff might say otherwise. But yeah,
just don't take it too seriously. Well, we have loved talking to you today. This has been fun. I love getting some insight to what's going on at Kansas State and athletics.
And we're so proud of you of all the work that you're doing. How can our listeners connect with you or find you if they want to? Yes. I really loved being on too and just appreciate being asked in our conversation.
The best way to find me is through my email. It's BBAchamp at KStatesports .com, or you can find me on Instagram.
That's probably my favorite social site. It's B -Bachamp. And I hope that you feel free to reach out. I'd love to chat with you about if it's sports or not or K -State or Tri Delta or something that's totally left field.
I love to chat about any of it. I love it. Well, Thanks so much. This has been a great conversation. We're very appreciative of you. Tri Deltas, isn't she terrific? What fun to have her on today.
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