Tiffany Rauschkolb joined the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association staff as Director of
Ticket Operations in October 2021. In her role, Tiffany works on ticket operations
for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, focusing on system management, aiding with digital
marketing efforts, and serving as a liaison for participating institutions. Tiffany
previously spent 13 years with the Dallas Cowboys organization as a Senior Event Specialist
in the franchise’s ticket operations department. Her extensive experience in ticket
operations also includes time as Assistant Director, Ticketing Operations for the
New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans). Tiffany got her start as Coordinator of Event
Operations in the athletics department at her alma mater, Southeastern Louisiana University.
The Marrero, La., native earned two degrees from Southeastern. Tiffany currently resides
in Dallas, TX.
I knew I wanted to stay in state but was unsure of which of the New Orleans area universities
I was going to attend. A couple of my high school friends planned a campus tour of
Southeastern and I randomly decided to join them. Southeastern was not on my radar.
However, I fell in love with the campus as soon as I set foot on it. I honestly feel
that my path in life would be completely different if I had not decided to choose
Southeastern. It is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!
Yes, the now demolished Lee Hall dormitory! It was the site of my first overnight
stay during my freshman orientation. It also served as the first dorm I was assigned
to as a freshman. I have so many good memories of making new friends, of hanging
out, and of goofing off with my suitemates while living there. Lee Hall is also where
my Orientation Leader team spent one sleepless, but amazing summer. We were the only
people assigned to the dorm that summer, so we took full advantage! There may or
may not have been a huge, soapy slip-n-slide created in the courtyard one weekend
that summer… #GoTeamGridironGreen
Dr. Heather Lawrence (now Lawrence-Benedict) was not my professor but was a past Assistant
Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator for Southeastern’ s Athletic Department.
She “stole” me away from a graduate assistant position in the Kinesiology Department
to work as a graduate assistant in the Athletic Department. She was my mentor, and
I am truly privileged to have had the opportunity to work and learn from her. She
is incredibly inspiring. She taught me the value of working hard, seeking challenges
in my career, and fighting for what was fair and for what I deserved in my professional
development. She is an absolute rock star!
Hurricane Katrina had a hand in my career path. During this time, a friend of mine
worked for the New Orleans Hornets in the ticket operations department. The team
was temporarily relocating to Oklahoma City. They needed help setting up operations
and getting ready for the fast approaching season. My friend asked if I was free
to help for a few weeks. I didn’t hesitate and hopped on a plane to OKC the very
next day. I had to learn ticket operations within a week and then help the team setup
and relocate games in 2 states and in 4 different cities that season—OKC, Norman,
Baton Rouge, and New Orleans. I was soon asked to stay on with the New Orleans/Oklahoma
City Hornets fulltime. That began my career in ticket operations, which eventually
led me to the Dallas Cowboys, and now the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
I’m an introvert to the core. Looking back now, I realize that my experiences on
Southeastern’ s campus brought me out of my shell. With it being a smaller campus,
I had more opportunities to know my classmates and professors and to get involved
with campus clubs and activities. I was able to grow and evolve at my own pace and
comfort level. You are never fully prepared for “the real world”, but my time at
Southeastern definitely made the transition much easier.
Sometimes it’s not only about what you know, but also who you know. Network and build
relationships but be professional and genuine when doing so. Continue to work hard
and treat everyone you meet along the way with respect. You never know where your
next opportunity will come from.
In my free time, I love to travel. When I’m not travelling or visiting my family
in the New Orleans area, I enjoy attending any and all live music shows/concerts,
art exhibits, and sporting events.
I was a cast member for the Walt Disney World College Program as an undergrad. My
friend, and fellow Southeastern alumna interviewed and made the cut to be cast members.
We were randomly assigned 4 other College Program roommates from across the country.
Since the summer of 1998, the 6 of us have remained constant in each other’s lives.
Every few years we get together in a different city to celebrate our friendship and
compare newly developing wrinkles.
