How a life-changing moment turned into a life-altering career

If you look at the Storm bench on gamedays, sitting directly behind the coaches is Anna.  

Anna Bradley, the Storm’s senior manager of equipment and basketball operations, never thought of herself as someone who would work in the front office of a sports organization. Frankly, she thought she’d be one of the players. 

Anna planned on playing basketball in college. However, a concussion in her senior year forced her to give up playing, and her future became much less clear. 

“I had never seen myself as someone who wasn’t involved in sports somehow, but I didn’t know what that looked like beyond the scope of being a player,” Anna said. “When I got the opportunity to become a student manager at Oregon, I was apprehensive. I didn’t know what it would entail and honestly, I was hesitant to be a part of the team as a non-athlete.” 

In 2020, she arrived in Eugene, OR to a dorm and a campus she had never seen before. Anna was entering into a new chapter of her life that was still about sports, just in a different way. 

“I was so nervous; this was my first time around sports but not on the hardwood. I was being coached in a way I had never experienced before,” Anna explained. “I went from being coached alongside these players, being their peers, dreaming my whole life about being a collegiate athlete, to now supporting them from behind the bench.” 

“I had to accept that this journey would look different than what I had anticipated. In that moment I decided to go in with open arms and an open mind.” 

Anna proceeded to do what Anna does best, grind.  

“I went and said, ‘if I’m going to be a manager, I’m going to try to be the best manager that has ever worked at Oregon. I’m going to fold the most towels and clean up sweat faster than anyone else,’” she said. “Quickly that competitive nature that I had on the court translated to my roles as a manager." 

Soon enough, Anna realized this was a role that came naturally.  

“It lit a fire in me; I found a way I could continue to be an impact on a team, and that passion drove me forward.” 

Oregon Director of Women’s Basketball Operations Brielle Mosley took Anna under her wing and showed her what a future in operations could look like. 

“She opened this door that led to so much more than I imagined. She taught me the intricacies that go into supporting a team, like travel planning, food, scheduling, all those things gave me the knowledge and experience to say, ‘This is for me, this is what I want to do.’” 

Anna loved being in a position that touched so many different aspects of a team. Whether it was finding a coach’s new favorite restaurant, fixing a piece of equipment for a drill or helping the visiting team get their laundry done, each task lives at the intersection of care and commitment. 

“I live each day hoping I can be a bright light for everyone I work with,” Anna said. “It might not sound like a lot, but if I can make just one person’s day easier because I ran to get them an extra shirt or drove to three different Fred Meyers to find the best Uncrustable flavors, I’m going to do it.” 

And maybe to some people a shirt or restocking the gum doesn’t sound like a lot. But to athletes and coaches with busy schedules, having someone around who is as attentive and caring as Anna changes their day. 

“It sounds so crazy to say but quitting basketball was the best thing that happened to me.” she said. “I felt like I lost everything when I stopped playing. I didn’t realize that it would become the biggest blessing of my life.” 

While Anna spends her days supporting elite athletes, her community is right behind her cheering her on.

“I wouldn’t be here without my family, my friends and those who have supported me from day one,” she said. “Everything that I do each day is a testament to the people who raise me up and inspire me.” 

Speaking of inspiration, Anna’s answer might surprise you. 

“This might sound crazy, but I swear it’s legit ... Beyonce.”  

And who wouldn’t be inspired by the GOAT? 

“Her intentionality to her craft is unmatched. You should watch the Renaissance movie; she cares about everything down to a single light,” Anna explained. “She makes me feel better about being a perfectionist, about wanting to pay attention to every little detail.” 

Soon enough, the similarities between being an equipment manager in the WNBA and the most decorated artist in history started to peek through. 

“Every detail matters, there is nothing that is too little to care about. I love that. She taught me that it’s cool to care, it’s cool to take pride in the product you’re working on.” 

And just like Queen B, Anna is a boss.