When the lines of family and work colleagues blur, you know you've got something special. I've been lucky enough to feel that twice in my career, and better yet, walking alongside it through businesses I touch here in Frisco.

Britney Wynn joined the Texas Legends 7 years ago and in that time, has watched the organization grow in more ways than just numbers. They're an organization which places a high value on supporting others, both in the Frisco community, as well as within their own organization.

Britney sat down with us to share a personal story about how work, family, and community can intertwine so powerfully that it's life-changing.

Or, in this case, life-saving.

Lifestyle Frisco: Tell us about your history with the Legends before stepping into your current role as Vice President of Community and Media Relations.

Britney Wynn: I joined the Legends in Oct 2012, originally hired to do sales. My previous experience had been in media relations. There was a related position open and Donnie (Nelson) offered me the opportunity to do both.

I was responsible for writing press releases at first, then I ran social media for a while. Over time, I had my hands in a number of areas within the organization, from birthday parties to charity and community events.

I managed media relations, coordinated scouts and player interviews, and hosted clients and prospects at games. I also assisted in some of the special events nights and home jerseys. In the last few years, my role has become more community-focused…which is a huge priority for the Texas Legends.

LsF: When did you know you wanted to work in sports?

BW: I discovered that I was passionate about sports while in high school. I wasn't good at them, really, but wanted to be around them so I served as manager of our basketball team. In college, I discovered the option to go into sports management.

Originally, I wanted to go the non-profit route because I loved volunteering with non-profit organizations. During an event, I met the person who works in community relations for the San Antonio Spurs, and I realized there was a job where I could combine the two!

My lightbulb moment was when I saw Drew Brees at an event passing out water bottles following a natural disaster. I realized that through sports there's a power to impact people in a positive, potentially life-changing way. I wanted to be a part of that.

LsF: How have you seen the Legends organization evolve since you've been there?

BW: We've evolved in every way, from the growth of the fanbase to in-game experiences. We get really creative with sponsorship elements and have created unique opportunities for families. That's been one of our biggest successes in my eyes.

We've gone from year one when we weren't 100% sure what it was going to be to now anyone can come and get something out of the Legends experience. That's the goal and something I'm proud of.

Even before I got here the team was good about being involved with the community but seeing that aspect grow has been so much fun. We went from two charity jersey nights to 24 charity jersey nights. I'm so proud of that growth!

We have a full 360-degree campaign around non-profits where we're involved with them year-round – not just on the game night that features their organization.

Now it's a high standard and a part of our company culture that we remain community-centric, from the players to the staff. We're out at children's hospitals together and everyone's involved. That's a lot of fun to be a part of. Our culture is our “one great thing” that we pride ourselves on.

LsF: At what point did you realize your colleagues and the Legends Owners Club had become like family to you?

BW: A few years ago, my mom went through treatment for breast cancer and the way The Legends organization rallied around her and me was incredible. She's a Legends season ticket holder, and when she was at the games people would come to check on her.

From the leadership on down, people always asked how they could help, and there was never a question or hesitation when I needed to take her to treatment.

What I didn't expect during that time was the Legends Owners Club members also caring and showing their support. These aren't even staff members but demonstrate a deep sense of loyalty to The Legends and its employees.

The Legends organization is a special place to be. The people involved are wonderful and take care of each other. They did it when my mom needed me, and now they've rallied around me again during this journey with my grandfather…

LsF: Can you share more about that with us?

BW: Around Father's Day 2017, we found out that my grandfather had stage 4 kidney disease. We were told he needed a transplant as soon as possible.

My grandparents helped raised me and I've always been very close to both of them. It was a huge blow for me. I called the transplant center and began to ask questions.

I leaned heavily on one of our Legends partners for advice about starting the process to get tested to find out if I was a match.

I was the first person to be tested and learned that I wasn't a match. I was devastated.

My cousin tested, uncle tested – no matches. But, I found out I was the best candidate overall and could be put in a paired donor program.

The paired donor program means that although you aren't a match for your family member, you are a good donor option for someone else. In other words, if the same situation is going on for another family in the program, they can help each other.

My grandfather is blood type O. Someone who is a type O can only receive type O, but a type O can donate to anyone else. It can take longer for O's to find a donor, because if someone is type O and a loved one needs help, naturally they would donate to them rather than a total stranger. So, it's hard for type O's to find a match for themselves…

LsF: You went through testing and observation for a few months to make sure you were fit to donate. How fast did the transplant process go once you got the thumbs up?

BW: On April 15th – just as my grandfather was preparing for his dialysis and getting a port put in – we received word that there was a match. There was a husband and wife pair in the program; the husband needed the donation. He was my type, and his wife was type O.

She could have easily donated to her husband, but because of the paired donor program, she had the option to help my family. Thankfully, she did, and surgery was planned for ten days later. Her husband got a younger kidney (mine) and they got to help someone else…my grandfather.

LsF: What's the status of your grandfather now and everyone involved in your paired donor program?

BW: Everyone is good, healthy and recovering.  I love that I was able to do this for him. When people comment that they can't believe I did this, I say, “You don't know my grandfather.” He's amazing and there was never a question. I can't imagine not doing it for him.

LsF: Generally speaking, why do you think the Texas Legends' culture is so positive?

BW: Everyone is in this for the team. It's team first, individual second. No one is too big for one job. We work very hard and it's a group effort at all times.

LsF: Where do you see the team headed, both on the court, and off the court in the community?

BW: Continuing to give back. Everyone's on board with that. This goes back to the support system, having everyone around you in it for the right reasons and there to help.

Britney's personal experiences finding support, resources, and friendship within the Texas Legends organization demonstrates that “work family” is, in fact, a thing, and the Legends have it in abundance.

Whether it's stopping by courtside at a Legends game to check on a co-worker's mom, providing resources for organ donation, or partnering in the community, support for one another is a team effort.

The post This is Why You Want to be a Part of the Texas Legends Family appeared first on lifestylefrisco.com.