Make Me A Thriver: Ashley Hanley

Make Me A Thriver: Ashley Hanley thrives on and off the field

By MARIE WOOD

On Monday and Tuesday evenings in summer and fall, you’ll find Ashley Hanley at Fallenstein Field high fiving every baseball player in the Miracle League of North Mankato.

“My love of sports and community led me to my new role with the Miracle League. As the executive director, I have the unique privilege in seeing the athletes thrive. The joy and smiles I see each and every day make it all worthwhile. And what a great organization; Giving people of all abilities the chance to play,” Ashley says. “I am so thankful for all the opportunities I had growing up in Mankato that now I want to give back and create those same opportunities for others.”

Miracle League and Fallenstein Field offer children and adults with all types of disabilities and abilities the opportunity to play baseball! Fallenstein Field, located next to Caswell Park, is a fully accessible softball/ baseball field with a safe surface for wheelchairs.

Ashley found her passion as a young softball player in the Mankato Peppers, played varsity softball at Mankato West High School and then college ball at University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where she met her husband.

“Being a college athlete taught me how to balance academics, athletics and pursuing my dreams,” Ashley said.

One of those dreams was a career in broadcasting.

“I was so thrilled that my first job started the day after I graduated from college at KEYC-TV. I loved telling the stories of the community that I grew up in as a reporter and then as a news anchor,” she says.

At the same time, John and Ashley were building a family. This is where her balancing skills came in to

play. When their second baby arrived, she needed a better schedule for her young family. So, she accepted the news director position at Radio Mankato-KTOE.

“Some of my favorite stories were honoring a Waseca Marine who was killed in Afghanistan, covering political events like when President Trump came to Mankato, and being in the locker room and asking Kirk Cousins a question after the Vikings came back from being down 33-0 to win the game!” Ashley says.

When baby number three came along, she wanted more time with her children. She is grateful her new role makes that possible. Ashley and John have two boys, John V and Danny, and one girl, Brooklyn.

“My community and my family make me thrive! Being a mom to three under the age of 5 is a true blessing! We are always on the go looking for new adventures and new memories to make. We love camping, playing at parks and attending sporting events in the community. My oldest started t-ball this year and we are just loving it, along with the friends and connections we have made,” Ashley says. “If you see me and my family out and about throughout the community, say hi! We love the library and Children’s Museum and attending all the fun events the Mankato area has to offer. There is no other place that I would rather raise my family!”

Ashley has truly come full circle!

To volunteer or donate to the Miracle League
of North Mankato, visit miracleleaguenm.org

Do you know a Thriver? Email Marie Wood at mariew@mankatoclinic.com

The Taylor Connection

Dr. Mark Taylor has literally been with my family for generations! He delivered me as a baby on December 20, 1990, and then 11 years later on December 20, 2001, he delivered my baby sister! If that wasn’t crazy enough, I knew I had to have him as a doctor when I was ready to become a mom. He delivered our firstborn, John on November 9, 2017, and our second son, Danny on November 9, 2019! I remember asking him: Is this baby really coming today on John’s birthday? And he said ‘This baby is coming now!’ Since my mom had passed away, she would not be there to see any of my babies. But knowing that she trusted Dr. Taylor to help deliver her babies 30 years earlier, made me feel like she was there and left me in good hands!  — Ashley Hanley