Washington University alumnus Jeff Lesser talked with the Olin Sports Management Organization (OSMO) and the Olin Business Council (OBC) on Friday about how he found his current job with the St. Louis Blues. Lesser graduated after the fall 2009 semester, a semester early, to work in the Blues ticketing department and has since been promoted to account executive. Student Life spoke with Lesser about working for a professional sports team, something he called a “dream job.” He also discussed the Blues and the sports industry.

Student Life: What was it like that first day walking into the Blues executive office on your way to your “dream job”: working for a professional sports team?

Jeff Lesser: The first day felt a lot like I still feel every day when I walk downstairs and see the big Blues logo up on the wall. Every day when I watch fans come into the offices and the arena to come and pick up their season tickets, it’s very cool being part of the Blues staff because I love being part of the pro sports team that means so much to the community….To actually work for a team where you go around St. Louis and you hear people talking about the Blues, reading about them in the paper and hearing about them on the radio, it’s a great thing to be a part of every day.

SL: What do you think is the most challenging part of your job?

JL: The most challenging part of my job is to get people who come out to one or two Blues games to commit to investing some extra money upfront in the Blues experience….You recognize how tough it is, especially in this economy, so it definitely isn’t easy.

SL: If you were to give one reason to someone why they should come out and see the Blues play, what would you say?

JL: Even if you don’t like hockey, or even if you don’t think you like hockey, you don’t know it until you really experience it….We just knocked off the past two defending Stanley Cup champions in the Chicago Blackhawks and the Pittsburgh Penguins in front of packed houses—it was a great atmosphere. We have a great up-and-coming team; it’s a great game, it’s a fast paced game….So come out; we have inexpensive tickets, and we have a great professional sports team right here off of the MetroLink.

SL: Other than the whole element of networking, which you stressed to OSMO and the OBC, what advice would you have for someone looking to work for a team?

JL: You can’t put yourself out there enough. The more people you talk to, the more people you can learn from and find out what you really desire to do. If you keep at it, you’ll gain these people’s trust, and you’ll find what you want to do….You can’t overstate that and then just work hard and follow your dreams.

SL: Finally, when you came to Wash. U. five years ago or so, did you imagine yourself where you are right now, and where do you hope to be five years from now?

JL: I don’t think if I had ended up going to a school besides Wash. U. that any of these things would have ever happened to me. Wash. U. has given me so many incredible amazing opportunities to get involved in the world of sports. Even though we don’t even offer a sports management major, there are many different extracurricular activities to be a part of where you can make an impact on a pretty large level…and there a lot of different pro teams and minor league teams in the St. Louis area as well, so that also provides excellent opportunities to get involved. So you don’t realize it, but it’s there, and I never thought I could have gotten this, but it happened because I was at Wash. U. As for five years from now, who knows where I’ll be, but hopefully…helping make decisions for ticket promotions to help fill up the building for the Stanley Cup [Finals].

If you’re interested in coming out to a Blues game, either by yourself or with a group, contact Jeff at 314-589-5962 or email him at jlesser@stlblues.com.