Finding a ‘Culture of Connectivity’ from Corvallis to Nike and Back Distinguished Graduate of the Last Decade Jeff Lulay ‘16 reflects on his career thus far and connecting to people through sports Jeff Lulay ‘16 always knew he wanted to work in athletics. His first plan was to play football at a small West Coast college. Then, while he was finishing high school and figuring out his next steps, he decided it was time to hang up his cleats and make sports his occupation. That focused his college selection to the two universities he’d applied to: Oregon and Oregon State. All it took was one visit to Corvallis – ”maybe one hour of walking around campus,” he said – for him to know it was home. “It’s the most corny thing,” he said, “but it is truly what happened. I was standing in the middle of the Memorial Union, and I realized how welcomed and comfortable I felt. I knew it would be a place where I could be myself while pursuing my professional goals.” At the time, the College of Business was expanding rapidly, so he wound up in the right place at the right time, he said. He participated in the Weatherford Accelerator Program, and Austin Hall opened while he was a student. He even met his wife, Brittany Lulay ‘16, in the Weatherford Business Series, though they didn’t start dating until after they’d both graduated. His interest in sports first led him to focus on events. He worked with Beaver Athletics in a variety of roles throughout the four years he spent in Corvallis. He and his friends started a Story by Jess Kibler 14 | College of Business
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