Sean Lester - General - Kansas Jayhawks

Sean Lester

TITLE Deputy Athletics Director for Administration
PHONE 864-3470

Bio

Sean Lester joined Kansas Athletics in September of 2003 and serves as the Deputy Athletics Director. Lester has twice been named Interim AD at KU (September 2010-February 2011 and May-August 2018). Additionally, Lester is the sport administrator for men’s basketball and baseball.

During his time at Kansas, Lester has placed a significant emphasis on revenue generation, budget management, fundraising and capital projects. He has been instrumental in all facets of facilities expansion for Kansas Athletics including the indoor football facility, Rock Chalk Park, baseball’s clubhouse/locker room facility, updated Hoglund Ballpark, the Rowing Boathouse, Anderson Family Football Complex at Kivisto Field, the 2009 renovations at Allen Fieldhouse, the Parrott Athletic Center and Anschutz Pavilion.

Lester came to KU from the University of Connecticut, where he spent eight years (1996-2003) as a senior administrator. In his role at UConn, Lester worked with several areas, running the day-to-day internal operations and was the tournament director for a number of men’s and women’s NCAA Championships. He also negotiated marketing contracts and helped to successfully re-shape internal operations.

Lester received a master’s degree in education in 1995 with a concentration in sport administration from the University of Connecticut. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Eastern Connecticut State University. He was also awarded a certificate of completion in 2003 from the Sports Management Institute, Consortium of the Universities of North Carolina and Southern California.

A native of Mansfield, Connecticut, Lester resides in Lawrence with his wife, Christine, and sons, Mason and Owen.

Sean Lester joined Kansas Athletics in September of 2003 and serves as the Deputy Athletics Director. Lester has twice been named Interim AD at KU (September 2010-February 2011 and May-August 2018). Additionally, Lester is the sport administrator for men’s basketball and baseball.

During his time at Kansas, Lester has placed a significant emphasis on revenue generation, budget management, fundraising and capital projects. He has been instrumental in all facets of facilities expansion for Kansas Athletics including the indoor football facility, Rock Chalk Park, baseball’s clubhouse/locker room facility, updated Hoglund Ballpark, the Rowing Boathouse, Anderson Family Football Complex at Kivisto Field, the 2009 renovations at Allen Fieldhouse, the Parrott Athletic Center and Anschutz Pavilion.

Lester came to KU from the University of Connecticut, where he spent eight years (1996-2003) as a senior administrator. In his role at UConn, Lester worked with several areas, running the day-to-day internal operations and was the tournament director for a number of men’s and women’s NCAA Championships. He also negotiated marketing contracts and helped to successfully re-shape internal operations.

Lester received a master’s degree in education in 1995 with a concentration in sport administration from the University of Connecticut. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Eastern Connecticut State University. He was also awarded a certificate of completion in 2003 from the Sports Management Institute, Consortium of the Universities of North Carolina and Southern California.

A native of Mansfield, Connecticut, Lester resides in Lawrence with his wife, Christine, and sons, Mason and Owen.

Experience 
YearsUniversityRole
2018-PresentKansasDeputy Athletics Director, Administration
May-August 2018KansasInterim Athletics Director
2013-18KansasDeputy Athletics Director
2011-13KansasSenior Associate Athletics Director
Sept. 2010-Feb. 2011KansasInterim Athletics Director
2009-10KansasSenior Associate Athletics Director
2003-08KansasAssociate Athletics Director
2001-03ConnecticutAssistant Athletics Director Capital Projects
1997-2001ConnecticutDirector of Athletic Operations
1994-96ConnecticutGraduate Assistant