From the Lacrosse Field to Wall Street

The demands of being a Division I athlete might discourage many students from devoting their time to other activities, but that didn’t hold back Lincoln Park, New Jersey, native Christopher Blewitt ’18 from getting involved.

The finance and economics major was recruited from Bergen Catholic High School and ultimately joined the Saint Joseph’s University men’s lacrosse team. While athletics led him to Hawk Hill, Blewitt showcases his well-roundedness off the field every day. With a 3.9 GPA, he’s earned the team’s academic award, made the SJU Athletic Director’s Honor Roll and won the Northeast Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He is also a member of the Delta Sigma Pi national business fraternity.

“Chris has an incredible work ethic, is entirely selfless and holds himself and his teammates accountable,” says Taylor Wray, head coach of the men’s lacrosse team. “He truly is a remarkable young man, and everyone in our program looks up to him.”

Now in his final year at Saint Joseph’s, Blewitt is being recognized for his time off the field. He is currently nominated for the NCAA Senior CLASS Award, which honors Division I student-athletes who have represented their universities in four areas: community, classroom, character and competition.

“It is such an honor to have my name included with some of the sport’s most impressive athletes,” says Blewitt. “I’ve had incredible support and guidance at SJU from the coaching staff, the administration and my teammates who have pushed me on and off the field to become a better version of myself.”

While balancing schoolwork and athletics, Blewitt volunteers in many different ways, on and off campus. This past summer, Blewitt volunteered with the Philippines Lacrosse Association in Manila, where he promoted the sport by developing a lacrosse clinic for University of Makati students who may have been unfamiliar with the game. In New York City, he volunteered with New York Cares at the Stanley Isaac Center, providing financial consulting to students at the organization and participated in Stop Hunger Now’s day of service, helping to package 10,000 meals for children in developing nations.

On campus, Blewitt participated in and led events such as the Kinney Center 5K Walk/Run for Autism and SJU’s Martin Luther King Day of Service. He spearheaded the SJU lacrosse program’s dedication of their March 6 doubleheader to the One Love Foundation, which strives to end relationship violence through educating, empowering, and activating campus communities in a movement for change.

Before securing a full-time position, Blewitt had internships that gave him a well-balanced set of experiential education in the financial industry. The summer before his sophomore year, he interned with the CIT Group, a middle market bank in New York City, and then, during the following summer, he worked with Mizuno Securities, a Japanese investment bank in Manhattan — who offered him a full-time position after graduation.

“Both of these positions were wonderful experiences that allowed me to expand upon my coursework at Saint Joseph’s and helped me prepare for a full-time position,” says Blewitt.

Blewitt will finish his athletic career at SJU on a high note. The men’s lacrosse team is currently ranked No. 20 in the country after going on a 10-game winning streak. The team still has games remaining in the season, but to Blewitt, this finish has meant the world.

“My four years with this team have been amazing, and it’s just the icing on the cake that we have had so much success during my senior year,” says Blewitt. “I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of a tremendous group of seniors who have put in so much time and effort into the growth of this program.”

His time in men’s lacrosse has given him more than successful seasons and awards. Blewitt believes he will carry the lessons his team taught him into his professional life.

“Every day our coaches challenged us mentally and physically, and pushed us to reach new limits,” he says. “We were able to measure our progress and performance, and be placed in situations that put our characters to the test. All of these elements are outside of the standard college curriculum, but are experiences that have prepared me to take on the challenges of the business world.”

The next stage of life holds a lot for Blewitt. He will return to Mizuho Securities after graduation as a full-time analyst on their Debt Capital Markets group. This position on Wall Street begins in July, but Blewitt will hold his time at the University close to his heart as it comes to an end.

“There’s so much I’ll miss about my experience here,” he says. “Saint Joseph’s has given me a greater depth of perception that enabled me to look at the world differently.”

Find out why Chris chose SJU: