He plays soccer. He runs summer camps. He volunteers. He serves his community.
Due to his many accomplishments, freshman soccer standout Andy Uria has been named the first recipient of the Dr. Walter G. Ryba Scholarship. The scholarship commemorates the service of the late Dr. Ryba who served as dean of the Charles F. Dolan School of Business.
The scholarship benefits a student who has shown significant leadership in academics, student activities, and athletics during their high school career.
“I am very honored to be awarded with the scholarship,” said Uria “Especially since the scholarship bears the name of a man who meant so much to our school and community.”
Uria, a native of Potomac, Md., graduated from Bullis High School. Uria lettered in wrestling and soccer, earning All-Metro honors in soccer. Uria worked at summer camps and spent a great deal of his time as a volunteer, coaching clinics to under-privileged children in the D.C. area.
Since coming to Fairfield, Uria has displayed his many talents, starting at left-side defender in 12 of his 16 games for the Fairfield men’s soccer team. Uria was also named to the MAAC All- Rookie Soccer Team.
Head Soccer Coach Carl Rees describes Uria as someone who “never ceases to amaze.” He added, “As a freshman, Andy was put in some tough positions and always responded to the challenge.”
Ryba’s widow, Geraldine Ryba, believes Uria encompasses the ideals which are the basis for her husband’s scholarship. “I was fortunate enough to meet with Andy. I sensed him to be a superb first recipient to Walt’s Scholarship, displaying those qualities of the scholarship and service to the school and community that Walt embodied.”
Walter G. Ryba spent 18 years at Fairfield University, teaching courses in business law, international law, and small business. He was appointed Dean of the School of Business in 1998, a position he held until his death in August 2000. During his own high school days at Ridgefield High School in Connecticut, Ryba exemplified the characteristics of the scholarship as he co-captained the baseball, football, and basketball teams. A lover of all sports, it is fitting that the scholarship dedicated in his name be designated to benefit an athlete.
“He [Ryba] was always supportive of others, fair, and caring, “said Dr. Lucy Katz, who worked to establish the scholarship. “He had a strong vision for the School of Business, which tragically he had just begun to see put in place when he died.”
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