Texas Tech University Athletics
Uryasz Named to Red Raider Club Post
April 27, 2000 | General
April 27, 2000
LUBBOCK, Texas - Steve Uryasz has been named Senior Associate Athletic Director and Executive Director of the Red Raider Club, according to an announcement today by Texas Tech Athletic Director Gerald Myers. The Red Raider Club is the primary fund raising arm of the Texas Tech athletic department.
Uryasz moves into the Red Raider Club position after serving as associate athletic director for student services since July 1997, where he was responsible for administration of the academic and student support services programs for approximately 400 Texas Tech student athletes.
"I'm excited about this opportunity and looking forward to the challenges we face in raising money to help Texas Tech athletics," Uryasz said. "I am confident we have a solid foundation from which to build, and with the support of the athletics administration and the university we can bring the Red Raider Club to a new level.
"Right now is a great time for Texas Tech athletics with the excitement surrounding all our athletic programs," Uryasz said. "The Red Raider Club needs to provide opportunities for donors at all levels and support for all Texas Tech athletic programs."
Uryasz replaces Steve Locke, who accepted a position in February as associate vice chancellor for special projects at Texas Tech. Under Locke's direction for 13 years, the Red Raider Club has raised money for scholarships, as well as assisting with various special building projects and capital improvements.
"It goes without saying that we are pleased that Steve Uryasz has accepted this new challenge. He brings a lot of new ideas," Myers said. "We expect to see a lot of positive changes in the Red Raider Club under his watch.
"We want to continue to increase and improve in the development area," Myers said. "There is a lot of excitement right now about Texas Tech athletics, a lot of untapped potential we need to explore."
The Red Raider Club generated $1.5 million in donations during fiscal year 1999 and has more than 4,500 members nationwide, but Uryasz and Myers both expressed intentions to not only increase revenues, but also increase club membership throughout Texas and the nation.
"We really want the Red Raider Club to be more inclusive, something all Red Raiders are proud to be involved in and want to be a part of," Myers said. "There are ways to involve donors from every level of support and part of Steve's charge will be finding a way to incorporate that."
Uryasz is no stranger to major college athletics or to the Big 12 conference. A 1985 graduate of the University of Nebraska, he served five years as assistant athletic director for academic and student affairs at Oklahoma State. He also spent seven years working in the Nebraska athletic department, the last five as assistant director of academic programs.
In 1990, Nebraska's academic unit was voted the "Nation's Most Outstanding Academic Support Program" by College Athletic Management Magazine. Uryasz has also been involved in producing educational videos to target high school athletes making the transition to intercollegiate athletics.
Uryasz is married to the former Stephanie Chiganos and the couple has two sons, Mike and Chris.
