Steve Uryasz joined the West Virginia University staff in July 2016 as Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director. He was promoted to Deputy Athletics Director in July of 2021 and in 2023, he was promoted to Executive Deputy Athletics Director & Chief Operating Officer (COO). Uryasz brings a wealth of athletic administration experience to the Mountaineer program, with previous stops at Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, and Nebraska.
As WVU’s chief operating officer, Uryasz is responsible for the daily administration and management of the Athletics Department and serves as the sports administrator for the football and men’s basketball programs.
Since he arrived at WVU, Uryasz has supervised and administered multiple units while working to build a nationally recognized department. The units he has led include the Mountaineer Athletic Club (MAC), Strength & Conditioning, Sports Medicine, Facilities, Game Day Operations, Student-Athlete Development, Clinical & Sports Psychology, and SportsNutrition.
Prior to WVU, Uryasz transitioned out of athletics in 2015 to a new career with First United Bank in Lubbock, Texas. In his position as Vice President for Business Development, Uryasz worked to expand his extensive West Texas relationships and develop new relationships with the goal of growing First United Bank.
From October 2011 through March 2015, Uryasz served as Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development and External Operations for Texas Tech. He oversaw the Red Raider Club, athletics communications, digital media, licensing, promotions and fan engagement, ticket operations and men’s and women’s golf. In 2014, Texas Tech sold out Jones AT&T Stadium on a season ticket basis for the first time in history, while setting a school record for average home attendance. Annual giving for fiscal year 2014 grew to $30,324,000, and the Red Raider Club once again funded 100% of all student-athlete scholarships. Uryasz and the development staff successfully solicited and closed major gifts totaling $126 million for athletics facilities and scholarships during the Vision and Tradition Campaign for Texas Tech Athletics.
From April 2000 through October 2011, Uryasz served as Senior Associate Athletics Director and Executive Director of the Red Raider Club. During his tenure, the Red Raider Club experienced unprecedented growth, including the addition of seven full-time fundraisers and the introduction of donor-based seating. With a $75 million renovation to the west side of Jones AT&T Stadium in 2003 and a $35 million renovation to the east side in 2010, Uryasz and his team were responsible for the sale of 1,650 stadium club seats, 85 luxury suites and all associated donor services.
He arrived at Texas Tech in July 1997 when he began a three-year stint as Associate Athletics Director for Student Services. In that role, he was responsible for administration of the academic and student services program for approximately 450 Texas Tech student-athletes. During his tenure, Texas Tech student-athlete graduation rates increased to 73% for the football program, ranking Texas Tech among the top 10% of NCAA Division I institutions. In addition, the overall student-athlete graduation rate increased by 18%.
Prior to Texas Tech, Uryasz spent five years at Oklahoma State, where he served as Assistant Athletics Director for Academic and Student Affairs. His primary function at OSU was to develop and administer academic support programs, while ensuring compliance with NCAA, Big 12, and institutional academic regulations.
Uryasz began his professional career at Nebraska, where he spent seven years working in the athletics department. His last five years were spent serving as Assistant Director of Academic Programs. In 1990, the unit was voted “Nation’s Most Outstanding Academic Support Program” by College Athletic Management Magazine. In February 1994, Uryasz was elected Region President for the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletes (N4A). The region encompassed eight states and eleven athletic conferences.
Uryasz received his master’s degree in athletics administration and educational psychology from Nebraska in 1987 and a bachelor’s degree in education from Nebraska in 1985. He is a current member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).
Steve and his wife, Margie, have four grown children and five grandchildren.
