NEW YORK – It is with great sadness that the Columbia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics learned of the death of Alexander Aurrichio '12CC. A former standout on both the men's soccer and baseball teams, Aurrichio was killed Monday in a cycling accident in Australia's Northern Territory. He was 30 years old.

"Our heartfelt condolences go out to Alex's parents, siblings and family," said Columbia men's soccer head coach Kevin Anderson, who coached Aurrichio from 2008-11. "Words cannot describe the impact that they all have had on our program and as individuals.

"Alex's love and passion for Columbia men's soccer and his teammates was second to none. When he walked into a room you knew it, and he made you feel it deep into your soul. His personality and smile were even larger than he was. He was a guy who always looked to grow, challenged himself, held guys accountable and only played to win while truly enjoying the challenge and opportunity. 

"Mrs. Aurrichio is the reason that we have the family post-game meals. She came to me one day and said, 'we need to have family and player post-game meals so we can start to become a community and celebrate being together. It certainly will be better when we win games.' She took the lead and those meals still go on today.

"Alex was the beginning of change for this program. He got the most out of every day and the most out of everyone. He will be deeply missed. May he rest in peace."

In his four years at Columbia, Aurrichio was a starter on both the men's soccer and baseball teams. He earned the starting goalkeeper role his first semester on campus in the fall of 2008 and maintained it all the way through his senior year. As a sophomore, he played every minute of every match in goal, recording 76 saves that included a nine-save performance in a shutout against nationally-ranked Dartmouth.

The Half Hollow Hills West High School product was also impressive on the baseball diamond. Aurrichio was a two-time All-Ivy League selection, including a first-team honoree as a sophomore after slugging a team-high 13 home runs. He finished his career third on Columbia's all-time home runs list (23), adding 88 RBI and 69 runs scored in 140 career games. His 13 home runs from 2010 still rank third in single-season history. 

"We were deeply saddened to learn of Alex's passing and are sending our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones," said Columbia baseball head coach Brett Boretti, who also coached Aurrichio for four years. "My players and staff always thought of Alex as the most fun-loving player, who was a great teammate and person every single day. He was a huge personality that everyone fed off of and enjoyed being around." 

Originally from Dix Hills, New York, Aurrichio moved to Australia in 2014 in hopes of pursuing a career in the Australian Football League.

Over the past five years, Aurrichio represented numerous clubs across Australia. He most recently played for the Waratah Football Club in the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL). The club released a statement to the Aurrichio family that read in part, "Please take some comfort in knowing [Alex] was loved by his family, spreading across Australia. His Waratah mates are currently getting together to support each other after the loss of their beloved teammate." 

Aurrichio will be remembered by his former teammates spanning the globe for his dedication to his sport and for being the teammate everyone went to for advice. In a 2015 interview with AFL.com.au, Aurrichio was quoted as saying:

"I want to be a professional athlete. So I want to do whatever it takes while I can to make it happen, even if that means coming halfway across the world. 

"… It's going to be more challenging, but nothing worth fighting for is easy … It's not going to happen overnight, but I believe in myself."

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