In Memoriam: Andrew Paul Selfridge

Jan. 12, 1949–June 28, 2019

Recipient of Football’s ‘Crossed Sabres’ served UVA for 26 years

UVA football star, NFL player and longtime University fundraiser Andrew Paul “Andy” Selfridge (Col ’71, Educ ’72 L/M) died June 28. He was 70. 

Co-captain of the UVA football team, Selfridge was the only UVA player chosen for the first team All-ACC his final year. Beginning in 1972, he spent five seasons in the NFL as linebacker or on special teams for the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants and Miami Dolphins.

He returned to UVA as a regional development officer, later assuming the role of director of development. He “cared deeply about the University and always, every day, trying to make it a better place,” says Barry Parkhill (Educ ’73 L/M), fellow development officer and former UVA basketball standout.

In spring 1994, Selfridge helped re-establish an alumni weekend for former UVA football players, giving behind-the-scenes leadership to the Virginia Football Alumni Club until 2014, according to Kase Luzar (Col ’03, Educ ’04, ’08 L/M), current club president. In recognition, the club extended its highest honor to Selfridge in April 2019: the annual Order of the Crossed Sabres award. Past recipients include coach George Welsh and team physician Frank McCue, as well as players Joe Palumbo and Frank Quayle.

Colleagues and friends remember Selfridge, a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon, for his loyalty, his sense of style, and what Luzar calls a combination of humility and “commanding presence.” 

“Everybody called him ‘Big Sel,’” says UVA football assistant athletic director Gerry Capone (Educ ’83). “He was always dressed to the nines—impeccable, you know, right down to his socks. … He was a presence when he walked in the room.”

“[And] behind that was a big heart,” Capone adds. In one of his final gifts, Selfridge created an endowment to provide special bathrobes to Lawn residents—he had lived at 30 East his fourth-year—leaving behind a bit of his own sense of style.

Survivors include a brother, G. Thomas Selfridge, and many nieces and nephews.

—Diane J. McDougall