Max F. Urick

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Max Franklin Urick, a man whose legacy rests not in accolades but in the strength of his character and the countless lives he touched. Though athletics shaped much of his professional journey, his greatest joy and deepest devotion were always found in his family.
Max carried a natural, effortless charisma-bright, magnetic, and full of warmth-and a wit that could fill a room with laughter or bring clarity to the hardest moments. He was unafraid to show emotion, and Max brought people together with ease, inspiring others to think more openly, more generously, and with greater imagination. Integrity was the thread running through every position he held. Fairness, equality, truth, and optimism guided his decisions and his leadership. Curious by nature and joyful in spirit, he brought fun wherever he went. His humility, kindness, and ability to make ordinary moments meaningful are what those closest to him will remember most.
Born in 1939 in Troy, Ohio, Max's life and career were marked by service, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to student-athletes and the institutions he served. He first made his mark as a student-athlete at Ohio Wesleyan, where he earned All-American honors in lacrosse, football, and wrestling. Following his playing days, Max embarked on a coaching and administrative path. He coached football at West Point, The Ohio State University, and Duke, and served as head football coach at Wabash College from 1967 to 1970. In 1974, he joined Iowa State University's athletics department as assistant athletics director and was named athletics director in 1983. Over his tenure, he helped to elevate the athletics program, streamlined fundraising, and reinforced academic–athletic integration.
In 1993, Max accepted the role of director of athletics at Kansas State University, where he served until 2001. During his time at K-State, he oversaw significant facility improvements, including expansion of the east side of the football stadium and the building of the Academic Learning Center. He was also committed to elevating women in sports by strengthening the department's commitment to Title IX compliance and gender equity. His lifelong engagement with collegiate athletics culminated in his induction into five athletic halls of fame. Throughout retirement, Max continued to serve as a mentor for many young athletes and administrators, and founded the K-State Professional Development Roundtable. He was respected nationally as a leader in his field and served as a trusted mentor to colleagues, young professionals, and friends.
Those who worked with him remember his calm leadership, his insistence on fairness and opportunity, and his dedication to building programs that uplifted people. He combined a coach's instinct with an administrator's steady hand, always keeping student-athletes, staff, and communities at the center of his work. He believed deeply in the student-athlete model-that athletic success must be paired with academic integrity and personal growth. In his reflections on sports and life, Max often reminded others: "Success can be measured in many terms, not just in victories." By that measure, he was a true success-leaving behind a legacy defined not by wins but by wisdom, generosity, and love.
Max also lived a life full of adventure and curiosity. He was an avid fisherman, a member of Team Walleye, and always ready for a new experience on the water. One summer in Iowa, he even raced stock cars-an unexpected chapter that reflected his fearless sense of fun. He was an accomplished cook who loved sharing meals, and an average golfer who cared far more about time spent with his golfing buddies than about perfecting his swing. Later in life, he authored his own biography, The Fifth Quarter, reflecting on the lessons, joys, and relationships that shaped him.
Max Urick leaves behind a loving legacy and an indelible impact on thousands who were fortunate to know him. His leadership, his humanity, and his unwavering devotion to family and community will continue to inspire all whose lives he touched.
Max is survived by his wife Lynn; his sons Mark (Tanya) and Michael (Karen); his daughter Courtney (Ted); his stepson Ryan (Stephanie); nine grandchildren; and his brothers Ronald and Gary. His family will share details of a memorial service in due course.
A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held Sunday, February 1 following the KSU vs ISU men's basketball game. Details will be provided at a later date
The Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502, is assisting the family with service arrangements. ymlfuneralhome.com