Andy Wyzykowski has spent the last 26 and a half years doing the kind of work most people never notice until it is absolutely essential. Since arriving at Xavier High School in December of 1999 as Director of Maintenance, Andy has quietly become one of the pillars of the school community, the steady hand behind the scenes who made sure Xavier always kept moving forward.
For close to three decades, Andy oversaw countless renovations, repairs, and campus improvements, including major construction projects such as the addition of Ryken Hall and the new athletic complex completed in 2015. His unmatched knowledge of maintenance systems, mechanics, and campus operations saved Xavier hundreds of thousands of dollars through the years. More importantly, it gave the community confidence that no matter the problem, Andy would find a way to solve it.
In 2021, Andy was honored as Xavier’s Ryken Award recipient, recognition reserved for individuals who embody the spirit and mission of the school. The tribute written for him captured what so many in the Xavier community already knew: “He is a man who is seen and rarely heard, someone who essentially keeps this school running on a daily basis. When it is cold, he makes you warm. When something breaks, he fixes it. In over 20 years serving the Xavier community, nobody has ever heard him complain a single time.”
The word “no” was simply never part of Andy’s vocabulary. Whether repairing burst pipes in the middle of the night, restoring storm damage, repainting hallways, hanging championship banners, mowing campus grounds before sunrise, or transforming spaces like the school chapel and the Tony Jaskot Fitness Center, Andy approached every task with pride and care. His renovation of the Xavier chapel, including refinishing pews, repairing stained-glass windows, and coordinating lighting upgrades, reflected the same attention and dedication he brought to every corner of campus.
Few people know Xavier the way Andy does. He knows its walls, its wiring, its history, and its heartbeat. While no one is truly indispensable, there are certain people whose absence is deeply felt the moment they are no longer there. For generations of students, faculty, staff, and Brothers, Andy Wyzykowski has been one of those people.
Xavier High School thanks Andy for his remarkable service, unwavering dedication, and the countless ways he helped build and sustain this community for more than a quarter century.
