Ali Gharib, St. Andrew’s MVP and UD men’s soccer commit, has died

Ali Gharib at his signing ceremony in March. Photo courtesy of St. Andrew’s College Soccer’s Twitter.

Zoë Hill | Print Editor-in-Chief

University of Dayton men’s soccer commit, Ali Gharib, died Sunday from injuries sustained in May. 

Gharib suffered a medical emergency on May 16, which left him in critical condition and on life support for three weeks. He died with his family by his side, according to a statement from St. Andrew’s College in Aurora, Ontario. Gharib was a senior at the all-boys private school for fifth through twelfth grades.

“The entire extended St. Andrew’s College community is mourning Ali’s death, and we send our deepest condolences to Ali’s family and friends,” the statement said. 

The Kenyan native signed with UD in March after the St. Andrew’s Saints went undefeated in the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association. Gharib, an attacker for the school’s 1st team, was named the most valuable player after the fall season. He was set to join the Flyers as a freshman in the fall. 

“On behalf of the University of Dayton men’s soccer program, we extend our deepest sympathies to the Gharib family and the St. Andrew’s College staff with the recent passing of Ali Gharib,” said Flyers head coach Dennis Currier in a statement Tuesday. “Our heartfelt thoughts go out to all those who were a part of Ali’s life in this time of sorrow.”

Adrian Bradbury, director of soccer and head coach at St. Andrew’s College, extended his gratitude for the support and love the school has received from its community. 

“This tragedy impacts all of us. Keep Ali’s family and friends in your thoughts, check in on those close to you and be caring to yourselves and one another,” Bradbury said. “And please know, you are not alone.”

St. Andrew’s started a GoFundMe page in Gharib’s honor to help his family cover the funeral expenses and travel costs for his family in Kenya. Any leftover donations will go to set up a fund in his name. The fundraiser raised over $14,000 in a little more than half a day. 

Gharib was “best known for bringing positivity to his family, friends, and classmates” and helped a number of teammates become better players, according to the fundraiser’s organizers. 

Donations can be made here. 

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