Andy Echeverria

About me

Hey 5720! My name is Andy Echeverria and I am a fifth year senior majoring in Management Information Systems, like everyone else. I came to Georgia as a Mechanical Engineering major but shortly into my second year here I realized I was not meant to be an engineer after taking statics. The first test of the class was the 3 questions with multiple parts and I didn’t know a single part. I walked out of the exam room dead set on changing my major. I chose MIS and I’ve never looked back. If I could do anything in the world, I’d probably choose to be a NASCAR driver though. I was obsessed with collecting the cars as a child because they were very cheap toys and I spent my time playing on those road rugs. I am from Calhoun, Georgia a small town in Northwest Georgia. The town has 4 exit ramps but I wouldn’t be surprised if you missed it as you drive by. You may have heard of Calhoun as a city though because it is where the new Buc-ee’s was built.

I’m a massive fan of soccer and have enjoyed the sport since I was 8 years old. I originally fell in love with Ronaldinho who at the time was playing at FC Barcelona. He left the club shortly after I started supporting him at the club but I stuck with Barcelona as the reign of Lionel Andres Messi would begin afterwards. The greatest of all time. I absolutely love and adore that man and will never forget December 18, 2022 when Messi cemented his legacy by winning the World Cup in Qatar. I cried. If you believe Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest still in 2023, I’m sorry for you.

I’ve played the sport for a majority of my life. Most notable moment playing soccer would be my senior year of high school when we went to the state championship final where we played against Westminster. We lost 1-0 off a goal in the last final minutes with the shot coming from my defensive side. I cried. I came to the University of Georgia and continued to play soccer and would make the club team my 2nd year here and I’d play with the team for 2 years. Despite all this my most notable moment in the future will be when I am able to travel out to Barcelona and see the Camp Nou as well as watch a match live!

A big piece of my time here at the University of Georgia has been working for UGA’s Rec Sports. I’ve been with the department for over 3 years now in which I’ve worked as a referee, site manager, and program assistant. Some of you may recognize me from officiating your games or walking around the intramural fields as the site manager.

I kind of despise reffing basketball but this was a cool experience as a student. The court floor feels weird to run on by the way. That may have just been the nerves.

This past summer I spent my time in Central America. I passed my time in Malacatán, Guatemala for a week. I’d cross the Mexico border and spent some time in Tapachula with family there as well. It’s crazy what a difference 20 miles can make and the different sides of the Mexico and Guatemala border.

While I was in Guatemala, I met my good friend Príncipe. His diet consists solely of tortillas and any other scraps. I spent my time always giving him my leftovers. Man’s best friend. After a week, I had to leave the guy and I left for Honduras to meet my stepmom’s side of the family. Guatemala has minimal traffic control (0 traffic lights, street signs, or even road markings) and the road that spans the length of the country is primarily one lane. It was a long 12 hour bus ride throughout Guatemala down to Honduras.

I arrived in Honduras and it was a very different country compared to Guatemala. I spent my time here learning the country and just seeing what it had to offer. I went San Pedro Sula, Tela, and ultimately I stayed in El Progreso. Honduras is known for their baleadas, a tortilla with beans and cheese inside. A very simple meal but they’re absolutely fantastic and if you ever find yourself in Honduras I believe you’re legally required to try them.

Some more fun facts about myself

I enjoy listening to all kinds of music but my personal favorites are Trippie Redd and Rüfüs Du Sol. I enjoy watching movies and tv shows. Going back to being from the small town of Calhoun, we haven’t had a movie theater in our town for around 10 years now. Some of my personal favorite shows would be Psych, Suits (before season 7 though), White Collar, New Girl, Community.

https://letterboxd.com/vintage60s/watchlist/

My current watchlist of movies. Feel free to recommend any movies to watch. I have a bad habit of starting 20 different shows at once though so maybe don’t recommend shows.

With all this said, I’m excited to participate in this class. I feel as if this is a great opportunity especially being one of the first few to take the class here at Georgia. Thrilled to grow and succeed together as a class.