USD-Magazine-Spring-2025

TORERO ATHLETICS

“We can be elite. But we’re going to do it the right way, with integrity, and around the core values of the university.”

championships — winning matters. But we’re also focused on ensuring they get their degrees and are prepared for life after sports. We’re educators first.” This philosophy was shaped by Massey’s own experience as a baseball player at Michigan State, where he was team captain his senior year. The leadership role taught him valuable lessons about managing people and building culture. “Leadership is never easy, and it can be very lonely at times,” he said. “You have to be okay with making tough decisions, knowing that inevitably there will be people who don’t agree with you. What matters is doing things from your heart, being authentic and caring about people.” Now his leadership philosophy is being put to the test. While some are retreating from athletic leadership in this era of unprecedented change, Massey leans in with enthusiasm. Where others see chaos, he sees opportunity. “We’re in a unique position here at USD,” he said. “We have some of the most affordable sporting events for families to see high-level Division I athletics in Southern California. We can create something special that serves our military community, our Hispanic community, our Catholic community and especially our youth sports programs.” His anthropological background comes through as he discusses building traditions to bolster the overall school spirit at USD: the specific music that plays when the football team runs out of the tunnel, the chants that echo through the JCP, which options are served at the concession stands and all of the other rituals that transform a sporting event into a communal experience.

Attention to detail is a trait that extends to his management style. Massey views USD Athletics as a collection of interconnected subcultures — 17 different sports programs, each with its own traditions and needs, all operating within the larger university culture. His job is to help these cultures thrive while maintaining their connection to the institution’s broader mission. The proof of this approach is beginning to show. Under Massey’s leadership, USD has seen increased engagement in football and men’s soccer, with even more sports showing promise. The recent success of the men’s soccer program — the first in 25 years to win three consecutive West Coast Conference championships and three appearances in the NCAA tournament — demonstrates Massey’s ability to capitalize on momentum and build sustainable progress. The notecard on which Massey wrote his athletic director dreams two decades ago, now sits in his home office as a reminder of the journey that brought him to USD. But he’s not satisfied with simply achieving that goal. There’s culture to build, community to strengthen and seats to fill. “We can be elite,” Massey said confidently. “But we’re going to do it the right way, with integrity, and around the core values of the university.” As the last of the fans take their seats in the JCP and the basketball game tips off, Massey’s attention turns to the court, but his mind is already working on the bigger picture — the cultures he’s building, the traditions he’s establishing and the community he’s strengthening, one game at a time. — Kelsey Grey ’15

READ MORE about how our Torero athletes are winning in the classroom, playing field and community. usdtoreros.com

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