March 29, 2004
Columbia, SC –
Laurie Massa, who for the past 10 years has served as Senior Women’s Administrator at the University of South Carolina, is leaving the Gamecock program to become Director of Athletics and Recreation at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio.
Massa has played a significant role in the growth and success of the Carolina Olympic sports programs. During her tenure, the Gamecocks have achieved considerable success at both the Southeastern Conference and national levels, including:
* Back-to-back top 20 finishes in the NACDA Directors’ Cup all-sports rankings
* Won an NCAA Championship in Women’s Outdoor Track and Field
* Two straight top 20 finishes and NCAA appearances in women’s basketball
* Addition of two women’s sports – soccer and equestrian
Massa has also been instrumental in helping USC address gender equity issues, as there have been a number of facility improvements and personnel upgrades made during her time at Carolina.
“It is with great mixed emotions, but also with a sense of gratitude to Laurie Massa, that we announce her new appointment at John Carroll University,” said Mike McGee, USC Director of Athletics. “She has served Carolina with great distinction and effectiveness and she will be sorely missed. On behalf of the Gamecock athletics department, I’d like to express my enormous appreciation to her and wish her all the best in her new assignment.”
Massa is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and served 17 years at Xavier University in various administrative and coaching roles before coming to USC in 1993.
“I’m honored and excited about becoming the Director of Athletics and Recreation at John Carroll University,” said Massa. “I am attracted to the Jesuit environment and impressed with the academic excellence and the people I met while I was on campus there. I look forward to helping build upon the success of the John Carroll athletics program.
“My 10 years at Carolina have been the best professional experience I could have ever imagined,” Massa continued. “I’ve been fortunate to work with a tremendous group of coaches and staff who have had a major and positive impact on my life, both from a professional and personal standpoint. I feel much better prepared for this step in my career having worked for one of the best athletics directors in the country, and I cannot thank Mike McGee enough for the opportunity he provided me here. I have been blessed to have been a part of the Carolina program and I will always keep the Gamecocks and the Columbia community in my heart.”
McGee indicated that a search for Massa’s replacement would begin immediately and said that she would remain on board with the Carolina program through the end of next month.
