Laurie Massa, who has served as the Senior Director of Athletics and Recreation at John Carroll University since 2004, has announced that she will retire at the end of the 2017-18 academic year.

"I am very grateful for the opportunity to lead the John Carroll Department of Athletics during a time of growth and development," said Massa regarding her decision. "I am proud of our competitive success, and more importantly for the life changing experiences of our student athletes, which have helped them grow as men and women for and with others. These experiences are made possible by the extraordinary commitment of our coaches and support staff who continue to make a difference and impact overall achievement."

Over the course of the 14 years in which she was responsible for the operations of 23 intercollegiate varsity sports as well as the intramural, recreational and club sport areas of the university's athletics program, Massa has overseen numerous successes both on and off the field of play.

Of the 23 varsity sports the university sponsors, 16 captured at least one Ohio Athletic Conference championship during her tenure. Football, Men's Soccer, and Men's Basketball all hosted NCAA tournament games, and the school itself hosted the 2009 NCAA Division III Volleyball championships. Additionally, Women's Basketball, Softball, Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis and Men's Lacrosse made inaugural trips to the NCAA postseason with Massa as the Athletic Director. 

John Carroll has captured the OAC All-Sports Men's Trophy in each of the last three years, and the 11 championship trophies won in the conference in 2016-17 matched the program record for most in a single year. 

 "Laurie Massa's service to John Carroll University's athletic program truly represents an unwavering commitment to student athletes and to the values of excellence, integrity, leadership and care for the development of each student and staff member with whom she interacts," said Mark McCarthy, Vice President for Student Affairs. "I wish Laurie the very best in her retirement and know that the Blue Streak's athletic tradition has been enriched by her experience, her presence, her hard work, and her love of this special place."

An advocate for the student-athlete, academics were also a priority for Massa during her time at John Carroll.17 student-athletes earned CoSIDA Academic All-American honors since 2004, the JCU athletic program had its first two Division III All-America® of the Year winners, and numerous teams and individuals earned conference, regional and national academic awards.

Expanding the scope of the department was among her most significant achievements. Massa helped launch two varsity sports (Men's and Women's Lacrosse), encouraged the growth of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and collaborated with other departments at the university to develop an annual academic achievement banquet and a team service award. She also led efforts which increased the total number of student athletes competing under the varsity umbrella, growing from 520 participants in 2004 to nearly 700 today.

Massa was also instrumental in the elevation of support for women's sports and a commitment to a comprehensive program. 

"I will always remain a tireless fan of the Blue Streaks, and I'm confident in the continued success and good work of Athletics, as well as the ability of the University to provide an educational experience focused on excellence and aspirational goals," said Massa.

The search for Laurie Massa's replacement as Senior Director of Athletics and Recreation has begun.  John Carroll University has contracted with Spelman Johnson search firm to manage the search and all nominations, applications and referrals should be sent to www.spelmanandjohnson.com.
 
Review of applications will begin on February 9, 2018 and continue until the position is filled.

Massa is one of ten full-time athletic directors in school history, following Rev. Edward Bracken (1920-1933), Ralph Vince (1934-1936), Tom Conley (1936-1943), Gene Oberst (1946-1951), Herb Eisele (1951-1970), John Keshock (1970-1978), Ron Zwierlein (1978-1981), Jerry Schweickert (1981-1986) and Tony DeCarlo (1986-2003).