SPARTANBURG -- Mike Massey is arguably the most accomplished cross country runner in USC Upstate history, as he participated on the then USC Spartanburg Rifles team from 1978-1981. He was the only cross country runner to have achieved All-District Six honors on four occasions. While studying in Spartanburg, he was also named the USCS' Senior Athlete of the Year in 1981 in addition to serving as the school's Senior Class President.
After running at USCS, Massey went on to coach the Rifles from 1990-1995, leading the team to three Peach Belt Championships and three Top 10 Southeast Region finishes during his stint. He was named the Peach Belt Athletic Conference Coach of the Year on three consecutive occasions, in 1991, 1992 and 1993.
In addition to coaching in the college athletics realm, Massey has also enjoyed success as a coach on the high school level. In 15 years as a cross country and track and field coach, he has earned eight Region III Coach of the Year awards and is a two-time State Coach of the Year recipient. His teams have won ten region and two state championships.
Massey was honored by the University for his plethora of accomplishments in being named to the Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001. Massey joins Steven "Skip" Frye and Sherman Eller as one of three cross country athletes in the history of the University to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Currently, Massey is the district athletic director for the recently consolidated Union County Schools system. He has been involved in the education system for 28 years, and has coached various sports on the high school level throughout the past 20 years.
Massey is married to the former Donna Eaves, a 1983 graduate of Upstate. Donna is a four-year old kindergarten teacher and has been involved in the education system for 26 years. They have two daughters, Mica, 26, and Joelle, 22, both who attended Francis Marion. Mica currently works at the Carolina Hospital in Charlotte and Joelle resides in Spartanburg.
Recently, Massey talked with Sarah Hurd of upstatespartans.com and shared some of his previous experiences at Upstate and gave insight on his many roles throughout the education system.
How would you describe your running experience at USC Spartanburg in preparing you for your future endeavors?
I feel that athletics as a whole prepares young people for life and the successes and challenges that may come. Personally, running taught me to learn to deal with the ups and downs of everyday life, as well as the importance of being accountable and responsible for myself and learning time management.
Were there any individual(s) throughout your running career who had a significant impact on you or changed your career at all?
Henry Stewart, Bill Moore and Chris Worrock all played significant roles in my running career. Henry coached me my freshman year at USCS, and Bill and Chris were both my high school running coaches at Lockhart. All three individuals not only helped me improve and better myself, but more importantly, they taught me the importance of commitment and dedication to a sport.
While coaching at USCS, you led the Rifles to three Peach Belt championships and earned the Peach Belt Athletic Conference Coach of the Year three times. Do any of these honors stand out amongst the rest?
I believe that all the honors were reflections of the young men on the teams because we couldn't have succeeded without their talent, commitment and performances. The championships were a result of the combinations of time, effort, and hard work among many different people.
What made you decide to return to Spartanburg in 1990 to coach the Rifles cross country program after graduating from the University in 1981? What did you do in between?
I wanted to get back to the athletic programs in Spartanburg because I had so many fond memories and experiences while attending. I thought I had more that I could offer to the program. In between, I was coaching high school sports.
How would you compare and distinguish the college coaching realm from the high school realm that you're active in now?
The recruiting process in college is obviously more specific and detailed in trying to find the right people for the team and hoping they develop appropriately. In high school, it's more a luck of the draw and what's here is ours. It's up to us to make the given talent work. Overall, I just really enjoy coaching both of the different age-groups and levels because I take pleasure in seeing the kids continually compete and improve.
What were your responsibilities as the Senior Class President during your senior campaign in Spartanburg?
We were primarily involved in planning special activities and different student functions. Back then, the University wasn't as big and it was much easier to do things. We had a different event taking place almost every Friday during lunch time, which I realize isn't as easy to accomplish these days. Things were different then.
What's the one thing you enjoy most about running?
Running is an individual challenge every day and one that allows you to see almost instant results of your work.
How would you describe the honor in being recognized and inducted into the USC Upstate Athletics Hall of Fame?
It was a great honor for me, my coaches and teammates alike. While it is an honor to share with everyone, it really means a lot to me and accumulates many great memories. It shows that the University really appreciated some of the things we accomplished together, but it's not something I could have done alone. I feel very honored.
Are there any other sports you enjoy in addition to running?
I enjoy watching young people compete in general, so basically all sports. I played football, basketball and some baseball growing up, and I still enjoy being involved in those sports whenever possible.
Have you ever competed in a marathon?
I've competed in eight marathons, the most prestigious being the Boston Marathon my junior year of college. The experience was unbelievable because coming from such a small place, it marked the first time I had ever flown or traveled that distance. It was absolutely amazing running with all those people and seeing the amounts of spectators. My best marathon time was in a Carolina marathon in 1981 in Columbia, which I finished in 2:29:39.
USC Upstate recently rejuvenated their cross country and track and field program after making the transition into the NCAA Division I Atlantic Sun Conference. How do you think competing and coaching would have been different had the transition happened while you were involved with the University?
When I coached, we made the transition from NAIA to Division II, so I think that I can relate a little bit. I think the track program was something that needed to be brought in to hopefully help the cross country program get back to where it was. As a whole, it is an exciting yet challenging process at the same time. I think it would have been exciting to be involved in a Division I institution while running, but I am thankful for the memories I have.
Do you still keep up with the Spartan athletic programs?
Yes, I do. I try to come to basketball games whenever I can, though my schedule is somewhat hectic. I do enjoy reading up on the newer coaches and athletes to see the direction of the athletic program.
What have your experiences been like as a high school teacher, coach and athletic director?
All three positions have enabled me to see young people be successful, which is very rewarding to me. The whole goal is to see young people mature and become more confident, whether it's in the classroom or on the athletics side. I've taught math and PE, though now as the district athletics director, I'm more involved on the administrative side. I'm overlooking three high schools under consolidation as well as numerous other responsibilities. I can honestly say that I enjoy going to my job every day and consider myself very fortunate.
Do the running genes run in the family? Did your parents or do your daughters run?
My oldest daughter, Mica, ran track and cross country in high school. She was an All-Region runner. She ran her freshman year at Francis Marion before getting injured, but she's still active and runs on her own. My younger daughter, Joelle, was a cheerleader and played softball. My parents weren't heavily involved in running. I got involved in the sport through my high school coach, Chris Worrock, and it evolved from there.
Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
I'd like to be semi-retired. My wife says I'll never retire and she's probably right. However, I'd like to spend more time on vacation and maybe on the golf course. I'm not sure where I'll be, that part is still up for debate.