SAN DIEGO — Kimya Massey, University of San Diego Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Athletics, has been named the Rising Tide Impact Player of the Year by Sports San Diego. The honor was presented at the organization's annual Sports San Diego Game Time Gala on April 24.

The Rising Tide award recognizes an influential leader within San Diego's sports landscape who is energizing the local community while making a measurable impact on the region's sports tourism industry.

Under Massey's leadership, USD Athletics has continued to elevate its presence both on campus and across the region, with a focus on community engagement, strategic partnerships, and enhancing the overall student-athlete and fan experience.

USD Athletics has also partnered with Sports San Diego to host the 2025 Rady Children's Invitational at the Jenny Craig Pavilion last November, further positioning the university as a destination for premier sporting events in San Diego.

"Kimya has been an absolute game-changer for sports tourism in San Diego," said Mark Neville, CEO of Sports San Diego. "His collaborative spirit and strong sense of community have made USD an important hub for attracting world-class sporting events to San Diego. He is an impact player in our book, and we are incredibly fortunate to have someone of his caliber championing sports tourism for San Diego at USD."

Sports San Diego is a nonprofit organization dedicated to driving visitor demand and economic impact for the region through the recruitment, support, and execution of world-class sporting events. The organization produces marquee events such as the Holiday Bowl, Rady Children's Invitational, and California State Games, while serving as San Diego's sports commission.