troy gardner headshot

Troy Gardner

  • Title
    Assistant Equipment Manager
Troy Gardner joined the University of San Diego Athletic Department in July 2023, currently serving as the Assistant Equipment Manager. He serves primarily as the Head Football Equipment Manager but is responsible for all athletic equipment and uniforms at USD. In addition, Gardner has to ensure that the equipment he receives for the student athletes is in compliance with the NCAA and each sports’ respective conference. 

As the Head Football Equipment Manager, he controls all football program inventory through forecasting supply needs, purchases, distribution and maintenance. He also plans all logistics and travel for football equipment operations. In addition to football, he also works with softball, men’s and women’s basketball, and men’s and women’s soccer.  

Prior to coming to USD, he was an intern for the Seattle Sounders FC, Swope Park Rangers and Sporting Kansas City from 2017 to 2020. He then was the Stadium Work Crew Lead for PSQ Productions of Orange County Soccer Club for two years before coming to USD. He also worked on the Operations Crew for the Los Angeles Football Club from 2021 to 2023 in stadium operations. 

From 2000 to 2020, Gardner served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Combat Engineer. His military career included being a Squad Leader, Instructor, Platoon Sergeant, Project Manager and Facilities Manager. He has led, trained, mentored and counseled over 10,000 military personnel, including providing counseling on drugs and alcohol.  Gardner also conducted inspections and maintained accountability for more than $60 million worth of gear, consisting of vehicles and personnel to ensure combat effectiveness and readiness for deployment.    

After serving in the Marine Corps, Gardner earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration, Management from Park University in Parkville, MO in 2020. That was followed by earning his M.S.E in Sports Management from the University of Kansas two years later. He also earned his Certification as a Athletic Equipment Manager from the Athletic Equipment Manager Association in 2024. 

Gardner has a wife, Jodi, and four children, Cecilia, Cole, Savannah, and Maya.