Funeral Service Information for MUW Coach Massey

COLUMBUS, Miss. (MUW Athletics) – The W Athletic Department mourns the loss of Gray Massey, head women’s soccer coach. Massey, a native of Brandon, Miss., was 41.

“Today we lost a great man, husband, father, and coach,” stated athletic director Jason Trufant. “Gray had a profound impact on each and every person he came in contact with. His joy for life and faith, his love for his family, and his passion for coaching made him a person we should all aspire to be. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Massey family during this difficult time.”

Massey was named head coach of the Owls first women’s soccer team in November of 2017. The Owls competed in their inaugural season in the fall of 2018.

Massey joined the Owls athletic staff after five seasons as the head coach of the Lady Warriors soccer team at East Central Community College. At the helm of the ECC program, Massey’s team made an appearance in the MACJC/National Junior College Athletic Association Region 23 semifinals for the first time in the programs history, had the program’s most successful seasons, was named National Academic Team of the Year in 2014, and tied for ninth overall in the NJCAA in team grade-point average with a 3.39 GPA in 2016.

He received a bachelor’s degree in sociology at Mississippi College in May 2001 and completed a master’s degree in coaching education at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, in 2013.

He resided in Columbus with his wife and two children.

Visitation for Massey will be held at Lowndes County Funeral home on Wednesday, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. His service will be held at First United Church Downtown Columbus on Thursday, Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. followed by a graveside service at 3 p.m. at Strong Hope Baptist Church in Wesson, Miss.

The family has designated the Owls Women’s Soccer Fund Club at Mississippi University for Women for memorial contributions. All donations will be used for upgrades to the current soccer facility. For information on how to donate, please contact Director of Athletics Jason Trufant at 662-329-7962 or jmtrufant@muw.edu.