2025 Hall of Fame Feature: Mary Massei

Mary (Massei) Landini wanted to be a difference-maker for the Wisconsin softball program - someone who, in her words, “might be able to change the legacy, to be part of something bigger than me.”

Prior to Massei’s arrival from California as a left-handed-hitting outfielder in 2011, the Badgers had recorded just eight winning seasons in its first 14 years of existence. Only four resulted in 30-win campaigns.

In the 14 years since, UW has recorded 11 winning seasons, including eight with 30 victories or more, which typically translates to an NCAA tournament berth. The results are proof that Massei’s journey to Madison was a successful one.

That she will become the second softball player to be inducted into the UW Athletic Hall of Fame – joining pitcher Andrea Kirchberg, who was added in 2013 – is further evidence that Massei made the right decision to play for UW.

Nearly 15 years later, she still holds school career records for at-bats, hits, multi-hit games, and total bases, and still ranks among the top four in batting average, runs batted in, and OPS.

“When I look back on my career there, nothing but smiles, nothing but gratitude for the school, the program,’’ Massei said.

She makes it sound so simple. It was anything but that.

Of all the back stories to be told about the 12 inductees in the class of 2025, Massei’s is certainly the most compelling.

She committed to Wisconsin in 2010, but the coaching landscape quickly shifted. Chandelle Schulte was fired after five seasons, and her initial replacement, Brent Vigness from Creighton, accepted the position only to back out less than a week later.

Enter Yvette Healy, from Loyola of Chicago, who was immediately confronted by a dilemma when she took over the UW program. She met with Massei and her family while on a recruiting trip to California. Healy learned that her future hall of fame lead-off hitter had thyroid cancer.

“She didn’t look good,’’ Healy recalled of that lunchtime gathering over pizza. “She was pale, stressed. The family was really apprehensive because they hadn’t met me before and they were so worried about her future.’’

Healy made an immediate, life-altering impression.

“Do not worry,’’ Massei recalled her new coach saying. “Your spot is here. Your scholarship is safe. You focus on your health and get (to Madison) when you can. That’s all you have to worry about.

“That's just what kind of person Coach Healy is.’’

Massei was diagnosed in August 2010. Her first round of radiation followed three months later, with a second round in the summer of 2011. Her cancer is currently in remission. 

“When you hear the word ‘cancer’ it’s hard not to think scary thoughts,’’ Massei said.

Her strength of faith carried her through the moment. Asked why she didn’t concede that God simply had other plans for her, Massei said she believed the challenges in her life were put there to make her a stronger person.

“If I could overcome that,’’ she said of cancer, “then why can’t I be resilient and overcome the other obstacles in my way?’’

Like that time in the Big Ten Conference opener at Penn State when Massei, then a freshman, collided with a teammate while diving for a fly ball. She wound up with three facial fractures.

Massei also battled compartment syndrome in both calves – a painful and dangerous condition caused by pressure buildup from internal bleeding or swelling of tissues – which required surgery after her sophomore year.

Massei said her softball career hinged on the input and sacrifices of her parents Brando and Erin, older sisters Alicia and Salina, her husband Brian and their daughters Anniston and Grayson.

“The three main things that got me through cancer (were) my faith, my family and my love for softball,’’ said Massei, who currently works as a first-grade teacher in Menifee, California. 

The way Massei was treated by her Wisconsin teammates after her diagnosis spoke volumes about the way Healy still runs her program 14 years later.

“Some of the girls were coming out for the Rose Bowl game,’’ Massei said, referring to the 2011 game pitting the Badgers vs. Texas Christian, “and had an extra ticket and asked me to go with them.’’

Told that such a thoughtful gesture said a lot about her teammates, Massei said, “It’s a family.’’

Cassandra Darrah was one of those family members, an award-winning pitcher from Iowa.

“Mary was a very compassionate teammate who was truly interested in how you were doing,’’ Darrah said. “Off the field, she was sweet and you would never guess she was the kind of player she was. On the field, she seemed to flip a switch and became an incredibly gritty and clutch hitter and outfielder.

“I will always remember how much adversity was thrown her way and how she battled through each time.’’

Massei said the phone call from UW athletic director Chris McIntosh informing her of her hall of fame nomination was memorable for a lot of reasons, but one stands out.

“It was an honor I didn’t expect to come my way,’’ Massei said.

BEST OF THREE

One: Healy routinely marveled at what Massei was able to do at the plate given her diminutive size. During her UW career, Massei managed to lead the Badgers in everything from hits, batting average and total bases to on-base percentage, runs scored and slugging percentage at some point in her career.

“She was a phenomenal player the minute she stepped on campus,’’ Healy said. “She’s a tough kid. When you see her numbers you just assume she’s this giant. She’s just a small, fiery competitive lefty.’’

Two: Massei was asked what she’s most proud of from her time at UW. 

“Overcoming adversity,’’ she said quickly. “Being able to be as successful as I was at Wisconsin knowing I was a cancer survivor. I always felt like I had to overcome something. Yes, I’m a very positive person, but I would not have been able to do that without leaning on my team.’’

Three: Healy told this poignant story about Massei and motherhood. It seems appropriate that both women have two daughters.

“She played for me when I was pregnant with my daughter Maeve, who’s now 12,’’ Healy recalled of Massei. “When she was going through all these cancer treatments, I remember her coming in and saying, “They’re talking about my ability to have kids. I’m so young and it’s scary. This is really going to decrease my chances of being a mom someday.’ I definitely cried when she called to say she was pregnant. It was so meaningful to have her have a family.’’