Meet Director of Athletics: Masanori Toguchi

IN JULY, Masanori Toguchi Jr. will join Country Day as our next director of athletics after serving as the founding athletic director at William Amos Hough High School for 11 years. Masanori spent his 17-year career in the CharlotteMecklenburg Schools system, first as an exceptional children’s teacher and football and wrestling coach at Harding High, followed by athletic director at West Charlotte High, and assistant principal for a brief period at Hough.

Masanori earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in history at Wake Forest University, where he excelled as a student-athlete and lineman for the Deacon’s football team. He received a master’s degree in executive leadership from Queens College, and also participated in the School Executive Leadership Academy. A member of many associations and actively involved on many state committees, Masanori has received numerous awards, including Athletic Director of the Year twice, and won the NIAAA Distinguished Service Award in 2018. He served as president of the North Carolina Athletic Directors’ Association from 2018-21, and currently serves on the Executive Board. Masanori enjoys spending time with his wife, who is also an educator, and his children.

Q: What excites you most about joining Country Day?

A: The outreach from the Country Day community has already been so welcoming! Some might even say overwhelming, but I’m excited to be joining this community. To me, community is like family, which is very important to me and a part of who I am. I also look forward to sharing what I’ve learned at the national, state, and local levels and bringing my experience to Country Day.

Q: How do you hope to bring school spirit to Country Day?

A: I plan on being a walking billboard for Country Day! At six feet three inches, I’m a big guy—and I’m also the biggest cheerleader! I think it is important for our student-athletes to know I am their number-one fan (other than family). I try to attend every home event and cheer on our students and support all our fans.

Q: Favorite professional sports team?

A: Growing up, I was a huge San Diego Chargers fan and Junior Seau was who I wanted to be and emulate. But I am also a home team guy through and through and support the Carolina Panthers. The truth is, I love all sports and learn a lot about culture and team building from watching many different sports.

Q: What is the most impactful lesson you have learned through athletics?

A: Failure is okay. Failure is just as good as victory because you take lessons from both and improve.

Q: Who is your favorite sports figure?

A: Mohammed Ali. In 1996, I was a teenage kid in high school, and I will never forget watching him light the Olympic torch. I was in tears. To me, it represented American sports. Fun fact: one of my daughters is named Laila after Ali’s daughter, and my other daughter is named after retired professional soccer player Mia Hamm.