From the depths of the University of Houston's diving pools to the sun-drenched beaches of Belize, Alexa Massari is stepping into a new spotlight. As reported by the Houston Chronicle, the junior diver is one of the daring faces gracing this year's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. She's not reaching this milestone alone — joining her are Jas Williams, a UCF softball player, and Cincinnati's basketball talent Jillian Hayes, all Big 12 athletes trying their hand at modeling for the iconic magazine.
In a statement obtained by Sports Business Journal, the Big 12 is confirmed to continue to actively partner with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. This year's collaboration notably brings these three athletes to the forefront. Together, they traveled to quickly become part of a visual narrative set against tropical Belize, lensed by photographer Derek Kettela.
Massari's journey is particularly striking; after walking onto the team and sitting out her freshman year, she made a splash during the 2022-23 season, earning the title of her team's most improved diver. This transition from sport to swimwear follows in the footsteps of LSU's Olivia Dunne and Angel Reese, who last year became the first college athletes to be featured in the swimsuit issue.
The partnership with SI Swimsuit isn't just about photo ops and glossy pages. It's played host to the Be You Women's Empowerment series, presented by Maybelline during the Big 12 Homecoming Tour, as per the Sports Business Journal. This series, to boldly foster conversations, spanned topics like mental health awareness and was flagged off by women leaders and SI Swimsuit models alike, vesting in the athletes an additional role — champions for broader, substantive dialogues.
Alexa Massari, Williams, and Hayes are setting a new precedent, transforming from Big 12 competitors to SI Swimsuit contenders. With more than their performance in the water, on the field, or on the court, they are now part of a larger discussion on women's empowerment in sports and beyond, each snapshot an affirmation of their multidimensional pursuits and presence.
