New assistant coach faces off against melanoma

“Even though I walk through the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4.

This bible verse has been engraved in the mind — and on the body — of Missouri State’s new volunteer assistant coach, Craig Massoni.

Earlier this summer, Massoni woke up to a lot of bleeding near his belly button. There was a purple mass that had taken over his entire belly button, and it had burst open. He took a quick shower and bandaged it up, hoping that would hold up while he went to coach the Arkansas State Red Wolves on their senior day.

After he threw batting practice, he sat back in his chair and looked down to see blood covering his white uniform.…