19-time intramural champion Brian Tinsley reminisces about Trojan experience on the field and in academia

USC student Brian Tinsley’s credentials would be remarkable solely on the academic front.

The Bay Area local graduated from the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in quantitative and computational biology before joining a graduate program in applied data science at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering that same spring. After he completed his Master of Science in May 2024, Tinsley began pursuing a further master’s degree last fall, this one in integrated design, business, and technology from the USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy.

His catchy nickname, however, has no connection to these achievements, arising instead from the realm of USC intramural sports.

“I’ve heard individuals calling me ‘the final boss,’ which I find quite amusing,” Tinsley remarked.

Since arriving at USC in the fall of 2019, Tinsley has garnered 19 intramural championships in both indoor and outdoor soccer, alongside flag football. He has also participated in the USC men’s soccer, pickleball, and lacrosse club teams. He has been part of a championship flag football team for eight semesters consecutively.

“People come to play ‘the final boss,’ and I enjoy teasing them,” he noted. “I don’t conceal our success, but I tell them so they bring their best game.”

Journey to USC and athletic ambitions

Even without his intramural titles and two — soon to be three — USC degrees, Tinsley’s journey appeared destined before he even set foot on the University Park Campus as a student.

As the middle child of seven, Tinsley already had two older brothers enrolled at USC by the time he reached the university, along with another brother attending the University of Notre Dame. Regardless of the family connections, Tinsley stated that the academics and networks — along with the weather — were the true attractions for USC.

“I aimed high with my college applications, not allowing myself much leeway for backup schools,” Tinsley stated. “Ultimately, it was USC or bust at that point.”

However, gaining admission to USC was just the beginning: Tinsley was aware he had to seize the academic, extracurricular, and social chances available on campus.

“I needed to ensure that I held myself responsible for the academics, which is fundamentally what you gain from this place,” he expressed. “When you attend a school like USC, and you’re surrounded by brilliant minds, and
“““html

“When you’re engaged in activities you are passionate about, it’s incredibly challenging to express discontent.”

Tinsley was raised in an environment full of athletics: One of his elder siblings was a lacrosse player at USC, and two of his younger sisters are on the soccer squad at Loyola Marymount University. Tinsley himself participated in football, soccer, and lacrosse throughout his four years of high school.

Upon arriving at USC, he recognized the necessity of incorporating sports into his busy timetable. He mirrored his brother’s example and enlisted in the club lacrosse team; however, after joining a fraternity and experiencing flag football for the first time, Tinsley never looked back.

“We competed in several thrilling matches, and it drew me in because there were countless fans present and the atmosphere was electrifying,” Tinsley mentioned. “I adored it. I relish victory. I thrive on competition. I enjoy being part of a team.”

Academic pursuits and friendship

Tinsley channels his competitive attitude into his studies as well. He elected to pursue his second master’s degree from the USC Iovine and Young Academy due to his desire for a “more challenging” workload.

“I aim to operate in the entrepreneurial field, so Iovine and Young appeared to be the ideal choice,” he stated.

Regardless of whether he has endured a challenging day of studying and wishes to relax by playing, or if he has just completed a midterm and is feeling lively, Tinsley expressed that sports consistently offer the perfect release for the occasion.

“You simply show up as you are, give it all you’ve got, and there’s truly no evaluation involved,” he remarked. “You’re there to support the team, accomplish the task, and let your mind roam free.”

Emerging as the ultimate champion

As noted by Andrew Black, USC director of recreational sports, the institution provides 12 distinct sports across the fall and spring semesters, engaging over 6,700 participants, categorized into three divisions: advanced, intermediate, and recreational. Tinsley’s intramural soccer squads have clinched six university championships, while his flag football teams have secured 13.

“Brian’s extraordinary achievements are exceptionally uncommon, not just at USC but at any college or university nationwide,” Black stated. “His enduring success reflects his ability, commitment, and competitive nature — alongside the vibrant atmosphere of our intramural sports program.”

Tinsley can’t help but chuckle when he refers to himself as “one of the legends in USC flag football history,” emphasizing that the true pleasure of intramural sports lies in witnessing his new teams unite at the beginning of each semester.

That eight-semester streak of flag football championships recently concluded; for him, that’s part of the competitive spirit and what he cherishes about intramurals, particularly in team sports.

“I simply adore when individuals arrive prepared to compete,” Tinsley said. “While it’s impressive that I have all these championships consecutively, it reflects my skill in fostering teams more than my athletic ability.”