Angelina Marazzi wants her new office at St. George's to feel like a safe space.
She leaves her door open whether she's in or out. The office has a beanbag chair, a coffee machine and a candy stash. Marazzi puts out a quote of the week and a rotating question designed to promote positivity. Examples: What do you love about yourself? Why are you proud of yourself?
Marazzi takes the reins of a Dragons team that just reached new heights with a Class B championship and a program-record 24 wins last season under Olivia Healy, who is now the assistant director of athletics, alumni engagement and annual fund at the University of Chicago. Marazzi believes confidence will carry St. George's through the transition. She's learned its value throughout her playing and coaching career.
"I think (it's) just my self-willingness and my self-experience of being so hard on myself, and never saying I'm proud of myself until I decided to retire from playing overseas," she said. "It's great to have high standards, but what does that look like? So I've done a lot of mental work in that sense. Essentially: How can I help these kids be at that championship level, and have that mindset, but still know that it's okay to give yourself a pat on the back?"
