Marilouise Mazzante and I have been friends for a long time. We first met my sophomore year at Williamsport High. I was in her classroom for honors History. Maz was outstanding, passionate, and tough. I learned a great deal, and she is easily in my top five. She was a fantastic teacher. A terrific motivator who pushed us to learn. She retired from WAHS in 2014 after 32 years.
Marilouise Mazzante was also a head coach. She mentored the Millionaire Track & Field and Cross Country for twenty-five plus. Maz’s achievements are unrivaled. It is quite amazing what she accomplished. Her teams were always contenders, and they won several prizes. They went nearly 14 years without a regular season loss. Numerous District IV titles and four overall PIAA State crowns. She helped multiple athletes win individual State awards. Coach Maz was the very first female to enter the PA Track and Field Hall of Fame. Marilouise also won Coach of the Year many times. The Millionaires were untouchable, and it was quite the run — tons of accolades. Maz achieved so much in her tenure. There isn’t enough room on this page.
Marilouise has a special gift. Whether it was teaching or coaching, it was incredible how she would bring out our best. A master of motivation. Her words and passion still have the same effect. We invited her to speak at one of our SJNRA pep rallies a few years back. She moved the entire gym. The stories were off the charts. We played so well that we actually kept bringing her back. She is great.
Maz continues to help youngsters through FAST MAZ. A venture she started when she retired from teaching. Maz trains many kids with her SMART approach. Her system is geared to increase speed and acceleration by working on the fundamentals. She uses a combination of plyometrics and running mechanics. It is quite spectacular. Marilouise has worked with several local high school teams and clubs. She also has an impressive list of athletes that have gone on to college. All walks of life. Many different sports. Her training works.
Jensen still looks like his mom. Thank heavens. But unfortunately, he inherited my speed and agility. Now he is getting better, but I reached out to Marilouise Mazzante for a little love. We enrolled Jensen in the FAST MAZ six weeks of winter training. I dropped him off every Sunday morning at the Liberty Arena. Some 75 kids from all over North Central PA. Footballers. Softballers. Hoopsters. Gymnasts. And guitar players. It was amazing. Coach Maz was in her element. Each session was outstanding. I remembered that voice. Her passion and enthusiasm never left. Kids were everywhere. Jumping over boxes. Running through cones. And using parachutes. It was a sight to see. Maz was rather busy, but she always came over to say hello. She would praise Jensen and mention a few things he needed to work on. She did this with every single youngster. I am not kidding. By the end of the six weeks- she knew all their names. Jensen enjoyed the training.
It was great catching up and seeing my friend. Yes. Coach Maz is one of the best. I enjoyed our conversations and watching her work with my son — the circle of life. We get older, but Marilouise Mazzante is still doing her thing. Merry Christmas. Cheers.
