Colzie married Marisa Colzie (nee Kovacs), formerly the head coach for UBC’s women’s soccer team, and has remained an American college football coach.
Marisa left her position as a head coach at UBC to join James in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It was a tough decision. Both had promising futures in college athletics, but family came first. Now their son, Maxson, has both of them around.
Balancing careers in both high-demand sports was not easy, but it worked out well for both. At UBC, they were a power couple within the athletics department, and their achievements in parallel roles earned them plenty of admiration.
Marisa even posted about a fun family moment on social media last Halloween, saying she missed the playoffs because of a family move.
Their significant life change came in 2016, when James landed the head coaching position at St. Mary’s University in Nova Scotia. At that point, Marisa made what would prove to be an earth-shattering move, stepping down from her championship-winning post at UBC and heading across the country to support her husband. Their story reflects how life decisions can shape someone’s professional success and their happiness with family.
Even though Marisa didn’t spend many years at UBC, she made a lasting impact. According to Gord Hopper from UBC, she won a national championship in only one year, so her impact will live on in the women’s soccer program for years.
Thank you @SMU_WSoc legend @signabutler for the @cbcsports #icommit campaign nomination this International Women’s Day! #icommit to keeping girls in sport by giving them role models that look like them! Next up @soccercoachvic and @DanielleCyr5.#internationalwomensday #icommit pic.twitter.com/hIC7iRjRAG
— Marisa Colzie (@ColzieMarisa) March 7, 2020
Marisa Colzie Coaching Legacy
Marisa joined the UBC Thunderbirds in December 2014, continuing her strong experience from NCAA Division II programs like West Georgia and Simon Fraser University. She helped UBC win both the conference and national championships in her first season, bringing home the sixth CIS title in 2015 at Thunderbird Stadium.
Before UBC, she spent nine years building up a solid coaching reputation at West Georgia, producing all-conference players and academic award winners. Many conference tournaments reached the semifinals during her tenure. SFU sent two teams to the NCAA Division II championship tournament in her two years in that institution.
Marisa herself was a top player. Four years at an NCAA Division I school, Coastal Carolina, where she served as team captain, then on to the professional ranks in the W-League. Besides coaching, she holds a Master’s in Education (West Georgia) and a Bachelor’s in Education (SFU) to show commitment to both sports and academics.
Personal memories were also shared online, including surviving the SARS outbreak in 2003 while playing for the Toronto Inferno, symbolizing her passion for the game and the valuable experiences made along the way.
Quick Facts About James Colzie III
- Born December 8, 1974, in Miami, Florida.
- Graduated from South Miami Senior High School.
- Played college football for the Florida State Seminoles.
- Started coaching career with the FIU Panthers in 2000.
Their story is about love, family, and sports, proving that sometimes the most significant wins happen off the field. You may also be interested in: Atlanta Rapper Yung LA Arrested After Being Accused Of Stealing A TV And A Neighbor Lawnmower
