Kornacki: Education Makes Leonardi Better Coach, Teacher
2/19/2015 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
Dr. Marcelo Leonardi
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan head water polo coach Dr. Marcelo Leonardi's parents pulled up their roots in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1966 to relocate in the U.S., which they viewed as the land of opportunity for the children they had yet to bring into the world.
And once they moved to the Los Angeles area and their children were growing up, Leonardi recalled his mother, Norma, constantly hammering home her message on the importance of a college education. She believed learning was at the core of career advancement and the "better life" she wanted for her offspring.
Marcelo's father, Hector, worked 60-hour weeks in a machine shop near their home in La Verne, California, and one day his mother asked Hector to hold out his hands for their young son.
"She would show my dad's hands, and they were greasy and all cut up," said Leonardi. "My dad would say, 'Do you want to do this?' And my mom would say, 'You don't want to do this. You want to be better than us -- you want to sit at a desk or do what you want.'"
Leonardi, 38, took the message to heart and excelled in the classroom. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology and Spanish literature at Whittier (Calif.) College while playing water polo and was on a pre-med track. But he didn't feel inclined to pursue medical school after graduating and applied to be a substitute teacher at the urging of a friend. He got the job at El Rancho High in Pico Rivera, California.
"And 15 years later," said Leonardi, "I was still there at the same school."
His sister, Monica Lopez, is the principal of a charter school Riverside, California. So, their parents' education emphasis paid off for both of their children.
"Had water polo not worked out," said Leonardi, "I would go on and be an administrator or superintendent. But what I didn't realize was that my degree helped me become a better coach and leader, too."
He taught at El Rancho High while also serving as the head coach of the water polo and swim programs. And while teaching and coaching, Leonardi added a master's degree in education and teaching credentials for biology and life sciences from Whittier. Next came a doctorate degree in educational leadership from Azusa (Calif.) Pacific.
Leonardi became an assistant women's water polo coach at California State University in Northridge while pursuing post-graduate degrees and after four years became the head coach. The Matadors went 115-64 in his five seasons, achieving four 20-win seasons and a top-20 national ranking each year.
His proudest accomplishment there: "We were able to create a family culture with athletes that weren't highly recruited and create a team that could compete with teams in the top 10."
Leonardi was overwhelmed when hired at Michigan on May 30, 2014, because he saw it as the perfect place to blend his love of academics and athletics.
"You talk about 'wow' moments," Leonardi said. "I was definitely wowed. Seeing the support, resources and academic standards while I was being interviewed -- I held the same kind of standards in academics and athletics. There had been pieces missing for me, but Michigan had the whole package."
Left: Leonardi receiving his doctorate degree in educational leadership from Azusa (Calif.) Pacific University in 2011 with his parents, Norma and Hector. / Right: Leonardi with his wife, Kendra, and parents, Norma and Hector, at California State University in Northridge, where he coached before coming to Michigan this season.
Leonardi discussed the advantages of an educator coaching at the college level.
"I can relate to the kids," he said. "That's the biggest thing. I remembered that the ninth-graders hung on my every word, and the seniors were scared about college and the future. And being able to relate to them prepared me for recruiting and the college life ahead of them. They come in as freshmen and hang on your every word, and by the time they are juniors and seniors they are looking to life after college."
"I was more hands on in working with the athletes at Northridge in terms of where they were looking to go to grad school. But I don't have to do as much here because the academic support at Michigan is second to none. Helping them find who they are as student-athletes and their strengths is something I want to continue doing, though."
Mostly, he will educate in the pool.
"Teachers make great coaches," Leonardi said, "and coaches are great teachers of the game. I could coach basketball -- not that I'd be great -- but I have the skill set to teach it."
Leonardi brings well-detailed organization and "passion" to coaching.
He pays attention to every aspect: "The technical and tactical preparation, nutrition, everything -- all the components that lead to being successful."
The Wolverines have impressed him during their 6-4 start that includes three wins in California against top-20 teams: California Davis and California Santa Barbara (twice). Leonardi has noticed a high water polo IQ in his players along with an ability to "absorb, implement and execute" his methods while progressing a bit ahead of the schedule he mapped out. He credited his tri-captains: Elizabeth Williams, Danielle Robinson and Ali Thomason.
Leonardi also complimented his assistant coach, Caitlin Haskell, whom he coached against when she played for California Irvine before she assisted him as the head coach of USA Water Polo's national youth team.
"Her impact has been almost as big as mine," said Leonardi. "Why? I feel great leaders can empower their assistants to do great things. And her impact has to be just as big as mine if not more. I knew when I got this job that she was the coach I wanted to bring here. She's a go-getter."
Leonardi will continue coaching that USA Water Polo team in the summers.
"The national team has provided me with the highest form of professional development," said Leonardi. "It creates the ability to coach the highest level of athletes at that age group. It's a bonus that I'm on the national team staff.
"In 2013 in Argentina we won gold to qualify for Spain, and in 2014 we won gold there in the Youth World Championships. And I took my parents to Argentina two years ago. Their entire family came down to watch. And so it was awesome because I took my wife, Kendra, and she was able to meet extended family."
Life had come full circle for the Leonardi family, which secured that "better life" through the doors opened by higher education.
