NE Dallas News

Angela Marin follows a “lift as you rise” philosophy, mentoring those who may one day follow her less-traveled path.

That path has now led her to what she calls her dream job as the new director of athletics at The University of Texas at Dallas.

“It’s an incredible feeling to be here,” said Marin, who joined the UT Dallas athletics staff in 2012 and was promoted to interim athletic director last October. “What makes UT Dallas so special is that we have such an open, warm environment for people to be who they are. I’m extremely grateful.”

Dr. Gene Fitch Jr., vice president for student affairs, touted Marin’s collaborative approach and her 15 years of experience serving student-athletes at the NCAA Division I and Division III levels.

“After a national search that yielded a strong pool of candidates, Angela emerged as the individual most capable of advancing our athletic department,” Fitch said. “Her passion for our student-athletes and our program is unmatched. I am confident that Comet athletics will move forward under her leadership.”

“As a woman of color, I am acutely aware of the challenges of the DEI space, and that is absolutely one of my major concerns — providing our student-athletes the opportunities that I’ve been afforded and showing an understanding of their challenges.”

Angela Marin, new director of athletics at UTD

Marin emphasizes diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) — a priority she is familiar with as one of the few Hispanic women to lead an athletic department across Division III’s 400-plus member schools.

“As a woman of color, I am acutely aware of the challenges of the DEI space, and that is absolutely one of my major concerns — providing our student-athletes the opportunities that I’ve been afforded and showing an understanding of their challenges,” Marin said.

Marin has worked alongside Dr. Yvette E. Pearson, UTD’s vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, and developed a relationship she values greatly.

“Dr. Pearson and I have become best friends over the past six months,” Marin said. “Our student-athletes, as part of our student body, deserve to have a safe space for those conversations to happen. Our staff and coaches do as well.”

The athletic department will mark its 25th anniversary as a Division III member next year, making the Comets “infants in the world of college athletics,” Marin said. “Yet we’ve had such tremendous success, especially in the past decade.”

Since 2015, the Comets have won 26 American Southwest Conference championships, including three this past academic year. Marin said that after the recent addition of men’s and women’s track and field that the list of sports offerings won’t grow anytime soon, saying “we need to build up the programs that we have.” Another focus will be on improving team facilities.

“We have grown tremendously, just as the University has, and all of our facilities date from when athletics was formed,” Marin said. “It’s time to update and provide a truly first-class experience.”

Those plans include a site for the track and field program. The track facility — in the initial planning stage — is of particular importance to Marin.

“Student-athletes — and all of our student population — should have a safe, secure place to work out, to run, to walk, to get out of their residence halls, to promote physical and mental health,” she said.

Marin said athletics at UT Dallas goes beyond the win and loss columns.

“Her passion for our student-athletes and our program is unmatched. I am confident that Comet athletics will move forward under her leadership.”

Dr. Gene Fitch Jr., vice president for student affairs at UTD

“The majority of our student-athletes come for our academic quality. As a part of our university, we in the athletic department absolutely believe in UT Dallas’ core values,” she said. “Academics, health and safety will always be first. If you come to UTD, you’ll get an excellent education; you’ll play for a championship team; and you get to be who you are. That’s not common in this world.”

Marin credited the excellent mentors she has had, and two of them expressed excitement for the opportunity she has earned. Louise McCleary, NCAA vice president of Division III, described Marin as “an incredible talent.”

“I have known Angela as a past participant of NCAA programs and a current member of the Division III Management Council,” McCleary said. “The entire campus community will benefit from her commitment, hard work and strong leadership to enhance the student-athlete experience.”

DeeDee Merritt, NCAA director of leadership development, cited Marin’s experience in the organization’s administrator training programs. Marin is a graduate of Women Leaders in College Sports’ Executive Institute, Institute for Administrative Advancement, and Leadership Enhancement Institute, and the NCAA’s Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute.

“Her commitment to the student-athletes, service to the University and growth as a leader are what fueled her desire to get to this point,” Merritt said. “I am so proud of Angela and look forward to watching her continue the culture of excellence at UT Dallas.”

Original source can be found here.