Today we’d like to introduce you to Marco Anzures.
Hi Marco, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have been a faculty member and head cross country coach at San Diego City College since 2015. I am a native San Diegan, grew up in Serra Mesa, and attended St. Augustine High School in North Park. My passion for the sports of cross country and track & field began in high school and provided me the opportunity to attend UCLA and compete for their teams. After graduating with an undergraduate degree in history I moved to Flagstaff, AZ to compete with a professional running group based there. That is where I met my wife, Natasha LaBeaud. We married in 2013 and just recently had our first child, Beau Diego Anzures, in May of 2021. When I moved back to San Diego I continued to compete as a professional runner but injured my back. The recovery and rehabilitation period gave me the opportunity to explore coaching and I began my formal coaching career at University City High School when the head coach, Gimi McCarthy, offered me the chance to work with him. I spent another year assisting the University of San Diego team and then moved to the Los Angeles area when I was hired as the head cross country/distance coach at Cerritos College. During that time, I also completed a graduate degree in exercise science from the California University of Pennsylvania. Each stop along my career has re-affirmed my love for coaching and teaching.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have always been a hard worker and fortunate that my efforts have provided success along that way. However, that is not to say the early part of my career was easy. My wife and I occasionally recall how financially difficult the first part of our marriage was. Neither of us was making a lot of money but we were working extremely hard. There were stressful moments planning what we could afford to buy. One of the things that helped us during that time was knowing that money couldn’t dictate our happiness. Having each other, supporting one another, and having our community were things that kept us grounded.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an educator and athletic coach at San Diego City College. I work as a faculty member in the Health, Exercise Science, & Athletics department. I teach health and exercise science courses and lead the women’s cross country team as the head coach. In addition, I am an active member of my campus community and participate in college governance and committees. I currently also hold the role of Faculty Accreditation Coordinator, which is a position that assists college leadership in developing the college’s reaffirmation of accreditation. Most of my work focuses on teaching students how to use health information to make informed choices about their health and how to change their behaviors in a positive way according to their personal goals. Physical activity and exercise is a powerful tool that can help students manage stress, feel more confident, and improve fitness. In addition, students take home what they learn and pass that knowledge on to their family, friends, and community. In my life and career, I am most proud of my efforts to support my students, athletes, and my community to lead healthier lives and to achieve their personal and academic goals. A strong sense of community and relationships are important to me and I am able to foster those on my campus and in my own community.
What are your plans for the future?
My wife and I recently welcomed a new member to our family. Our son Beau Diego Anzures is nearly 9 months old and I look forward to spending as much time as I can with him as he grows up. I have already enjoyed watching him grow these first few months of his life. It is important to me that I am able to be there for him so my priorities have shifted to be able to do that as a family.
Contact Info:
- Email: manzures@sdccd.edu
- Website: https://www.sdcrosscountry.com/
- Instagram: @sdcitycrosscountry
