Athletic Director “Captain Fun” Meets Fontbonne

Zoe Ramirez ‘29

Fontbonne Hall Academy welcomes Maria Laterza, a new athletic director whose lifelong passion for basketball has taken her around the world and now brings her to Fontbonne.

She played varsity basketball throughout all four years of high school before attending Marist College. After college, she moved to Italy, where she played basketball locally and internationally. She’s won many achievements, both for her team and personally. However, her favorite accomplishment is “being able to play for my country.” Eventually, she stepped away from playing to pursue her dream of working in the NBA and the corporate world. 

When COVID-19 arrived, her career took a new direction. She stopped working for the NBA and began traveling the world with Basketball Without Borders, connecting with athletes and helping grow the game internationally. 

Now she is bringing her experience to Fontbonne with a goal of inspiring young female athletes. She wants to find girls who share the same passion for sports that has shaped her own life. 

She explains her reason for coming to Fontbonne with a powerful quote: “What is the point of climbing the mountain if I look around and no one is with me?”

Her words reflect her belief that success is more meaningful when others have the opportunity to succeed alongside you. As Fontbonne’s new athletic director, she hopes to help students discover their potential, pursue their passions, and realize how far sports can take them.