Each Monday of the fall semester, we’ll be bringing you three different “Getting to Know Them” profiles on coaches, athletic administrators and athletic trainers at Slippery Rock to introduce you to the folks behind the scenes here at The Rock. Next up, we check in with fiscal assistant and athletic department secretary Erica Razzano.

QUICK BIO
Razzano has been a member of the Slippery Rock athletics staff since August of 2018. She currently serves as the department secretary in the main athletics office while also working as a fiscal assistant for the athletic department. With a background in compliance, Razzano is an asset to the SRU athletics staff in multiple facets. Prior to joining the staff at SRU, she worked in collegiate compliance offices at the Mid-American Conference, Texas Christian University, Stetson University and the University of Akron. She also worked in the compliance office at the University of West Florida while she earned her master’s of education degree (2012). Razzano earned her undergraduate degree in sport management from Robert Morris University in 2010. 

IN HER WORDS
Q: What was your first job growing up?
A: My first job growing up was working at a pizza place in the mall during my senior year of high school. I got two of my other friends’ jobs there as well. We had a blast and it was super easy! I worked there for a year before I enrolled in college the following fall.

Q: Tell us about your family
A: I am a wife and mother to our one son, Domenick. My husband is the defensive coordinator for SRU football. My husband and I have been married for two years and our son is 13 months old. We were married in July and our son was also born in July, so July signifies a very special month for us. I have one older brother, Christian, who is a Physician’s Assistant at Shadyside Hospital. He and his wife have a 3-year-old little girl, Evelyn. My mother, Michelle, still resides in Pittsburgh and is retired. She serves as a part-time grandma for her wonderful grandchildren. My dad unfortunately passed away six years ago, but he is our guardian angel that watches over our family. 

Q: What was your favorite or most memorable vacation?
A: Every summer my family and I went to Nags Head for a week. We rented a large beach house with my aunts/uncles/cousins and had the best time. It was definitely something I looked forward to every summer plus it was great spending that quality time with my dad’s side of the family. Another trip that was super memorable for me was when I was asked to go to Hawaii with the TCU women’s beach volleyball team. At the time, I was serving as the assistant director for compliance and they needed a woman administrator to help monitor the trip. The head coach of the beach volleyball team was a Hawaii native, so we got to experience a lot of local places and beaches that we would’ve never been able to experience, plus the trip was completely covered.

Q: What meal/dish/item are you best at cooking? 
A: The meal that I am best at cooking is salmon with a cinnamon and brown sugar glaze. It is best served with a potato and a side of rice and asparagus.

Q: When did you know you wanted to go into a career in collegiate athletics?
A: I was a former track and field student-athlete at Robert Morris University. During my senior year I needed to complete an internship as part of my major before graduating so my professor at the time suggested interning in the compliance office over in the Athletics Department. I interned for a year and after graduating received the opportunity to be a graduate assistant in compliance at the University of West Florida. I had an incredible boss during my two-year stint there and got to wear several different hats (assisting with academics, SAAC, game operations, etc.) and from there I decided I wanted to keep pursuing a career in athletics, specifically NCAA compliance. Specifically, I owe my drive to my career to the Senior Associate AD/SWA/Compliance at UWF who continually pushed me to strive for experiences and positions outside my comfort zone. I worked in compliance for eight years before making a career change and then a year later getting back into college athletics as a fiscal assistant/athletic department secretary.

Q: What’s the last TV show you binged watched?
A: The last show I binge watched was Selling Sunset on Netflix. It follows the elite agents at The Oppenheim Group, which is located in Los Angeles. Per the description of the show, “The elite agents at The Oppenheim Group sell the luxe life to affluent buyers in LA. Relationships are everything and that often means major drama.” I enjoy some trashy reality tv here or there!

Q: How many and what kind of pets do you have? How long have you had them? 
A: We have one dog, Jolene, a 4-year-old Pitbull/Labrador mix who was a rescue from Ohio. I rescued her from a foster home when she was six months old. She is one of the sweetest dogs I have ever been around. 

Q: What was the last app you downloaded on your phone? What is your most-used app?
A: The last app I downloaded was The Wonder Weeks. It’s an app that helps parents track developmental progress week by week as young babies develop. Mom life. The most used app on my phone is Instagram. I have set a limit on my phone for social media usage each day so I don’t indulge too much!

Q: What’s your favorite season/type of weather? Why?
A: I really enjoy the summer and fall seasons. I love summer for the hot weather/pools/beach/vacations and the relaxed atmosphere that the season brings. I think fall is the most beautiful time of year with all the colors changing. I really enjoy fall attire and fall decorations, plus it’s football season.

Q: Does pineapple belong on pizza?
A: Pineapple definitely belongs on pizza. Hawaiian pizza is one of my go to orders when I order pizza!

To stay up to date with all that happens at The Rock, follow our official athletic communication accounts on Twitter (@Rock_Athletics), Facebook (RockAthletics) and Instagram (RockAthletics).