Stanford Recreation

Mary Richards enters her first season on the Farm as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for Stanford men’s and women’s rugby. Prior to Stanford, Mary's coaching career began on the East coast. She graduated from Syracuse University in 2012 with a degree in exercise science. There she was a four year letter winner on the women’s rowing team while also participating on the ice hockey and track and field teams. After Syracuse, Mary completed two full-time internships, the first at Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning (MBSC) in Boston, MA, and the second with Harvard University’s 41 athletic programs. She also worked in a strength and conditioning roles at the Harvard Business School. She then received her Master’s degree in Health and Recreational Sports Management from Kent State University, while also coaching full time as the assistant Olympic strength and conditioning Coach. From Kent State, Mary was hired by Yale University to work with all of their NCAA sports and traveled with women’s volleyball and field hockey in 2013. Boston College then hired Mary to work with their Olympic sports teams from 2014-2016. Mary has her collegiate strength and conditioning license through the NSCA and holds her Nutrition certification through precision nutrition and launched her own nutrition coaching company in 2021. Mary’s life purpose is to help and encourage people to perform at their best and live their life to the fullest. 

From Kenny Lake, Alaska, Mary grew up hunting, fishing, biking, hiking, gardening and playing every sport imaginable. Her love for strength and conditioning stems from suffering a femur fracture when she was 17 and watching how your consistent work and motivation can change the trajectory of one’s life.