Waterville, ME – Thomas College Athletics is thrilled to announce the hiring of Brooke Richards as an Associate Head Field Hockey Coach. While Head Field Hockey Coach Andrea Thebarge will remain in her role, Richards will provide additional support for the program.
 
Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics and Head Field Hockey Coach Andrea Thebarge commented, "We are excited to welcome Brooke into this new role at Thomas. Her dedication, passion, her experience at a high level, as well as her ties to Maine and the community will be invaluable as we continue to grow our program."
 
A native of Belfast, Maine, Richards comes to Thomas with several years of experience at the NCAA Division I Level. A former goalkeeper for the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Richards was a key member of a consistent top-20 ranked Field Hockey team in the country. After graduating with a degree in Kinesiology, Richards then became an Assistant Coach at fellow NCAA Division I school Ball State University, where she has served for the past two years.
 
In her role as an Associate Field Hockey Coach, Richards will have a key role in recruiting, player development, and will assist with other essential administrative tasks within the program. With her new role, Richards brings immense passion and a growth mindset to the program. "I am extremely excited about the opportunity to work at Thomas College and become part of such a close-knit and supportive campus community. I am passionate about helping to develop and grow the sport of field hockey in Maine at the collegiate level. Additionally, I am eager to learn as much as possible from Head Coach Thebarge, whose leadership, experience, and commitment to student-athlete development I greatly admired."
 
Richard's coaching philosophy revolves around honesty, accountability, and consistent support for student-athletes. "I believe in pushing players to be the best version of themselves both on and off the field by setting high standards and providing clear, direct feedback. My goal is to help players develop confidence, discipline, and a strong sense of responsibility that extends beyond the game."
 
Richards also emphasized how excited she is to be returning to her home state. "I grew up playing club field hockey and attending camps at Thomas, spending countless late nights pushing myself to become the best player I could be. Those moments helped shape not only my career, but who I am today. Being able to return now and coach student-athletes on the very field where my field hockey journey began is incredibly meaningful and something I do not take for granted."
 
Richards' official start date is February 18th and will look to begin preparations for this fall.