Discover Kelsey Richardson Florida’s Coaching Success Story

Introduction

Kelsey Richardson has quickly become one of the promising figures in women’s collegiate lacrosse, especially in Florida, where she currently serves as the Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach at Florida Tech. Known for her defensive expertise, high-energy leadership, and athlete-centered coaching philosophy, Richardson is shaping a new chapter for the program while inspiring a generation of young players. Her journey from a standout goalkeeper at Syracuse University to a respected coach in the Sunshine State is a story of discipline, growth, and genuine commitment to the sport.

Early Life, Education, and Passion for Lacrosse

Kelsey Richardson’s foundation in lacrosse began long before her collegiate career, growing up in Memphis, New York, where she first developed her passion for the sport. Her commitment to lacrosse eventually led her to Syracuse University, where she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Athletic Coaching in 2015. Her academic background, especially in psychology, continues to influence her coaching style today, giving her a deeper understanding of team dynamics, athlete behavior, and leadership development. She currently resides in Palm Bay, Florida, where she continues to lead and inspire athletes at Florida Tech.

During her time at Syracuse, Richardson became a notable figure both academically and athletically. She was recognized as a four-time academic scholar-athlete, balancing high-level competition with strong academic performance, something she now expects and encourages in her own players.

Kelsey Richardson Age

Based on her 2015 graduation from Syracuse University and a typical college graduation age of around 22, Kelsey Richardson is estimated to be in her early 30s, likely around 32–33 years old.

Family Background

Relation	Family Member	Notes
Father	Brian Richardson	Supportive influence during her early years
Mother	Roxanne Richardson	Encouraged academic and athletic pursuits
Brother	Todd Richardson	Played lacrosse at Mercyhurst College
Brother	Tyler Richardson	Played lacrosse at Morrisville College

Kelsey Richardson hails from Memphis, New York, where she grew up in a supportive family environment that nurtured both her academic and athletic pursuits. She is the daughter of Brian and Roxanne Richardson, whose encouragement and guidance played an important role in her early development as a student-athlete.

Athletic talent runs in her family, as Kelsey has two brothers who also excelled in lacrosse. Her brother Todd Richardson competed at Mercyhurst College, while Tyler Richardson played at Morrisville College, reflecting a family deeply connected to the sport.

A Standout Career at Syracuse University

Richardson played goalkeeper for the Syracuse Orange, one of the top Division I women’s lacrosse programs in the country. Her years with the team were nothing short of exceptional.

She helped lead the Orange to four consecutive NCAA Final Four appearances from 2012 to 2015, including two national championship games. Her dedication and skill placed her among the program’s most reliable defensive players, and she eventually finished her collegiate career with 329 saves, ranking her among Syracuse’s all-time leaders.

Her senior year was one of her most memorable seasons, as Syracuse captured the 2015 ACC Championship, showcasing her role as both a player and a leader. These experiences built the foundation for her future coaching career, giving her firsthand insight into high-pressure environments, competitive strategy, and team-building.

Early Coaching Journey: Building Experience and Leadership

After graduating, Richardson transitioned into coaching, an area where she found she could blend her athletic background with her passion for mentorship.

IMG Academy (2019–2021)

Richardson’s coaching path accelerated at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, one of the most renowned athletic development centers in the world. At IMG, she served as an assistant coach for the girls’ lacrosse program, where she played a significant role in training athletes, designing conditioning programs, and developing strategies.

One of her most impactful contributions during this time was founding Empowered Female Athlete, an initiative focused on leadership, confidence-building, and personal development for young female athletes. She also created a Leadership Council for her players, reflecting her commitment to shaping athletes not just for the game, but for life beyond it.

Youth and Club Lacrosse

Alongside her work at IMG, Richardson gained additional experience coaching at the club level. She worked with several programs, including Orange Crush Girls, Lax Maniax, and the West Tampa Wolves. These early roles allowed her to refine her coaching techniques, connect with younger athletes, and understand the developmental side of the sport.

Assistant Coach at Campbell University: A Record-Breaking Journey

Richardson took a major step in her coaching career in 2021 when she joined Campbell University as an assistant coach. During her time with the Camels, the program experienced one of the most successful stretches in its history.

Within two seasons:

• Campbell reached its first Big South title game,
  
• The team recorded 22 wins,
  
• Players earned multiple all-conference honors, including Defensive Player of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year,
  
• The defense, under Richardson’s guidance, ranked among the top 10 nationally in caused turnovers and ground balls.

Richardson’s influence on the defensive unit was especially notable. She emphasized aggression, precision, and high-tempo ball movement, traits that helped the Camels break several program records for wins, goals, assists, and more.

Her success at Campbell positioned her as a rising talent in collegiate coaching and paved the way for her biggest career move yet.

Becoming Head Coach at Florida Tech

In June 2023, Florida Tech announced Kelsey Richardson as its new Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach, marking a significant milestone in her career. The university praised her track record, leadership ability, and clear vision for building a competitive and cohesive program.

From day one, Richardson made her priorities clear:
She wanted to establish a championship culture, one built on unity, discipline, academic success, and relentless effort.

She emphasized the importance of connecting with current athletes, recruits, alumni, and the broader community. Her approach promised not only better performance but also a stronger culture and long-term identity for the program.

Impact at Florida Tech: Growth, Milestones, and Early Wins

Richardson’s impact at Florida Tech became visible almost immediately.

2024 Season: Strong Start to a New Role

In her first year, she led the Panthers to a 7–10 overall record, a competitive showing for a program in transition. More importantly, the team secured a 17–15 upset victory over No. 18 Saint Anselm, a statement win that displayed the team’s potential under her leadership.

Florida Tech also reached No. 19 in the national IWLCA rankings, one of the program’s notable recent achievements.

2025 Progress and Ranked Wins

In her second season, the Panthers earned two ranked wins, both against Rollins College, demonstrating growing confidence and consistency.

Individual players also thrived under Richardson’s coaching:

• Clare McGuire earned SSC Freshman of the Year,
  
• Sophia Scichilone made the All-SSC First Team,
  
• Gillian Craig was selected for the All-SSC Second Team.
  

These achievements highlight Richardson’s ability to develop talent, motivate her athletes, and elevate the overall performance of the team.

Here is a clean, polished, writer-style version of the social media section. No links, no clutter — just strong, professional narrative you can use directly in your article:

Social Media Presence

Kelsey Richardson maintains a modest but purposeful presence across social media, using her platforms primarily to share coaching insights and stay connected within the lacrosse community.

On X (formerly Twitter), she is active under the handle @k_richardson15, where she highlights her journey as a Syracuse alumna, lacrosse coach, and mentor. Her feed reflects her passion for athlete development, team culture, and the evolving landscape of women’s lacrosse. With over 300 followers, her profile serves as a small but engaged space where she interacts with players, fans, and fellow coaches.

Her presence on Instagram appears more connected to her professional roles, particularly through the Florida Tech Women’s Lacrosse account. She is frequently featured in reels and posts that showcase training moments, coaching philosophies, motivational messages, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into team life. She also uses the username @_kels_15, where she shares additional lacrosse-related content and leadership perspectives.

Kelsey is also active on LinkedIn, where her profile reflects her coaching career, prior work in lacrosse sales, and experience in broadcast media. Her LinkedIn highlights serve as an expanded resume, offering deeper insight into her professional growth and contributions to the sport.

Platform	Username / Account	Purpose / Content
X (formerly Twitter)	@k_richardson15	Coaching insights, lacrosse updates, mentorship, team culture
Instagram	@_kels_15 / Florida Tech WLAX	Training reels, behind-the-scenes, motivational content, leadership insights
LinkedIn	Kelsey Richardson	Professional career, coaching experience, broadcast/media background

Overall, her online presence reflects a coach who chooses professionalism and purpose over popularity, focusing on using digital platforms to educate, motivate, and strengthen the lacrosse community.

Coaching Philosophy: Development, Defense, and Culture

Throughout her career, Richardson has demonstrated a clear coaching identity, one that blends high-level lacrosse strategy with deep attention to athlete well-being.

1. Holistic Athlete Development

Richardson believes that great athletes are shaped both on and off the field. Her focus on psychology, leadership, empowerment, and personal development reflects her belief in a balanced, supportive environment.

2. Defense-Focused Strategy

Her defensive background as a goalkeeper shapes much of her coaching approach. She emphasizes aggressive defense, quick transitions, and relentless effort, an identity that proved successful at Campbell and is now building momentum at Florida Tech.

3. Building a Cohesive Culture

Richardson consistently talks about creating a “championship culture.” To her, culture means accountability, trust, communication, and unity. These values are the pillars of her coaching, influencing both team performance and long-term program identity.

Kelsey Richardson Net Worth

Kelsey Richardson’s net worth is not publicly disclosed, but based on her career as a collegiate lacrosse coach, it is estimated to be between $200,000 and $500,000. As the Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach at Florida Tech, she earns a typical NCAA Division II salary of $60,000 to $90,000 per year. Additional income may come from coaching clinics, camps, and private training sessions. Her earnings reflect her years of experience, professional expertise, and growing reputation in the lacrosse community.

Challenges Ahead and Future Outlook

As Richardson continues to transform Florida Tech’s program, several challenges and opportunities lie before her:

• Recruiting competitive talent to strengthen the roster,
  
• Sustaining defensive dominance while enhancing offensive production,
  
• Building long-term program stability with improved resources and facilities,
  
• Expanding athlete development initiatives,
  
• Raising the national profile of Florida Tech lacrosse.

Given her early impact and proven track record, Richardson appears well-positioned to guide the Panthers to new heights in the coming years.

Conclusion: A Coach Shaping the Future of Florida Lacrosse

Kelsey Richardson’s path from Syracuse standout to Florida Tech head coach reflects resilience, ambition, and passion. She is more than a lacrosse coach, she is a mentor, a strategist, and a builder of culture.

Her influence on the Florida Tech program is already substantial, and with her vision, leadership, and commitment to developing strong, confident athletes, she is shaping both the present and future of women’s lacrosse in Florida. As she continues to lead the Panthers forward, Richardson stands out as one of the most exciting coaching talents in the sport today, one whose impact is only just beginning.

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