Rice started as an intern in the summer of 2017 at Niagara University before being named the Head of Strength and Conditioning in 2023 where she oversees the physical development, performance, and injury prevention strategies for the university's Division 1 athletics programs.
With a passion for optimizing athletic performance Sydney works closely with coaches, athletic trainers, and athletes to build individualized strength programs that enhance power, speed, and endurance while promoting long-term athletic development.Â
Throughout her career at Niagara, Sydney has played a pivotal role in the success of Niagara University athletics, helping the athletics program capture five MAAC championships across multiple sports.
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Sydney brings over 8 years of experience in coaching, with a history of developing elite athletes of all ages across various sports. While in her early years at Niagara, Sydney also served as a performance coach for 2 years at Impact performance in Buffalo, NY. There, she developed athletes of all levels, creating tailored programs to optimize performance and minimize injury risk.
Sydney obtained her Bachelors in Human Performance from Edinboro University where she also played Division II Tennis.Â
She holds the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), which is widely regarded as the gold standard in the field of sports performance."
