Lightning Athletics is proud to announce the hiring of Sam Read as Head Coach of Cross Country and Indoor Track & Field.
Read arrives at St. Mary’s University with more than three decades of coaching experience, a track record of developing athletes from grassroots participation to national and international competition, and a reputation as one of Canada’s most respected endurance coaches. Throughout her career, she has helped athletes achieve success at every level of the sport while building programs defined by excellence, accountability, and community.
Now, she brings that experience, energy, and vision to Lightning Athletics.
“Sam brings an exceptional combination of experience, energy, and leadership to our program,” said Nathan Ruff, Director of Athletics. “She has coached at the club, high school, provincial, national, and international levels, and has consistently demonstrated an ability to develop athletes and build successful programs. Throughout the hiring process, she stood out as someone ready to elevate the training environment and performance standards of our program while continuing to prioritize the student-athlete experience. We are excited to welcome Sam to Lightning Athletics and look forward to the impact she will have on our athletes and community.”
For Read, the decision to join St. Mary’s was about more than athletics.
It was about people.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to join the Lightning family,” said Read. “From my first conversations with the administration, it was clear that St. Mary’s values people, relationships, and student-athlete success. I have tremendous respect for the coaches and student-athletes who have helped build that foundation over the years. I’m excited to continue raising the standard of excellence both on the course and on the track.”
Those values align closely with Read’s own coaching philosophy.
A longtime leader with the Calgary Track and Field Club (CALTAF), Read has spent her career helping athletes discover what they are capable of achieving. She believes coaching extends far beyond workouts, race plans, and competition schedules. At its best, coaching is about helping people grow.
“I believe that coaching is more than training; it’s about being attuned to the needs of each athlete, helping them grow and bringing out the excellence that lies within,” said Read. “I believe in fostering a culture built on hard work, commitment, accountability, teamwork, and excellence – qualities that not only help athletes succeed in competition but also prepare them for success in life.”
Her résumé reflects that philosophy.
Over the past 30 years, Read has coached athletes ranging from beginners to national team competitors. She currently serves as Endurance Program Lead with CALTAF and has coached at the provincial, national, and international levels, including appointments with Team Alberta and Team Canada. Along the way, she has earned recognition as Athletics Alberta Junior Development Coach of the Year and helped guide athletes toward success at provincial, national, and international championships.
But statistics and accolades only tell part of the story.
What stands out most is her ability to build programs.
During her time at Mountain View High School in California, Read helped grow the school’s cross country program from just 12 athletes to 155 participants while expanding the track and field program to more than 200 athletes. It is a reflection of a coach who understands that great programs are built one athlete, one relationship, and one opportunity at a time.
That same vision will guide the future of Lightning Running.
“I want Lightning athletes to be known for their grit, resilience, and unwavering commitment to one another,” said Read. “We succeed together. When we step onto the starting line, I want competitors to recognize us as prepared, disciplined, and mentally tough — a team that is ready to compete and embrace every challenge.”
As she looks ahead, Read sees tremendous potential in the program and the student-athletes who call St. Mary’s home.
Five years from now, she hopes the Lightning will be competing among the very best programs in the ACAC while continuing to develop leaders in the classroom, in competition, and in the community.
“Ultimately,” she said, “I want St. Mary’s to be the program others measure themselves against.”
With a respected leader at the helm and a clear vision for the future, the next chapter of Lightning Cross Country and Indoor Track & Field is already underway.