Mary was a four-year varsity basketball player for NDSD in the early 1980s. Among her honors were: KC Free Throw Contest Winner at the local and regional levels in 1981, 1985 All Conference Team and National Association of the Deaf All American First Team in 1985. She was the first NDSD female athlete to make the team. Mary was a player in the late 1980’s on the Minnesota basketball team which won the Midwest American Athletic Association of the Deaf championship. She made the All Tourney Team. Mary also participated in track.