Ross Dexter (MKin 2010) is an Athletic Trainer at Southern Oregon University, where he first pursued his academic journey. He works with athletes to rehabilitate from injury and improve performance. He is also a published author and researcher, and has written for three peer-reviewed journals, and counting!
In 2006, Ross graduated from Southern Oregon University with his BSc in Health and Physical Education and later embarked on his first master’s degree at UBC. He did not believe that he would pursue graduate studies until he found UBC: “I was particularly lucky to be studying in the Lower Mainland during the 2010 Winter Olympics which, for any sports performance professional, brings another level of awe to the environment,” remarks Ross. The Kin faculty was inspirational for his career journey as they helped him leverage his skills and knowledge of the subject. In fact, he continually passes the knowledge he gained from Kin professors Richard Mosher (1944-2021), Michael Koehle, Maria Gallo, and Patricia Vertinsky, to his students. After graduating from UBC, he enrolled in the University of Idaho’s MSc and Doctoral programs in Athletic Training.
When asked how his UBC degree contributed to his career growth, Ross expressed that it was “a striking conversation starter” when he came back to the United States. He states, “my KIN degree allows me to communicate across numerous professions that interact with athletes,” in areas such as sports psychology, physiology, and pedagogy.
Ross started his career journey as a track and field coach at UBC. “I spent much of my time coaching the Varsity Track and Field and Cross-Country teams under Marek Jedrzejek, who was a major influence in my early career”, says Ross. He worked to become a strength and conditioning coach and massage therapist, but he ultimately combined both experiences and became an Athletic Trainer/Therapist. He noted that “the logical conclusion for him was to bring both occupations together and draw on the knowledge and skills he has gained to develop a high-performance approach to his practice.” Currently, Ross is finishing a book, “Start with the Core,” about how core stability enhances sports performance and reduces injury risk. He is also reforming his department to accommodate athletic training clinical education.
Ross’s advice to students: Listen, collaborate, and engage. Listen to those with less or differing experience – they may be on the cutting edge. Collaborate with your colleagues – shared learning will benefit both parties. Seek out and engage in dialogue with luminaries – there is always something to learn. Stay curious!
