Alumni Stories

See what these Kin alumni are up to and what they’re doing with their Kinesiology degrees.

Tolhurst, Art

Graduating year: 2002
Degree: BHK
Tolhurst played pro football in Hamburg Germany and with the BC Lions in 2003. Following his pro career Art embarked upon a football coaching career in Vienna Austria then later served as an intern at the University of South Florida.


Torreggiani, Kim Cassar

Graduating year: 1983
Degree: BHK
While a student with UBC’s varsity swimming team, Kim was a top 10 diving finalist five years in a row at the CIS national championships. She was the team captain for three years and was awarded four UBC Big Blocks for her athletic achievements


Twist, Peter

Graduating year: 1992
Degree: MHK
The many projects undertaken by Peter Twist have resulted in rewards – rewards as much for others as they have been for him. A 1992 graduate of the Human Kinetics Masters program, Twist as a student played on the Thunderbird hockey team while at the same time pursuing his passion .


Upson, Brian

Graduating year: 1953
Degree: BPE
Brian is best remembered as a high school basketball coach, in fact a storied career which stands out among such careers of those from UBC.


Watson, Laura

Graduating year: 2006, 2018
Degree: BHK, MHPCTL
Laura Watson is a High Performance Coaching Advisor with Own the Podium where she is responsible for implementing the Coaching Enhancement Program. This program aims to support Canada’s coaches in the pursuit of world class coaching excellence in Olympic and Paralympic sport.


Watson, Mercedes

Graduating year: 2012
Degree: MKin
As the Director of Coach & Partner Development, at the Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO), she and her team provide coach development, funding opportunities, and events for Ontario's approximately 250,000 coaches. She also works with various sport organizations to support their coach development needs, such as Right to Play, the Greater Toronto Hockey League, and Hockey Canada.


Watt, Norm

Graduating year: 1949
Degree: BPE
Norm Watt was one of the originals, that is, a member of UBC’s first graduating class in Physical Education (Kinesiology) back in 1949. He was also an athlete and although not tall, was a notable basketball player and played Varsity Thunderbird basketball during the late 1940s.


Watts, Carrie

Graduating year: 2011
Degree: MKin
Since entering UBC in 1999/2000, Carrie Watts (nee Watson) has been an integral component of UBC Thunderbird basketball, including one of its best players and now an emerging coach. From 2005 through 2007 Carrie played on Canada’s National basketball team competing in several international tournaments – a rare accomplishment for a Thunderbird.


Webster, Joanie

Graduating year:1980
Degree: BPE
One is immediately struck by Joanie Webster’s passion, exuberance and energy. The 1980 Recreation in Education graduate was a “builder” and student leader at UBC from the mid 1970s through 1990, particularly in the areas of Intramurals and Recreation.


Wilson, Gail

Graduating year: 1981
Degree: MPE
Gail Wilson joined the UBC coaching staff in 1977 and was the coach of the UBC Thunderbird Women’s field hockey team from until 1993. From 1977/78 until 1992/93, Wilson executed one of the most successful recruiting and coaching careers in UBC history. Gail’s UBC Women’s Field Hockey teams were Canada West champions in 1977, ’78, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83 and ’90 and were National Champions five times.