Young, John L.
Graduating year: 1971
Degree: BPE
In September of 2003 he began a 10 year relationship as volunteer and coordinator of the Richmond Terry Fox Run. In 2009, him and his wife were heavily involved with the new Richmond Olympic Oval and were volunteer managers for many Long Track Speed Skating events in preparation for the Olympic Games in 2010.
Girke, Nikola
Graduating year: 1999
Degree: BHK
Nikola Girke, BHK 1999, studied health and fitness during her undergraduate year and played for the UBC Women’s Rugby team; recognized for her academic and athletic success as an Academic All-Canadian student in 2000. However, despite Nikola’s achievements as a varsity athlete in Rugby, it was sailing that was her true passion.
Yang, Brian Chih-Yu
Graduating year: 2011
Degree: BHK
Brian has gone above and beyond conquering his basketball injury. Brian has become extremely experienced in the international fitness industry in Vancouver, Taipei, and Shanghai, where he is currently situated. He has 10+ years of work in nutrition application to fitness, weight management nutrition, nutrition for professional athletes, and sports injury prevention.
Sarafis, Zoe
Graduating year: 2017
Degree: BKIN
I am currently living in Zürich, Switzerland, and completing my Master’s degree at Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETHZ) in Health Sciences and Technology (Major in Neurosciences), which is a multidisciplinary program combining natural and engineering sciences.
Ozkaplan, Atila
Graduating year: 2001
Degree: BHK
When Atila Ozkaplan, BHK 2001 and MSc 2004, arrived in Vancouver from Ontario in 1997, his goal was to become a doctor of Sports Medicine. However, his path shifted significantly when he volunteered with one of his professors, Dr. Ted Rhodes.
Andrews, Shelley Winter
Graduating year: 1975
Degree: BPE
While playing for UBC 1975 through 1985 she was selected MVP, won the league sportsmanship award and was named the 1975/76 UBC female Athlete of the Year.
From 1975 through 1986 Shelley was a member of Canada’s National team – her 12 years being the most of any BC woman in this sport.
Sainas, Bill (1939-2018)
Graduating year: 1949
Degree: BPE
Bill Sainas, who passed away in 2018 at age 93, was a member of UBC’s first Physical Education/Kinesiology graduating class in 1949. This small, pioneer class represented the first graduates in Physical Education in Western Canada.
Zhou, Randy
Graduating year: 2014
Degree: BKIN
In recognition of his accomplishments in, and knowledge of, the world of fitness, he was awarded a share of the Mutant Nation fitness centre in Shanghai, a popular fitness chain in China known for its celebrity visitors. China Post has even offered to make a series of collector postcards and stamps to recognize his fitness achievements!
Richter, Sarah
Graduating year: 2017
Degree: BKIN
I am a proud alumna of UBC’s School of Kinesiology, having recently graduated in May 2017. I’m originally from sunny Kelowna, and enjoyed the Okanagan’s snowy ski seasons growing up. I chose to attend UBC’s Point Grey campus because it’s where my parents received their degrees.
Laycoe, Bob (1947-2020)
Graduating year: 1969
Degree: MPE
Bob was an inspirational player on the Thunderbird football team while competing on UBC’s wrestling team, a team that won Western Canadian and Canadian university championships.