Kevin Tong is a third year BKin student in multidisciplinary sciences. He currently plays for the Men’s Ultimate Team under UBC Thunderbirds Sport Clubs. As a student-athlete, he has been determined to further his passion for sports, health, and well-being.
Ever since he became an athlete, Kevin has been passionate about physical therapy. He witnessed many injured team mates successfully recover when treated by physiotherapists. This has motivated him to aspire to a career where he can support injured athletes. “Seeing the relieved expressions of their clients after they have been treated brings me an unparalleled sense of joy,” states Kevin. At one point, he considered sports medicine, but seeing physiotherapists gaining more opportunities to work in health facilities and tournaments changed his career pursuit.
Exercise physiology is another key interest of Kevin’s and his favourite class is KIN 235, Exercise Physiology, with Assistant Professor Cameron Mitchell. He enjoys it so much that he decided to develop his skills in a more applied manner by becoming an active volunteer at UBC Bodyworks and UBC Strength and Conditioning, and by joining the Kinesiology Wellness and Mental Health Committee (KiWe). Also, he volunteers at two physiotherapy clinics, Neuromotion and Lift Clinic, and is taking the time to explore physiotherapy. Overall, he has gained valuable volunteer experience that “helped tailor his studies to his interests.”
What Kevin loves about playing Ultimate for UBC are the bonds he has made with his teammates as well as the national and international travel. “The exhilarating feeling of chasing after a disc just never gets old and our team culture is both fun and supportive,” expresses Kevin. “To travel to places such as San Francisco and Los Angeles for D-1 competitions with my team cannot be understated. Ultimate has connected me with so many wonderful people.”
When asked what the secret to a great Ultimate player is, he stated that they must have “work ethic, humility, and an open mind towards improvement.” In his words, a player can only succeed “through countless hours of hard work and dedication towards their sport.” An important topic in both exercise physiology and physiotherapy is promoting health. Learning how to strengthen your body as an athlete “is vital to optimal training and recovery.” Kevin suggested that the support he received from physiotherapists to continue playing Ultimate taught him about both subjects: “Physiotherapists not only help by treating acute and chronic injuries through practices such as manual therapy and IMS; they also help to build strength in their clients, to prevent similar injuries from occurring in the future.”
Kevin hopes to enroll in the UBC Department of Physical Therapy after he completes his BKin degree. As a KIN student, Kevin observed that the School’s student body has a dedicated, united spirit that is unlike other UBC schools and faculties. “What makes KIN unique are the students that make up the faculty. Every KIN student I’ve met is not only super dedicated to self-improvement in all aspects of their lives, but also dedicated to help their peers and succeed together. This spirit of the KIN Faculty is what makes it really special, and enjoyable.”