Ernsting, Mark

Mark Ernsting is the owner and founder of M1 Sports Management – an agency that oversees corporate marketing, event management, and athlete representation. After graduating from UBC’s School of Kinesiology, Mark received a cycling scholarship to attend a university in the United States where he completed his graduate degrees researching Testosterone & Cortisol Ratios in Elite Male Cyclists.

In his athletic career, Mark is a five-time Canadian National Track Cycling Champion and has had the privilege of representing cycling teams in North America, Europe, and was part of the Canadian National Team. Mark competed for Canada at World Cups, World Championships, Pan-Am Games, and other International Road and Track events until his retirement from the sport in 2004.

Upon graduation, Mark accepted a position as a Professor of Exercise Science & Sport Management at West Virginia Wesleyan College in WV (USA) where he established and created a world-class scientific test facility.

It was, however, in 2007 that Mark made the decision to leave academia, return to Canada, and begin his own sport management business. After the successful creation of M1 Sports Management, Mark also co-founded a sports sustainability business called EARTHsport. Recently Mark has received UCI certification as Canada’s first certified UCI Rider Agent allowing him to represent cyclists at the World Tour level.

As Mark explains, “An average day does not exist.” While he admits, “Yes, there are aspects to it that are very outgoing and have fun, entertaining components to the job”, he goes on to explain, has its share of misconceptions. Expanding on this, Mark explains how “what most people don’t realize is that as the contracted agency, we are responsible for every detail of the project to be executed successfully. This means that we are the first on-site and the last to leave during event production days.”

It is, however, reflecting on his past experiences that Mark explains how “My academic and athletic background (5-time Canadian National Track Cycling Champion) has provided me with both the theoretical and practical experience that has provided the foundation in every aspect of what M1 oversees.”

And what is Mark’s tip for success? “Stay honest to yourself and do things how they work for you. There is no one-way to execute something, the important thing is that the outcome is world-class. Be the best at what you do. Dedicate yourself to perfection and being the best in your field of expertise. Don’t focus on the prize; the reward is a result of completing the steps leading up to it. Therefore, focus on what it takes to execute those steps. Then you will succeed in anything you set your mind to.”

Twist, Peter

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 for acquiring and sharing knowledge about sport conditioning and personal wellness. While at UBC he designed training programs for athletes and became an author dedicated to the merits of strength and conditioning, especially in the realm of coaching.

Following UBC, Twist was hired by the Vancouver Canucks and for 11 years was the team’s strength and conditioning coach. While with the Canucks Peter created Twist Conditioning Inc. an enterprise based in North Vancouver now with five franchised locations in BC and Ontario. They consist of an education division, retail and wholesale products and a conditioning centre committed to reaching and exceeding the physical and psychological objectives of their clients, “ . . . pushing the envelope of potential” in the words of his friend Don Wells. Wells capsulates Twist’s nature with the words, “ . . . an inherent and humble spirit of generosity . . . one that has resulted in him devoting the entirety of his professional life to fueling the ambitious pursuits of others.”

Written by Fred Hume, UBC Historian

Stewardson, Stan (1938-2017)

Stan Stewardson has experienced an interesting life, particularly in the world of teaching, coaching and instilling spirit. As a UBC Physical Education (Kinesiology) student graduating in 1962, Stan played on UBC’s varsity soccer and baseball teams. In fact he continued to play semi-pro baseball after UBC. A member of a well known New Westminster family, Stan was also heavily involved in lacrosse, playing for the Salmonbellies Junior and Senior teams, a tradition his son would continue in later years.

Stan’s career however was coaching basketball and for many years was a highly respected and successful head coach at the high school level in Delta. He then evolved to become head coach of the men’s Varsity team at Simon Fraser University becoming “legendary”, coaching many of that university’s best-ever teams. Following his retirement from coaching, Stan’s work would be acknowledged with his induction into the Basketball BC Hall of Fame.

However his experience and mentoring abilities led him back to lacrosse where he coached the Junior ‘A’ Salmonbellies to the Minto Cup – Canadian Championship.

Engaging and knowledgeable, this ex-Thunderbird (his wife played Thunderbird basketball in the 1950s) is also well-known locally as a historian and memorabilia collector specializing in sports and the city of New Westminster itself – which could easily consider Stan one of its own “treasures.”

Written by Fred Hume, UBC Historian

Holloway, Susan

One of the more impressive UBC Kinesiology athletes is Sue Holloway (1983), an Olympian and multi-talented athlete. While at UBC Sue competed on the cross-country team under coach Doug Clement and the Varsity swim team coached by Jack Kelso. Concurrently Holloway was competing on Canada’s National ski team, Nordic Skiing being her specialty, in addition to being a former Canadian kayak champion.

At the 1976 Winter Olympics Sue represented Canada in the 10k and 5k Nordic skiing relays. Amazingly she also had represented Canada at the 1976 Summer Games in the Kayaking events there by becoming the first Canadian to compete in both the Summer and Winter Olympics the same year.

With kayaking emerging as her specialty she was selected to be the flag bearer for Canada’s 1980 Olympic team. FollowingUBC she was again selected to Canada’s team for the ’84 Games, winning bronze in the 500m fours and silver in the 500m pairs.

Although our Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame inductee did not win her medals in a Varsity sport, this ground-breaking four-time Olympic team member was indeed a Thunderbird, competing as a Varsity athlete while a Kinesiology student 1980 through ’83.

Written by Fred Hume, UBC Historian

Diewert, Gordon (1951-1981)

UBC’s Physical Education (Kinesiology) department spawned in 1973 a most extraordinary graduate in Gordon Diewert. Diewert would become a tenured Physical Education professor at UBC and a faculty member at SFU during the years 1978 through 1981, teaching courses in psychomotor learning and performance. Within that short three year period he would also be a founder of the Institute for Human Performance. His research, which included how motor learning and control varied with age, was designed to ultimately aid people with sensory challenges as well as developmentally challenged children. In addition, he studied the interaction of fitness with psychomotor performance.

Described as a prolific scholar with wide-ranging interests, Dr. Diewert also worked on issues such as reaction times in people who had been drinking. He was involved in the development of employment screening programs and was the author of several articles in academic journals.

Having played quarterback in high school, Diewert in 1970 and 1971 played Thunderbird football for legendary UBC coach Frank Gnup.

On April 28th, 1981, at the age of 30, Gordon Diewert died tragically when his car was hit by an impaired driver, killing Diewert instantly. Ironically, alcohol impairment just happened to be one of the areas in which he was conducting research.

Recently, Gordon Diewert’s family has created for UBC the Gordon L. Diewert Community Service Entrance Award, established to foster and promote the prevention of drinking and driving. UBC is proud to have been associated with such a devoted student and teacher and now devoted family.

Written by Fred Hume, UBC Historian

Dang, Joe

A popular and energetic graduate of the class of 1961, Joe Dang is the first Canadian of Chinese descent to graduate from Physical Education – now Kinesiology. Joe was the manager of the Thunderbird football team during some of coach Frank Gnup’s most successful seasons. Apparently, the football guys have some good stories to tell about Joe. But Joe’s managerial experiences were not without some discrimination especially when the Birds travelled across the border into the USA.

It was also during the late ‘50s that Joe served as timekeeper at UBC basketball games. “He never made a mistake,” says former T-Bird star Ken Winslade. In fact, it was Joe’s knowledge of shorthand and ability to type his class notes that enabled him to help some of the athletes who had to travel out of town. Those same students claim they would never have made good grades if it weren’t for Joe.

In 1968, Joe obtained his Master of Education. After graduating, Joe embarked upon a teaching and coaching career in Vancouver and North Vancouver evolving to become a counsellor at Handsworth Secondary, retiring in 1994.

A very devoted family man he remains very active. One of his interests is Chinese-Canadian history especially his family history and he shares with us how he was raised in the back end of a tailor shop on East Hastings. What really stands out today is his status in the political world – as a supervisor of elections at both the provincial and federal levels. As Joe says “It is ironic that from not even being eligible to vote, I was now in charge of the election process itself.”

For more information refer to the “Victoria Times-Colonist” article October 21, 2008.

Written by Fred Hume, UBC Historian

Cue, Victor (1929-2018)

The late Dennis Victor Cue (1929-2018), can be considered one of the true humanitarians among those who have graduated from UBC’s Kinesiology faculty. Completing his degree in 1951, Victor played and coached basketball until 1962 when he took over as a volunteer coach of the BC men’s wheelchair basketball team. He would remain the team’s dedicated head coach until 1978 with his teams winning nine national championships and several Pacific Northwest titles.

Cue would also serve as the head coach of Canada’s national wheelchair basketball team competing at four Pan Am Games, winning gold in 1967, and at three Paralympic Games. He was selected as Canada’s Chef de Mission for the 1976 Games in Toronto.

Victor also contributed as Athletic Director of both the BC Wheelchair Sports Association and the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association of which he was one of the founders. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Gordie Howe Foundation for Disabled Athletes. Friends and family remark on Victor’s strong volunteer commitment to wheelchair sports and their athletes. He earned his living by other means yet his real career was caring for and enriching the lives of people he coached.

In 1995 Cue was inducted into the Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Hall of Fame and is also an inductee in the Basketball BC Hall of Fame. The team he coached, the Dueck Powerglides, is an inductee in the BC Sports Hall of Fame.

Supporters of Victor state, “He was one of the real pioneers of the emergence of disability sports . . . (with) . . . the ability to guide his athletes to world class achievements.” His close friend Dr. Maurice Gibbons commends him, in saying “Vic, like a pied piper, with his team, led them all out of hiding, out where they belonged . . . his long and dedicated work with those who were almost invisible when he began.”

Written by Fred Hume, UBC Historian

Carkner, Bob (1935-2009)

1958 Physical Education graduate Bob Carkner was a man with visions; visions of helping others while at the same time broadening the horizons and raising the social conscience of young people. A teacher and coach and ultimately principal at several Vancouver high schools, Carkner possessed that special ability to inspire us, resulting in his team being able to fulfill his visions. His former students refer to him as a “bridge builder.”

During the last 30 years of his life Bob was dedicated to creating a positive world. One of his concepts was leading his high school students toward his quest to build an orphanage in Guatemala. With new students each year he would maintain and upgrade conditions around this self-sustaining facility thereby not only providing the orphaned children a better life but also awakening his students to the world and inspiring them to improve this world. For the hundreds of students who have participated in Carkner’s designed experience, it has been a profound influence, redirecting lives and careers.

Carkner also established similar projects elsewhere including Viet Nam with the net result a one-of-a-kind high school course being created combining the learning about and travelling to different parts of the world “ . . . fostering the ideas of understanding, tolerance, friendship and peace,” in the words of Carkner.

Bob fondly remembered his UBC days and since the 1990s was widely acknowledged for his innovative work through articles, an Honourary Doctor of Laws degree, a TV documentary, the 1999 UBC Alumni Award of Distinction and the Order of Canada. Bob always insisted however that these acknowledgements not be directed toward him but instead cast a spotlight on, and draw attention to the “bridge-building” that continuously needs to be done.

Written by Fred Hume, UBC Historian

Butt, Debbie

Debbie, who as a student played Thunderbird Varsity soccer, specializes in the areas of fundraising, event planning, brand development, employee engagement and community partnerships.

Debbie leads the fabulous communications, marketing and proprietary fundraising events team for Canuck Place. Debbie also works directly with one of Canuck Place’s most significant donors, the Canucks for Kids Fund and Canucks Alumni Foundation who provide over 5% of the annual operating funds at Canuck Place. Debbie works in partnership with families, volunteers, clinical and fundraising to engage the community, donors and build awareness of the positive impact of Canuck Place programs on children with life-threatening illnesses and BC families.

Previously, Debbie was the Director of Communications & Brand for the Rick Hansen Leadership group supporting initiatives of the 25th Anniversary Man in Motion World Tour, Rick Hansen Heroes CTV Special and the key lead on the Difference Maker Series for the London 2012 Games. As the former Executive Director of the independent not-for-profit Canucks for Kids Fund and Director of Community Partnerships, she led largest NHL-team charity from 2005 to 2010 generating grants of over $14.3 million to BC charities serving children. In her early career Debbie worked in media relations for local professional sports teams. She was the Director of Communications for four years for the BC Lions Football Club and held the same title with the Vancouver Grizzlies of the NBA for a six-year tenure and led the Spinoza Bear program for the Grizzlies Foundation.

Debbie and her husband have two teenage boys who inhale the contents of the fridge on the daily. In her spare time she likes to drink Rose, cook, road cycle and ski Nordic style. She has yet to perfect baking the perfect flourless brownie.

Sinclair, Dana

Dr. Dana A. Sinclair (BPE ’85) is a performance psychologist at Human Performance International (HPI), where she consults with clients from the medical, corporate and entertainment worlds as well as professional athletes in the NFL, MLB, NBA, WNBA, NHL, MLS, IndyCar, PGA, Tennis Canada and the Olympics. She enjoys working with highly skilled and motivated individuals; and is currently writing a book on performing under pressure, using client experiences as examples.

As a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Family Practice at UBC, Dr. Sinclair also recently received a long-term service award from the Faculty of Medicine! In her words, “this simple acknowledgment reminded me of how professional and inspiring UBC is and has always been for me.”

Dana reflects fondly on her memories at UBC. “I actually started off as an Aggie getting water bombed in class by engineers before I happily found my way to KIN.” While playing on the national field hockey team, she also played varsity with her sister, Robyn Sinclair, and recalls that it was “great fun when our 1982 team was inducted into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame.”

Her degree in Kinesiology set her up to attend Miami University, Ohio, for a Masters degree, followed by a Ph.D. at the University of Ottawa, both in Sport Psychology. After this, she pursued further training that would allow her to become a registered psychologist. She completed a second Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge in England and returned to Vancouver to work in Reproductive Psychiatry at St. Paul’s and BC Women’s hospitals until she became a founding partner of Human Performance International (HPI) with her husband James Sleeth, who also studied Kinesiology.

Dr. Dana Sinclair is thankful to her father, esteemed UBC KIN alumnus and professor-emeritus Dr. Gary Sinclair, for the encouragement to simply ‘always be yourself’.

Dana’s tip to any new alumni: “It takes courage to try to be good at something, especially when the outcome is meaningful to you. Whatever you do, or want to do better, coach yourself to calm down and pay attention to the task in front of you, on what you need to do. As one of my more spirited and colourful clients likes to say, ‘You gotta get the most out of what ya got! Right Dana?’ Absolutely.”