The Centre’s approach is to integrate training and educational opportunities with core research activities focused around sport and sustainability. Visit the Centre here. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Kriitmaa, Kolin
“Finding a mentor who can assist you in navigating your way through your career is important. Finding a mentor who will not agree with everything you want to do, but push you to be better all the time is important to maintain a competitive advantage.”
Originally from Kelowna, BC, Kolin completed both a Bachelor of Human Kinetics from the University of British Columbia (2001) and a Masters of Human Kinetics (2004) with a focus in Sport Management. Currently completing his MBA at the University of Athabasca, Kolin spends his time as the President of internationally acclaimed sports-marketing firm Dynamic Sport Development Ltd. while maintaining positions with a number of other organizations such as Innovative Sports Ltd., community groups and sport organizations.
Education – both in and out of the classroom – has helped guide Kolin’s professional experience. Reflecting on how such educations informs his work today, Kolin says “The BHK helped me to understand and get work experience in the coaching/teaching area. The MHK helped me to understand how to ‘Manage’ in the business of sports, and the MBA is helping me to take the next level to think like an executive who is operating a business.” It is, however, “Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer” Kolin suggests to aspiring students as “the only way to get experience and get an in with a company as the jobs are highly competitive.”
Working in a position highly involved in the world of professional sports and high profile athletes, Kolin performs a job many only wish they could pursue. It is, however, as Kolin states, not that simple. Describing his position as “what you make of it … little bit of management, little bit of entrepreneur, little bit of get your hands dirty and do the jobs that no one else wants to do,” the job is not without its pressures.
As Kolin explains, “people think that having the opportunity to hang out with high profile athletes, and work with both professional and amateur sports teams is all fun.” This is, however, a misconception since, as he goes on to say, it is often the case that “No one really sees the stress that is incurred because the work is more in the spot light than most jobs, and people are so passionate about sports it hits home a little harder when things do not go well.”
It is, however, a dynamic job. Commenting on his day-to-day, Kolin describes how “It is a highly networking and relationship building job”- one where, he states, “no two days are ever the same.” Building on years of experience at all levels of sports, Kolin has fostered a network of opportunities. Taking advantage of those connections, he suggests that “The biggest advantage I have had in my career is that I have always been in a position to walk through new doors when they are open.”
Kolin’s advice for getting navigating your career path? Find a mentor: “I believe the best way to gain experience is through mentorship. Finding a mentor who can assist you in navigating your way through your career is important. Finding a mentor who will not agree with everything you want to do, but push you to be better all the time is important to maintain a competitive advantage.”
Yuen, Denise
Graduating year: BHK 2007
Denise Yuen graduated in 2007 from the UBC School of Kinesiology and focused her studies on Physical Education with a Minor in Science. She is currently a Contractor with the Australian Paralympic Committee after working as a Village Duty Manager for the Australian Youth Olympic Festival.
With previous experience as a Canadian SportWORKS Officer (CSO) with Commonwealth Games Canada, Denise has worked internationally to assist both the Singapore National Olympic Council and National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka with an emphasis on improving their Games Team Management through the use of Zeus, an online information and games management system. While adapting to this new system, efficiencies in the organizations are achieved through the review and revision of processes, policies, procedures, and programs. Denise has also worked as the Manager of Community Development for the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, and Sea-to-Sky Corridor with Special Olympics BC from 2008 to 2011.
Actively involved in the campus community throughout her undergrad, Denise reflects back on these formative years and says “Throughout my undergrad I remember writing numerous lesson plans and developing programs which have been helpful for me in managing programs and working with educators and coaches”. She continues her dedication to community spirit through volunteer work ranging from organizing the Commonwealth Games Canada Game of Life Walk/Run, to coaching Special Olympics athletes.
Advice to Current Students: “Networking is so important! The books and notes in University are just the beginning – there is so much more to learn and experience from the people and environment around you.”
Hodson, Sara
Graduating year: BHK, 2002
Position: Owner
Organization: Live Well Exercise Clinic
Stream: Exercise Science
Website: www.livewellexerciseclinic.com
“Experience is key. Employers want to see a resume with applicable work experience. It is an equally important facet to being a successful candidate for a job.”
Sara Hodson graduated from the School of Kinesiology (formerly Human Kinetics) in 2002. With the chosen stream of Exercise Science, she quickly pursued a career in the final year of her undergrad with Fraser Health as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist in the Chronic Disease Management Programs. Holding this position for ten years until 2011, she then decided to make the courageous jump and open up her own clinic, Live Well Exercise Clinic.
She now serves as the president of a successful chain of Live Well Exercise clinics across Canada and has plans to move into the US and grow her company internationally. In 2018, Sara was named by BIV (Business in Vancouver) as one of the top 40 under 40 winners. This award recognizes young entrepreneurs under 40 who have demonstrated excellence in business, judgment, leadership and community contribution. Add to this, her company was named as one of the Fastest Growing Companies in BC that year.
As an undergrad, Sara was a highly involved student, working at the BirdCoop as well as managing the Changing Aging Program each for two years. She notes how her experience in Kinesiology provided her with a strong foundation for which she could launch a successful career. “My undergrad in Kinesiology has been the foundation to my entire career. I keep my textbooks and classwork close at hand in my clinic,” says Sara, “My practicum work placement gave me the clarity and direction I needed in knowing what my professional pursuits would be.”
Shortly after graduating, Sara took her degree even further, completing a post-graduate diploma as a Clinical Exercise Specialist and Cancer Exercise Trainer from the American College of Sports Medicine.
Sara’s diverse experience and ‘go-getter’ attitude have made her clinic a success to date. Currently operating out of White Rock, BC, Live Well Exercise Clinic provides safe, evidence-based programming to help increase the quality of health and life for those dealing with diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
Not only does Sara apply her ‘no-fear’ lively attitude to her professional life, but she also carries this through to her personal life. With four children ages 1, 3, 5 and 7, Sara defines the term ‘Super-mom’ devoting time to their extra-curricular activities as well as her family as a whole.
Sara is an active and valued alumnus of the School of Kinesiology. She is dedicated to supporting the students by presenting to them on her career journey, mentoring, and hiring students through the School’s Co-op Program.
Advice to Current Students: “Experience is key. Employers want to see a resume with applicable work experience. It is an equally important facet to being a successful candidate for a job.”
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