KELOWNA, B.C. – Five years after graduating from UBCO, Cassidy Findlay is back on campus as the new Athletic Therapist and Performance Coach. 

Findlay was previously a practicum student and student trainer with the men's soccer and men's volleyball programs before graduating from UBCO with a degree in human kinetics in 2021. 

Her time with the Student Trainer Program consisted of more than 200 hours of practical field and clinical experience while travelling with the teams, assisting with event hosting and providing sideline injury care. 

"UBCO gave me that sense of foundation," she said. "It not only gave me the hands-on experience and quick decision-making skills that you need as an Athletic Therapist, but it also showed me what is truly meant to care for an athlete as a whole. Trust and empathy are huge values to me, so I look forward to bringing that when working with the student-athletes." 

After her time at UBCO, Findlay moved on to Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alta., where she graduated with a Post-Bachelor Certificate in Athletic Therapy, before working professionally with the West Kelowna Warriors Junior Hockey Club as their Certified Athletic Therapist for three seasons. 

Her experience also includes working as the Athletic Therapist for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Overnight Youth Camps and BC Lions Training Camp, as well as being the Certified Athletic Therapist for the Canadian women's national and legends ball hockey teams during world championship tournaments. 

Now, Findlay is excited to bring those experiences back to the place that laid the foundation for her career. 

"What excites me most about returning to UBCO is that I get to rejoin a wonderful community I was grateful to build when I was a student here," she said. "Reconnecting with the staff members and coaches that are still here has meant so much. The opportunity to work alongside Jeff Thorburn and Kevin Phillips in a more professional setting will be amazing. I also get to experience this unique change in perspective where instead of being the one looking up to the athletic therapists and going to them for guidance (even though I still do), I now get to be the one to lead and provide guidance and knowledge to the student-athletes and student trainers." 

"It is very rewarding to see our previous students circle back into our program professionally," said Thorburn, Manager of Student-Athlete Wellness and Performance at UBCO. "We look forward to working with Cassidy and supporting her as well, as she continues to grow into her new role. Her keen outlook and growth mindset will bring fresh energy to our team and provide great support for our student-athletes." 

Findlay began her role on Aug. 4 as the department's newest Athletic Therapist and Performance Coach and will be joining a team with Thorburn and Phillips, who have also taken on new roles. As the new Manager of Student-Athlete Wellness and Performance, Thorburn will lead and oversee student-athlete medical, health, wellness, and performance services and programs, while Phillips, the Head Athletic Therapist, will serve as Clinic Lead and supervise the athletic therapy and performance staff and the student trainer team.