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U SPORTS sits down with one key athlete, coach, and staff member of each U SPORTS athletic program in our new interview series “Getting to know…”
Name: Chad Newhook
School: Saint Mary’s University
Position: Head athletic therapist
Previous job/position: Assistant therapist
Hometown: Corner Brook, N.L.
1. How did you get to your current position, and what do you enjoy most about our job?
I started at SMU as a volunteer student therapist in 1993. In 1995, the head Athletic Therapist offered me an assistant therapist position which I accepted. In 1997, I took over duties as head athletic therapist and have been here ever since! The thing I enjoy most about my job is working with great colleagues and playing my small part in helping the athletes perform at their best. I value the demographic I work with – young motivated talented athletes. I also work side by side with Kurt Stevenson, who is a good friend and great athletic therapist (he also started as a student with me in 1993).
2. Who has had the most influence on your career?
Jim MacLeod at Acadia University was my mentor when I started my career there as a student therapist in 1989 (I attended Acadia where I received a Bachelor of Physical Education with a major in exercise studies). It was Jim who started me on my career path. He as well as Tara Sutherland (StFX) have always been fantastic guides and sources of wisdom when I’ve needed it.
3. What is your greatest sporting moment or achievement?
I have been fortunate enough to attend and host many national championships at the U SPORTS level – even winning some! I was also chief therapist of the Canada Games when they were last in Halifax, which was very rewarding, But I’d have to say my greatest memory, was winning the gold medal with the men’s hockey team at the FISU Games in Turin Italy in 2007. My good friend and colleague Trevor Stienburg was head coach of that team.
4. How would you define a SMU University student-athlete?
An athlete who is part of a large family. The athletes from all the teams support one another. A Saint Mary’s athlete is a team player, but also recognizes that they are a student first.
5. What does success look like for the SMU athletics program?
It’s not all about wins and losses. I think it’s about incorporating the athletes into the Saint Mary’s family and making sure they have a great experience at SMU both on the playing surface, in the classroom and also in the community.
6. What’s the biggest challenge you face in today’s sports world?
The internet! There is a massive amount of misinformation out there which we have to constantly “debunk” with our athletes. Practicing evidence-based therapy is not fancy or glamorous, so at times it can be hard to convince the athlete as they often want the latest and greatest fad treatment. Beyond that – my job is like any other – you are often asked to do more with less, which is challenging.
7. Where would you like to see Canadian university sport in the next three to five years?
I’m not a coach so this is a difficult question. From my perspective, as the sports grow the standards of medical care also have to grow. For example, I would like to see onsite paramedics for all collision sports (rugby, hockey and football) as standard practice.
8. If you could sit down for dinner with one person in the sports industry (athlete, coach or manager), who would it be? Why? What would you talk about?
It would probably have to be Ed Coan. Many probably don’t know who he is, but I am a huge fan of strength sports and Ed Coan is arguably the greatest powerlifter of all time. He has a wealth of training knowledge and is still lifting today at a very high level. I would love to pick his brain about training and hear his stories about competing. He has too many world records to list.
9. What would you say to a sports fan who’s never watched a U SPORTS game/tournament/competition?
Buy a season pass and go watch. Take in some sports you aren’t familiar with. It’s an elite level of competition and they will be surprised at the skill and compete level.
10. What do you enjoy doing when you’re away from work?
Away from work I enjoy weightlifting (I don’t compete anymore but once did) and spending time with my wife and dog (I want it noted that I said wife first!). The life of an athletic therapist is very hectic with long hours and few days off, so for me there is nothing better than relaxing with friends and enjoying a scotch whisky. If that can be done in a hot and sunny place – even better. My dream once I retire from SMU is to move to Mexico and spend my days on a beach.