Corporate
2018 U SPORTS Fall Championships kick off Nov. 1
U SPORTS sits down with one key athlete, coach, and staff member of each U SPORTS athletic program in our interview series “Getting to know…”
- Name: Tara Sutherland
- School: St. Francis Xavier University
- Position: Head athletic therapist
- Seniority: 23 years
- Previous job/position: Athletic therapist, Calgary Dinos
- Hometown: Ottawa, Ont.
1. How did you get to your current position, and what do you enjoy most about our job?
I found out about the position through the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA). Richard Demont, the previous head athletic therapist was moving on, and the position at StFX opened up. I interviewed and was awarded the job.
I really enjoy working with these young adults who make up our student-athlete population. I especially enjoy working with my student therapists who are very keen and dedicated volunteers who assist us with our teams.
2. Who has had the most influence on your career?
Dave Ross at Queen’s University, Lynn Bookalam at McGill University and Jim MacLeod at Acadia University, who are all certified athletic therapists.
3. What is your greatest sporting moment or achievement?
I would have to say being the athletic therapist for the 1996 Canadian Women’s World Cup hockey champions in Tampere, Finland. Also, for the 2006 StFX women’s rugby team at the national championships at Western, where I was both the athletic therapist and assistant coach of the team, and we won the first-ever national title for a female team at StFX.
4. How would you define a StFX University student-athlete?
A dedicated student and athlete. A student, a leader, then an athlete.
5. What does success look like for the StFX University athletics program?
For me success is a healthy year with few injuries, success in the classroom and then success on the playing field.
6. What’s the biggest challenge you face in today’s sports world?
The biggest challenge would have to be dealing with the demands of our young population and managing their concerns over their injuries and health.
7. 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?
I would sit down with Richie McCaw, the New Zealand All-Blacks rugby captain. I would love to talk to him about both his own, and the All-Blacks’ team values, and discuss their tradition of success and their winning ways.
8. What would you say to a sports fan who’s never watched a U SPORTS game/tournament/competition?
First, I would question why they have not watched a U SPORTS event? They feature hard-working athletes and there is great entertainment value, especially for the cost of a game ticket. Get out and watch a local university game!
9. What do you enjoy doing when you’re away from work?
I enjoy walking on the beach with my partner and dog, travelling with friends, and relaxing at home after a hard day at work.