Corporate
Carleton to host U SPORTS East-West Bowl for first time in the nation’s capital
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: Jennifer Dunn
- School: MacEwan University
- Sport: Athletics staff
- Position: Head Athletic Therapist
- Seniority: 7 years
- Previous job/position: Part time athletic therapist at Humber College, Peel Avengers Lacrosse
- Hometown: Brampton, Ont.
1. How did you get to your current position, and what do you enjoy most about our job?
My dream was to work as an athletic therapist in a college or university setting so I feel very fortunate to have landed this position so early in my career. I love being able to utilize all of my athletic therapy skills in both clinical and field settings. I enjoy working with this age population and portfolio of sports.
2. Who has had the most influence on your career?
I was influenced by many of my professors from the York University athletic therapy program. Mike Boni is a highly skilled manual therapist and has been one of my mentors since I was a student. Dr. Frances Flint also influenced my career by encouraging me to do my masters.
3. What is your greatest sporting moment or achievement?
Achieving my first-degree black belt, and later, being selected to work as an athletic therapist for the Canadian National Taekwondo team at the 2017 Senior World Championships in Muju, Korea.
4. How would you define a MacEwan University student-athlete?
Apart from the obvious studious and athletic, I would describe them as highly motivated, inspiring and really fun to be around.
5. What does success look like for the MacEwan University athletics program?
Team approach to high performance. Continuing to grow and become more competitive.
6. What’s the biggest challenge you face in today’s sports world?
There continues to be a disproportionate number of female athletic therapists being hired in professional sports.
7. Where would you like to see Canadian university sport in the next three to five years?
I would like to see more injury research coming out of U SPORTS.
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?
Nikki Huffman comes to mind, she is one of the first female head therapists in the major leagues. I would be interested in hearing more about her education and experiences in professional baseball, specifically with the Blue Jays who I grew up watching in Toronto.
9. What would you say to a sports fan who’s never watched a U SPORTS game/tournament/competition?
Its fast paced and exciting. I’m always amazed by the level of competition and athleticism that we have within U SPORTS.
10. What do you enjoy doing when you’re away from work?
Yoga, mountain biking, hiking with my husband and dog.
