Quesnel graduate and internationally recognized physiotherapist Ron Mattison is being recognized by UBC as one of the latest inductees to the UBC Sports Hall of Fame.
When Mattison graduated from Quesnel high school in 1968 he had no idea what his career path would be. However, after an injury (he played hockey while working towards a physical education degree at UBC) he discovered his passion in physiotherapy.
“I decided to take a few courses and volunteered at athletic events during school,” he said.
With a bachelor’s degree in Rehabililtation Medicine from University of Alberta, Mattison landed his first job as UBC’s head athletic trainer which he held for seven years, during which time he attended his first Olympics, the 1984 summer games in Los Angeles, with the wrestling team.
He practiced his skills at many world championships, Commonwealth Games and the 1988 Seoul Olympics in a variety of sports, always including the swim teams.
Mattison joined the Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Centre team after leaving UBC in 1986 and continues to consult with the UBC Canadian High Performance Swim Centre. He is one of Canada’s most sought-after physiotherapists and has been a mentor for countless student trainers and current physiotherapy staff.
Among his many accomplishments, Mattison has worked as the lead physiotherapist with the Canadian National Swimming Team since 2007 and has been a member of six Canadian Olympic Medical Teams.
He has also ensured seamless connectivity between student-athletes undergoing injury rehabilitation with sports medicine physicians and surgeons who are among his colleagues at the Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Centre.
The inductees to the UBC Sports Hall of Fame were chosen from a slate of distinguished nominees by an eight-member selection committee representing a cross-section of the university community, including UBC Thunderbirds alumni.
Three extraordinary athletes, two unique builders and one historically significant national championship-winning team were selected for induction in 2016.
Mattison, along with former UBC Chancellor, the late Sherwood Lett, will be inducted in the Builder category.
