Internationally recognized sport and orthopedic physiotherapist Rick Celebrini to receive an honorary doctorate degree from CapU

NORTH VANCOUVER B.C. – Rick Celebrini, an internationally recognized sport and orthopedic physiotherapist and researcher, will receive an honorary doctor of letters from Capilano University at convocation on June 5, 2017.

Beginning in 1985, Celebrini studied science and played soccer at what was then Capilano College. He helped Cap’s soccer team reach third place in the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association Soccer Championships and then went on to compete at a FIFA World Youth Championship and the 1987 Pan-American Games. He played for the Canadian Men’s national soccer team and competed in professional soccer until 1995, captaining both the Edmonton Brickmen and the Vancouver 86ers.

An avid athlete turned scholar, Celebrini earned his doctorate in rehabilitation sciences from the Faculty of Medicine at UBC. 

Celebrini is co-founder and a senior member in the leadership team behind Fortius Sport & Health. He is the head of sports medicine and science with the Vancouver Whitecaps and the director of rehabilitation for the Vancouver Canucks. His clients have included Olympic and professional athletes from the National Hockey League (NHL), the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB).

Celebrini’s research has focused on injury prevention in sports, screening for injury risk factors and promoting children’s physical activity.

“I’m honoured. I’m humbled,” he says of receiving an honorary doctorate degree from CapU. “I’m very appreciative of the acknowledgement and the award.”

“Capilano University is proud to recognize Rick Celebrini with a 2017 honorary doctorate for his pursuit of knowledge and his positive impact on young athletes,” says Paul Dangerfield, Capilano University’s president. “He embodies our values of community, lifelong learning and evidence-based decision making.” 

About Capilano University
Capilano University is a teaching-focused university based in North Vancouver, with programming serving the Sunshine Coast and the Sea-to-Sky corridor. The University offers 99 programs, including bachelor’s degrees in areas as diverse as film, jazz, early childhood education and tourism management. Capilano University enrols approximately 10,500 students each year, 8,200 in for-credit programs and 2,300 in non-credit courses. Capilano University is named after Chief Joe Capilano, an important leader of the Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) Nation of the Coast Salish people. Our campuses are located on the territories of the Lil’wat, Musqueam, Sechelt (shíshálh), Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

For more information, or to schedule interviews, please contact: 

Cheryl Rossi
Senior Communications Advisor
Capilano University
t: 604 983 7596
c: 778 879 7119
e: cherylrossi@capilanou.ca
www.capilanou.ca