Ryan Coomber, David Braley Sport Medicine & Rehabilitation Centre

General 6/7/2022 12:45:00 PM Cameron Johnsen, for Marauders.ca

RYAN COOMBER: FROM LOCAL CO-OP STUDENT TO SPORT MED CLINIC PHYSIOTHERAPIST

HAMILTON, Ont. - It's no secret that Hamilton produces world-class sports talent on and off the field. For Clinic and Varsity Physiotherapist Ryan Coomber, McMaster University and the David Braley Sport Medicine & Rehabilitation Centre have provided an unparalleled career pathway in sports healthcare.

Born and raised in the city, Coomber was always around the McMaster community. As the son of a nurse in McMaster's renowned children's hospital, he quickly became interested in a career in healthcare, and sought an opportunity to combine his sports and science interests.

"When I was younger, I remember being up at 6 a.m. reading my dad the TSN highlights when he came down for work," he laughed.

Having played high-level hockey and baseball growing up, his passion made it clear to him from an early age that he wanted to contribute to the action on the field after his own playing days were over. A kinesiology course in his senior year at Saint Mary Secondary School led to a summer co-op with McMaster's Sport Medicine clinic. That placement would affirm his desire to pursue an education in sports physiotherapy.

He was accepted by McMaster's kinesiology program, where he would spend three of his four years as a student field therapist. One year spent working with McMaster's baseball team followed by two with the football team gave him first-class experience that would prepare him for later roles in a wide range of sports.

"The student field therapy program at McMaster is elite compared to other universities," said Coomber. "Being a part of that environment made me realize that this was something I can do for the rest of my life."

That conviction led him to continue his education with a two-year master's degree in physiotherapy at McMaster, during which time he had the opportunity to complete internships with Hockey Canada and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Hamilton's CFL franchise has a long history of collaboration with McMaster, employing local student interns during training camp each season. It was in this position that Coomber would meet current McMaster Athletic Therapist - Carly Vandergrient, who was at that time the Head Therapist of the Tiger-Cats.

"Carly has been an amazing mentor for me in my professional career," he said. Immediately after completing his master's degree, Coomber would work directly with Vandergrient treating McMaster's volleyball, track and field, basketball, and swimming teams. After the pandemic placed a halt on OUA athletics, Coomber would return in his current full-time role as Lead Therapist for soccer, swimming, and wrestling.

Coomber finds success in his work through the triumphs of the people he works with. "We're not here to get the glory or have our picture taken," he said. "Being able to assist in people's success is the most rewarding thing – being a part of that grind and helping them to push through and succeed is the best part."

One such success came recently in the form of the incredible rehab of McMaster baseball outfielder Mark Zanette. In an October 2021 playoff game against the Brock Badgers, Zanette collided with a teammate in the outfield, leaving him with serious injuries to his knee. A ruptured PCL, partially-torn ACL, MCL and LCL, and fully-torn meniscus made up the long list of diagnoses that Zanette and Coomber would collaborate to rehab over the coming months.

"When I saw him in the hospital … his leg was the same width all the way down from the swelling," Coomber recalled. For Zanette, a lifelong athlete, coming to terms with the time that it would take to return to training was a mental hurdle like which he had never encountered. Confined to a Zimmer splint that kept his leg straight, Zanette would not be able to run the bases for some time.

But with Coomber's guidance, he returned to training quicker than either of them could have expected. After working hard each day to walk again, Zanette was faced with the new challenge of working out again while wearing a custom-sized brace fitted at the clinic's in-house brace store. For someone used to hitting baseballs hundreds of feet, these types of goals were foreign. But Zanette faced each new challenge head-on, and remained far ahead of Coomber's timetable throughout the five-month rehab.

"Mark was very receptive and honest," said Coomber. When it came to finally taking off the brace to lift, Zanette had to take a leap of faith and trust in Coomber's judgment that his knee was ready. Coomber credits that relationship of trust for the success of the rehab. Today, Zanette is back to training at a high level without pain or brace.

"I think he's squatting three plates now – he's an athletic freak," Coomber laughed.

Ryan Coomber's success is a testament not only to Hamilton's sports talent, but to the developmental opportunities available through McMaster and in the city. "Mac has always felt like home for me," he said. The opportunities that McMaster's sports medicine environment afforded him have allowed Coomber to give back by helping Marauder athletes and the Hamilton community to get closer to their goals every day.

For those seeking a similar career path in sports, or to simply follow their passion in any field, Coomber suggests to go all-in. "Immerse yourself in the environment you want to be a part of," he said.

Ryan Coomber's own success in his field is a reminder of what a great place McMaster's David Braley Sport Medicine & Rehabilitation Centre is to do just that.

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