For Loïk Gagné, being drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats is a major milestone. But it is only one part of a much bigger picture. For the Montréal native and recent Concordia University graduate, football has always existed alongside something bigger: helping people.
He started playing at 15, later than most athletes, after discovering the game through Madden, a football video game, and then flag football. Even as his athletic career began to gain momentum, Loïk was already thinking far beyond the field. Watching Certified Athletic Therapists in action sparked his interest, and with encouragement from mentors and a growing appreciation for the profession, he chose Concordia’s Athletic Therapy program and committed himself fully to it.
For Loïk, education was always the priority. Football matters, of course, but in the context of a much longer professional life he expects to build in Athletic Therapy. “I’m playing football right now, but I have no idea how long that will last,” he said. “At the end of the day, I’ll spend 50 years as a Certified AT.”
Balancing school, training, recovery, and draft preparation was no small feat. Loïk is honest about how demanding it was, but he also sees that period as an investment in his future. Every hour spent studying, every adjustment made around practice, and every sacrifice along the way reflected a clear understanding of what lasts and what does not.
Studying Athletic Therapy also changed the way he approached football. He became more disciplined about rehab, recovery and preparation, and more aware of the details that keep an athlete ready to perform. Being around the football and medical staff gave him another layer of understanding, showing him just how much work happens behind the scenes before a player ever takes the field.
That perspective became even more meaningful when Loïk faced injuries of his own. A groin injury in 2023 and an ankle sprain with a fracture in 2024 gave him firsthand experience with recovery and the emotional impact of being sidelined. What he learned in class helped him understand those moments differently, but just as importantly, it taught him to respect the process. Injuries are part of the game, and recovery is part of the profession.
One of the most compelling parts of Loïk’s story is how football has influenced the way he thinks about Athletic Therapy. Playing the game taught him how to deal with people, manage different personalities, and recognize that pain and injury are not always the same thing. In his words, Athletic Therapy taught him how to treat the injury, while football taught him how to treat the person. That distinction is powerful, and it speaks to the kind of clinician he is becoming.
It also speaks to the kind of care he wants to provide. Loïk originally imagined Athletic Therapy through the lens of sport, but an internship broadened that view. Helping an older patient regain mobility and improve their quality of life left a lasting impression and showed him what makes the profession meaningful: the chance to help someone move better, live better, and get back to the things that matter most in their daily life.
As Loïk looks ahead, his football career and Athletic Therapy training are not competing paths but part of the same direction. He is building a future in which football is one chapter and Athletic Therapy is the career that follows.
Loïk’s story is a reminder of what Athletic Therapy can offer: not just a profession, but a lens for understanding performance, recovery, and human connection. His journey reflects the value of thinking long-term, staying disciplined, and remembering that the work of helping people extends well beyond the game itself.
If you’re looking to expand your scope, connect with peers, or explore where your career in Athletic Therapy can take you next, CATA offers resources, education, and a community built to support you at every stage. Join our community and stay up to date by following us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
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He started playing at 15, later than most athletes, after discovering the game through Madden, a football video game, and then flag football. Even as his athletic career began to gain momentum, Loïk was already thinking far beyond the field. Watching Certified Athletic Therapists in action sparked his interest, and with encouragement from mentors and a growing appreciation for the profession, he chose Concordia’s Athletic Therapy program and committed himself fully to it.
For Loïk, education was always the priority. Football matters, of course, but in the context of a much longer professional life he expects to build in Athletic Therapy. “I’m playing football right now, but I have no idea how long that will last,” he said. “At the end of the day, I’ll spend 50 years as a Certified AT.”
Balancing school, training, recovery, and draft preparation was no small feat. Loïk is honest about how demanding it was, but he also sees that period as an investment in his future. Every hour spent studying, every adjustment made around practice, and every sacrifice along the way reflected a clear understanding of what lasts and what does not.
Studying Athletic Therapy also changed the way he approached football. He became more disciplined about rehab, recovery and preparation, and more aware of the details that keep an athlete ready to perform. Being around the football and medical staff gave him another layer of understanding, showing him just how much work happens behind the scenes before a player ever takes the field.
That perspective became even more meaningful when Loïk faced injuries of his own. A groin injury in 2023 and an ankle sprain with a fracture in 2024 gave him firsthand experience with recovery and the emotional impact of being sidelined. What he learned in class helped him understand those moments differently, but just as importantly, it taught him to respect the process. Injuries are part of the game, and recovery is part of the profession.
One of the most compelling parts of Loïk’s story is how football has influenced the way he thinks about Athletic Therapy. Playing the game taught him how to deal with people, manage different personalities, and recognize that pain and injury are not always the same thing. In his words, Athletic Therapy taught him how to treat the injury, while football taught him how to treat the person. That distinction is powerful, and it speaks to the kind of clinician he is becoming.
It also speaks to the kind of care he wants to provide. Loïk originally imagined Athletic Therapy through the lens of sport, but an internship broadened that view. Helping an older patient regain mobility and improve their quality of life left a lasting impression and showed him what makes the profession meaningful: the chance to help someone move better, live better, and get back to the things that matter most in their daily life.
As Loïk looks ahead, his football career and Athletic Therapy training are not competing paths but part of the same direction. He is building a future in which football is one chapter and Athletic Therapy is the career that follows.
Loïk’s story is a reminder of what Athletic Therapy can offer: not just a profession, but a lens for understanding performance, recovery, and human connection. His journey reflects the value of thinking long-term, staying disciplined, and remembering that the work of helping people extends well beyond the game itself.
If you’re looking to expand your scope, connect with peers, or explore where your career in Athletic Therapy can take you next, CATA offers resources, education, and a community built to support you at every stage. Join our community and stay up to date by following us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.