BSc '12, Kinesiology
CURRENTLY:
Owner, Elora Racquets and Fitness Inc., Fergus
R. Kin., Leading Edge Physiotherapy Centre, Kitchener
You could say the entrepreneurial spirit runs in Reid Cowper’s blood.
His parents, Bruce (BSc ’80, Science) and Kathy (BSc ’82, Kinesiology) Cowper of Mallot Creek Group Inc., started their own consultancy group 20 years ago and have never looked back. The business was part of family life for almost as long as Reid can remember, and he always thought he’d like a business of his own.
But his major interests were sports, athletics and physics, and he didn’t think there was a lot of entrepreneurial opportunity in these fields. So he headed to Waterloo to study kinesiology, thinking of a career in medicine.
“I think a lot of students see kin as a gateway to medicine,” says Reid. “But one of the first things I learned at Waterloo was there were many other avenues open to you with a background in kin.”
Reid became intrigued by the world of athletic therapy, and took this interest with him for a three-year stint as a ski instructor in Whistler, B.C. after he finished his degree.
Still unsure about his next career step, Reid came home to Fergus, Ontario in 2013 to the news that the local racquet club was for sale. His mom (herself a national squash champion) casually suggested he might buy it.
“I walked in one day to talk to the owner and walked out with a job,” laughs Reid. “I told him I’d like to run the place for the summer so he could take the summer off.”
Eight months later, with help and coaching from his parents, Reid was the proud owner of Elora Racquets and Fitness Inc. Today, the busy club has 250+ members and runs a full slate of junior and senior programming in a range of racquet sports.
Reid also works part time as a registered kinesiologist in a local clinic, and says he’s now got the best of both worlds. “The biggest thing Waterloo taught me was how to learn, and with those skills, you can do anything you want.”
Reid played varsity volleyball during his time at Waterloo, and supports the Warrior Men’s Volleyball Alumni Adventure Challenge Award. This award recognizes athletic talent and supports our hard-working student athletes. Thank you, Reid!
