uOttawa MD student and men’s hockey captain Eric Locke has juggled athletics and academics for as long as he can remember. He recalls being in grade school playing many sports, taking piano lessons and doing his homework after school.
“I have always been passionate about lifelong learning,” he says. “It doesn’t matter what subject, I enjoy learning new things and I’ve always loved sports.”
Growing up, Locke played soccer, football, baseball, did track and field, but he took a special liking to hockey more than any other sport, describing it as a way to get outside during Canada’s long winter months.
Locke’s dedication to his interests paid off in his youth and throughout his post-secondary education. While completing a Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics at St. Francis Xavier University (StFX), he was also captain of the X-Men hockey team and he excelled both on and off the ice.
Locke graduated from StFX with a 94 per cent average in his final year; led the X-Men to back-to-back AUS conference championship banners; and was named the 2016 StFX male athlete of the year. Since beginning his MD program at uOttawa, he continues to play varsity hockey as the captain of the uOttawa men’s hockey team.
Already a three-time Academic All-Canadian (a recognition for U SPORTS student-athletics who maintain an average of 80 per cent or better while competing for a university varsity team), Locke was selected as a 2017 Governor General’s Top 8 Academic All-Canadian, along with fellow uOttawa student Katherine Bearne.
“It’s a pretty big honour,” says Locke. “I want to thank my coaches, athletic directors and teammates at StFX for the incredible experience I had there. I also want to thank the University of Ottawa for being so supportive and accommodating with helping me maneuver my medical school schedule and my hockey practices.”
Locke adds that a fellow teammate Cole Gerbavac at StFX, who served as captain of the X-Men hockey team before him, had won a Top 8 Academic All-Canadian award as well and was a mentor to Locke. “I heard about this award from Cole and he was an inspiration and role model for me,” he explains.
Locke says he is attracted to a career in medicine for many of the same reasons he loves sports – for the teamwork, leadership development and continuous learning. “I really enjoy navigating and solving problems in an environment where you’re constantly learning new things, while building communications and leadership skills.”
Locke and seven other fellow recipients of the 2017 Governor General’s Top 8 Academic All-Canadians award will be honoured in a ceremony with Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette on December 8 in Quebec City.
