March 19, 2025

A wise person once said if you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life. For Valentine Van Hellemont ‘27, the saying rings true. The ambitious Division I field hockey player is a sophomore studying exercise science at the College of Nursing and Health Professions to become a physical therapist for professional athletes.

Van Hellemont notes that being a student-athlete has contributed greatly to her understanding of exercise science. She cites her own experiences with sports-related injuries led her to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science.

Sports have always been a big part of my life, and as an athlete, I’ve experienced sports injuries closely. Spending time in physical therapy [during rehab] sparked my interest in how the body heals and responds to movement. I became fascinated with rehabilitation and realized I wanted to help others similarly,” Van Hellemont says.

Exercise science is an academic and professional discipline with a focus on the science of human body movement and helping others achieve the wellness and fitness they desire. Exercise science professionals use a scientific approach to study and apply physical, physiological and psychological concepts to how exercise and the human body interact.

Van Hellemont notes that the program perfectly combines her interests as a scholar and an athlete, allowing her to apply her on-the-field experience with her work in the classroom.

“It’s a perfect fit for me because it combines my interest in health, fitness and performance with a strong scientific foundation that will prepare me for a career in physiotherapy,” she says. “I love how hands-on the exercise science program is. We don’t just focus on theory—we get to apply what we’re learning in real-life situations. Whether working in the lab, collaborating with trainers or using the knowledge to improve my training and recovery as an athlete, the program makes the science come alive,” Van Hellemont notes.

Van Hellemont finished her sophomore campaign with the second all-region award of her career, earning second-team honors her freshman season. The Lier, Belgium native was named the CAA Player of the Year in 2024, only the second Dragon to earn the award. She was Drexel's leading scoring, finishing with 22 points, hitting the back of the net 11 times.

The Belgian native's long-term goal is to become a physiotherapist working with professional athletes. Physiotherapists, also known as physical therapists, are health care providers who help diagnose and treat patients with medical problems or injuries that limit their ability to move or function.

As someone who has been through the rehab process, I understand the importance of an excellent support team. I want to be that support for other athletes—by helping them recover from injuries, improve their performance and stay healthy throughout their careers,” she says. “I aim to complete my bachelor’s degree here at Drexel, return to Belgium for a Master of Science in Physiotherapy, and work with professional sports teams. Helping big athletes recover and perform at their best is my dream,” Van Hellemont adds.

Although being a student-athlete can be difficult, Van Hellemont relies on support from her family abroad and the community around her to keep her motivated.

“On campus, there’s a great sense of community—whether I'm with my teammates, classmates or professors, I always feel supported and connected. Being on the field hockey team is a huge part of my life here. Being part of this team pushes me to be my best every day—the friendships, the hard work and the competitive spirit make it unique,” she says. “Moving from Belgium to the U.S. to study and play field hockey at Drexel was a big step, and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without support from my family. They’ve always encouraged me to pursue opportunities like this, even when it meant being far away from home. Even now, they’re always there for me. Whether it’s regular phone calls, watching our games online or reminding me to keep pushing when things get challenging.” Van Hellemont says.

Although her main goal is to become a physiotherapist, Van Hellemont also mentions her sights are set on another goal—winning the CAA conference and hopefully advancing to the NCAA Tournament.

“We train hard, compete in a tough conference and support each other on and off the field. Hopefully, all the work we’re putting in will pay off next year, with us winning the CAA Championship. And honestly, it would be insane for me to get the chance to compete in the NCAA Tournament with this team,” Van Hellemont says.

By Myleah Herbert; Marketing '25