The path to a career in sports physical therapy (PT) is rarely linear. For many, it’s a winding road full of hard work, setbacks and valuable lessons.
For Daniel Hague, DPT, OCS, SCS, a 2020 graduate of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) in San Marcos, CA, the journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.
From injury at a young age to becoming a residency-trained, board-certified orthopedic and sports physical therapist, Dr. Hague’s playbook is built on training, perseverance, and a relentless drive to grow and improve.
His experience spans high-level athletes in diverse settings, with a focus on movement analysis, injury prevention and performance optimization.
In March 2026, he joined the San Francisco Bay Area Golden State Valkyries, part of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), as Head of Rehabilitation.
The spark that launched a sports therapy dream
At the age of 14, a sports injury ignited an ambition that would shape the rest of Dr. Hague’s life. “I got hurt weightlifting for football, and physical therapy got me feeling better. That’s when I knew this was the profession for me,” he reflects.
Growing up in Northern California, he had an early connection to sports. His friend, Nate Sudfeld, dreamt of becoming a National Football League (NFL) quarterback while he aspired to be a professional sports physical therapist (PT). Both would go on to fulfill their dreams.
After pursuing pre-physical therapy coursework at San Diego State University (SDSU), he knew that a specialized education was essential to achieving his goals. That led him to USAHS, where his classmates and professors helped him broaden his understanding of physical therapy beyond the textbook.
Laying the foundation for success
The USAHS DPT program allowed him to gain hands-on training that would prepare him for the challenges of working with elite athletes. One game-changing moment was a rotation at the Hawaii Sports and Balance Center in Kauai, HI. “That was my foot in the door to working with sports organizations right after school,” he says.
He credits his graduate PT education at USAHS for exposing him to cutting-edge techniques like dry needling, methods he would rely on later in his work. He said, “Dry needling was a prerequisite for a lot of sports jobs, and discovering that early on was incredibly helpful,” he advocates.
He also points out that USAHS’ manual therapy curriculum is one of the most essential assets of his education. “If you want to work in elite sports, manual therapy is a must,” he argues. He elaborates that it is a tool to improve performance, reduce pain and provide high-level care quickly when working with athletes.
Leveling up and gaining expertise
After graduation, the real work began. The road wasn’t without its bumps, especially when it came to landing the right role in a competitive field. “At one point, I was interviewing for residencies while preparing for my OCS board exam,” he recalls.
It was during this time that he connected with mentors who would play a pivotal role in his path. He saw sports PTs he admired working in high-profile roles, connected with them and heard their stories about how to get where he wanted to be.
His career took another turn when he became the first resident in Baltimore, Maryland, for the MedStar Health Physical Therapy Sports Residency Program. His career took another turn when he became the first resident in Baltimore, Maryland, for the MedStar Health Physical Therapy Sports Residency Program. He had the chance to cover large-scale events, including the Boston Marathon, ACC Men’s Basketball tournament and DC Open, among others. He worked with top-tier athletes, conducted research related to the biomechanics of lacrosse and advanced his role as a sports PT.
During his time at MedStar, he developed a fundamental understanding of sports science, which helped him get on the national stage, presenting at the APTA’s Future of Rehab Therapy Summit and being featured by VALD Health.
After his residency, Dr. Hague volunteered at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) in Colorado Springs, CO. He worked alongside world-class athletes and the USOPC sports medicine team.
Working with the USOPC, especially during events like wrestling, swimming and boxing, solidified his desire to work at the highest level of sports medicine. “Boxing was especially fascinating to me,” he notes.
Game on: Advancing with the WNBA
Now, in his new role with the Golden State Valkyries, his career is at another inflection point. “I’m excited to put my education and experience to work on a bigger stage,” he says.
He aspires to make the Valkyries’ Sports Medicine program the best in the W.
Full-Court commitment
Reflecting on his journey, he emphasizes the importance of mentorship and lifelong learning. He encourages aspiring sports PTs to reach out to those doing what they want to do, follow their path, understand how they got there and ask them for advice.
His advice to current DPT students? Dr. Hague urges, “Work hard, be patient and keep studying. There’s always more to learn, and that keeps me motivated.”
