Anthony Nassif graduated this past year with a master’s of engineering from the department of mechanical and industrial engineering at the University of Toronto. He is working for Transport Canada in Ottawa right now, but made the trip back to Toronto on Wednesday to receive a bronze pin from the Varsity Blues for achieving top marks in his courses over the past academic year while competing on a varsity team. Nassif did that while working in Ottawa full time, coming in for classes on Saturdays and racing with the Varsity Blues mountain biking team on Sundays.
Anthony Nassif, left, poses with proud coach David Wright and family members, mother Madeleine Kiameh, father Michel Nassif and sister Christine Nassif (photo by Jelena Damjanovic)
“It was demanding, but events like these helped me through it,” says Nassif, who has been part of the mountain biking team since his undergraduate years. He says being on the varsity team really helped to motivate him.
“It was the only way I could switch off. Otherwise I’d be thinking about my academics, but when I was at the races, I was just trying to catch my breath and get over the next rock or hill. That’s all I would think about. It took away time, but I think it alleviated some of the pressures of my demanding schedule.”
His twin sister Christine, also a U of T mechanical engineering graduate who now works alongside her brother in Ottawa, was at U of T’s Goldring Centre for the ceremony, along with their parents, Madeleine Kiameh and Michel Nassif, who flew in from Washington, D.C. to cheer on their son.
“Tony’s dedication to U of T and the biking team is unparalleled,” says Christine. “So much so that he’s wearing the colours of the University today to represent. He bleeds blue day and night.”
“He is an overachiever,” jokes Mr. Nassif. “He was determined to do well and he did it, so we’re very happy for him. Thanks also to U of T. It’s nice to see students recognized in this way. It’s not easy being a student while doing athletics.”
Nassif was one of 233 student athletes to be recognized this year at the Varsity Blues Academic Excellence Breakfast, an annual event honouring student-athletes who earned an 80% average or higher in all their courses over the past academic year while competing on a varsity team. Ira Jacobs, professor and dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, welcomed everyone to the event, while Sandy Welsh, vice-provost of students, and Beth Ali, executive director of athletics & physical activity, handed out certificates and pins to all recipients: enamel for first-time winners, bronze for second, silver for third, gold for fourth and a diamond pin for anyone earning this award five or more times during their intercollegiate career.
Figure skater Emma Jianopoulos holds her Top-Scholar Athlete award while posing with Sandy Welsh, vice-dean of students, and Beth Ali, executive director of athletics & physical activity (photo by Seyran Mammadov)
Four students received the Top-Scholar Athletes award, Jack Berkshire from track & field, Anna Feore from women’s volleyball, Colin Dale from fencing and Emma Jianopoulos from figure skating.
Jianopoulos, a fourth year kinesiology student, has been skating since she was four years old all the way through to university, where she joined the Varsity Blues figure skating team.
“I did other sports as well, but figure skating really stuck,” says Jianopoulos, who’s competed provincially and went to a national competition.
She credits skating for helping her with her studies.
“I find, because it’s been such a huge part of my life, it would almost be worse for me not to do it, because it really helps with my time management, it provides me with a great social atmosphere and it keeps me physically healthy. Plus, it’s something I love to do. I love competing and I love training,” she says.
“The competitive drive that I’ve gained from being an athlete translates into my studies when I write exams or do assignments. I’m always pushing myself to achieve my highest potential.”