Every week, Varsity Blues highlights a U of T student-athlete and their academic pursuits. Each of these students achieved first class honours with an AGPA of at least 3.50 in the previous academic year. In this installment, we profile Laura Ellis, a fourth year kinesiology student and member of the Varsity Blues women's ice hockey team.
Teamwork plays a huge role in fourth-year women’s hockey veteran Laura Ellis’ life, both at the rink and in the classroom.
“I love being part of a team. It’s so much fun,” she admitted. “I’ve gained so many skills from being on a team that will benefit me when I graduate.”
Ellis’ fondest team memory was during the 2019-20 season. The Varsity Blues women’s hockey team defeated the York Lions to win the McCaw cup. It was the first time the women’s hockey team captured the OUA title since the 2002-03 season. Ellis felt the momentum of the win at the time.
“Having the fans rush the ice after the game was a very special moment and it made the win even better that we were able to celebrate with friends and family on home ice,” Ellis said.
Laura Ellis, second from the right, and the Blues captains accept the 2020 OUA McCaw Cup at Varsity Arena (photo by Seyran Mammadov)
Ellis attributes a lot of her academic success to her supportive team. She notes how she was always able to connect with the older players and how seriously the other athletes took their studies, which encouraged her.
“Everyone takes [studying] so seriously,” she said. “On the bus people are studying, we all go into the conference room at hotels to study together and so many of us live up in the ASAP room on top of the rink because it’s so accessible and it's comforting getting to know and studying with the people up there.”
Laura Ellis shakes hands with Professor Ira Jacobs, dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the 2019 Reception for Scholars (photo by Jing-Ling Kao-Beserve
An added plus for Ellis is the structure of the kinesiology program she is enrolled in.
“Many of the courses in kinesiology require group work and presentations, which has allowed me to further my interpersonal and communication skills. That will be important if I were to explore a particular career path,” she said.
Ellis has a unique path in mind after she completes her undergraduate studies in kinesiology. She hopes to mix her studies in kinesiology with business to hone both her knowledge and her practical skills. Ultimately, she hopes to work for a pharmaceutical company as a sales representative, similar to her father, who also works in sales.
“I really love talking to people and I really want to get into sales,” she said. “My father is also in sales and everyone says we are really similar and also really good with talking to people, so it is something I want to work towards.”
Ellis likes to share the importance of teamwork and leadership development with others. She volunteers with the Blues Buddy Up program, a leadership and character building initiative designed to target personal and interpersonal skill development in elementary aged students.
“Kids are just so much fun to work with,” she said. “I like that I’m able to act as a mentor for them because when I was growing up I had a support system. Just like in hockey, having others around you who are willing to help out is a great support system for kids.”
Ellis found her calling in the kinesiology program at U of T thanks to her high school teacher and coach, Marc Messier.
In grade 12, she attended a kinesiology class at her high school, a unique course offering at Nelson High School in Burlington. Messier, who has previously coached her in several sports like track and field and hockey, was the teacher of the course.
“The way [Messier] taught the course was really engaging and I really liked him as a person,” she said. “It was when I was in that class that I decided this is what I want to do when I go off to university.”
Then in first year, Ellis became close friends with a group of fourth-year athletes on her team. As many of them were in the kinesiology program, she found it incredibly helpful to go to them for advice, both in the classroom and on the rink.
“They really helped pave the way for me,” she admitted.
Maintaining a balance between school and athletics can be difficult. But Ellis has mastered the balance between academia and team schedules. She creates a schedule and a to-do list every week and breaks up her work into chunks in order to keep on track. She also uses her time between lifts and practices to work on her academics.
Her advice to athletes interested in playing for the Varsity Blues?
“Take advantage of everything the Varsity Blues has to offer for athletes,” she said. “And plan your week out before it starts. Most importantly, feel free to ask for help! Everybody is super accommodating.”