The University of Toronto honoured 247 student-athletes at the ninth annual Academic Excellence Breakfast on January 22 at the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport. The ceremony honoured student-athletes, who earned an 80% average or higher in all courses they were enrolled in during the 2017-18 academic year, while competing on a varsity team. Each recipient received a pin: 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.
“This morning we are celebrating student-athletes who have achieved honours standing at one of the world’s most prestigious institutions of higher learning,” said Professor Cheryl Regehr, U of T's vice-president and provost. “They do this while balancing the rigours of a demanding training and competition schedule.”
Regehr also pointed out the student athletes come from all seven U of T arts & science colleges, both suburban campuses, University of Toronto Mississauga and University of Toronto Scarborough, professional faculty undergraduate divisions, architecture, applied science and engineering, music and kinesiology & physical education, second degree programs in dentistry, law, nursing and pharmacy, and the School of Graduate Studies.
“The skills that you have and will continue to develop that allow you to balance the academic workload with your team’s schedule, while finding time for yourself, will suit you and those that surround you for the rest of your life,” said Professor Ira Jacobs, dean of KPE. Jacobs also thanked the university’s support staff who contribute to the success of the student athletes, from the sport medicine therapy staff to the intercollegiate administrative team and all the university registrar’s offices.
Varsity volleyball player Alina Dormann and men's swimming star Eli Wall were celebrated as the U Sports top scholar athletes
Four Varsity Blues, Charlie Connell (hockey), Mary Anne Meerasabeer (lacrosse), Yusuf Shalaby (squash) and Christian Krustev (tennis) received a diamond pin, representing the fifth time they have achieved this result.
The Blues also honoured four U of T top scholar athletes who were adjudged to have excelled both academically and athletically during the 2017-18 academic year. Men's swimming standout Eli Wall and women's volleyball star Alina Dormann were celebrated as the U SPORTS top scholar athletes, while Blues badminton all-star Marcus Waskiw-Ford and women's water polo MVP Ana Miroslavic earned the OUA top scholar athlete awards.
KPE doctoral student Marcus Waskiw-Ford, seen here flanked by Vice-President and Provost Cheryl Regehr and Dean Ira Jacobs, earned the OUA top scholar athlete award
Waskiw-Ford is a second year PhD student in exercise sciences at KPE, focusing on exercise and nutrition. “This recognition means a lot to me. It’s not easy to juggle both academics and athletics, but this award shows that I’m somewhat successful at it,” he said with a laugh. “It takes a lot of planning and it helps to enjoy what you do. I’m here because I enjoy both academics and athletics.”
Waskiw-Ford trains and has classes at the Athletic Centre, a convenience that helps him organize his time. “Also, the funding for my PhD helps, because it allows me to live comfortably, while I train and study,” he added.
The 247 student-athletes represent nearly 30% of the Varsity Blues population. The Varsity Blues mountain biking team had 16 honourees, while the Blues men’s lacrosse and women’s track and field teams had 12 honourees each. 11 men’s rowers and 10 women’s lacrosse players were also recognized. 
Katrina Innanen, fifth from the right, poses for pictures with the women's track and field team and Cheryl Regehr, vice-president and provost, and Beth Ali, executive director of athletics & physical activity
Katrina Innanen is a fourth year kinesiology student on the Varsity Blues track and field team. This was the third time she was recognized at this event. “It’s a big honour. Being able to say that you have an above 80 average at the best school of Canada and one of the best schools of the world is awesome,” she said. “Kinesiology is really supportive of sports, but I think U of T in general wants everyone to succeed and that’s evident in the support we get across the board, from the professors, to all the coaches and the support staff.”
Fourth year kinesiology student and member of the Varsity track and field team Robert Lawand, second from the right, poses with his teammates
“It’s really exciting to see students dedicated to their sport still getting good marks,” said Mr. Lawand, who came out with his wife to support their son, Robert Lawand, a fourth year kinesiology student on the track and field team. “It speaks to the quality of athletics and academic at U of T. We are very proud of our son and all the student athletes today.”
Closing off the event, Beth Ali, executive director of athletics & physical activity at U of T, congratulated all the student athletes and thanked all the staff who support them, in particular the university registrars, who recruit the best and the brightest student athletes.