As exams pile up and the Varsity sports season winds down, one of the Blues biggest fans — President David Naylor —hosted a lunch on April 8th to celebrate a year of outstanding athletic performance and hard work.

Over 200 intercollegiate student-athletes gathered in the Athletic Centre’s sports gym with their parents, coaches and FPEH staff. 

“This has been an especially rewarding year for the Varsity Blues and for athletics in general on the St. George campus, as it was the first fully-functioning year of the new Varsity Centre,” Naylor told the crowd. “We intend to continue to increase the role that athletics play here at the University of Toronto because the hard work and achievements of our Blues athletes make our University a better place.”

Dean Bruce Kidd and Liz Hoffman, assistant dean of co-curricular education and director of athletics, joined President Naylor to pay tribute to the athletes and to hand out this year’s Silver “T” awards. The Silver “T” is awarded to the Bronze “T” holders in their graduating year in recognition of outstanding athletic performance during their career with the Varsity Blues.

The list of this year’s Silver “T” holders includes: Ekaterina Alchits (Tennis), Joshua Berry (Swimming), Mike Bialy (Soccer), Etienne Bredin (Cross Country/Track & Field), Janine Davies (Ice Hockey), Michael  De Giorgio (Basketball), Martyn Forde (Swimming), Laura Foster (Ice Hockey), Jesse Fulton (Baseball), Kathryn Godfrey (Lacrosse), Mark Heatley (Ice Hockey), Mary Hein (Track & Field), Stephanie Ho (Fastpitch), Isabel Jarosz (Tennis/Squash), Lisa Kennedy (Fastpitch), Alen Keri (Soccer), Kerry Kuluski (Track & Field), Andy Lam (Badminton), Sean McGhie (Water Polo), Liz Montgomery (Track & Field), Anthony Pallotta (Ice Hockey), Kate Plyley (Swimming), Sarah Poirier (Ice Hockey), Joe Rini (Soccer), Kate Ruediger (Track & Field), Natasha Saunders (Lacrosse), Mark Stinson (Football), Samantha Taylor (Field Hockey),  Amanda Treacy (Field Hockey), Shannon Treacy (Field Hockey) and David Yik (Squash).

“The students we are honouring today exemplify the spirit of excellence at U of T, and the culture of ambition and achievement, innovation and determination, and collaboration and teamwork,” says Kidd. “Over the last couple of years, I’ve seen every Blues team play, and I can say how well they represent us at competitions across Canada and around the world. They bring honour to faculty, staff, students and alumni, and we are proud to call them our own.”

Women’s field hockey captain Amanda Treacy capped off the ceremony with a photograph presentation to President Naylor. It was a snapshot of her team —  the only Blues squad to win a 2008 CIS gold medal.

The President’s luncheon is a precursor to the student-athletes’ biggest party of the year – the intercollegiate banquet, which will be held on April 11th.