University of Toronto

The Blues women’s basketball, volleyball, and hockey teams pulled together for a worthy cause November31st-December 2nd at the first-ever Cheer Blue, Think Pink Weekend. The event raised awareness and funds for breast cancer research. All proceeds from tickets and merchandise went to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation-Ontario region.

CityTV’s Breakfast Television host Jenn Valentyne showed up at the Athletic Centre early Thursday morning to profile Think Pink Weekend.

The weekend kicked off Friday night with the women’s Varsity Blues basketball game against Western. Both the men’s and women’s team, plus the opposing teams, showed their support by donning pink ribbons and t-shirts. Even though Toronto lost against Western (85, 75), spirits remained high.

Saturday afternoon’s volleyball game against York drew a large and lively crowd. The pink-clad Blues won over the Lions 3, 0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-20), securing the team’s lead in the OUA East division.

The hockey game on Sunday night, the final game of the weekend, saw the Varsity Blues fall to Laurier’s Golden Hawks 2-0.  However, the game wasn’t a total loss. A lucky mother from both the Laurier and Toronto teams won the major giveaways of the evening— a limited edition Hbc Caribou Pink Throw donated by the Hudson’s Bay Company, and a custom-made pink hockey stick donated by Just Hockey.

 “The response we received at all three games was wonderful and for their part, the women’s basketball, volleyball and hockey teams provided the spectators with some great OUA action,� says event organizer Mary Beth Challoner. “The whole weekend was an inspiring celebration of what we can do when we all rally together for a good cause.�
For highlight from the Breakfast Television segment, visit Jenn Valentyne’s blog.

Professor Doug Richards has a reputation for giving great lectures. Now, TVO’s televised lecture series, Big Ideas, has confirmed what many here at U of T already know — Dr. Richards is one of the best lecturers in the province.Big Ideas is now in its third year and plays an important role in raising awareness about the province’s greatest educators. Richards is one of 38 professors from across Ontario and one of 16 from U of T to be shortlisted. The shortlist was created based on student and alumni nominations in the form of 150-250 word emails.

Dr. Richards teaches lifestyle health and biomechanics here at the Faculty of Physical Education and Health. He started as a student at U of T in 1973 and began teaching at the university in 1991. “It’s my passion for what I teach and the relevance of my material that keeps me inspired,� says Richards.

The dedicated professor, who is also the medical director at U of T’s Macintosh Sports Medicine Clinic, received great accolades from one of his graduate students. “Professor Richards takes potentially-daunting material and makes the seemingly impossible possible,� says MSc candidate Marc Busato. “His passion is evident in every lecture, and it’s contagious,� he says, referring to his own experiences and to what he sees as a TA in Richard’s second-year Introductory Biomechanics class.

A panel of judges will choose 10 finalists from the list to deliver complete televised lectures on TVO’s Big Ideas program in March 2008.

The winner’s institution receives a $10,000 TD Meloche Monnex Scholarship.

Professor Richards also an instructor at the Mini Health School. The six-week learning workshop includes timely lectures and practical sessions and is open to the general public.

For more information on the Big Ideas program, visit tvo.org.