Student-athletes took a welcome break from the books to celebrate a year of athletic accomplishment with the support a key Blues fan — President David Naylor — at the annual President’s luncheon held April 1st at the Athletic Centre sports gym.
Over 200 intercollegiate athletes were joined by Dean Bruce Kidd, Chancellor David Peterson and athletic director Liz Hoffman, staff, faculty, friends and alumni to look back at year of remarkable feats and admirable spirit.
“All members of the University of Toronto community, as well as our graduates and friends are proud of your achievements,” President Naylor told the students. “Your participation as varsity athletes has brought us enjoyment and excitement and you make your university a better place.”
Kidd and Naylor acknowledged the resilience of U of T athletes, especially in the current economic climate. “Our athletes’ ‘yes we can’ attitude is inspiring and infectious,” Kidd told the audience. He went on to emphasize the University’s commitment to expanding athletic resources with the creation of the throws area and construction of the pavilion at Varsity Centre, along with the ongoing fundraising for the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport.
Silver “T” award winners were also honoured at the luncheon. The Silver “T” is awarded to 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: Laura Arduini (soccer), Mark Bania (golf), Mary Anne Barnes (soccer), Heidi Borgmann (soccer), Sarah Boyle (track and field), Megan Boyles (rugby), Christy Bray (track and field), Caroline Cheung (badminton), Doug Creighton (track and field), Patrick Cuch (swimming), Annie DelGuidice (hockey), Christina Dykun (tennis), Danielle Greene (golf), David Hamilton (football), Melissa Hill (badminton), Alaine Hutton (basketball), Cory Kennedy (football), Steven Kung (volleyball), Mandy Lau (fencing), Luciano Lombardi (soccer), Erin McClure (cross country), Kristin McIlroy (swimming), Claire Midgley (fencing), Andriy Mnih (fencing), Melanie Monson (fast pitch), Heather Mulligan (field hockey), Cailie O’Hara (field hockey), Rob Paris (basketball), Hilary Peden (fencing), Regan Reid (water polo), Heather Roth (fast pitch), Kate Ruediger (track and field), Lyndsey Ryan (hockey), Brittney Scott (swimming), Charlsie Searle (fast pitch), Julia Sisler (rowing), Stan Szczepanski (tennis), Rowan Thompson (tennis), Shannon Treacy (field hockey), Caley Venn (volleyball), Michelle Wood (volleyball).
The President’s luncheon is a precursor to the biggest Blues party of the year – the intercollegiate banquet – which will be held on April 4th.