Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education

John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture

Global

Graduate Students

Humanities

International Students

Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

U of T Mississauga

Undergraduate Students

University College

As this fall's convocation comes to an end, we introduce you to five students who have made the most of their time at the ��Ƶ.

Natasha Malik

Natasha Malik originally wanted to specialize in a science field, but that changed when she took some elective courses in the humanities. In the end, Malik split the difference – graduating this week with a bachelor’s of science degree, with a double major in English and health and disease.

“I like arts and I like sciences, so I really liked that I could do both with my degree,” she says.

Malik, a University College student, took advantage of many of the opportunites the university offers, taking on student leadership roles and building an impressive resumé with work placements.

“When I was a frosh, I didn’t exactly picture myself as a leader,” she says, adding that “leadership is something that anyone can pursue.”

After being introduced to student life on campus through University College's commuter orientation, Malik went on to become a leader in the program, holding an orientation executive role in her third year.

She received a UC Merit Award this year, in recognition of her contribution to student life at the college. “I really like the amount of exposure at UC to so many different leadership opportunities and engagement opportunities because they really allowed me to strengthen skills and become more familiar with who I am.”

Malik also took part in the work-study program, working in the imaging facility at the department of cell and systems biology.

She served as a student ambassador at Hart House, where she developed an interest in work in social media and later became a communications assistant at the department of psychiatry.

In September, she started working as a social media intern in the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education.

Malik plans on doing graduate work in media studies.

- Angela Gu

Eray Sonmez

(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

When Eray Sonmez crossed the stage at Convocation Hall, he marked the end of a journey that began when he left his home in Adana, Turkey at the age of 17.

Sonmez, who first came to Canada to attend an international high school, chose to remain here to study political science, history and Canadian studies at U of T Mississauga.

“U of T has a global reputation,” Sonmez says. “I know that when I put my U of T diploma on the wall, that name will make a difference; it will open many doors to me.”

Sonmez says he is returning home to work for his family business – and bringing a new perspective with him.

“U of T has changed my worldview and expanded my vision,” Sonmez says. “Now, because of U of T, I am thinking bigger, and I believe my new international vision will be a big help for the business.”

He is leaving Canada with more than an undergraduate degree, he says.

“The best thing about here is that I have friends from all over the world.”

Sonmez says he plans to write a book about the history of Adana, using the research and writing skills he honed during his time here.

He also has a message for future international students.

“If you are thinking about applying to U of T, I strongly recommend it. The school makes you successful and at the same time it provides many opportunities.”

The international students’ centre is a good resource, Sonmez says, and a significant help for students who are seeking a job.

“The other thing is you can freely express your own opinions in classes with your peers and professors without hesitation. Everyone is open to discussion and respectful, even if you think differently than others."

- Cansu Aydemir

Melinda Scott

Melinda Scott serves as the dean of students at University College and until this fall she was a student herself.

"The perspective of being both a professional and a student helped me in both realms,” she says.

Scott graduated this week with a PhD in higher education at U of T’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, conducting research that focused on professional development planning in student affairs.

She says her role as dean of students helped her identify research questions and issues that she saw as worthy of investigation, while her PhD research “helped to bring an academic perspective” to her work.

Some of her best experiences at OISE involved getting to meet with other PhD students to learn from each other’s successes and challenges.

“I found that really, really helpful,” she says.

Reflecting on her PhD experience, Scott says that despite the stress, the PhD program was “really interesting, and really worthwhile.”

“I will miss it,” she says.

– Angela Gu

Joey Bose

Joey Bose’s interest in computer vision was sparked when he became a research assistant in Professor Steve Mann’s lab while working on his undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering.

“We see face detectors everywhere these days – they’re so prevalent,” he says, citing as examples their use on social media platforms and airport security cameras. But, he says, the technology "doesn’t function as admirably as we would hope,” adding that face-detection systems can falter if even a little bit of noise is added to the image.

He graduated this week with a Master of Applied Science focusing on computer vision – specifically, artificial intelligence for facial recognition and protecting personal privacy.

Bose has created his own company, FaceShield, which helps people protect their privacy online by shielding photos from detection software.

“The idea is that anyone should be able to use these filters,” he says. “If you want to protect your privacy by adding these filters to your images, you can now do so.”

Bose completed what is usually a two-year master's program in just a year, which he credits to the support of his supervisor, Associate Professor Parham Aarabi of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. Aarabi encouraged Bose to start his company and pursue a PhD.

“He helped me a lot. I can’t thank him enough,” he says.

Bose is now a doctoral student in computer science at McGill University and Mila, the inter-university machine learning laboratory run by both McGill and the Université de Montréal.

- Angela Gu

Rachel McKenna-Marshall

When Rachel McKenna-Marshall ran the Toronto Waterfront 10K, she got to see a display of the fruits of her labour from the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.

Marshall, who came to U of T to study architecture two years ago, will be graduating this fall with a double major in architectural studies and visual studies.

This summer, McKenna-Marshall took an intensive course where the class designed and built a meditation pavilion for athletic apparel firm Lululemon, with groups working on different aspects of the final product.

She and a few classmates “were the most excited about it, so we got a lot done” – including building meditation chairs by hand.

The pavilion was displayed at the Toronto Waterfront 10k. “It was really incredible,” she says, of seeing the pavilion in use, post-race.

McKenna-Marshall also did an independent study this summer involving her artwork. She took underwater photos of friends in a pool, which served as the source images for her paintings.

Her project was conducted under the supervision of Associate Professor Sue Lloyd, who praises McKenna-Marshall’s productive and self-led efforts and says the course allows students to do work at the master's level.

Looking back, McKenna-Marshall is grateful for the opportunities she’s had, especially working closely with faculty members. “They care about the individual students.

“I think that it’s really good to have a lot of creative people in the same space," she says. "I think it helps your work, I think it helps what you produce."

- Angela Gu

First cohort of U of T’s Master of Professional Kinesiology program graduates

noreen.rasbach — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 18:46:51 +0000

First cohort of U of T’s Master of Professional Kinesiology program graduates

noreen.rasbach Wed, 06/13/2018 - 14:46

Cutline

These Master of Professional Kinesiology students took part in the SMILE program. Sonia Jain is second from the right in the top row

Topic

Goldring Centre

Students of the first cohort of the Master of Professional Kinesiology (MPK) program – the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education’s first professional master’s degree program and the first of its kind in the province – attended their convocation on Wednesday.

“The reputation of our graduates as exercise experts with a keen interest in improving how exercise is used to enhance health and performance will ensure a strong future for the MPK,” said Professor Scott Thomas, the founding director of the program.

The MPK program provides 600 hours of practical experience starting with structured, in-university experiences, followed by diverse experiences in the Toronto area, including professional sports teams, private clinics and businesses and hospital programs.

“Beyond being the first of its kind, the program is unique in at least three other ways,” said Thomas. “It reflects our faculty, which looks at kinesiology from four distinct viewpoints: behavioural, physical-cultural, biophysical and clinical. It reflects the ��Ƶ’s consistent emphasis on driving practice improvement using the best evidence, from experience and from research. And, it reflects our communities.”

U of T athletes join the conversation on Bell Let's Talk Day

noreen.rasbach — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 17:03:46 +0000

U of T athletes join the conversation on Bell Let's Talk Day noreen.rasbach Wed, 01/31/2018 - 12:03

Cutline

The Varsity Blues men’s hockey team signs a team banner pledge to help raise awareness about mental health (photo by Jelena Damjanovic)

Topic

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Graduate Students

Mental Health

Undergraduate Students

Varsity Blues

Varsity Blues athletes at the ��Ƶ are once again taking part in the Bell Let’s Talk national university mental health campaign.

Student athletes across the country have been helping spread the conversation about mental health at more than 100 varsity and collegiate games and on social media.

For example, the Varsity Blues men’s hockey team hosted the Guelph Gryphons on Jan. 26 in their Bell Let's Talk Game. A booth was set up for the spectators to pick up noise makers, tattoos, speech bubbles and flyers with information about how to help out the campaign.

The evening before the game, the Varsity Blues men’s hockey team was busy signing a team banner pledge to help raise awareness about mental health.

“A lot of people who are very close to me have been affected by mental illness. It can be scary sometimes, so you want to be there to support the people that are going through it. It’s definitely something that needs to be talked about as much as possible,” says Varsity Blues hockey player Ryan Kirkup, who is in his third year of economics and employment relations.

“Having all the sports and our whole team on board raising awareness for the cause is really important,” adds Max Lindsay, Kirkup’s teammate and third-year commerce student.

All 43 Varsity Blues teams have been signing team banner pledges to raise awareness about mental help and posting the photos on social media to keep the conversation going, leading up to Bell Let's Talk Day on Jan. 31.

Read The Conversation with Mojola Omole, a Munk Global Journalism Fellow, on culturally sensitive treatments for depression

Varsity Blues baseball player Graham Tebbit says it’s important for him and his teammates to lend their voice to these kinds of campaigns, as student athletes and members of the community.

“Struggling with mental illness is just one part of the battle,” says Tebbit, who is in his second year of a master’s degree in exercise science at the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education. “It’s also important to understand that there are people you can talk to without any stigmas attached.”

Beth Ali, executive director of athletics and physical activity, says university can be a time of many pressures and challenges in the lives of students, so it’s important that they are aware of the support systems in place.

“Science has shown the positive impact of sport and physical activity on mental wellness. That’s why we make it a priority at the U of T Sport and Rec program to provide accessible sport and physical activity programs, facilities and services to all U of T students.”

Bell Let’s Talk Day is Jan. 31. Bell will donate 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for every text, tweet, Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat post using the #BellLetsTalk hashtag.

(Not) as seen on TV: Why one U of T entrepreneur balked at a Dragon's Den deal in favour of 'organic' expansion

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 17:08:49 +0000

(Not) as seen on TV: Why one U of T entrepreneur balked at a Dragon's Den deal in favour of 'organic' expansion

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 01/16/2018 - 12:08

Cutline

Noureddin Chahrour, a U of T alumnus, is preparing to launch his startup's latest posture-enhancing garment, a sports bra, with a Kickstarter campaign just in time for the post-holiday gym rush (photo by Chris Sorensen)

Topic

Impact Centre

Research & Innovation

Startup

ThisIsThePlace

Noureddin Chahrour’s successful 2015 appearance on CBC’s Dragon’s Den was a key turning point for his research-based startup Adrenalease Posture Apparel – but not in the way you might think.

Chahrour, a ��Ƶ alumnus, agreed on-air to hand over 30 per cent of Adrenalease, which makes posture-enhancing garments, in exchange for $90,000 from three of the program’s panel members.

However, he later backed out of the deal after advisers at the Impact Centre, one of nine U of T entrepreneurship hubs, suggested he was selling himself short.

“They said I would be crazy to give up that kind of equity,” says Chahrour, who received a bachelor’s degree with honours in kinesiology two years ago.

“That’s honestly not a lot of money. If you want to raise a real round [of funding], you’re looking at $500,000-plus.”

Fast forward two years and Chahrour is not only still in business, he’s preparing to launch Adrenalease’s latest product – a posture-enhancing sports bra – with the help of a Kickstarter campaign.

Adrenalease’s sports bra, like its previous T-shirt and tank top, is equipped with adjustable, Velcro straps that pull a user’s shoulders back into an upright position, helping promote muscle memory and better posture. The design is based on research that shows better posture can help reduce stress and pain in the shoulder and neck area.

A prototype of Adrenalease's sports bra on display at U of T's Impact Centre accelerator (photo by Chris Sorensen)

In hindsight, Chahrour says walking away from the Dragon’s Den deal was the right decision for both Adrenalease and himself. It gave him more time work with the Impact Centre to hone his business plan and focus on growing Adrenalease organically. “Every single dime and dollar we’ve made through sales we’ve put back into the company,” he says.

It also gave him the opportunity to listen to Adrenalease's customers and incorporate their feedback.

One message he heard loud and clear: Women liked the product, but wanted something less bulky – like a sports bra – to wear at the gym or beneath regular clothing. There was just one problem. Chahrour didn’t know the first thing about designing a bra, which he says is “perhaps the most complicated” garment to make.

“With a shirt, seven sizes fit mostly everyone in 90 per cent of the population,” he explains. “But with a bra you have to factor in cup size, shoulder size, chest circumference – there’s so many different measurements and variations.”

Chahrour leaned heavily on the female members of his 10-person team for guidance. Together, they ended up creating more than a dozen prototypes before hitting on the right mix of function and form.

“It was women designing products for women,” he says.

Mominah Mohsin (left), a Rotman Commerce student, dresses a mannequin with Chahrour. Mohsin is participating in a marketing internship with Adrenalease (photo by Chris Sorensen)

Chahrour originally got the idea for Adrenalease while studying kinesiology at U of T. Suffering from neck and shoulder pain, he began researching posture braces but discovered “they actually do more harm than good” because the braces do all the work, leaving muscles to wither.

Moreover, Chahrour found most existing posture braces too clunky or cumbersome for everyday use.

So, with the help of the Impact Centre, he built his own solution that was integrated into a T-shirt – and then began exploring how it might improve the performance of athletes.

“I was in my cardio-respiratory physiology class, looking at athletes’ lung capacities and how the breathing mechanism works while running,” he says. “That inspired me to look at different positions of athletes wearing the product while running to see if it has an effect on their breathing.”

The scientific research that underpins Adrenalease’s products hints at Chahrour’s one-time ambition to become a physiotherapist.

But his Dragon’s Den appearance presented him with a fork in the road on that journey, too.

Chahrour says he only had about a week to prepare for the show. That included securing Team Canada ice dancers and Pyeongchang medal hopefuls Paul Poirier and Piper Gilles as models – a move that clearly delighted the panel (a friend of a friend was on the U of T figure skating team with Poirier, who is a fan of the T-shirt).

An even bigger challenge stemmed from CBC’s decision to schedule the taping the day before one of Chahrour’s final exams. In effect, Chahrour was forced to choose what was then an entrepreneurial side project and concentrating on his grades.

“CBC said ‘Take it or leave it,’” Chahrour says when asked if he tried to reschedule. “So I took the risk.”

Chahrour appears on Dragon's Den in 2015 with Team Canada ice dancers Paul Poirier and Piper Gilles (photo courtesy of Adrenalease)

A successful launch of the sports bra promises to dramatically broaden the potential market for Adrenalease. But Chahrour and his team aren’t planning to stop there. Bolstered by a $45,000 grant, they’re now working with U of T’s department of mechanical and industrial engineering to investigate the use of a smart plastic, which could conceivably allow future Adrenalease users to adjust the tension in their tops with a touch of a smartphone.

Adrenalease is also preparing to launch a medical line of garments alongside its current “performance” line. So while Chahrour may have put his physiotherapist dreams on hold, he’s still very much applying his U of T education to the field.

“Now physiotherapists are working with me, selling my product,” he says. “I’m making an impact.”

Secret to creativity? U of T expert says sleep more, offers other tips

ullahnor — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 05:00:00 +0000

Secret to creativity? U of T expert says sleep more, offers other tips

ullahnor Fri, 12/01/2017 - 00:00

Cutline

U of T's Greg Wells says more sleep is one of many ways we can boost our ability to be creative (photo by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Topic

Health

With the advent of artificial intelligence, creative thinking will become even more critical, writes the University of Toronto's Greg Wells, an assistant professor at the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education.

In a piece in the Globe and Mail's Leadership Lab series, Wells offers advice on how to boost that creativity.

The physiologist and exercise medicine researcher at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children says sleep more, meditate and add physical activity into your day. For example, exercising in nature helps promote problem solving, he says.

“If you need to solve a problem or come up with a new creative approach, reducing your sleep hours is the opposite of what your brain needs,” he writes. “Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night and had a ‘Eureka!’ moment – a deep insight? I certainly have; it's one reason I keep a notebook by my bed. I need to ensure that I capture the insights generated during sleep.”

Creative problem solving appears to happen during the REM phase of sleep, which typically occurs in the second half of a night’s sleep if a person is getting the recommended 7.5 hours.

He adds that scientists at the University of California, Irvine found that exercise can increase levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and other growth factors, stimulate neurogenesis, and improve learning and mental performance. As little as 15 minutes of exercise improves mental performance, he says.

“If you're wondering what kind of exercise is best for creativity, research suggests that aerobic activities like walking, swimming, cycling and running are best.”

His last idea is to add deliberate mindfulness practice and meditation to your daily routine.

“Think of meditation as strength training for the brain. Just as you would lift weights to build and strengthen your muscles, you can use meditation to build and strengthen your brain and then, in addition, control and sharpen your mind.”

U of T's Varsity Blues join student athletes across Canada for Bell Let's Talk Day

ullahnor — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 18:03:25 +0000

U of T's Varsity Blues join student athletes across Canada for Bell Let's Talk Day

ullahnor Wed, 01/25/2017 - 13:03

Cutline

A still shot of Varsity Blues swimmer Nathalin Moy from the Bell Let's Talk video series

Author legacy

Jelena Damjanovic

Topic

The ��Ƶ’s 900 Varsity Blues athletes are among the 20,000 student athletes from 53 Canadian universities joining forces for Bell Let's Talk Day.

Wearing Bell Let's Talk toques, the student athletes are helping lead conversations on campus about the impact of mental illness and how to fight the stigma attached to it.

“Mental wellness is a significant focus on the ��Ƶ campus and the Varsity Blues are committed to participating in projects that promote a safe and judgment-free environment in which to discuss mental health,” says Beth Ali, executive director of athletics and co-curricular physical activity at the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. “Our student athletes have partnered with the Bell Let's Talk campaign to advance education and discussion on mental health and encourage support and assistance for all who need it.”

Leading up to Jan. 25, student athletes across Canada have been hosting events at 100 university games and appearing in the Bell Let’s Talk video series.

The Blues hosted two men’s hockey games, track and field, and swimming events where fans had the opportunity to sign talk bubbles and banners in support of mental health. They were also encouraged to take pictures and share them on social media on Bell Let’s Talk Day. Bell is expected to donate 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for each of these interactions.

Varsity Blues swimmer Nathalin Moy and hockey player Mason Nowak are two of six Academic All-Canadian student athletes featured in the Bell Let’s Talk video.

“I’ve been an advocate for student athlete mental health initiatives since I burned out from swimming a few years ago so this was a perfect opportunity to directly get involved in the cause,” says Moy, who is in her final year of engineering science at U of T.

“As student athletes we are in a unique position to set an example in shaping the conversation on mental health. We are under a lot of pressure to perform both academically and athletically, and though it can be tough at times, the sports culture demands sucking it up and always pushing through the pain. If we can break that culture down and create a safe space where conversations around mental health can occur naturally, the rest of the world will follow.”

Moy is excited that the Bell Let’s Talk campaign this year involved student athletes across the country, representing all university sport conferences, including the Ontario University Athletics (OUA), Atlantic University Sport (AUS), Canada West Universities Athletic Association (CWUAA) and Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ).

“By involving the entire Canadian student athlete community, the campaign’s mission to spread awareness and start the conversation on mental health will reach a whole new level,” says Moy.

Torn ligaments, broken bones, muscle strains: U of T research finds athletes gain from pain

ullahnor — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 17:12:27 +0000

Torn ligaments, broken bones, muscle strains: U of T research finds athletes gain from pain

ullahnor Wed, 01/25/2017 - 12:12

Cutline

The findings could help coaches work with athletes to help them develop self-awareness, foster good training partnerships and psychologically prepare them for competition (photo by Martin Bazyl)

Katie Babcock

Author legacy

Katie Babcock

Topic

Breaking Research

Athletes

Pain

Sports

Pain not only helps athletes build self-awareness and improve their skills, but dealing with injuries also helps athletes create bonds with training partners and find a strong support system.

Kristina Smith, a graduate student in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, researched the role of pain in sports by studying mixed martial arts (MMA), a hyper-explosive combat sport that involves striking and grappling.

Her findings could help athletes and coaches in all sports – from hockey to marathons.

“Pain is more than a physiological experience – it’s also a social and cultural phenomenon,” says Smith, who recently completed her master’s degree at the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education.

“In everyday life we usually try to avoid or manage pain. But most athletes enter into a relationship with it to understand themselves and advance their skills.”

Mixed martial arts provided a unique context for studying pain – competitors inflict as much damage as possible using Muay Thai, sambo, boxing, kick boxing and jiu jitsu.

Smith studied seven athletes over four months through interviews, observation, video diaries and recordings of training sessions and fights.

She also trained with the fighters to experience pain first-hand.

“At first I was really intimidated, but I got the hang of it and became confident in my training. I went through my own injuries, and it really helped me to understand what the fighters were going through.”

So, how can coaches and athletes put these findings into practice?

Smith advises taking a broader look at reactions to pain and recommends using open communication to develop athletes’ self-awareness, help them foster trusting training partnerships and psychologically prepare them for competition.

“The coach at my gym would constantly talk about pain. He would model this behavior and make it okay for athletes to talk about it too. He turned it into a learning experience and this helped the athletes to grow personally and as a group,” she says.

Assistant Professor Katherine Tamminen, whose research focuses on sport psychology, supervised Smith’s research. Professor Michael Atkinson is Smith’s current PhD supervisor.

“Pain is very relational, and when one individual experiences it, it is also felt among teammates and spectators,” Atkinson says. “When others see athletes experience pain, they can relate to it at a deep level, and it can teach them how to manage it themselves.”

In the future, Smith plans to study pain in palliative care settings.

“We’re really just learning about people’s responses to, and uses of pain, as well as how pain is culturally constructed. People encounter pain in a full spectrum of ways. I hope to use my previous and future research to reveal more about the complex nature of pain.”

Midnight Madness Basketball at U of T

ullahnor — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 17:31:53 +0000

Midnight Madness Basketball at U of T

ullahnor Tue, 11/22/2016 - 12:31

Cutline

Varsity Blues' Wilson Torres tells the young players he too was not on a path to university: "These kids just need a little inspiration. If they know I could do it, they can do it." (photo by Martin Bazyl)

Author legacy

Jelena Damjanovic

Topic

Varsity Blues

Sports

Goldring Centre

Community

Subheadline

Partnership between U of T's Varsity Blues and Toronto Community Housing brings high school students to U of T's Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport

When Toronto Community Housing (TCH) approached U of T's Varsity Blues about a venue to host the Midnight Madness Basketball program, it was a no-brainer.

Every Friday night, teams from Jane and Finch, East Mall, Scarborough, Sparroways and Albion are bused to U of T's Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport for basketball drills and friendly competition under the guidance of mentors.

Before stepping on the court, the high school students enjoy a TCH sponsored dinner and take part in life-skills workshops to learn about how to access positive life-changing opportunities, including preparation for post-secondary education, nutrition and financial literacy.

The program, which was developed by TCH in partnership with U of T Scarborough athletics & recreation in 2013, brings together youths from six TCH neighbourhoods – communities where TCH believes kids may be at risk of being targeted by drug dealers and gangs. And, over the years, those helping out have included home-grown NBA talent such as Jamaal Magloire.

“This is an opportunity to assist a Toronto community partner in a project that makes a real difference in the lives of young people,” says Beth Ali, executive director of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education's co-curricular athletics & physical activity programs. “The use of sport to provide leadership and educational development opportunities for these young people is a perfect fit for our faculty and the ��Ƶ.”

Varsity Blues basketball player Wilson Torres has been happy to share his experiences with the youth participating in the program, helping Ali and Varsity Blues basketball coach John Campbell and football coach Greg Gary deliver some of the workshops, and joining the teams on court afterwards for warm-ups.

“I tell them no matter what circumstance you are in, there is always a way out. I was not supposed to go to university because of the path I was on when I was younger,” says Torres. “But, sometimes we have to be shown a different perspective to decide if what we are doing is really worth it. These kids just need a little inspiration. If they know I could do it, they can do it.”

Varsity Blues' basketball player Wilson Torres shoots hoops with high school students at Midnight Madness Basketball (photo by Martin Bazyl)

Mahdi Hazime, 15, plays basketball for his high school team. He decided to join the program after seeing many of his friends sign up. “I like to play basketball,” he says. “I’m not really that good, but playing with good competition makes me better.”

That’s what it’s all about, says Jonathan Meredith, who has been coaching the Sparroway neighbourhood community team for 15 years. This was the first year he’s participated in the program with his team.

“It’s a good opportunity. The kids love basketball and just getting out of their neighbourhood and meeting all these new people is good for them. Basketball is really big in all TCH communities, and it brings everybody together and helps the kids stay out of trouble. Instead of being on the side of the street corner, you can be here playing basketball and listening to some great speakers. They get free jerseys. They might be getting free shoes, so it’s a win, win for them.”

Naythan Savoy, 17, plays basketball on his high school team and hopes to become a basketball player one day. He says the program was useful and fun. “It gave me more time to play basketball, meet new people and challenges. And the court is really nice,” he says.

The fall 2016 season of Midnight Madness Basketballs ends on Friday Dec. 2, and TCH’s Willians Herrada says plans for the future include consolidating the partnership with U of T not just in basketball, but in other sports like swimming.

“We want to continue to include the university as a place where youth can explore the potential of becoming students at U of T,” he says.

That’s also Ali’s hope. “We hope that the young people from TCH feel welcome and comfortable on the St. George campus, and that they see themselves as U of T students in the future.”

Back in the workshop, coach Gary tells the high school students he’d like to see every one of them at U of T at some point.

“It can happen. This is real,” he says.

“A 100 per cent,” says Torres, nodding.

U of T Varsity Blues rugby football team is inducted into the 2016 Ontario Sports Hall of Fame

ullahnor — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 19:58:38 +0000

U of T Varsity Blues rugby football team is inducted into the 2016 Ontario Sports Hall of Fame

ullahnor Tue, 10/25/2016 - 15:58

Cutline

Photo of the 1909 Varsity rugby football team (photo courtesy of U of T Archives)

Author legacy

Jelena Damjanovic

Topic