It was an evening to remember: 141 of the University of Toronto’s finest student-athletes, 33 alumni and donors, and a complement of coaches and support staff gathered in the Great Hall at Hart House to celebrate the 2016 Varsity Blues Achievement Awards on January 20.
The VBAAs are an opportunity for donors to see first-hand the impact of their generosity on the lives of the student-athletes they have supported - often meeting them for the first time. The student-athletes in turn get a sense of the extended KPE and Varsity Blues community that helps to make their achievements possible.
The event’s keynote speakers included David Scandiffio, a former Varsity Blues football player and current CEO of CIBC Asset Management. David reflected on his formative years at U of T and the impact of alumni donors on his personal experience. “As alumni who benefited directly from the support of a previous generation, I feel compelled that we do our part to benefit the next generation of Varsity Blues,” he said.
The awards celebrate the achievements of a group of student-athletes whose accomplishments are all the more impressive when pursued alongside the demands of academic life. Rab Bruce-Lockhart, the award-winning goalkeeper and co-captain of the Varsity Blues men’s soccer team, spoke to the crowd about his personal journey from freshman to fourth-year, and delivered a message of gratitude on behalf of his fellow student-athletes.
“The greatest gift of all,” he said, “is the gift that all of you help provide as donors. Without you many of us, including myself, would not be able to endeavor on this incredible experience of being a Varsity Blue. And for that, on behalf of all of the students and coaches in this room, we are truly, truly grateful.” 
Rab Bruce-Lockhart
2016 also saw the addition of a new award, the Phyllis Berck Scholarship, which supports a female Varsity Track and Field or Cross Country runner who meets the league’s stringent requirements for academic achievement. The first recipient of the award was Honor Walmsley, a promising young student-athlete who helped her Varsity Blues track and field team to the 2015 CIS championship –while securing an impressive 4.0 GPA.
“The award funding allowed me to put my time, energy and focus to working towards my academic and athletic goals, without the burden of financial stress, allowing me to experience these accomplishments and create memories that I will cherish for a lifetime,” Honor said.
Phyllis Berck and award-winner Honor Walmsley