The University of Toronto honoured 247 student-athletes at the ninth annual academic excellence breakfast on Tuesday, January 22 at the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport.

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University of Toronto Vice President and Provost Cheryl Regehr, Professor Ira Jacobs, Dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education as well as Beth Ali, Executive Director of Athletics & Physical Activity, were on hand to honour this year's recipients. Other guests, including coaches, faculty, staff and friends were also in attendance Tuesday morning. 
 
The ceremony honoured student-athletes, who while competing on a Varsity team, earned an 80% average or higher in all courses they were enrolled in during the 2017-18 academic year. Each recipient received a pin: enamel for first-time winners, bronze for second, silver for third, gold for fourth, and a diamond pin for anyone earning this award five or more times during their intercollegiate career. Four Varsity Blues in Charlie Connell (hockey), Mary Anne Meerasabeer (lacrosse), Yusuf Shalaby (squash) and Christian Krustev (tennis) all received a diamond pin, representing the fifth time they have achieved this result.
 
The Blues also honoured four University of Toronto top scholar athletes who were adjudged to have excelled both academically and athletically during 2017-18 academic year: Men's swimming standout Eli Wall and women's volleyball star Alina Dormann were celebrated as the U SPORTS top scholar athletes, while Blues badminton all-star Marcus Waskiw-Ford and women's water polo MVP Ana Miroslavic earned the OUA top scholar athlete awards.

The 247 student-athletes represents nearly 30% of the Varsity Blues population. The Varsity Blues mountain biking team had 16 honourees, while the Blues men's lacrosse and women's track and field teams had 12 honourees each. 11 men's rowers and 10 women's lacrosse players were also recognized.  

For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite U of T athletes and teams, please visit www.varsityblues.ca. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat and Facebook for the latest and greatest in Varsity Blues intercollegiate athletics.