Competing at the U SPORTS level is widely regarded as the pinnacle of high-performance university sport in Canada. A large number of these student-athletes have not only had the chance to represent their school, but also represent their province at national events, or even their country in international competition. Many of these elite athletes were highly-touted recruits, receiving offers of scholarships from schools to join their teams and compete at the next level.  

This would be the typical path of a student-athlete that most think of when they envision the journey.  

But for some, like Varsity Blues men's volleyball setter Bruce Su, the journey looked different. 

A fourth-year double major in health & disease and nutrition at the University of Toronto, Su did not find himself as one of those highly-touted recruits after graduating from Fort Richmond Collegiate and competing with his club team, 204 Volleyball Club, in his hometown of Winnipeg.  

Not driven by the lure of athletic scouting, his post-secondary choice was made primarily on the reputation of academics, which is what first drew him to the University of Toronto. 

"I struggled to decide what I wanted to study, but I chose U of T to start a new chapter in my life, away from home and to learn from the best in their fields," explained Su. "U of T is a place where talented people from all over the world come together, making it easy to learn from and gain valuable experiences through diverse perspectives." 

After that decision came the next – how to continue playing the sport he loved. U of T has an incredible offering of opportunities to continue to compete, whether it be for fun in intramural sports or a little more competitive with tri-campus teams. But for Su, the goal was to compete with the Varsity Blues men's volleyball team.  

In his first year at U of T, he came to tryouts attempting to make the squad as a walk-on athlete. Unfortunately, Su was not successful in making the team in his first year and instead would have to watch from the stands. However, his determination only grew as he became more familiar with the school, the team, and the coaches.  

He returned for tryouts again in his second year, and made the decision even tougher on the Varsity Blues coaching staff. With a highly-competitive roster that would go on to win a third consecutive OUA provincial medal, Su would just miss the cut for a roster spot once again. But the impression he left on the team saw him step into a team manager role, which saw him assisting with team practices while still training on his own, without any guarantee of earning a spot.  

"In my first two years trying out for the team, I had doubts about whether I would ever make it," described Su. "However, I think the reason I continued was that I didn't want to have any regrets about my volleyball journey. I felt that if I didn't continue, it would be a disservice to myself and all the effort I had put in over the years. Even if I didn't end up making the team, I knew I would be content because I had tried my hardest and I just loved being around the team and in that environment." 

Showing this level of determination and learning to balance all the demands that come with being a student-athlete turned into the vital next step of his journey. Su remained committed to the sport and the team, which made the decision an easy one for the U of T coaching staff in his third year. 

"During that summer after my second year, I chose not to go back to my hometown because Coach (John) Barrett gave me the opportunity to practice with the team. I was thrilled to have this chance and I trained all summer. When September of my third year arrived, I got a call from him (Coach Barrett). He told me he had seen the work I put in and believed I could contribute to the team as a player. I remember barely being able to contain my excitement – I was deeply grateful – it felt like a dream come true, and I was simply overjoyed to be part of the team." 

Now in his second season as a member of the U of T men's volleyball program, Su has not only earned the admiration of his coaches and teammates, but has also earned U SPORTS academic all-Canadian honours, recognizing his accomplishments as both a student and Varsity Blues athlete. 

"I set this goal for myself in my first year on the team because I knew it would be a challenging milestone," said Su. "I make it a priority to plan my schedule early, organizing my time around classes, lifts, practices, and games. Establishing a routine and creating a master deadline spreadsheet has been a game-changer for me. And having people who hold me accountable and push me to improve has been invaluable in helping me stay motivated and perform at my best. 

Having donned the Blue and White in over 25 matches and 45 sets played so far in his Varsity Blues career, Su is now able to appreciate each step he endured along the way. Although many may think they know what the journey of a university student-athlete looks like, it is undeniable that every journey is different. And for Bruce Su, that journey has been one of incredible persistence, immeasurable positivity, and absolute determination. 

"Each step has been meaningful, shaping both my growth as an athlete and as a person. Reflecting on the progress I've made since the start of my journey and seeing the pride of those who supported me along the way has been a surreal and deeply rewarding experience. Through it all I learned that setbacks don't define who you are – how you respond to them is where your character truly shines."