A third-year infielder with the Varsity Blues softball team, Shirley Chan's academic choices have been driven by her own personal experiences as a student-athlete.  

Like many, she has gone through the experience of injury and subsequent rehabilitation. But it is this exact experience that developed an interest in understanding how the body moves, how injuries occur, and how recovery works. 

"I was stuck choosing between two offers and wasn't sure which direction to take," detailed Chan. "But as an athlete who has dealt with a lot of injuries, from minor sprains to a partially torn UCL, that experience pushed me toward kinesiology, as I wanted to better support my own performance and rehabilitation, while also helping others have better, healthier experiences with being active." 

The choice has proven to be a perfect fit. Chan's own performance on the softball diamond has seen her shine as one of the top players in the Ontario University Softball (OUS) conference, especially over the 2025 fall season. This past fall, Chan earned OUS all-star honours after delivering stellar defence at third base and setting three new program records with 38 regular season hits, a .566 batting average and 25 stolen bases.  

Additionally, Chan has had the opportunity to represent Hong Kong, competing at the Asian Games in 2023, the 2025 Asia Cup and the upcoming 2026 Asian Games as well. 

And even with the athletic excellence on display, Chan has also excelled academically, receiving the Varsity Blues Academic Excellence Award as an honour roll student. All of which has been possible through her passion for understanding the full breadth of the human body. 

"My favourite thing about kinesiology is how broad the field is. KPE (Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education) offers a wide range of courses that shape the way we think about health, sport, and education. From molecular/biomechanical to sociological/ cultural perspective, the program has shown me that kinesiology is not just about physical health, but also about understanding people, communities, and systems. It has helped me develop a more well-rounded perspective on movement, performance, and care." 

As her journey continues at U of T, she has continued to add to her own learning experiences. This year, Chan is completing a placement as a student therapist with the Varsity Blues track and field team, gaining hands on experience in sports medicine.  

With all this, Chan acknowledges the role U of T had played in allowing her to explore even further the opportunities that will come after graduation. 

"I would tell anyone applying to schools in Canada to choose U of T because of the wide range of resources and opportunities it offers. From gaining knowledge in the classroom to hands-on experiences in your field of interest, (e.g., research, placements, and skill development). I hope to pursue a career in sports physiotherapy or chiropractic and I know my kinesiology degree will give me a strong foundation in human movement, anatomy, and biomechanics to support that path."