Being a Varsity Blue extends far beyond the final season of competition. This message was at the heart of the inaugural Welcome to the Blues Alumni Breakfast, held on September 24. 

"This morning marks the beginning of what we hope will become a meaningful annual tradition: welcoming our newest Varsity Blues alumni into the broader T-Holders' community and reminding all of us that graduating from U of T does not mean leaving the Blues behind," said Gretchen Kerr, Dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. With invitations extended to six graduating classes, from 2020 through 2025, the gathering brought together more than 100 attendees to celebrate a shared identity that spans teams and generations and welcomed recent Varsity graduates into the broader Blues alumni community, known as the T-Holders. 

The breakfast is part of a broader initiative to engage alumni across the 40 Blues teams. Its purpose is to cultivate an enduring and vibrant alumni community where former student-athletes remain connected to U of T and each other, carry forward their pride in the Blue and White, and enrich the experiences for future generations of Blues. 

Kerr acknowledged that many of the graduates at this years event competed during the pandemic years - years of extraordinary disruption and uncertainty, and recognized the resilience, adaptability and commitment these Blues brought to their student-athlete experience. These qualities, alongside the friendships and leadership skills developed through sport, remain valuable examples of the lifelong value of the Blues community. 

Brian Lawson, a Varsity Blues rugby alumnus, Trinity College Chancellor and co-chair of U of T's Defy Gravity campaign, shared reflections on leadership, service and staying connected. His longstanding commitment to the university offered an example of how the student-athlete experience can continue to influence a life and career.  

Olivier Sorin spoke on behalf of the T-Holders' Association. David Palmer, U of T's Vice President, Advancement, attended and underscored the importance of the initiative. Together, their participation reflected the broader university commitment to building stronger and more sustained relationships with Varsity Blues alumni. 

As a tangible symbol of that continued connection, each attendee was gifted a commemorative Varsity Blues cardigan.  The Blue and White cardigans, worn by alumni throughout the morning, offered a visible reminder that being a Varsity Blue doesn't end with graduation, it's a connection that continues throughout life and gives alumni a role in shaping the future of the Blues community. 

"Your experiences, leadership and involvement matter deeply to our current student-athletes and to the future of our program," said Kerr. 

The inaugural breakfast opened a new chapter in that shared story - welcoming recent graduates into a lifelong community and inviting them to help build what comes next. 

Once a Blue, always a Blue. Contact alumni.kpe@utoronto.ca to update your contact information, get involved in upcoming events and discover opportunities to volunteer and give back to the Blues.