Behind the Blues highlights the student work study staff who bring Varsity Blues to life. From content creation to events, these are the people behind the moments.
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Ice hockey and Bolivia rarely appear in the same sentence.
The landlocked South American country has little connection to the sport played on frozen rinks thousands of kilometres away. Since hockey debuted at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, no South American nation has ever qualified for the Olympic ice hockey tournament.
But for University of Toronto student Julieta Prado Liebers, the game found a way across continents.
"Hockey isn't a very big sport in Bolivia, but somehow I completely fell in love with the game, watching it on TV with friends and family," described Prado Liebers. "Some of my earliest memories are learning how to skate with my sister when we were very young, so as far as I can remember I've always been a big hockey fan."
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(Julieta Prado Liebers in the press box of Varsity Arena during the 2025-26 season | Photo by Seyran Mammadov)
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Now completing her third year of studies at the University of Toronto, Prado Liebers is a double major in Political Science and Peace, Conflict & Justice, while also minoring in Latin American Studies. While academics remain her focus, hockey quickly became one of the highlights of her campus experience.
"During my first year at U of T, my friends and I would go to Varsity Blues hockey games all the time. It quickly became one of my favourite parts of campus life. The energy in the arena and the sense of community around the team made it such a fun environment to be around, and something I always looked forward to."
That connection to the team soon evolved into something more than simply cheering from the stands.
Under the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education work study program, Prado Liebers had the opportunity this past year to join the University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's hockey team as a communications assistant. In this role she would spearhead content creation for the men's hockey program on social media, while also providing gameday coverage.
"When I saw the opportunity to work with the team through the communications role, I immediately wanted to apply. It felt like the perfect way to combine my interest in storytelling and media with something I already loved being part of as a fan. Since joining the team, getting to know the players, coaches and staff has made the experience even more meaningful. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming, and it quickly felt like being part of something bigger than just attending games."
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(Julieta Prado Liebers at Varsity Arena during the 2025-26 season | Photo by Seyran Mammadov)
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The experience would see Prado Liebers rinkside at 14 regular season home games inside Varsity Arena, while providing coverage online for another 14 road games, as well as attending at least one weekly practice. She would become embedded with the team and play a crucial role in sharing the stories of the season.
"Honestly, it was a little intimidating at first. Walking into a high-level athletic environment and being responsible for capturing and communicating what happens behind the scenes felt like a big responsibility. But the team, coaches, and staff were incredibly welcoming from the start. Everyone was so supportive and easy to work with that it didn't take long before I felt comfortable and like I was truly part of the community. It turned into an environment where I could be creative, try new ideas and really enjoy the process of storytelling. It quickly became one of the most rewarding parts of my time at U of T so far."
That creative outlet has allowed Prado Liebers to develop different skills: writing, graphic creation, video editing and social media analysis to name a few. It has included showcase content such as the "Question of the Day" and "Petey on the Pine with Isaiah Peters" segments. And offered work outside of the hockey rink as additional communications support with the 2025 U SPORTS Men's Soccer National Championship, hosted by the University of Toronto this past November.
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(Julieta Prado Liebers on the sideline of the 2025 U SPORTS Men's Soccer Championship at Varsity Stadium | Photo by Aru Das)
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This busy schedule of a double major and on-campus work study position did not limit Prado Liebers from finding even more to be involved with though. She gives back to her community at home serving as an online tutor for high school students in Bolivia. As well, she is a member of a book club, which allows her to explore some written work outside her academic coursework. A lover of animals, she also takes time for horseback riding and when home in Bolivia volunteers with a dog refuge.
"Balancing everything definitely takes planning and organization, especially because U of T courses can be so demanding. Planning my weeks carefully and making sure I'm using my time efficiently helps, but at the same time working with the hockey team has actually created balance for me. It gives me a structured break from academic work and a creative outlet outside of the classroom. In many ways, it doesn't feel like another obligation but rather something that motivates me and makes the busy schedule feel worthwhile."
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(Julieta Prado Liebers, middle, horseback riding in Bolivia)
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Prado Liebers acknowledges the impact of the work-study program on her U of T experience.
"As an international student, the process of applying and moving to a new country can feel really intimidating at times. You're leaving behind what's familiar and starting a completely new chapter on your own. But I would say trust yourself and trust the journey. For me, choosing to study in Canada and come to U of T ended up being one of the best decisions of my life."
Looking ahead, Prado Liebers hopes to pursue graduate studies in international security, international law or public and international affairs. Her long-term goal is to work in research or policy focused on international politics and political violence, particularly in Latin America.
At the same time, her experience with Varsity Blues hockey has opened another unexpected door.
Working behind the scenes with the team sparked a new interest in public relations and sports communications, a path she had never considered before arriving in Toronto.
And while the connection between Bolivia and hockey may still seem unlikely, Prado Liebers' journey from watching games on television at home to telling the stories from rinkside at Varsity Arena proves the sport can travel much farther than anyone ever could have imagined.
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