| 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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When third-year kinesiology student Daniel Johnston walks into a Varsity Blues game with a camera in hand, he's doing more than capturing moments - he's helping tell the story of an entire athletic community. As a videographer through the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education work study program, Johnston has spent three years behind the lens documenting Varsity Blues athletes, coaches, and teams across the department.
His work has made a measurable impact. In 2025, the Varsity Blues were named the OUA CHAMP Award (Celebrating and Honouring Achievements in Marketing and Promotions) winner for Best Social Media Account, an achievement to which Johnston's video content and creative contributions played an important role.
Living a healthy active lifestyle himself, Johnston's passion for activity started early. His mother enrolled him and his brother in various sports, and he quickly developed a love for basketball. That interest in sport soon grew into something much deeper.
"I became fascinated with professional athletes, their movement, and how they develop techniques to improve their performance," he said. "Towards the end of elementary school, I started to see my performance drop. I was dealing with underlying health conditions, which I continue to face today."
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| (Johnston on the sideline of a Varsity Blues football game | Photo by Barry McCluskey) |
Those challenges shaped his academic motivation.
"These experiences led me to realize that I wanted to better understand the human body," he said. "Physical activity plays a crucial role in overall well-being, not only physically but mentally as well."
But his first year at U of T was anything but easy.
"My first year was challenging academically and mentally. I felt lost and unmotivated. It was a culture shock, and I felt like I didn't belong. Reflecting and referring back to my 'why' made me look at this opportunity from a different perspective. Every opportunity we are given is a blessing, and practicing gratitude is important. It's easy to focus on grades or graduation, but the real opportunity is the ability to learn. Access to education is something many people do not have, and it's important to value that. I've learned to appreciate the process of gaining knowledge, not just the outcome."
This shift in perspective has not only helped Johnston in his academic pursuits, but it also gave him the confidence to explore further opportunities like a creative outlet within U of T athletics.
Johnston's journey into videography started during his first year of university.
"Basketball is my favourite sport, and I always wanted a job or hobby that kept me around it. I attended a Varsity Blues basketball game as a fan, and seeing media staff with cameras drew me to look into videography more."
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| (Daniel Johnston framing a shot on the sideline of a Varsity Blues women's basketball game in November 2025 | Photo by Jason Wang) |
After reaching out to the team, he received an email asking for his portfolio - an email he didn't notice until months later.
"I was stressed because I had originally missed it. Altogether, that summer had been rough. I was robbed of my camera and belongings and had to really start over. But it all worked out, and I got a position as one of the Varsity Blues videographers. Getting the position felt like progress and a reset, and I've been constantly learning since day one."
His first shoot was a football practice, and the scale of it made an impression.
"I was nervous. Over 50 players and multiple coaches," Johnston said. "I focused on making the most of the moment and connecting with people."
His first game day was a football game against the McMaster Marauders. It left him thoroughly committed to the role.
"That experience made me fall in love with the sport. The energy and atmosphere was a big part of it, and I got to witness a win in the first game I filmed."
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| (Daniel Johnston shooting in the rain at a Varsity Blues football game | Photo by Aru Das) |
Making the most of each moment, Johnston would become a valuable member of the team, showcasing his skills not just in coverage of football but full breadth of the Varsity Blues offering. Building trust with his outstanding work with on campus teams, he earned further opportunities to cover Varsity Blues across the province as well. One of
Johnston's earliest and most meaningful milestones came during the 2024 OUA Track and Field Championships in Windsor.
"It was special because I had always wanted to travel for work," he said. "Being trusted to film an away meet made me feel valued. It motivated me to keep going and showed me that hard work does not go unnoticed."
Lately, Johnston has been involved in producing more behind-the-scenes content, something he says has strengthened his relationship with the wider Varsity Blues community.
"It has allowed me to connect with people through my work and feel a stronger sense of belonging. It's rewarding when people ask about the content and want to be included."
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| (Daniel Johnston, right, sitting on the field at Varsity Stadium with Varsity Blues all-Canadian receiver Chris Joseph, left) |
When asked what he enjoys most about working with U of T Athletics, Johnston points to creativity.
"My favourite part is the creative freedom I have to express myself and bring ideas to life. I enjoy experimenting and I'm fortunate to be surrounded by a supportive team."
That trust inspires him to give his best effort in everything he creates.
Looking ahead, Johnston hopes to take everything he has learned: from kinesiology, from videography and from his personal health journey, and bring it into the classroom.
"What I hope to do with my degree is pursue a Master of Teaching or Master of Education," he said. "I want to use what I've learned to help younger generations through sport."
His experiences have shown him the importance of supportive educators and the impact they can have on students' confidence, curiosity and well-being.
"Growing up, I witnessed both the negative and positive effects educators can have on students," he said. "Some people close to me felt discouraged in the school system, but I also experienced educators who made meaningful efforts to support their students."
As he prepares for the next steps in his academic journey, Johnston carries with him the lessons from the kinesiology program, the skills developed behind the camera, and a commitment to shaping healthier, more engaging experiences for future generations.
For him, teaching is not just a career path - it's an opportunity to use knowledge, creativity, and lived experience to make a meaningful impact.
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