Men's Volleyball History
Top program
The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s volleyball team has achieved an unparalleled level of success and has become the standard for achievement in OUA men’s volleyball. The Varsity Blues have won eight of the past 19 OUA championships and a total of 16 OUA banners since 1966. The men’s volleyball program at the University of Toronto has a rich history that includes capturing the first two OUA men’s volleyball championships in 1966 and 1967. In fact, today the OUA men’s volleyball championship team receives the Forsyth Memorial Trophy, which was first awarded in 1968 and is named after U of T alumnus, the late Jim Forsyth, who was killed in an automobile accident in February of 1968.
Top players
The Varsity Blues volleyball program routinely attracts some of the best high school student-athletes. 32 Blues players have been selected as OUA all-stars a total of 76 times since 1979. 11 of those athletes have been named to the CIS All-Canadian team on 22 occasions since 1983.
Former Varsity Blues players have also represented Canada internationally both indoors and on the beach. 1992 CIS Player of the Year Marc Dunn was a member of Canada’s national indoor team. Marc teamed up with former Blues All-Canadian, national team member and former Varsity Blues head coach Ed Drakich to represent Canada at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics in beach volleyball.
Former Varsity Blues all-Canadian Jeff Chung represented Canada from 1994 to 1998. Dustin Reid — the former U of T player served as the technical director for Ontario Volleyball — competed with Canada’s national team in 1994. Most recently, Blues alum Josh Binstock earned a 2012 and 2016 Olympic berths in beach volleyball.
Varsity Blues players are exceptional students and outstanding leaders in their community. In fact, Varsity Blues players have earned numerous academic all-Canadian awards and graduates of the program have gone on to become physicians, teachers, engineers, accountants, pharmacists, researchers, and other professionals.
