Ryerson Alumni - Winter 2013 - (Page 27)

students play starring role What’s incredible about the MAC, says Ryerson’s Director of Athletics Ivan Joseph, is that students are the focus. Not only do they have a starring role on the ice and court, they’ve been at the forefront of the building’s design since day one. “I met with over 2,000 students. I found out, ‘What is it they want in phys. ed., athletics and recreation?’” Joseph says. “All of that information came back to us – ‘I want it to have lots of space and light,’ or ‘I want greater access to this or that.’ All of that helped form our guiding principles.” Ryerson’s Associate Athletic Director Stephanie White, whose international coaching career includes experience with Canada’s national women’s hockey team, says another feature of the MAC is that it’s especially meaningful for female athletes. equal playing field Over the years female hockey players have had to cope with fewer resources, including makeshift dressing rooms. At Ryerson, however, all of the rooms were planned with both genders in mind. “There was equity in terms of the look, the feel, the size, everything,” White says. “I think there’s a fair amount of females that haven’t had a facility of this nature as their home. It might feel a little more special for the women than for some of our male athletes who may have already had opportunities to play in some great facilities,” she explains. “This is a huge attraction,” Michelle agrees. ‘here every day’ Here, student-athletes can train and use physiotherapy and sports psychology services, a café and academic resources. Varsity athletes have access to study hall, peer mentoring and tutoring offered at the MAC to help them balance busy academic and athletic schedules. Having study space in the same building where she laces up her skates and hits the gym means Michelle spends even more time there than her dad once did. “I’m here every day,” she says. “My team was joking around about sleeping here one day.” White’s not surprised. “It’s a place they can hang out with their friends, eat, study and play,” she says. “Having all of these things under one roof, it gives them a place they can truly call home.” For Evagelou, sitting in his old stomping grounds, cheering for his daughter alongside his brother, wife, son and handful of friends, “home” is exactly what it’s like. Knowing her dad and family are there to cheer her on, Michelle says, “It’s a huge honour. I don’t take it for granted. And if this means a lot to my dad, it means a lot to me too. It’s just amazing.” n one alumnus who was thrilled when Ryerson built the Mattamy Athletic Centre at the Gardens is Roger Lajoie, Journalism ’83. He was one of the first alumni to help support the building by contributing funds in return for naming one of the seats in the arena. now an on-air Sportsnet Fan 590 host, Lajoie worked at Maple Leaf Gardens as business manager for the junior hockey team Toronto Marlboros in the 1980s. “you can’t imagine how happy i was when i heard that Ryerson was going to revitalize the place. it’s good for students and good for the Gardens. There could not have been a better solution,” he says. “i was there on opening night and very happy to support Ryerson and the renewal of Maple Leaf Gardens,” he says. Lajoie is one of many who have contributed to the MAC. “The creation of this new facility is possible thanks to the generosity of our many donors, including lead donor Peter Gilgan,” says Adam B. Kahan, Ryerson’s vice-president, university advancement. A number of funding opportunities still exist throughout the building, says Kahan. All gifts support the university’s largest fundraising initiative to date: the $200-million Make your Mark campaign. If you are interested in learning more about how you can support the MAC, please contact Rivi Frankle at 416-979-5312 or rfrankle@ryerson.ca. LindSEy CRAiG iS A wRiTER BASEd in ToRonTo. W I N T E R 2013 • Ryerson University Magazine 27

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Ryerson Alumni - Winter 2013

Ryerson Alumni - Winter 2013
Table of Contents
President's Message
Showcase
Gould Street
Picture Perfect
Photo Essay
Feels Like Home
From the boardroom to the delivery room – midwife Jasmin Tecson follows her passion
Flying with the Snowbirds – Capt. Iain Cummings realizes lifelong dream
Alumni Diary/VP Viewpoint
Class Notes
Remember When?

Ryerson Alumni - Winter 2013