December 1, 2010 (Toronto, ON) – A report on “Academic Excellence” within varsity teams at the University of Toronto has recently been published. The report lists varsity student athletes who are full time, and have achieved at least an 80% (“A” average). Out of 44 OUA varsity teams at the University of Toronto, the student athletes on the mountain bike team ranked 2nd in terms of number of “A” students who compete for UofT.

Head volunteer coach David Wright is proud of the teams standing. “At UofT, to maintain an “A” average is extremely difficult. To do this, and represent the school on a varsity team is very impressive. I am constantly amazed at the focus, dedication and abilities of the mountain bikers on our team, as well as the student athletes who compete in the sport from universities and colleges across Ontario. They are the amazing young people and student athletes.”

Besides priding themselves on introducing new riders to the sport of mountain biking (an Olympic Sport), the team has also supported some outstanding racers who have gone on to represent at provincial, national, international and even Olympic competitions.

In addition, the team is committed to the community. For the past 10 years students from the team have organized an annual Don Valley trail clean up in central Toronto that has removed over 20 tons of garbage from the forest floor, been nominated for the City of Toronto “Green” award, and has led to kilometers of sustainable multi-use trails being built in the valley by our students and volunteers. This has also led to a number of academic research papers and inspired a few student athletes to pursue graduate work in environmental studies. The team also leads tandem bike rides for the blind with the CNIB along the paved trails in the Don Valley.