Inside the lives of varsity athletes at Rotman Commerce

On an average weekday, Ryan Hsu is coming off a three-hour baseball practice when he logs onto a virtual group meeting from the road. Elizabeth Assimes is squeezing in a physio appointment before heading to an evening field hockey practice session. Mia Wong is checking her calendar to find a window to fit in a round at the golf course before the sun sets. Meanwhile, Naseeb Bains is racing to finish his assignments early so that he can give his full attention to the soccer pitch over the weekend.

This is the reality for a small group of student-athletes in Rotman Commerce. While some students might find time to catch their breath between lectures, club meetings or study sessions, these athletes are shifting gears from classrooms to locker rooms and from late-night lifts to early-morning lectures. Free time is often scheduled down to the minute. Four students invite us inside their lives to glimpse what it really takes to balance academics and competitive sports.

For most students, weekends are for connecting with friends. For our student athletes, it’s game days.

Ryan’s Saturday and Sunday schedules are blocked with back-to-back baseball doubleheaders, with four games in total. “There are times when it feels like there just aren’t enough hours in the day,” he says. “The extended travel times for games are another challenge… I’ve had to study on the road, take group meetings virtually and even reschedule exams.”

Mia’s weekends are fully dedicated to golf. She leaves Toronto on Thursday evenings to head home, then trains all day from Friday through Sunday. With her weekends being slammed, she faces a similar situation to Ryan. “If we’re on the road, I’m with the team competing, and schoolwork is often getting done in a car.” 

For Naseeb, the same priority shift means loading the week with as much academic work as possible. “I try to get most of my work done during the week so that when we have games on the weekend, I can focus completely on them.”

Unlike the others, Elizabeth, who plays varsity field hockey, doesn’t have a fixed routine. “There isn’t really a typical weekday during the season,” she says. “It depends on who we’re playing, whether it’s home or away, and what’s going on academically.” Still, a “normal” Thursday for her includes a team lift, lectures, physio, studying, evening practice, homework, and finally, reviewing game film before bed.

For each of these four athletes, the most challenging part isn’t just time management. It’s also the energy.

“Time seems to move four times faster during the season,” Mia expresses. “You’re running to class, meetings and training. It can be hard to keep up, but you figure it out and find what works best for you.” 

Ryan describes it as a test of mental stamina. “After long practices or a weekend full of games, it can be difficult to find the energy to focus on assignments or group projects… it has taught me a lot about discipline, organization and prioritizing what’s most important.”

For Naseeb, discipline was ingrained early on by his parents. “They always told me that time management is key to being successful. It makes the hardest parts easier.” 

Elizabeth also leans on structure and her community. She explains, “I plan my weeks in advance so I always know what’s coming. Having my teammates and friends around me who understand the challenges and share the same goals makes a huge difference.” 

All four athletes say their mindset on the field has changed how they show up in the classroom—and in life.

Naseeb puts it simply: “Being an athlete has taught me to stay calm under pressure. I use that same mindset in RC by staying organized, working hard and taking challenges step by step.”

Elizabeth agrees. “Just like in a game, I’ve learned to prepare thoroughly, adapt quickly and keep going even when things don’t go as planned.” 

Mia draws a strong parallel between golf and her experience in the Rotman Commerce program. “During my golf season, my biggest focus was staying patient and peaking at the right moments,” she explains. This mindset translates directly to school:

For Ryan, improvement is essential. “Being an athlete has shaped how I approach almost everything, including school. I am always trying to be the best version of myself, and that comes from constantly reflecting on what I can improve on.”

Blues in Commerce (BIC), an RC club made up of varsity student-athletes in Rotman Commerce, shows up in almost every athlete’s story.

For Naseeb, BIC gives him the space to learn from and grow with like-minded peers. “We meet monthly, share advice and push each other to succeed,” he says. “Being around people with similar goals and ambitions allows us to exchange ideas, learn from each other and push ourselves to succeed even more.”

Elizabeth, now BIC’s Vice President, says it filled a gap she felt in her first year.

Ryan adds that the mentorship aspect has been key. “Having older athletes, who have gone through the same challenges, offer advice and share what has worked for them, has made balancing everything much more manageable.” 

Support also comes from professors, and Mia emphasizes the importance of speaking up. “I have yet to come across a faculty member who hasn’t been supportive of what I do. They are incredibly accommodating and understanding. But they won’t know how to help you if you don’t ask!”

These students’ experiences go far beyond what’s visible on the surface. While many may recognize them by their varsity backpacks or see them on the field, what often goes unnoticed is the discipline it takes to balance the demands of sport and the rigour of the RC program. Still, each of them agrees that the rewards are worth it. Through their journey, they’ve built resilience and life-long skills that they will carry forward, whether in a classroom, on a field or beyond university.

By Cammyn Lim (BCom ‘26) | January 9, 2026