Smith School of Business welcomes five Team Canada athletes this winter

Toronto/Kingston, Ont. – This winter, five Team Canada athletes will join the Full-time MBA, Accelerated MBA and Master of Management Analytics programs at Smith School of Business.    

Smith, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) and Game Plan are pleased to announce the following athletes have earned Game Plan Awards to pursue their business education across three professional graduate programs. The recipients are:  

• Steph Horner – Swimming (Accelerated MBA)  

• Jennifer Hawkrigg – Snowboard (Accelerated MBA)  

• Ali ten Hove – Sailing (Full-time MBA)  

• Jill Gallays – Wrestling (Master of Management Analytics)  

• Dylan French – Fencing (Master of Management Analytics)  

These athletes join a growing network of over 350 Team Canada members who have attended Smith’s professional graduate and Certificate in Business programs. Smith is the Official National Business Education Partner for both the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee.  

 “Together with Game Plan, Smith is committed to supporting Canada’s national team athletes as they acquire the tools needed to succeed in today’s fast-paced business world,” says Wanda Costen, dean, Smith School of Business. “These athletes bring their strong work ethic, collaborative spirit and determination to succeed to the classroom, enhancing the learning experience for their classmates and peers.” 

Smith’s academic awards are a key component of Game Plan, a world-leading program supporting Canada’s national level athletes’ well-being and success on and off the field of play.  

“These awards empower athletes to grow both academically and professionally, offering a game-changing opportunity to propel their personal growth, professional development, and career aspirations,” says Cara Button, senior manager, Game Plan. “We are grateful for our partnership with Smith that allows these opportunities.” 

Smith School of Business at Queen’s University is renowned for its excellence, innovation and leadership in business education. From establishing the first undergraduate business degree over a century ago to creating groundbreaking programs and courses in emerging areas, Smith is at the forefront of preparing students for the business marketplace. In addition to its rich tradition of academic and teaching excellence, Smith is known for delivering an outstanding learning and development experience. Personal attention, individual and team coaching, opportunities for specialization and a deep commitment to student success characterize the Smith experience.    

Game Plan, powered by Deloitte, is Canada’s total athlete wellness program that strives to develop holistic, well-rounded individuals that excel in and out of sport through a fully integrated program where long-term personal, educational, and professional achievement does not come at the expense of athlete wellbeing. Game Plan supports athletes on and off the field of play, and equips them to stay in sport longer, perform better, and retire healthier knowing they have the tools to prepare and be positive members of their communities at all stages of their career.    

Game Plan is a collaboration between the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC), Sport Canada and Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN) to provide the best resources this country has to offer to our national team athletes – a team that has given so much and inspired so many.