April 13, 2010
OUA WOMAN OF INFLUENCE: ERICA BASSO
HAMILTON, Ont. - Ontario University Athletics (OUA) will recognize the top female scholar-athletes from across the province at the seventh annual Women of Influence Luncheon on Fri., April 30, 2010 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (North Building), 255 Front Street West in Toronto, Ont.
The event honours female student-athletes who have excelled in their chosen sports and fields of study. This year's guest speaker will be former prima ballerina and arts advocate Karen Kain.
Acknowledged as one of the leading classical ballerinas of her time, Kain is also one of Canada's foremost arts advocates, bringing the same passion and dedication she exemplified as a dancer to her roles as a spokesperson for Canadian culture and as the artistic director of The National Ballet of Canada.
Tickets to the luncheon are $88.20 each (taxes included) and can be purchased by calling Stephanie White at 416-923-1688 ext. 21 or via e-mail at info@womenofinfluenceinc.ca.
OUA will profile its top female scholar athletes on a daily basis on OUA.ca leading up to the luncheon. OUA recognizes the following sponsors for their support of this event; belairdirect., Canadian Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity, Centaur Products, Pioneer Petroleums and Wilson Sports Equipment of Canada.
Name: Erica Basso
School: University of Toronto
Sport: Soccer
Academic Program: Urban Studies
Hometown: King City, Ont.
Erica is an outstanding student-athlete who has proven on the field and in the classroom that she is a natural leader and all-star. Over her three years at U of T, she has developed into an outstanding all-Canadian soccer player as well as a remarkable urban studies student, who has made many contributions to her community at school and at home.
A three-time OUA all-star and twice named a CIS all-Canadian, Erica is extremely talented and a threat at both the midfield and striker positions. She led her team in goals scored in two consecutive seasons and was honoured the OUA East MVP in 2008.
She is the recipient of the U of T's Guinness award and won the St. George's Society award. When not on the field or in the classroom, Erica volunteers with the Salvation Army in Newmarket, Ont. and with Good Shepherd in Toronto, assisting with food preparation and cleaning beds. She was an assistant coach with the York School's girls under-12 team and when on campus, Erica volunteered with Jane's Walk and at the March break open house, advocating the urban studies program to prospective students.
Q: What is your proudest academic achievement?
A: Receiving academic scholarships for my third, fourth and fifth year enrolled at U of T.
Q: What is your proudest athletic achievement?
A: Representing Canada at the Universiade World Games in Belgrade, and earning East OUA MVP in my 2008 season.
Q: What is your most memorable community-related moment?
A: Being a part of Team Canada and traveling to France and Serbia to play against various national teams in the 2009 Universiade.
Q: What are your future plans?
A: Near future, trying out for a professional Italian soccer team. Further in the future, earning a master's degree in environmental planning.
ABOUT ONTARIO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and its 19 member institutions are developing Champions For Life. Giving 9,000 student-athletes the opportunity to excel academically and on the playing field, while preparing for life after university. For more information, visit OUA.ca.
The event honours female student-athletes who have excelled in their chosen sports and fields of study. This year's guest speaker will be former prima ballerina and arts advocate Karen Kain.
Acknowledged as one of the leading classical ballerinas of her time, Kain is also one of Canada's foremost arts advocates, bringing the same passion and dedication she exemplified as a dancer to her roles as a spokesperson for Canadian culture and as the artistic director of The National Ballet of Canada.
Tickets to the luncheon are $88.20 each (taxes included) and can be purchased by calling Stephanie White at 416-923-1688 ext. 21 or via e-mail at info@womenofinfluenceinc.ca.
OUA will profile its top female scholar athletes on a daily basis on OUA.ca leading up to the luncheon. OUA recognizes the following sponsors for their support of this event; belairdirect., Canadian Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity, Centaur Products, Pioneer Petroleums and Wilson Sports Equipment of Canada.
Name: Erica Basso
School: University of Toronto
Sport: Soccer
Academic Program: Urban Studies
Hometown: King City, Ont.
Erica is an outstanding student-athlete who has proven on the field and in the classroom that she is a natural leader and all-star. Over her three years at U of T, she has developed into an outstanding all-Canadian soccer player as well as a remarkable urban studies student, who has made many contributions to her community at school and at home.
A three-time OUA all-star and twice named a CIS all-Canadian, Erica is extremely talented and a threat at both the midfield and striker positions. She led her team in goals scored in two consecutive seasons and was honoured the OUA East MVP in 2008.
She is the recipient of the U of T's Guinness award and won the St. George's Society award. When not on the field or in the classroom, Erica volunteers with the Salvation Army in Newmarket, Ont. and with Good Shepherd in Toronto, assisting with food preparation and cleaning beds. She was an assistant coach with the York School's girls under-12 team and when on campus, Erica volunteered with Jane's Walk and at the March break open house, advocating the urban studies program to prospective students.
Q: What is your proudest academic achievement?
A: Receiving academic scholarships for my third, fourth and fifth year enrolled at U of T.
Q: What is your proudest athletic achievement?
A: Representing Canada at the Universiade World Games in Belgrade, and earning East OUA MVP in my 2008 season.
Q: What is your most memorable community-related moment?
A: Being a part of Team Canada and traveling to France and Serbia to play against various national teams in the 2009 Universiade.
Q: What are your future plans?
A: Near future, trying out for a professional Italian soccer team. Further in the future, earning a master's degree in environmental planning.
– OUA –
ABOUT ONTARIO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and its 19 member institutions are developing Champions For Life. Giving 9,000 student-athletes the opportunity to excel academically and on the playing field, while preparing for life after university. For more information, visit OUA.ca.
