Michael Paolo - electrical engineering

It’s Ryerson Rams’ hockey player Michael Paolo’s fifth and final year and his graduation may signify a permanent storage of his skates. 

“Currently I don’t have any plans of continuing my hockey career,” he says. 

“I have played hockey for 22 years of my life and I think it’s time to close that chapter and start a new one.”

His favourite hockey memory at Ryerson was made three years ago in a first-round playoff series against crosstown rivals at the University of Toronto. 

It was a series in which Ryerson entered as the underdog, but prevailed nevertheless. 

Paolo says he will pursue a career in electrical engineering after graduating, but will miss the family environment fostered in the Rams locker room. 

 “I made some lifelong brothers on the team and will miss seeing their ugly faces every day,” he says, jokingly. 

 Markus Molder - arts & contemporary studies

Being named the team’s most valuable player  and an Ontario University Athletics (OUA) East  first team all-star on three occasions was a painstaking journey for Rams soccer player Markus Molder, but it has all been worth it. 

“Nobody likes running (during practice) until they feel like throwing up, but when you’re doing it for Ryerson it makes a world of difference,” he says. 

Molder adds that he will always cherish the strong rapport he had with his team.  

“Games are fun but to know that everyone is sacrificing a little part of themselves for the good of the team creates a bond that is very hard to break.”

While playing professional soccer remains an option for Molder, he says he would like to obtain the necessary coaching licences that would permit him to coach in Ontario. 

“There’s something about (coaching), it’s magic when you see your instructions resulting in success,” he says. 

Molder’s favourite athletic memory at Ryerson is the team’s run to the OUA final four in 2011. 

Kelcey Wright - journalism 

For Kelcey Wright, playing for the Ryerson Rams women’s basketball team wasn’t all about making shots. 

Despite leading the team in scoring (13.8 ppg) this season, amassing a career high in total points (277), and shooting a blistering 83.1 per cent from the charity stripe, the fourth-year journalism student attributes a fantastic experience to her team.

“I enjoyed spending time with my teammates more than anything else, we all grew really close,” says Wright. 

 “From bonding with (them), to practices, to road trips, to games … I have had so many amazing, life-changing memories that I will always remember.” 

Wright says she will pursue a master of journalism degree next year at Western University, effectively ending her basketball career. 

Although she doesn’t plan to continue playing, she says she may reconsider if the right opportunity comes along. 

Luka Milosevic — biomedical engineering

Athlete of the year finalist, Luka Milosevic, struck fear into opposing volleyball teams during his time at Ryerson, but he also struck a balance in his work and school life. 

“I wanted to keep my marks high for the potential of pursuing [a graduate] education … And push myself to my potentials in volleyball for the opportunity to play professionally,” he says. 

Milosevic says he will pursue a master’s degree in his field after graduation, but will continue playing volleyball with his men’s league team, EUROhaus. 

The EUROhaus team primarily consists of Ryerson Alumni, and Milosevic says he looks forward to competing at the U.S. Nationals with them. 

His favourite memories during his tenure with the Rams include training with the team in Poland and Cuba, and winning the York Excalibur tournament this year. 

The tournament is one of Canada’s most prestigious volleyball competitions and has been around for 34 years. 

“It was an amazing experience … Our team will go down in history for winning alongside past champion powerhouses,” says Milosevic.