Photo Courtesy / Billy Courtice

UTSC alumnus Greg Danko is something of a UTSC legend. He has coached both the men’s and women’s B hockey teams, been a tri-campus hockey team member for five years and was formerly the president of the Scarborough Campus Hockey Players Association (SCHPA). So it’s no surprise he was inducted into the UTSC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011. The Underground took this chance to sit down and talk about what’s going on with him post-UTSC and Scarborough athletics.

The Underground: How did you get involved in UTSC athletics?
Greg Danko: During my Frosh week, we were mingling with a bunch of clubs when someone asked if I played any sports. I told them I played hockey. They told me I should check out the H-Wing patio where a hockey guy had set up a table. The first week of class I was at the tryouts. I got started in UTSC athletics before my first week of classes was over. Coming out of high school, I regretted not getting involved in school hockey sooner. I knew coming to UTSC that hockey was offered and I planned to try out. I had no idea it would have led to the experience it did, though.

UG: I know you’re an intern at Toronto FC. Did you always want a career in sports?
GD: No, actually I had never thought about it until my last year at UTSC. I’ve always enjoyed organizing teams, games, tournaments, players, events and helping out in different ways but I had never really thought about it as a potential career path until last year. It just seemed to make sense. Everything I have done in terms of work and volunteering has been sports-related. I’ve been a Learn To Skate Instructor with the City of Toronto for seven years now. I completed my high school community service hours as a T-ball assistant coach. I’ve been involved with athletics, hockey in particular, in various ways throughout my five years at UTSC. I pretty much dominate hockey pools. It just seemed to fit.

This year I went to Durham College for their Sport Business Management post-graduate program. I was lucky enough to land an internship position with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment with Toronto FC in the corporate partnership department. It’s going pretty well so far.

UG: What made last year’s UTSC Day with the Marlies such a success?
GD: Firstly, my SCHPA executives and team reps did an incredible job. They were phenomenal. Making everything run smoothly was thanks to the collective efforts of our group.

Secondly, the support from the UTSC community was great. I believe we sold out a week before the event took place. People were excited for this last year and from the sounds of things, people are getting even more excited this year because of how successful it was.

UG: How would you describe the UTSC athletics department?
GD: I think our athletics department is very healthy. Our programs are great. The staff is excellent. Our teams are always competitive and are well looked after. I’m happy with our athletics department. I’d like to see more students get involved with athletics – you won’t regret it.