At the heart of the Waterloo Warriors is a belief that sport is more than competition — it's a powerful connector. Through intentional community initiatives, the Warriors continue to invest in young people, families, and local organizations, creating full-circle moments that last a lifetime.
One of the most visible examples is our Community Team Program, which brings minor league teams onto campus to experience varsity athletics firsthand. From autograph sessions and scrimmages to sideline access and game-day experiences, young athletes are given the opportunity to see where passion, dedication, and teamwork can lead.
For more than 25 years, the Warriors have also proudly run the Team-Up Program, where varsity student-athletes visit elementary school classrooms across the region. In these sessions, athletes teach students the Six Keys to Success — lessons rooted in leadership, resilience, respect, and community. These visits go beyond the classroom, inspiring children to dream big while reinforcing the values that sport can instill for life.
The impact of these programs is best seen in the stories that come full circle.
Just this past weekend, Christina Horst and Amy Dahl brought out their daughters' basketball team, the KWGBA Phoenix U10, to experience Warriors basketball together. Christina and Amy are educators and coaches at Bluevale Collegiate, where they continue to spark a love for sport and community in the next generation.
One of those students was Emily Ysselstein, now a full-time staff member with the Waterloo Warriors. At 28, Emily credits Christina and Amy for shaping her passion for basketball and teaching her the importance of sport as a community builder. For the past decade, Emily has worked to bring that same sense of belonging, opportunity, and excitement to the university stage — ensuring today's youth feel just as inspired as she once did.
Another Bluevale connection lives on through Lucas Furfaro, one of the trusted voices of the Waterloo Warriors. Lucas first learned French from Christina at Bluevale and now proudly uses those skills while contributing to major national events, including the Miller Waste U SPORTS Women's Hockey National Championship, hosted by the Waterloo Warriors in Elmira, Ontario, from March 19–22.
These are the moments that define the Warriors' commitment to community — where mentorship turns into careers, lessons turn into leadership, and young athletes grow into role models.
Youth bring light to our future, and when sport is used as a platform for play, connection, and joy, its impact carries through life, careers, and communities.
We invite families, educators, and young athletes to be part of this experience. Sign your class up for a Team-Up session, or join us for our final Camps & Minor Leagues Day this Saturday, January 31, during our Graduating Senior Volleyball Games at Carl Totzke Court (PAC) — with the women's match at 1:00 p.m. and the men's match at 2:30 p.m.
Because at Waterloo, once you're part of the Warriors community, you're always part of the story.
