Devon Rizzo had a career full of triumphs at Waterloo, but she arrived on campus in 2010 looking for something a little simpler: a chance to compete, earn an engineering degree, and be part of a team. What followed was a career that exceeded even her own expectations, ultimately earning her a place in the Warriors Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
"Honestly, I had no idea," Rizzo said of receiving the call about her induction. "It was never something I really thought of. So, it was kind of surprising... and really cool when I got the call."
That sense of humility has been a constant throughout a career that ranks among the finest in program history.
Growing up, golf had always been part of Rizzo's life. Introduced to the game by her father, she began competing at a young age and quickly developed a passion for competition. Yet as recruitment opportunities emerged, she was looking for more than simply the next stop in her golf career; a future in engineering mattered just as much.
"I kind of had narrowed down at that point that I wanted to study engineering some way, and I also knew I wanted to be competitive in golf," said Rizzo. "I just knew Waterloo had a great reputation for engineering, and it just kind of was the right balance."
That balance was strengthened by another key factor: longtime Warriors coach Carla Munch, whom Rizzo cites as a major influence in her decision to come to Waterloo.
The match proved to be a perfect one, what began as an opportunity to play university golf soon became far more.
"I just wanted to compete and be a part of a team and have some fun," said Rizzo. "It really turned into a lot more than I think I was ever expecting it to."
Throughout her time in black and gold, Rizzo established herself as one of the premier golfers in Canadian university sport. Championships turned from vague dreams to tangible goals, and before long, accomplishments.
Rizzo was named an OUA all-star in four consecutive seasons, and led the Warriors to OUA gold medals in her first two years on the squad. In 2012, she staked her claim as the top athlete in the sport, winning the individual women's title at the Canadian University/College Championship. She also took home individual OUA gold in2013.
"I always knew I could compete at a high level," she said. "Winning a Canadian national championship was always a goal. Being able to accomplish those things was pretty eye-opening for me because then realizing, 'OK, I can compete and win some of these championships.'"
While golf often emphasizes individual performance, many of Rizzo's fondest memories came from team success.
"Because golf is usually such an individual sport, I think having that team component when you get to university really adds to that level," she explained. "You want to make sure you're playing well for your team, not only yourself."
"It made it competitive within us, but we also wanted to encourage and cheer on our teammates at the same time."
That culture, fostered by Munch and embraced by the student-athletes around her, helped create some of the memories Rizzo still treasures today. When asked about her favourite memory as a Warrior, a moment off the course stands out.
"We played nationals in Quebec one year, and Carla always tried to rent an Airbnb or a place to stay as opposed to putting us up all in hotel rooms," she recalls. "We stayed at this place and there was a dock. And I just remember we were all hanging on the dock, hitting golf balls into the water one night. It was a really fun team bonding and experience. I think, as a team, we always kind of found a way to make those memorable and fun, and we always did something a little bit different."
Some of her most memorable moments also came while representing Canada on the international stage.
After qualifying for the World University Games in China as a rookie, Rizzo found herself in a position she never imagined possible.
"Going into my first nationals, I would never have thought that I would qualify for the World Games," she said. "Being able to qualify that first year was definitely one of the highlights of my life in general."
The path there included a pressure-filled playoff hole to earn her spot on the team, one that would become her favourite on-course memory.
"I just remember Carla walked the whole hole with me because I was really nervous," said Rizzo. "I would say that was probably my on-course highlight."
Rizzo would go on to represent the Warriors and Canada at the World University Games again in South Korea in 2015, as well as at the World University Golf Championship in Czechia in 2012 and in Switzerland in 2014.
Rizzo won 11 OUA tournaments over her Warriors career, and graduated with what was at the time the lowest score in OUA Women's Golf history (70). She was awarded the Warriors Shield of Excellence in 2014.
Today, Rizzo has carried the lessons learned at Waterloo into her professional career, working as Director of Systems Engineering at a growing logistics company in her hometown of Brantford. She still finds time to compete in club and local tournaments, maintaining the connection to a sport that helped shape her university experience.
As she prepares to take her place among Waterloo's all-time greats, it is not the trophies or accolades that stand out most. Instead, it is the people.
"When I reflect back, I'm just really happy that my golf and schooling led me to Waterloo," Rizzo said. "It was definitely one of the best experiences in my life, and I definitely wouldn't change it."
"I'm really happy I ended up at Waterloo. I met a lot of great people, a lot of great teammates, and definitely some mentors in Carla and the whole coaching staff. I was pretty lucky."
A national champion. An international competitor. A Warrior Hall of Famer.
Not bad for someone who only wanted the chance to compete.
