Toronto Blue Jays recognize two Sheridan Athletic Therapy students during on-field award ceremony

Two Sheridan Honours Bachelor of Applied Health Sciences - Athletic Therapy fourth-year students were recognized on field at Rogers Centre Friday, celebrating their academic achievement, leadership and commitment to the profession as part of Sheridan's longstanding relationship with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Payton Barkley received the 2026 Toronto Blue Jays Sports Medicine Scholarship, while Hayden Butler-Benn received the 2026 Dr. Ron Taylor Award. The students were honoured during a pre-game ceremony before the Blue Jays faced the Baltimore Orioles, with their awards presented in front of family, friends and fans.

As this year's Toronto Blue Jays Sports Medicine Scholarship recipient, Barkley was awarded $5,000 after a season-long internship with the team, which provided her with the opportunity to work alongside the Blue Jays’ medical and high-performance staff throughout the 2026 season.

“The experience has reinforced what Sheridan has taught me: you have to think outside the box and adapt to each individual's needs... The learnings from this MLB season are something I know will stay with me throughout my career. ”

– Honours Bachelor of Applied Health Sciences - Athletic Therapy student and Toronto Blue Jays Sports Medicine Scholarship recipient Payton Barkley

Established in 1990, the scholarship is awarded exclusively to Sheridan Athletic Therapy students. Third-year students apply directly to the Blue Jays, with shortlisted candidates participating in an interview process led by the team’s medical staff. The selected student works all home games throughout the Major League Baseball season as an athletic therapy intern, gaining experience in the day-to-day demands of professional sport.

“It means a lot to have this moment of recognition, especially for my family. I’ve loved working with the Blue Jays, and the experience has reinforced what Sheridan has taught me: you have to think outside the box and adapt to each individual’s needs. Not every injury or person will be the same, and the learnings from this MLB season are something I know will stay with me throughout my career,” said Barkley. “I’m also very grateful for the professors who have taught me how to think critically and trust my skills, and for my student peers who encouraged me to pursue this opportunity.”

The Dr. Ron Taylor Award, established in 2009, recognizes a Sheridan Athletic Therapy student nominated by faculty and field placement partners, who demonstrates academic excellence alongside leadership, strong interpersonal skills, extracurricular involvement and a commitment to the profession. The award honours Dr. Ron Taylor, a former Major League Baseball pitcher and longtime Blue Jays team physician who served the Blue Jays for three decades.

“To be recognized by the Toronto Blue Jays organization and their medical staff is a tremendous honour. Dr. Taylor's legacy is truly one of a kind, and to receive an award that carries his name is something I will hold onto with pride and gratitude for the rest of my career,” said Butler-Benn. “The motivation, discipline and commitment I am being recognized for is a reflection of what I have learned in the classroom and at my placements. The hands-on nature of the Athletic Therapy program and the advisement of my professors have given me a lot of opportunity to grow professionally.”

The awards reflect a relationship between Sheridan’s Athletic Therapy program and the Blue Jays that has spanned more than 35 years, providing Sheridan students like David Loiacono, who got to support the Blue Jays World Series 2025 appearance, with opportunities to learn directly from professionals working at the highest levels of sport.

Over the years, recipients of the Sports Medicine Scholarship have gone on to careers in professional sport, including within the Blue Jays organization. Blue Jays Assistant Athletic Trainer, Drew MacDonald, is a Sheridan Athletic Therapy graduate who received the scholarship in 2008 before joining the Blue Jays in 2011. In a full circle moment, he oversaw Barkley’s placement.

“My roots within the Sheridan Athletic Therapy program and my relationship with the staff there was incredibly influential to my career. I take great pride in the opportunity to play a small role in the development of future athletic therapists,” said MacDonald. “Payton Barkley has shown great initiative and her smiling personality contributed greatly to us this season. Our interns are vital to our performance team and we rely on them heavily to help make sure the day flows easily.”

“My roots within the Sheridan Athletic Therapy program and my relationship with the staff there was incredibly influential to my career. I take great pride in the opportunity to play a small role in the development of future athletic therapists. ”

– Toronto Blue Jays Assistant Athletic Trainer and Sheridan Athletic Therapy graduate Drew MacDonald

Experiences like the Blue Jays internship are a key part of the Faculty of Applied Health and Community Studies’ (FAHCS) practice-driven approach to learning, giving students opportunities to apply their knowledge in complex, high-performance environments and learn from experienced practitioners. With more than 5,000 students completing industry and community placements each year, supported by a network of more than 1,900 partners, FAHCS programs connect classroom learning with real-world experience, helping students build the practical skills, professional confidence and adaptability needed to be workforce ready.

“This longstanding partnership is also a testament to the professionalism and dedication Sheridan students bring to these opportunities,” said Dr. Vicki Mowat, Dean of Sheridan’s Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies. “We’re deeply grateful to the Toronto Blue Jays for more than 35 years of support, mentorship and opportunities that connect our students’ classroom learning with the realities of professional sport.”

To learn more about how Sheridan's Faculty of Applied Health and Community Studies prepares future leaders and changemakers to make a meaningful impact in healthcare, education, community services and public safety, visit sheridancollege.ca/fahcs

— Photos by Ryan Kelly, Sheridan Social Media Specialist