There have been many Queen’s students who have gone on to pursue majorly successful careers. Today The Journal will break down four Queen’s alumni who have become successful athletes.
Tessa Virtue
In 2020, CBC reported that Tessa Virtue, Canadian figure skating icon, began her studies in the Executive MBA program at Queen’s University.
“It’s an extraordinary cohort, everyone is so impressive and has accomplished such wonderful things and in such diverse spheres, and so the conversations are so exhilarating, and especially right now, I’m so grateful to have the chance to sort of expand my mind,” Virtue told CBC.
Virtue is an extremely decorated figure skater, alongside her longtime skating partner, Scott Moir. The pair are the most decorated figure skaters in Olympics history, with three gold medals and two silver.
Holding numerous records, including being the first team to receive four 10.0s in any figure skating discipline under the International Judging System and the highest technical score in a short dance, Virtue has been no stranger to success in the world of sports.
Virtue and Moir announced their retirement in 2019 and Virtue now resides in Toronto with her partner Morgan Reilly of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Jim Young
Despite offers from American institutions, Jim Young accepted a scholarship to play football for the Queen’s Golden Gaels in the early 1960s.
In 1963, he played on both the offensive and defensive lines for the Gaels. At this time, Young was said to be Canada’s greatest football prospect.
After concluding his time at Queen’s, Young spent some time training with the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings and was so successful the team kept him on their roster for two years. He was the first Canadian university football player to be drafted into the NFL.
Following his time with the Vikings, Young returned to Canada to play in the CFL for the B.C. Lions.
Young amassed 522 receptions for 9,248 yards and 65 touchdowns during his 12 seasons with the Lions, and spent some time as an assistant coach for the team. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1991.
Craig MacTavish
Four-time Stanley Cup champion player and former NHL Head Coach Craig MacTavish completed his EMBA from Queen’s in 2011.
MacTavish spent 17 seasons in the NHL playing for the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, and St. Louis Blues. He won the Stanley Cup in 1987, 1988, 1990, and 1994.
He went on to the Edmonton Oilers as Assistant Coach in 1999, and was soon promoted to Head Coach, where he stayed from 2000 to 2009. MacTavish later took on assistant coach positions for the New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues.
The Queen’s Alumni Review reported that MacTavish had taken his EMBA as an opportunity to develop his knowledge on the business side of hockey.
Dalton Kellett
Dalton Kellett graduated from Queen’s with a degree in engineering physics in 2015. He has since applied his engineering background to race cars.
Prior to attending Queen’s, Kellett had a decent amount of racing experience and flourishing career in the sport, but the Queen’s Alumni Review reported that he made sure his academics were a priority.
Kellett began racing in the Road to Indy Circuits in 2012 and continued until he would make his IndyCar appearance in 2020.
A. J. Foyt Racing picked up Kellett and kept him on their team from 2020 to 2022. After finishing last place amongst full time drivers in the 2022 IndyCar Championship, Kellett announced he wouldn’t be returning to the A. J. Foyt Racing team for the 2023 season.
Kellett hasn’t raced in the IndyCar series since, but has worked to inspire STEM education coupled with racing.
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