Michael Glenney provides a refreshing reminder of what it’s like to be a regular guy who happens to play sports. While playing important roles on two varsity sports teams (badminton and golf), he has continued to live in residence with friends from his freshman year through his second year at U of T.
Glenney grew up an hour away from Toronto in Lindsay, Ontario. He followed in the footsteps of both his parents in coming to the St. George campus. His decision was clinched by the fact that U of T had both a golf and a badminton team.
To get an idea of where the roots grow for the odd sports combination practiced by third-year Glenney, one need look no further than his placid demeanour.
“I don’t get too excited over many things; I sort of take things as they come. What happens, happens. You can’t really change anything.”
He feels that the benefits of his serene approach in golf extend beyond the course where he is playing.
“It helps you with life because you have to be patient and in control of everything,” he says. “You can’t get too excited about anything or else it takes your game downhill.”
His parents got him into racket sports like badminton and tennis as a youngster. At only five years of age, Glenney competed with the high school players his father coached. “They pretty much gave me the opportunity to do whatever I wanted,” he says of his parents.
This year’s badminton team achieved their goal of obtaining a medal with Glenney’s strong play as a driving force.
“We didn’t beat any of the top teams last year,” stated Glenney. “We were playing in the fifth or sixth spot the whole year.”
The history major is quick to share credit for the badminton team’s turnaround this past season. After last year’s fifth-place finish, the team captured the bronze medal in 2002. He points to the strong play of rookies for much of the team’s improvement this year. Despite not having played doubles at all last season, Glenney and teammate Phil Bennington enjoyed a strong season together.
He also mentions the steady hand and guidance of 2002 OUA Coach of the Year Wayne King in helping his game.
“Wayne’s a great coach because he lets you push yourself and if you stop doing that, then he’s there. He lets you figure things out for yourself, which is one of the best ways to learn. Instead of someone trying to drive it home, he just lets you figure stuff out.”
Despite his modesty, Glenney’s 2002 league MVP title speaks volumes about his contribution to the team’s success.
“I was surprised when I got it,” he said. “I knew I was nominated, but I didn’t think that I was going to get it because there were some other good guys who were nominated. I wasn’t sure who was going to win, because it was sort of wide open.”
After having secured the award, Glenney is already anticipating how he can use it to boost his game to new heights in the coming season.
“Now I’m looking forward to next year, because now I want to work harder to try to get it again. It’s something to strive for. Hopefully it’s going to help me work harder and improve my game.”
He won’t be the only player Blues opponents will have to fear next year, since women’s league MVP Edith Chow will be returning as a teammate.
“Her demeanour when she gets on the court—she’s just like a killer. She goes out there and does it and gets it over with. She definitely helps the rest of us work harder, seeing what she does.”
During stretches of the offseason, one need not get startled at seeing a more animated Glenney in the Sports Gym bleachers cheering on the women’s basketball team. This year he and some friends decided to paint themselves blue and assume the role of crowd leaders for the OUA basketball championships, hosted by U of T.
“One of our friends plays on the women’s team,” said Glenney. “We just thought it’d be a good idea to do it for some excitement and to get people into (the game).”
What is most surprising about Glenney is that he hasn’t lost sight of other interests amidst his athletic success. He still plays the piano and guitar and hangs out with friends in what spare time he has. It is not by coincidence that he is fast becoming one of the most recognizable faces on campus.
