On September 13th, the Toronto Blue Jays and Sheridan College honored this year’s Student Trainer Award recipients before the Toronto Blue Jays took on the Baltimore Orioles.
This year’s winners David Loiacano and Kyla Twinem were presented with their awards on the field where family, friends, fans and players applauded them for their great accomplishments.
Award presentation, from right to left: Rona Taylor, Kyla Twinem, Andrew Pipkin, Ashley Halket, Dr. David Lawrence, David Loiacano, Voon Chong, Julie Dickson. (Photo by Andrew Lahodynskyj/The Toronto Blue Jays)
David Loiacono is the recipient of the Toronto Blue Jays Scholarship Award. David spent the 2025 season with the Toronto Blue Jays, working alongside their athletic trainers and experiencing and learning more about athletic therapy.
“[I’m] super grateful that the Jays decided to go with me and obviously I don’t play baseball anymore, but to be involved in professional baseball at the highest level is kind of like a dream come true,” said David Loiacono.
Dr. David Lawrence presents David Loiacano with the Sports Medicine Scholarship Award plaque during the pre-game ceremony at Rogers Centre. (Photo by Adam Foley/The Sheridan Sun)
David’s mother, Charmaine, spoke of his dedication to sports and players.
“No matter what sports he’s in, he’s always got a passion for it. His passion to protect people, his passion to treat people, everything,” said Charmaine.
The Toronto Blue Jays Scholarship Award was established in 1990 and is given to an outstanding student in Sheridan’s Athletic Therapy program. David has shown academic excellence and hard work with both Sheridan College and the Toronto Blue Jays.
“I’m just happy for him, because he works hard, very hard,” said Tony, David’s father.
David Loiacano’s family and friends attended the awards ceremony to offer their support to David. (Photo by Madeline Cholette/The Sheridan Sun)
David has always had a passion for the sport of baseball. He started playing at 4 years old.
“This is a perfect position for him because he knows what players want and [what] they’re going through, and the passion that they have, and he has it too. So, for him to get this therapy program internship here, it just gives him the experience you can’t get anywhere else,” said Tony.
This year’s Dr. Ron Taylor award winner is Kyla Twinem. Twinem was also honored during the pregame on-field ceremony. This award is also given to a student in the Bachelor of Applied Health Sciences Athletic Therapy program.
The award honors a student who illustrates excellence in athletic therapy through their leadership and dedication, as well as their involvement in extracurricular endeavors.
This is the 16th year the award has been given out, and the first time since Dr. Taylor’s passing earlier this year.
“It gives someone who’s obviously done really well in school up until now the opportunity to achieve their dreams to be able to advance as a trainer, which in turn snowballs into helping our athletes,” said Dr. Taylor’s wife, Rona.
Rona Taylor presenting Kyla Twinem with the Dr. Ron Taylor Award plaque during the pre-game ceremony at Rogers Centre. (Photo by Madeline Cholette/The Sheridan Sun)
This year’s recipient Kyla had the unique opportunity to have conversations with the Toronto Blue Jays training staff about their experiences and multidisciplinary approach in their field.
“I wanted to know how they were working in a demanding high-performance environment and being able to balance a family life,” said Kyla about the experience. “After this, I really want to pursue more strength and conditioning as well as working with high performance.”
Kyla Twinem with her mother Julie. (Photo by Adam Foley)
Also in attendance was Kyla’s mom, Julie who expressed her pride in her daughter’s accomplishments. She emphasized Kyla’s work ethic and unique skillset that helped get her here.
“She’s a hard, hard worker and, she’s just such a loving person to the people she meets,” said Julie.
David Loiacano and Kyla Twinem with their awards. (Photo by Adam Foley/The Sheridan Sun)
To cap off the day’s celebrations, the Blue Jays won the game in a dramatic walk-off win, beating the Oriole’s 5-4.