Former recreational athlete, Matthew Dutra, used his experiences in sport to open up additional on-campus opportunities and increase his transferrable workplace skills. 

Etobicoke – Matthew Dutra spent time at Humber College building skills and connections that help him every day in his Civil Construction career.  As a student in the Civil Engineering Technology program, Dutra focused on completing accurate work, understanding the importance of safety and meeting deadlines related to construction projects, but was looking for something else to add to his student experience.  That something else was the Extramural Men’s Hockey Team.

In the fall of 2013, Dutra attended open tryouts for the North Campus Extramural Men’s Hockey Team and was named to the roster.  Almost immediately, the Richmond Hill native developed a stronger connection to the school and to his coaches and teammates.  Players committed to weekly practices, off ice training as well as attendance at monthly tournaments, and capped off the season by winning the OCCCR Provincial Challenge Cup – a fond memory for Dutra.

During his time representing Humber North on the ice, Dutra was named an Alternate Captain and demonstrated his leadership and communication skills amongst players, coaches and recreation staff.  The Men’s Extramural Hockey Team was named “Team of the Year” in 2014, and Dutra received the Men’s Extramural Hockey Award of Distinction in 2017 for his many contributions to the program.  Dutra finished off his campus recreation career by joining the team’s coaching staff for the 2017-2018 season.

While playing hockey at a very high level, and maintaining a busy class schedule, Dutra was able to work part time in the construction industry and joined the Campus Recreation Staff Team in his second year at Humber.  As a member of this team for 2 years, Dutra was able to continue building interpersonal skills, effective communication strategies and long-lasting friendships.  He also had the opportunity to fill a number of student-leader roles including Intramural Official, Intramural Ice Hockey League Convenor, Tournament and Event Convenor, Interim Extramural Hockey Coach, Gym Supervisor and Varsity Operations Specialist. 

As a member of a number of staff teams with varying assignments, Dutra was able to learn effective time and staff management skills by helping to host a number of local, provincial and even national events.  One of his prouder moments was helping to plan, organize and run many Extramural Tournaments that Humber hosted – including the hockey tournament which is the largest of its kind in collegiate recreation.  Playing a role in some of the larger events hosted by the entire Athletics Department was also rewarding. 

After graduating from Humber College in 2016, Dutra worked as a technician for an engineering firm where his main job was testing concrete and inspecting structural steel.  He has since moved into the contractor side of construction where he is learning more and more about the industry each day.  Currently, he is working in construction as a Project Manager & Estimator, including securing contracts, carrying out those contracts and closing them, and hopes to continue growing his knowledge and skills in the construction industry.

Dutra has continued to play recreational hockey and started playing golf.  He recently purchased his first home in Whitby, Ontario with his partner, Jenna, and keeps in touch with a number of players, coaches and coworkers from the Humber Campus Recreation Program. He looks forward to playing in the Extramural Men’s Hockey Annual Alumni Game and watching the new crop of athletes play in the invitational hockey tournament hosted by Humber.