On the morning of his graduation, Josh Thomas made his normal commute to the city. But instead of going to the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC), Thomas arrived at Union Station and walked toward the Rogers Centre. 

Despite it being one of the most important days of his life, Thomas had convinced himself that he would work half of it at his job with the Toronto Blue Jays. 

After playing four years as an outfielder for the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold baseball team, his role with the Blue Jays' sales department was a dream come true. 

"As someone who lives their life through baseball," said Thomas. "This opportunity was extremely special." 

Thomas chipped away at his list of tasks with a laser focus that had often been reserved for the baseball diamond. It wasn't until hours later that he received a text from his mother. 

"I'm at the MAC," the text read. "Where are you?" 

"Mom," Thomas replied. "It doesn't start for another two hours." 

Later that day, Thomas covered the white dress shirt and black pants he wore for work with a graduation gown and cap. It was a change in uniform that signaled that the rest of his life was about to begin. 

But on the journey to this moment, there was a cloud that loomed over Thomas' head. For many students, it's a thought that becomes increasingly difficult to ignore with each passing year in their respective programs.

"One of the worst phrases a university student can hear is 'what are you going to do after?'," said Thomas. 

Thomas understands the difficult challenge that most student-athletes face. After years of tireless dedication to perfecting their craft, the transition from university life to a post-graduation reality can be jarring. With plans to visit TMU in the near future, Thomas hopes he can be a valuable resource for the next generation of Bold athletes. 

"I don't have the blueprint, but there's a template that can be taken from my experience," said Thomas. "I think people can apply it or change it to a better version for themselves." 

Thomas recalls how much it helped him to have access to Bold alumni, particularly coaches who previously played for TMU and went on to have successful careers outside of the university. Their guidance on and off the field prepared Thomas to enter the workforce. 

"The biggest thing I learned was how to network," said Thomas. "It allowed me to do an internal check of what I want to do and who I want to become." 

Thomas' transition from the Blue Jays' office to receiving his degree on graduation day didn't accidentally happen. The Ajax, Ont., native had been drawn to sports his entire life. He worked part-time at a local golf course during the summers. The job helped Thomas focus on his education during the colder months. 

When Thomas first crossed paths with the Blue Jays organization during his third year at TMU, it was for an opening in ticket operations. Realizing that he was one step closer to a coveted role, Thomas remembers seeking out a nearby bench to settle his nerves.

"I had to take this breather because I was interviewing for a job with the Toronto Blue Jays," said Thomas. 

Thomas was eventually offered the position. He is quick to credit the guidance he received from TMU counsellors and workshops for helping him prepare for the interview, but it shouldn't come as a surprise that Thomas already embodied the ideal fit for a professional baseball organization. 

The move from Thomas' first role with the Blue Jays in ticketing operations to his latest position in group sales was seamless. Thomas believes the lessons he learned at TMU's Ted Rogers School of Management were the reason. Majoring in law and business, and minoring in marketing, Thomas was prepared to handle the day-to-day tasks for the Blue Jays.

Whether it was walking across the graduation stage or up to the batter's box, Thomas has always been ready for the moment. But on the morning of his final baseball game for TMU, Thomas recognized something was different. 

"It was probably the first time I've ever woken up to play baseball and actually not wanted to go out there on the field," said Thomas. "It felt pretty eerie." 

This was a big deal for Thomas because he describes himself as "extremely intense" on game day. At this point, Thomas had come to terms with not overcomplicating his final appearance in a Bold uniform. His father couldn't attend the game, but it didn't necessarily bother Thomas. 

"I was lucky enough to play a lot in front of my parents," said Thomas. 

But during one of his plate appearances, Thomas stepped out of the batter's box and looked into his dugout. There were his teammates and coaches, all staring back. He vividly remembers each of their faces. Before Thomas begins his plate routine, he hears the sound of his father cheering him on. After years of giving the sport his everything, Thomas' brain and heart had become hardwired to play baseball. 

"That was the closest I ever got to crying," said Thomas.

Like most former student-athletes, Thomas often reminisces more about the moments he shared with teammates rather than the outcome of games. The number of wins or RBIs eventually fades in comparison to the community that comes with sport. Thomas even continues to host some of his former teammates for an annual holiday tradition. 

"I feel really lucky to have played for TMU because it allowed me to be a part of something greater than me," said Thomas. "It was a great run but it's onto the next thing now."

"I felt like I graduated when I played that last game," added Thomas. 

Thomas says he wasn't the type of child who could tell adults what he wanted to be when he grew up. He had a specific mindset instead. His time at university helped him develop, and more importantly, reframe that mentality. 

"I wanted to change the world," said Thomas. "But TMU helped me realize I can change my world (with how) I interact with colleagues, teammates, and coaches." 

While Thomas has effectively maneuvered through each phase of his life, it doesn't mean that he's left behind the things that shaped who he is today. Thomas doesn't have the time to play baseball as much as he used to, but he continues to participate in local competitive leagues and circuits. 

It's also why Thomas is determined to make himself available to future TMU athletes. 

"Learning from so many older players and trying to apply that to future students is something I take extremely seriously," said Thomas. "I hope I can leave people with happiness and hope in a way that people I've crossed paths with have done for me."